By Justin Parkinson BBC News Online education staff

Studying and caring can be a burden

Nineteen-year-old Abida Latif does both, as her father has crippling arthritis and her mother has been severely ill for several months.

On top of that, there are two younger sisters and a brother to feed and look after.

But, with the aid of the National Extension College, which helps educate students in difficult circumstances, Abida, from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, has won a place at university.

Little time

She said: "I spend about five hours a day caring for my father and then I have to do all the other duties.

"I sometimes feel like I'm a mum myself with all the pressure on me. It's quite difficult because I'm doing all this at the same time as my college work.

I always tried and was determined to continue my education Abida Latif

"I don't have a lot of time left, so I have to fit in the studying when I've got a moment to spare."

Abida sat her GCSEs three years ago.

She said: "When I was doing my exams it was about the time I had to increase my caring duties. I couldn't really concentrate and do revision. I sat the exams and got all the qualifications I could.

"But I always tried and was determined to continue my education."

So in autumn 2001 Abida enrolled on an AS-level criminal law course at a local college, but the pressures of her home life did not let up.

"I couldn't really go to any lectures - maybe about three in the year - and had to do most of the work at home.

"My older sister, who lives away, helped care for my parents for a bit to free up some study time for me but it wasn't the same as for other students, who had lots of extra time.

"Most of them couldn't believe I was studying and caring."

National Extension College offers home-study courses

Having completed the AS-level, Abida contacted the National Extension College (NEC), which offers educational help to people unable to attend courses regularly.

After she opted for business studies, the college assigned her an academic mentor to guide her through it the difficulties of a home-study course.

"I started doing an AS-level and I wanted to do an A2, so I could complete the full A-level in the same year. But I was told I couldn't do it, with all my other work.

"The college said it would be difficult to do it all at once, but after three months I'd done quite well and they said it would be OK to take the A2 as well."

Despite her commitments, Abida has persevered with the course and has been predicted a grade B.

Last autumn her mentor helped her fill in a university application form.

'Really proud'

Abida had picked a Higher National Diploma (HND) course in computing at Huddersfield University, so she could still live at home and care for her parents.

But the academics had a very pleasant surprise in store.

Abida said: "I had applied for an HND, thinking that was what I was going to do.

"But then I went for an interview, they told me they had looked at my case and that I could do a full degree instead.

"I was really proud. I never thought I'd be able to do this, considering my situation. My dad was really pleased for me too."

Funded by the Learning and Skills Council, the NEC is currently helping 140 people with its home study package.

Students contribute �50 towards course materials and the NEC subsidises the other costs involved.

It is hoped this will improve access to university for the disabled, elderly and others unable to visit colleges regularly - including home carers.

After graduating from Huddersfield, Abida hopes for a career in software development.