Functional Skills are recognised GCSE alternative qualifications, with a Level 2 being equivalent to a GCSE grade 4-9 (C-A*), Edexcel Functional Skills certificate. Introduced in 2007 to boost the UK’s literacy and numeracy, Functional Skills qualifications were developed to upskill the nation’s workforce.

Since then, these qualifications have offered thousands of people the key skills they need for life.

Available in the core subjects of English, maths and ICT, Functional Skills are available to all.

It’s the perfect qualification for you if you didn’t achieve the GCSEs you wanted when you were younger, but now wish to develop essential life skills.

As a GCSE equivalent qualification, Functional Skills can benefit you professionally as well as personally.

They are respected by employers and can help boost your employability, replacement Functional Skills certificate. They can even set the foundation for further study too.

However, Functional Skills are not identical to GCSEs.

So, if you’re looking to achieve your English, maths or IT qualification later in life, there are some key things you need to know before you choose your programme of study.