Frequently asked questions

What are Functional Skills?

Functional Skills are practical skills in English, maths and ICT for all learners aged 14 and above. Functional Skills provide an individual with essential knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and work.

They are learning tools that enable people:

• to apply their knowledge and understanding to everyday life
• to engage competently and confidently with others
• to solve problems in both familiar and unfamiliar situations
• to develop personally and professionally as positive citizens who can actively contribute to society.

Why are Functional Skills important?

Functional Skills are important as they provide young people and adults with the skills, knowledge and understanding that they will need in order to progress and succeed in education, work and life.

They are part of the new diploma programmes as well as being stand-alone qualifications at levels 1 and 2.

Who are they for?

Functional skills are available to all learners from Key Stage 3 upwards, whatever learning pathway they are taking. The skills taught will help people to participate and progress in education, training and employment. They will also be able to develop and secure the broader range of aptitudes, attitudes and behaviours that will enable them to make a positive contribution to the communities in which they live and work.

What are the Functional Skills standards?

The Functional Skills standards are technical documents that define and differentiate the skill requirements for the Functional Skills qualifications. For Functional Skills assessment, learner performance will be measured on a pass/fail basis at five levels: Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. Learners are not required to move sequentially through each level but to take the Functional Skills qualification at the appropriate level when they are ready to do so.

How many points are Functional Skills qualifications worth?

The confirmed points allocation for Functional Skills qualifications are:

• Level 2 = 23 points
• Level 1 = 12.5 points
• Entry 3 = 7 points
• Entry 2 = 6 points
• Entry 1 = 5 points

These points are additional to any awarded for GCSEs or Diplomas.

How do Functional Skills levels equate to National Curriculum levels?

Entry Level 1 = NC level 1
Entry Level 2 = NC Level 2
Entry Level 3 = NC Level 3
Level 1 = NC Levels 4 and 5
Level 2 = NC Levels 6/7

What levels are Functional Skills?

Functional Skills qualifications in English, maths and ICT are available at Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. Each subject area has a set of performance standards based on three key areas:

Maths
Key areas:
Representing – making sense of a situation and representing it mathematically.
Analysing – processing and using maths.
Interpreting – interpreting and communicating the results of analysis.

ICT
Key areas:
Use of ICT systems
Finding and selecting information
Developing, presenting and communicating information

Functional English
Key areas:
Speaking and listening – make an oral presentation or report.
Reading – read and understand information and instructions.
Writing – write accurately so that meaning is clear.

What’s different with Functional Skills?

The biggest difference with Functional Skills is you can't revise, you have to be functional. Functional Skills is about learning a skillbase, including communication, team working, presentation, and problem solving, that is then transferable to other areas of learning, life and work.

They help make sense of daily life, from getting the best deal at the shops, to applying for a job or using a computer.

Awarding bodies*

The full list of accredited Functional Skills qualifications is as follows:

1st4Sport
English - L1
Maths - L1

Ascentis
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1, and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

AQA
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1, and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

Bhest
English - L1

City & Guilds
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1, and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

BHEST
English - L1
ICT - L1

EAL
English - L1 and L2
Maths - L1 and L2
ICT - L1 and L2

Edexcel
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1, and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

EDI
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1, and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

IMI
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - L1, and L2
ICT - L1 and L2

ITEC
English - L1 and L2
Maths - L1 and L2
ICT - L1 and L2

NCFE
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2 and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

NOCN
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

OCR
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

Skillsfirst
English - L1 and L2
Maths - L1 and L2
ICT - L1 and L2

SQA
English - L1 and L2
Maths - L1 and L2
ICT - L1 and L2

WJEC
English - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
Maths - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2
ICT - EL1, EL2, EL3, L1 and L2

* List of accredited qualifications and awarding bodies may be subject to change.