What Are Functional Skills?

What Are Functional Skills Qualifications?

Functional Skills are Level 2 qualifications in English and Maths – the practical, skills-based alternative to GCSEs, accepted by employers, for apprenticeships, and for many professional roles.

Regulated by Ofqual and awarded by awarding organisations such as TQUK (Training Qualifications UK), Functional Skills qualifications are designed to prove you can apply English and Maths competently in real-world situations – reading workplace documents, writing emails, interpreting data, and solving practical number problems. They sit at Level 2 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), the same level as a GCSE grade 4 (grade C) or above.

Unlike GCSEs, which follow a traditional academic syllabus tied to a school year calendar, Functional Skills can be studied online at your own pace and assessed on-screen throughout the year. This makes them the preferred route for working adults, career changers, apprenticeship applicants, and anyone who needs to evidence their English or Maths ability without returning to a classroom.

How Functional Skills Work: From Enrolment to Certificate

Enrol on your chosen qualification

You choose whether you need English Level 2, Maths Level 2, or the combined English & Maths Level 2 package. Enrolment is straightforward and takes place online – there are no entry requirements and no need to submit previous qualifications. Once enrolled you gain immediate access to your learning materials and learner portal, so you can begin studying on the same day.

Study online at your own pace

Your study materials cover the full Functional Skills specification set by the awarding body TQUK and regulated by Ofqual. For English, this means reading comprehension, writing (including spelling, punctuation and grammar), and – at Level 2 – a speaking and listening component. For Maths, the topics include number, ratio, algebra, geometry, measures, statistics and probability, all applied through practical, work-relevant contexts. You study in your own time and move through sections at whatever speed suits your schedule.

Book and complete your assessment

TQUK offers two assessment pathways: on-screen tests available on demand throughout the year, and paper-based exams sat on set dates at approved centres. The on-screen option gives you maximum flexibility – you book a slot when you feel ready and there is no need to wait for an exam series. English Level 2 has a reading test and a writing test; Maths Level 2 has a calculator section and a non-calculator section. Each component is taken separately.

Receive your results and certificate

On-screen test results are typically available within a few working days of the assessment. Once you have passed all required components, TQUK issues your certificate. The certificate states the qualification title, level, and the awarding body name – this is the document employers, apprenticeship providers, and professional bodies will ask to see. Digital certificates are issued first, with a physical copy posted to you thereafter.

Use your certificate for employment or your apprenticeship

Your TQUK Functional Skills Level 2 certificate is accepted by employers across the UK as evidence of English and Maths at GCSE-equivalent standard. Apprenticeship providers use it to satisfy the English and Maths entry requirement set by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). Healthcare employers, local authorities, schools and colleges, and the civil service all recognise Functional Skills Level 2 certificates issued by Ofqual-regulated awarding bodies including TQUK.

Four Things You Need to Know About Functional Skills

Level 2 = GCSE Equivalent

Functional Skills Level 2 sits at the same position on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) as a GCSE at grade 4 (formerly grade C) or above. This means they carry the same credit value for entry requirements that specify “GCSE English/Maths at grade C or above.” Level 1 is equivalent to GCSE grade 1–3, and Entry Level qualifications sit below that. Most employers and apprenticeship standards specify Level 2 as the minimum acceptable standard.

Ofqual-Regulated and Quality Assured

Functional Skills qualifications are regulated by Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), the same body that regulates GCSEs and A-Levels in England. Ofqual sets the standards that all awarding bodies – including TQUK – must meet. This means the qualification you receive carries the same regulatory weight as any other Ofqual-regulated qualification and appears on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications.

Awarded by TQUK

TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) is an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation that develops and awards Functional Skills qualifications including Functional Skills English Level 2 and Functional Skills Mathematics Level 2. TQUK qualifications are listed on the Ofqual Register and are accepted by employers, apprenticeship training providers, and professional bodies in the same way as qualifications from other regulated awarding bodies such as City & Guilds, Pearson, and Open Awards.

Employer-Recognised Across Sectors

Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications are widely recognised by UK employers as evidence of competent English and Maths. The NHS, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), local authorities, schools, and private sector employers all accept Functional Skills Level 2 in place of GCSE grades for roles that require evidence of English and Maths. Apprenticeship training providers registered with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) are required to accept Functional Skills Level 2 as the English and Maths entry condition where apprenticeship standards specify GCSE equivalent.

Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Skills

Functional Skills Level 2 and GCSEs at grade 4 or above both sit at Level 2 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework, which means they carry equivalent weight for entry requirements that reference “GCSE standard.” However, they are different qualifications with different designs. GCSEs follow a broad academic curriculum and are primarily assessed through written examinations at the end of a two-year course. Functional Skills focus on applying English and Maths in practical, real-world contexts and can be assessed on-screen at any point during the year once a learner is ready. Both are regulated by Ofqual, so either is valid for employment or apprenticeship entry requirements that specify Level 2 or GCSE equivalent.

Most employers, apprenticeship standards, and professional roles specify Level 2 as the minimum requirement, so Level 2 is the right target for the majority of adult learners. If you have never studied English or Maths formally, or if you struggled at school, you may want to begin with a diagnostic assessment to identify whether Level 1 is a more appropriate starting point – passing Level 1 first can build confidence before progressing to Level 2. Entry Level qualifications (Entry 1, 2, and 3) sit below Level 1 and are designed for learners with very limited prior knowledge. If you already hold GCSE English or Maths at grade 4 or above, you do not need to take Functional Skills – your existing GCSE meets the requirement.

The difficulty of Functional Skills Level 2 is comparable to GCSE grade 4–5 content, but the style of questions is practical rather than theoretical. English Level 2 requires you to read and respond to authentic texts such as articles, reports, or emails, and to produce well-structured writing with accurate spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Maths Level 2 requires you to work with fractions, percentages, ratios, algebra, and statistics in context – for example, calculating a wage increase or interpreting a data chart. Most learners find that with focused study over a few weeks, the content is manageable. The key difference from GCSEs is that you are not required to memorise subject content – you apply skills to material provided in the assessment.

University entry policies vary by institution and course. Many universities accept Functional Skills Level 2 as evidence of English and Maths for undergraduate courses where a GCSE at grade 4 or above would otherwise be required – this is particularly common for access routes, foundation years, and professional practice-based programmes such as nursing, social work, and teacher training. However, some Russell Group universities and highly competitive programmes still require GCSE qualifications specifically. If you are applying to university, it is always worth checking the entry requirements for your specific course and contacting the admissions team to confirm whether Functional Skills Level 2 is acceptable. For UCAS applications, Functional Skills Level 2 can typically be used to satisfy literacy and numeracy conditions.

TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) is the awarding organisation for the Functional Skills qualifications offered through this course. TQUK is recognised by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, and its qualifications are listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. The certificate you receive on passing will carry the TQUK name and logo alongside the Ofqual logo, confirming it meets the national regulatory standard. TQUK qualifications are accepted in the same way as those from other recognised awarding organisations including Pearson, City & Guilds, and AQA.

Yes. Functional Skills English Level 2 and Functional Skills Maths Level 2 are entirely separate qualifications – you can enrol in one, the other, or both together. Many learners already hold a GCSE in one subject but not the other, or feel confident in one area and only need to address a gap in the other. If you need both for an apprenticeship or employment requirement, taking them together as a combined package is typically the most cost-effective approach and allows you to manage both simultaneously. Your certificate will be issued separately for each qualification, so you can present whichever one is relevant to your application.

The time it takes varies significantly depending on your starting level of knowledge and how much time you can devote to study each week. Learners who study consistently and have a reasonable prior knowledge of the subject can be ready to assess within four to eight weeks. Learners who need to build up from a lower base may take three to six months. Because Functional Skills assessments – particularly the on-screen option – are available on demand throughout the year, there is no fixed timetable you have to follow. You study until you feel ready, then book your assessment. There is no time limit on your enrolment period, so you can take the time you need.

If you do not achieve the required pass mark on your first attempt, you can resit the assessment. TQUK's on-screen assessments can be rebooked once you have had the opportunity to review your performance and address any gaps in your knowledge. There is no limit on the number of times you can resit, although a waiting period between attempts may apply depending on the assessment rules for the specific qualification. Resit fees may be payable. Your tutor or learning provider will be able to advise on the recommended period of revision before rebooking, based on your result and the feedback available.

Start Your Functional Skills Qualification Today

Study online at your own pace, assess when you are ready, and receive your TQUK certificate – accepted by employers and apprenticeship providers across the UK.

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