Functional skills qualifications

Are you ready to level up your skills? If you don't hold a GCSE pass in English, maths or ICT functional skills qualifications can help you to progress your education or improve job prospects

What are functional skills qualifications?

In the UK, functional skills qualifications are available at different levels to help develop essential English, maths, and ICT skills.Ìý

Functional skills qualifications teach you practical skills you can use in everyday life. They focus on learning by doing, not just studying.Ìý

These qualifications are recognised by employers, educational institutions, and training providers throughout the UK. You can study:Ìý

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• via blended learning.

Functional skills courses are available in several different settings, including:Ìý

• schools and sixth-form colleges.Ìý
• further education providers - like the Government funded Skills for Life ²õ³¦³ó±ð³¾±ð.Ìý
• private skills providers - such as BHM Training, Lead Academy, Pass Functional Skills.Ìý

What are functional skills equivalent to?

There are three main functional skills qualifications:ÌýÌý

• Entry Level 1, 2, and 3 - below GCSE level.Ìý
• Level 1 - equivalent to a GCSE grade 2-3 (E-D).ÌýÌý
• Level 2 - equivalent to a GCSE grade 4-9 (C-A*).ÌýÌý

Universities, apprenticeships, and further education programmes often require at least a Level 2 in maths and/or English.Ìý

What can I study?

English

You'll learn to communicate effectively in social situations, use appropriate language in professional settings, and develop academic language skills to succeed in higher education or vocational training programmes.Ìý

The course covers:Ìý

• reading - comprehension and critical analysis Ìý
• writing - practicing various forms of writing, such as narrative, descriptive and persuasive writingÌý
• speaking and listening - developing confidence and skills in delivering presentations to different audiences.Ìý

Maths

This qualification equips you with essential numeracy skills, and you'll learn to apply mathematical concepts to real-world situations. The course includes:Ìý

• data handling - creating charts, graphs, and tables to visually display dataÌý
• problem solving - estimating how long tasks will take, understanding statistics and calculating discounts in shopsÌý
• mental arithmetic - performing calculations quickly and accurately in your head.Ìý

These skills are fundamental when managing money, following instructions that involve measurements and planning your time.Ìý

Digital skills/ICT

This course focuses on developing your digital literacy, giving you the essential skills to thrive in today's digital world. You'll learn:Ìý

• communication - professional email writing, documents creation and editing, and how to confidently participate in online meetingsÌý
• information gathering - how to use search engines and evaluate the credibility and accuracy of online sources, and how to utilise digital tools to save and organise your researchÌý
• practical skills - the basics of online banking, managing your digital data, and navigating online forms.Ìý

Who are functional skills qualifications aimed at?

Functional skills courses can be taken by anyone who doesn't hold a GCSE in English or maths. Even while working towards other qualifications, like a foundation degree, you may have to study a functional skill.Ìý

Functional skills exams cover significantly less content than traditional GCSEs, making them ideal for busy adult learners who need their Level 2 certificate quickly.Ìý

If you're applying for colleges or a place on an apprenticeship, you'll need Engligh and maths qualifications for eligibility, especially for courses that involve substantial reading, writing, or mathematical work.Ìý

If you are on an apprenticeship, you'd study functional skills at the beginning of your scheme and aim to achieve the qualification within the first year, as it is usually a requirement to complete your apprenticeship successfully. For some apprenticeships, you may only need to achieve Level 1.Ìý

How am I assessed?

All functional skills assessments are graded as either a pass or fail.Ìý

Levels 1 and 2 can be taken online or by paper exam, while all entry-level exams are paper based. Online exams can be taken at any time, while paper assessments are administered during specific weeks determined by the awarding body.Ìý

Designed to be accessible for learners with diverse needs, these assessments offer reasonable adjustments to accommodate individual circumstances.Ìý

To prepare for exams, past papers can be downloaded from awarding bodies such as City & Guilds, Pearson Edexcel, or NCFE. Practice materials are also available on the following websites:Ìý

• BBC BitesizeÌý
• OpenLearnÌý
• Skills For LifeÌý

What jobs can I get with a functional skills qualification?

Many positions, including administrative, customer service, and technical support roles, require Level 2 competency in English and maths.Ìý

Here are some roles to consider:

• Care worker - English skills are crucial for communicating with patients and documenting information, while maths may be needed for medication dosages.Ìý
• Electrician - need maths for calculations and English for understanding technical documents.Ìý
• Retail assistant - maths skills are needed for handling transactions and stock management, while English skills help with customer interactions and understanding instructions.Ìý
• Plumber - maths is used for measurements and estimations, and English is necessary for reading instructions and communicating with clients.   Ìý

What further study can I do with a functional skills qualification?

Opening doors to higher education and specialised training programmes, functional skills Level 2 qualifications are often considered equivalent to GCSEs.Ìý

Examples of further study include:Ìý

• A-levels - while these qualifications usually require GCSEs, some institutions may consider functional skills Level 2 alongside other relevant experience. A-levels are more in-depth and can open doors to university courses.ÌýÌý
• Higher education diplomas - designed for adults who have been out of education for a while and want to prepare for university.Ìý
• Vocational qualifications - functional skills can be a great foundation for vocational qualifications like BTECs or NVQs. These qualifications focus on specific industries or jobs and often include elements of English and maths in their curriculum.ÌýÌý
• Apprenticeships - functional skills help to develop the necessary literacy and numeracy skills to progress from an intermediate to a higher apprenticeship.Ìý

How much does a functional skills qualification cost?

The Education and Skills Funding Agency funds these courses, though the exact cost can vary depending on the provider and individual circumstances.Ìý

Some local authorities also offer free functional skills courses, particularly for those who are unemployed or receiving Jobseeker's Allowance.ÌýÌý

Examples of councils offering functional skills courses include:Ìý

• City of Doncaster CouncilÌý
• Milton Keynes City CouncilÌý
• Staffordshire County CouncilÌý
• Wigan CouncilÌý

Employers may also fund functional skills training for their employees if it's relevant to their role.Ìý

For those not eligible for free courses, the cost of a functional skills qualification typically ranges from £150 to £225 per exam, depending on the provider. English and maths Level 2 exams are the most common and fall within this price range.Ìý

Awarding organisations may also charge exam fees, typically around £10 to £30 per assessment, depending on the level and subject.Ìý

Private training providers offer functional skills courses for a fee. For example, LearnDirect offer Level 2 English and maths for £936.90, which includes:Ìý

• mock examsÌý
• on demand lecturesÌý
• online examsÌý
• study materialsÌýÌý
• tutoring.ÌýÌý

These costs can vary significantly, from a few hundred to over a thousand pounds, depending on the provider and the course format.Ìý

Courses at colleges are often subsidised by the Government and come with a lower tuition cost. For example, the Level 1 or 2 maths qualification at Barnsley College costs £500, whereas Rotherham College charge £362 per course for those who currently hold a maths and English qualification but would like to improve their grade.Ìý

You can find a functional skills course provider through the National Careers Service.Ìý

Find out more

• Discover what the further education sector has to offer.Ìý
• Explore our guide to adult education.