What are Functional Skills courses?

Functional Skills courses are designed to help learners develop essential English and maths skills for life, learning, and work. These online courses are ideal for anyone who didn’t achieve a grade 4 (C) or above in their GCSEs and wants to improve their confidence in everyday communication or numeracy.

Whether you’re returning to education, preparing for employment, or simply looking to strengthen your core skills, Functional Skills qualifications offer a nationally recognised alternative to GCSEs and a clear path to progression.

Courses are available at different levels to suit your starting point, with Level 2 Functional Skills equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 (C) — widely accepted by employers, colleges, and apprenticeship providers.

These qualifications are suitable for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including school leavers, adult learners, job seekers, and those re-entering education. They focus on the practical, everyday use of maths and English — helping you apply what you learn in real-world situations at work, at home, or in further study.

You’ll explore useful topics such as spelling and grammar, reading comprehension, writing confidently, basic arithmetic, percentages, measurements, and problem-solving.

Functional Skills offer a flexible and accessible route to upskilling, and for learners who don’t meet funding criteria, paid options are available with no eligibility requirements, so anyone can get started straight away.