Distance Learning Centre
Distance Learning Centre is a UK direct-to-consumer e-learning provider founded in 1993, selling 250+ self-study courses leading to Ofqual RQF qualifications and vendor certifications (CIW, MOS, CompTIA, Cisco) to individual adult learners via its website.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersNewbottle, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Distance Learning Centre does
Distance Learning Centre, trading as Distance Learning Courses Limited, is a UK-registered private company (Company Number 09972793, VAT 232 7602 27) operating from Houghton-le-Spring in Tyne & Wear. Founded in 1993 and described on its own website as one of the longest-established self-study distance-learning providers in the UK, the company sells more than 250 courses directly to individual adult learners through an e-commerce storefront at distance-learning-centre.co.uk, with telephone ordering as a secondary channel. Course categories span secondary education (Functional Skills, GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, AS Level), IT certifications (CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+/CySA+/Server+, Cisco CCNA, CIW, Microsoft Office Specialist and Microsoft 365 certifications including Power BI PL-300 and Modern Desktop MD-100/MD-101), vocational routes (Teaching Assistant CACHE Level 2/3, Health & Social Care), and interest areas (Counselling, Psychology, Business, Property Development).
The platform is a browser-delivered e-learning portal compatible with mainstream browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari). Students enrol at any time, gain 12-month access to course materials, submit assignments for tutor marking, and prepare for third-party exams using bundled tools such as GMetrix practice tests for MOS certifications. Course completion leads to externally-issued credentials — Ofqual RQF qualifications via Open Awards and the Quality Licence Scheme, or vendor certifications from CIW, CompTIA, Cisco, and Certiport/Microsoft — with exams delivered through PSI (CIW) or Prodigy Learning/Certiport (MOS) including remote-proctored options.
The business model is direct-to-consumer one-time course licence sales at prices typically ranging from £150 to £475 per course, financed either as full payment or via interest-free instalments — Klarna 3-month plans and GoCardless 6-month Direct Debit plans are offered at checkout. There is no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and reported headcount of 1–10 employees. Demand is generated through SEO-optimised course content, an educational blog, email newsletters, organic social media (notably Instagram), review-site presence (4.9/5 on findcourses.co.uk; 9.6/10 customer-service rating on Trustpilot), and the TOTUM+ student-discount partnership. Geographic reach is nominally listed as the UK, Ireland, Australia and the United States, although pricing and operations are primarily UK-centric.
Distance Learning Centre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Distance Learning Centre
- Legal name
- Distance Learning Courses Limited
- Website
- https://distance-learning-centre.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Distance Learning Centre is a UK direct-to-consumer e-learning provider founded in 1993, selling 250+ self-study courses leading to Ofqual RQF qualifications and vendor certifications (CIW, MOS, CompTIA, Cisco) to individual adult learners via its website.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Distance Learning Centre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Education Services
- NAICS
- Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Computer Training (611420), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors) (EDANAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA) (EDANAIAF), Education & Training (Teaching/Instructional Design) Certifications (EDAAANAM), Project, Process & Quality Certification Prep (PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma, ITIL) (EDANAIAE), Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)
Keywords
Where Distance Learning Centre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newbottle
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Distance Learning Centre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Course Sales: One-time purchase of self-study distance learning courses. Students pay upfront for course materials and optional exam vouchers. Flexible payment plans available through Klarna (3-month interest-free instalments) or Direct Debit (6-month interest-free instalments).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Digital Marketing for Business Course - Badge of Excellence |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | CIW Social Media Strategy Specialist Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | MOS PowerPoint 2016 Essentials Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Practical Power BI & DAX - Level 3 Course |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Distance Learning Centre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Distance Learning Centre sells self-study distance learning courses through an online e-learning portal, with over 250 courses spanning IT certifications (Microsoft Office Specialist, CompTIA, Cisco CCNA, CIW), academic qualifications (GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, Functional Skills), vocational programmes (Teaching Assistant, Health & Social Care), and professional development (Digital Marketing, Business, Counselling). Students enrol at any time, receive comprehensive course materials and personal tutor support, and work toward Ofqual Regulated Qualifications, industry certifications, or accredited certificates from recognised Awarding Organisations.
Product overview
Distance Learning Centre operates as a UK-based e-learning platform offering over 250 distance learning courses. The core product is a self-study online learning portal providing course materials accessible 24/7 with personal tutor support. The course portfolio spans IT and Technology (IT Essentials, Web Design, Programming), Microsoft certifications (MOS and Microsoft Certification courses), Cisco networking (CCNA), CompTIA certifications, social media and digital marketing courses, and general education (GCSE, A-Level, Teaching Assistant). Courses are delivered through online portals with assignments marked by tutors, leading to Ofqual Regulated Qualifications (RQF), industry certifications (CIW, MOS, Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco), or accredited certificates from awarding bodies. Payment options include full payment, Klarna 3-month installments, or GoCardless 6-month Direct Debit plans.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IT Essentials - Level 2 (RQF) Course Level 2 RQF qualification covering general computer skills, Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access), Internet, Email, and IT security. Leads to a Level 2 qualification with 32 credits and is designed for anyone who uses technology at work, education, or leisure.
- CIW Social Media Strategy Specialist Course Prepares students for the CIW 1D0-623 certification exam, covering social media campaign creation, data analysis, and business decision-making. Includes official CIW course materials, practice exams, and optional exam voucher.
