When the National Distance Learning College (NDLC) crashed in 2001, an attempt was made to continue offering a service to some of its learners through a new company - Tutorial Services Ltd.

Details of this were not made widely available; no-one informed us for example. So it was difficult to be sure what was happening.

After a while, calls from learners alerted us to the fact that Tutorial Services also seemed to have ceased trading.

Companies House website indeed confirms that the company has been placed into compulsory liquidation. And as with the earleir collapse of NDLC, it is extrememly unlikely there will be any money left over to reimburse learners.

Nor do we know of any way for learners who started a course with the NDLC or Tutorial Services to complete it without paying to enrol with another college.

Neither of the Middlesborough-based organisations applied to undergo the accreditation process. Studying with an accredited provider offers extra safeguards, and a guarantee of good service.

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You can check the Companies House website at: www.companieshouse.gov.uk/info