What type of qualification is functional skills

This includes everything from analysing the syntax, morphology and phonology of the English language. You will gain an insight into the themes and ideas discussed by writers, which will help you to become a better writer in turn. Rather than developing skills for life, you will develop your understanding of the English language. You will build a solid foundation for further academic study of the subject. In a nutshell, Functional Skills equip you with life skills whilst GCSEs equip you with knowledge upon which you can build in the future.

Functional Skills are known online qualifications, whereas GCSEs are traditionally taught in a classroom environment. This means that you can only study at specific times during the week, at a certain location. A teacher dictates what you learn and when you learn it.

As such, GCSEs can take up to 2 years to achieve in a traditional education setting. With online learning, there are no timetables or restrictions. You will have the freedom to set your pace and complete your qualification in your time.

You can take 2 weeks or 2 years to do this. Despite both being delivered online, it is quicker to gain your qualification via Functional Skills than it is via a GCSE course. This is largely down to the fact that there is less material to cover in a Functional Skills programme than in a GCSE one.

If you dedicate just 2 hours to your studies every day, you could achieve your Functional Skills qualification in less than 4 weeks. This includes taking your exam online too. Studying for your GCSEs online at the same pace could take you 2 months or more, not including exam time. Find a course or qualification I'm looking for: Search. Find a centre Near me:.

Offering: Search. Centres Learners Employers. Qualifications explained. Available for first registration from September , our offer includes: Flexible new assessments at 5 levels — Entry Level 1 to Level 2 available on demand. English and Mathematics Level 1 and 2 Functional Skills exams available on demand, on paper and on screen.

Digital teaching and learning support resources mapped to the qualification: - e-functional Skills: Supports learners from Initial assessment right through to being exam ready. Online sample practice tests on Open Assess - an open version of e-volve, our online test platform. Open Assess replicates real test environment. Improved assessment feedback. Functional Skills for Apprenticeships All apprentices should be supported to improve their maths and English.

Details are in the apprenticeship standard or SASE framework though generally: Level 2 apprentices need maths and English at Level 1 and have to attempt all elements of the Level 2 qualification Level 3 apprentices need maths and English at Level 2 There may be extra requirements for higher level apprenticeships or particular industry roles.

Qualification support material. Preparing for on screen tests. Functional Skills Digital resources for learners and tutors. Digital resources to support your Functional Skills delivery. The status as at 13 November of each of the qualifications currently being developed is as follows:. We will update this table on a weekly basis, so that centres have a clearer idea about when they can expect to receive final versions of materials from awarding organisations.

Added links to a blog post about maintaining standards in reformed Functional Skills qualifications and a letter to awarding organisations on the same subject. Updated to describe the value of functional skills qualifications to employers. Evaluation status updated for Industry Qualifications submissions.

Evaluation status updated for Open Awards submissions. Evaluation status updated for City and Guilds submission. Evaluation status updated for City and Guilds submissions. Added section on publication of draft specifications and sample assessment materials.

Updates to the status of Pearson and AQA qualifications. Update made regarding status of qualifications being developed. Check what you need to do. To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in.

Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Education, training and skills Further and higher education, skills and vocational training Further and higher education courses and qualifications Functional skills. Collection Functional Skills qualifications. This collection was withdrawn on 25 February Reforms to functional skills qualifications are now complete.

For English, this means a focus on spelling, punctuation and grammar without dictionaries or computer aids; and at Entry Levels there are now detailed reading and spelling expectations based on the structured teaching of phonics.