- Digital Marketing for Business Course Covers fundamentals of digital marketing including customer experience personalisation, content creation, multi-channel promotions, and social media campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest. Awards the Open Awards Badge of Excellence certification.
- MOS PowerPoint 2016 Essentials Online Course Microsoft Office Specialist certification preparation for PowerPoint 2016 covering presentation creation, text/shapes/images formatting, tables/charts/SmartArt/media, transitions and animations. Includes GMetrix exam practice software and optional MOS exam voucher.
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Courses Suite of MOS certification courses covering Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook for versions 2016, 2019 and 365, including Associate, Expert and bundle options with GMetrix practice tests.
- Microsoft Certification Courses Professional Microsoft certification courses including Managing Modern Desktops (MD-101), Windows 10 (MD-100) and Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) leading to Microsoft 365 Certified credentials.
- Network & Security Courses IT security and networking certification courses including CompTIA Server+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Cisco CCNA.
- Practical Power BI & DAX - Level 3 Course Business intelligence course teaching Power BI visualisation and DAX formulas for data analysis, covering dashboard creation, charts, tables and KPI indicators. Awards an Open Awards Level 3 Quality Endorsed Unit Certificate.
- Web Design Professional Bundle Bundle of three best-selling Webmaster courses covering HTML, CSS and web design sold at a discounted combined price of £475.00.
- Cisco CCNA Online Course Cisco Certified Network Associate certification preparation covering networking fundamentals, routing, switching and network security.
- Teaching Assistant Level 3 Diploma (CACHE RQF) CACHE-accredited Specialist Support for Teaching & Learning in Schools Level 3 Diploma, enabling learners to become a qualified Teaching Assistant through distance learning.
- Distance Learning Centre E-Learning Portal Online learning management system providing 24/7 access to self-study course materials, personal tutor support and assignment marking. Students enrol at any time and study at their own pace across 250+ courses.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4.9/5 rating based on 227+ reviews from findcourses.co.uk
Companies that use Distance Learning Centre
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Distance Learning Centre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Distance Learning Centre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Open AwardscoreOpen Awards is an Awarding Body Organisation approved by Ofqual. They provide certification including the Badge of Excellence for DLC courses. Set up in 1981 with over 30 years in business, Open Awards is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity.
- CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster)coreDLC is an authorised training partner for CIW course materials, offering official Certified Internet Webmaster self-study courses. DLC offers the CIW Web and Mobile Design Professional Series qualifications including 7 individual CIW exams.
- Quality Licence Scheme (QLS)coreQLS is a form of certification offered through The Skills and Education Group, providing quality endorsed unit course certificates for DLC courses such as Business Administration, HR, and Project Management qualifications.
- Certiport / MicrosoftcoreDLC offers Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification courses aligned with Certiport's certification programme. Students can sit MOS exams at Certiport Testing Centres or through remote proctoring.
- KlarnacoreKlarna provides 3-month interest-free payment plan integration for course purchases at checkout, allowing students to spread costs over multiple payments.
- GoCardlesscoreGoCardless enables 6-month interest-free Direct Debit payment plans for course purchases, allowing convenient recurring payments for students.
- PSI ExamsminorPSI provides remote proctored exam services for CIW certification exams. Students can take exams from home or office with webcam monitoring, or at PSI testing centres.
- Prodigy LearningminorProdigy Learning is the Certiport exam solution provider for UK, Ireland and Australia locations, enabling MOS exam administration at testing centres.
- CompTIAcoreDLC offers CompTIA certification courses including CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+, and Server+ as part of their IT certification portfolio.
- CiscocoreDLC offers Cisco CCNA certification courses for networking professionals seeking Cisco Certified Network Associate credentials.
- TOTUM+minorTOTUM+ is the student discount card programme offered in partnership with DLC, providing students with savings of over £550 annually on shopping and discounts on DLC courses.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Distance Learning Centre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Distance Learning Centre social profiles
Digital presenceDistance Learning Centre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Distance Learning Centre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Distance Learning Centre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Distance Learning Centre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Distance Learning Centre
What does Distance Learning Centre do?
Distance Learning Centre sells self-study distance learning courses through an online e-learning portal, with over 250 courses spanning IT certifications (Microsoft Office Specialist, CompTIA, Cisco CCNA, CIW), academic qualifications (GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level, Functional Skills), vocational programmes (Teaching Assistant, Health & Social Care), and professional development (Digital Marketing, Business, Counselling). Students enrol at any time, receive comprehensive course materials and personal tutor support, and work toward Ofqual Regulated Qualifications, industry certifications, or accredited certificates from recognised Awarding Organisations.
Is Distance Learning Centre a public or private company?
Distance Learning Centre is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Distance Learning Centre founded?
Distance Learning Centre was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Distance Learning Centre based?
Distance Learning Centre is headquartered in Newbottle, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Distance Learning Centre make money?
One revenue line is on record: course Sales.
Does Distance Learning Centre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Distance Learning Centre.
What industry is Distance Learning Centre in?
Distance Learning Centre's product category is Online Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAGAL, Integrated Tutoring + Learning Content Platforms (Curriculum + Tutors), with a secondary code of EDANAIAF, Information Technology & Cybersecurity Certification Prep (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, AWS, ISC2/ISACA). Its NAICS code is 6114 and its SIC code is 8200.