We need certain qualifications to access jobs, training opportunities and higher-level education courses. There’s no doubt that taking the time to study will pay off in dividends later on, but what if you don’t get the qualification or grade you needed the first time around?
Functional Skills courses are aimed both at people looking to brush up on certain skills for everyday life, but also for those looking for GCSE grade equivalents.
In this post, we shine the spotlight on Functional Skills courses so you can find out more about what they offer and exactly what level of qualification you will walk away with, whether you study Functional Skills Level 2 Maths or Functional Skills English.
What Are Functional Skills?
Functional Skills are recognised GCSE alternative qualifications, with a Functional Skills Level 2 course being equivalent to a GCSE grade 4 (C), providing a clear answer for those wondering 'What is Level 2 equivalent to?'
Introduced in 2007 to boost the UK’s literacy and numeracy, Functional Skills qualifications were developed to upskill the nation’s workforce. Since then, accredited Functional Skills qualifications have offered thousands of people the key skills they need for life.
Available in the core subjects of English and Maths, these courses can help develop your understanding in a number of areas. They are also 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 GCSE grade equivalents, Functional Skills can benefit you professionally as well as personally. Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications are respected by employers and can help boost your employability. They can even set the foundation for further study too.
However, Functional Skills courses are not identical to GCSEs. So, if you’re looking to achieve English or Maths qualifications later in life, there are some key things you need to know before you choose your programme of study.
What’s the Difference?
Although they both get you the same result – achieving a recognised qualification in English and Maths – there are key differences between GCSEs and Functional Skills. The time it takes to achieve your qualification is different, and so are the learning outcomes.
What You’ll Learn
Functional Skills are skills-based qualifications. Therefore, Functional Skills Level 2 courses offer students the opportunity to learn how to use English and Maths in everyday situations. GCSEs, on the other hand, are academic qualifications and equip learners with a strong theoretical knowledge base and skill set.
This affects the depth of the syllabus taught and the materials you will need to study. For example, a Functional Skills English Level 2 programme will focus on 3 key skill areas:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking, listening and communicating
Each unit will teach you how to apply these skills practically in real life.
Through this Functional Skills English course, you’ll learn how to write a compelling letter using correct spelling and grammar. You will also be taught how to talk with confidence over the phone and face-to-face.
These are all signs of good literacy and are important in the workplace and in your personal interactions, making Functional Skills English a beneficial course to take.
GCSE English Language is also concerned with your reading and writing comprehension. However, unlike Functional Skills English, the course provides greater academic material around these subjects.
You will explore the science behind the written and spoken word. This includes everything from analysing the syntax, morphology and phonology of the English language. You will also gain an insight into the themes and ideas discussed by writers, which will help you to become a better writer in turn.
Rather than developing skills for life, GCSE English courses will develop your understanding of the English language. You will build a solid foundation for further academic study of the subject. In a nutshell, Functional Skills equip you with life skills whilst GCSEs equip you with knowledge upon which you can build in the future.
Achieving Your Qualification
Functional Skills are known online qualifications, whereas GCSE courses are traditionally taught in a classroom environment. This means that you can only study at specific times during the week, at a certain location.
With traditional GCSEs, a Teacher dictates what you learn and when you learn it. As such, GCSE courses can take up to 2 years to complete in a traditional education setting.
However, thanks to distance learning, you don’t need to go back to school to gain your qualification. It is now possible to study online GCSE courses too, thereby reducing the time it takes to qualify.
With online learning, there are no timetables or restrictions. You’ll have 24/7 access to your learning resources so you can study whenever and for however long you like. You will have the freedom to set your pace and complete your qualification in your time. You can take 2 weeks or 2 years to do this.
Despite both GCSEs and Functional Skills being delivered online, it is quicker to gain your qualification via Functional Skills software online than it is via GCSE courses. This is largely down to the fact that there is less material to cover in a Functional Skills programme than in a GCSE one.
The average Functional Skills software programme requires 55 guided hours of study, whilst online GCSE courses demand at least 100 hours worth of study.
If you dedicate just 2 hours to your studies every day, whether you are studying Functional Skills Level 2 Maths or Functional Skills English, you could achieve your qualification in less than 4 weeks. This includes taking your exam online too. Studying for your GCSEs online at the same pace could take you 2 months or more, not including exam time.
Both GCSEs and Functional Skills, when studied online, will award you with a qualification more quickly than if you study them at a traditional college. However, Functional Skills software online courses are better for people who want to boost their skills quickly (perhaps in time for employment), whereas GCSE courses are ideal for individuals that want to dedicate more time to their studies.
GCSEs or Functional Skills?
GCSEs and Functional Skills qualifications are ideal for anyone who wants to get to grips with the basics of English and Maths. However, one may be more suitable for you than the other.
It all comes down to why you’re studying the qualification and what you wish to gain from it. If you want to demonstrate your literacy and numeracy skills to an employer or boost your confidence when working with words and numbers, Functional Skills online courses offer the perfect solution. Functional Skills Maths Level 2 and Functional Skills English will cover both bases.
This is similarly the case if you want to enhance your knowledge to help you become more efficient in the workplace, or even know how to use ratios to bake a cake. It’s not necessarily the qualification itself that is important in these cases, it’s having the skills and the know-how. Functional Skills English and Functional Skills Level 2 Maths courses enable you to have the ability to demonstrate your understanding in real-world situations.
Alternatively, if you require a qualification as evidence of your academic abilities and skills, GCSE courses are ideal. This is especially the case if you want to further your education at college or university, although many universities now accept Functional Skills in lieu of GCSEs.
GCSEs are benchmark qualifications that pave the way to higher education and are essential for entry into a number of skilled career paths. Functional Skills and GCSEs both have their merits, and neither is less valuable than the other. The value of any qualification is what you do with it.
Whether you build the foundations for your career as a professional or get to grips with calculating your finances without a calculator, Functional Skills and GCSE courses both offer you the same thing: the chance to upskill and succeed, no matter what the future holds.
It's important to note that while the vast majority of UK employers, apprenticeships, and universities widely accept Functional Skills Level 2 in lieu of GCSEs, entry requirements can vary by institution. If you are using this qualification to access a specific university degree, always check with your chosen university admissions team to confirm they accept Functional Skills Level 2 before enrolling.
Where to do Functional Skills Maths and English?
At learndirect, we offer a range of online GCSE courses and Functional Skills packages to ensure that you find the right programme for you.
Our courses can all be studied online, so you can balance your studies with your home life without having to compromise on either. With easy and instant enrolments, you can also start learning whenever you’re ready to. There are no term dates to hold you back or restrict your learning.
Find out more about our Functional Skills online courses today by speaking with our Course Executives. They can run you through the different Functional Skills course packages we offer and how you can get started as an online student.
Call them now on 01202 006 464, reach out to us online or click to download our FREE Functional Skills course brochure below.
