Functional Skills with Learn Now Distance Learning College

What are Functional Skills?

Functional Skills are applied qualifications that allow learners to gain the most of life, learning and work. Learners will demonstrate their skills through real-life assessments set in every day situations.

These courses lead to recognised gateway qualifications for learners who may not have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above. Functional Skills are widely used in adult education.

Who are Online Functional Skills for?

These courses in essential skills with Learn Now Distance Learning College are really flexible and therefore they can be for anyone!

If you are considering University, most higher education programmes require essential skills in Maths and English. Functional Skills would meet these requirements

Alternatively, employers really value Functional Skills as they show that employees are able to demonstrate real-life skills in Maths and English

What grades do I need to be accepted onto a Functional Skills course?

There are no previous entry requirements for this course, however learners will be expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy.

What if I am not ready for Functional Skills Level 2?

Our interactive portal will determine this for you by taking an opening assessment. If the Level 2 course is not available to you, due to your current skills level in English, Maths or ICT, you will be provided with an alternative way to up-skill in the areas that need addressing so that you can progress onto the required level.

Once you have taken the opening assessment, you will then move onto another assessment which will pinpoint the areas where you need help. Once this is complete, the portal will automatically build you an individual skills plan to work through, with the help of your tutor.

Our interactive online portal will also identify learners who need help with additional needs including dyslexia and dyscalculia, so that appropriate support can be accessed. This course is not ‘one size fits all!’

English & Maths Courses
Functional Skills English Level 2
Functional Skills Maths Level 2
IGCSE Maths
IGCSE English
Maths Level 2
English Level 2

How to book your Examinations for Functional Skills

We will provide you with a list of centres in your area where you can sit your examinations. The examination fee will be the only additional charge that you will incur. This is payable directly to the centre where you sit your Functional Skills exams. Your exam fee will include registration with the awarding body and your Certificate.

We do not provide exam centre details if you are not enrolled onto the Functional Skills course. Also you must be ‘exam ready’ before we release this information to you. Your tutor will determine this.

How long will it take for me to receive my Functional Skills results?

Functional skills results should be available between seven and 28 days after the assessment; certificates are generally issued two weeks later.

Will I pass my Functional Skills with your college?

If you follow your tutors advice and complete all of your assessments including practise examination papers, we are confident that you will pass your exams. You need to be self-motivated and wanting to succeed.

What are the Functional Skills exam boards

Depending on where students are based, we can offer City & Guilds, Edexcel, NCFE and OCR for examinations. Functional skills have standards which are set by Ofqual. Therefore whichever awarding body you take, the outcome will be the same - you will still come out with exactly the same qualification. Ofqual also sets the subject criteria which is the same for all awarding organisations.

City and Guilds - the global leader in skills development & apprenticeship schemes with 2 million learners working on diverse qualifications every year.

Pearson Edexcel - the UK's largest awarding organisation offering academic, vocational and work-based learning qualifications, including BTEC, Edexcel and LCCI.

NCFE - a national Awarding Organisation, passionate about designing, developing and certificating diverse, nationally recognised qualifications and awards.

OCR - A leading UK awarding body, providing qualifications for learners of all ages.

To see the details of how these qualifications are assessed with City and Guilds and Edexcel, please click through to see.

When can I enrol on your Functional Skills course?

The advantage of distance learning is that you do not need to wait until September in order to begin your course. You can enrol on your chosen Functional Skills course at anytime and begin straight away. Assessment can take place at various times throughout the year. Assessment windows are very flexible.

What can you do after Functional Skills?

You could progress onto GCSEs or A Levels. A Levels are the most popular qualification studied to apply to University or higher education due to the UCAS points that they offer.

Look for employment – With Functional Skills, you will stand a better chance of securing employment.