Do Universities Accept Functional Skills?.

The thought of going to university is an exciting one for learners who are keen to pursue a career goal. Not only will you get to study a degree that enhances your career prospects, but you will get to enjoy everything that university life has to offer, from the social aspects to the accommodation.  

Before you can start this journey, you will need to meet your chosen university’s entry requirements. While each one differs depending on the establishment and the course subject, most of them require Level 2 qualifications in the form of either GCSEs or Functional Skills. 

Traditionally, universities would only accept GCSEs from applicants, but Functional Skills are becoming more and more accepted by higher education establishments. Below, we have answered the question of ‘what are Functional Skills?’ and we identify general entry requirements for university. 

Is Functional Skills Equivalent to GCSE? 

Most learners would have heard of GCSEs as these are qualifications that are studied by 15 and 16-year-olds at school in the UK. There are a range of subjects that fall under this umbrella, but the core ones are Maths, English, and Science. At school, learners must study the subjects mentioned as part of the curriculum. 

Functional Skills are equivalent to GCSEs as they are Level 2 qualifications and they focus predominantly on English and Maths, as well as ICT. Many educational institutions, as well as employers, accept Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications as alternatives to GCSEs. 

Can I Do Functional Skills Online? 

Simply put, yes. Thanks to online innovation, there is no need for all qualifications to be learned in a real-life classroom. Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the UK’s leading distance learning providers, offering more than 650 courses and enrolling more than 50,000 learners at any one time.  

As part of our distance learning solutions, we offer a range of Functional Skills online courses to anyone who wants to enhance their skillset, ready for employment. Essentially, Functional Skills help learners develop a range of essential language and practical skills that they can use in everyday settings. 

For example, if you interact with customers over the phone as part of your job, a Functional Skills course will help you communicate better. If you struggle to split a bill without a calculator, then a Functional Skills online course will improve your ability to deal with numbers. 

We offer a range of Functional Skills course packages, some of which include an online study book and the online exam. Given that English and Maths are skills that we use in everyday life, these are the subjects that are covered in our course offerings. 

Functional Skills English Level 2 

Literacy skills are crucial in both our working and personal lives. We need to have a confident grasp of language in order to function at an optimal level in most aspects of our lives. By embarking on this Functional Skills English Level 2 course, you will explore the following topics: 

• Bias in written pieces 
• Comparing authors and the reliability of author opinions 
• Adapting writing styles and structures to suit readers 
• Spelling and punctuation 
• Grammar 
• Communication 
• Verbal interaction with groups 

To achieve your Functional Skills English Level 2 qualification, you will need to pass two online exams, with one focusing on reading and writing and the other on speaking, listening, and communicating. 

Functional Skills Maths Level 2 

Like a GCSE Maths course, you will cover essential mathematical practices during your Functional Skills Maths Level 2 course. The topics covered include: 

• Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division 
• Fractions, decimals, and percentages 
• Distance, weight, temperature, and volume 
• Charts and tables 
• Mean, median, and mode 
• Probability 

You will need to pass an online exam to achieve your Functional Skills Maths Level 2 qualification. The exam is divided into two parts, and you will be allowed to use a calculator for a portion of the exam. 

The beauty of studying Functional Skills online with Stonebridge Associated Colleges is that you have the freedom to learn at a pace that suits you. Also, there is no need for you to attend physical classrooms, as long as you have a laptop/computer and a stable internet connection, you can study your Functional Skills Level 2 course anywhere! 

Our distance learning options are ideal for learners who work full-time or have existing commitments, such as looking after young children. 

Do Functional Skills Expire? 

There is no expiration date on Functional Skills courses, so if you studied for the Level 2 qualification one month ago or 6 years ago, the qualification is still valid.  

Can You Go to Uni with Functional Skills? 

It is entirely possible to get accepted to university with a Functional Skills qualification, but it is dependent on the university itself and the degree you are choosing to study.  

The main difference between Functional Skills and GCSEs is that the former focuses on skills that you need in everyday life, in both personal and work settings. GCSEs, on the other hand, study each subject more in-depth, exploring theoretical knowledge as opposed to sole skill-based topics. 

It is important to note that if you have a Functional Skills Maths Level 2 qualification and a Functional Skills English Level 2 qualification, you should check your chosen university’s entry requirements before applying. While many establishments accept Functional Skills, not all do, so please do your research beforehand. 

General University Entry Requirements 

Each university sets its own entry requirements, so there are no strict criteria across the board. However, most universities follow a similar structure when it comes to applications. The general university entry requirements in the UK are as follows: 

• GCSEs or Functional Skills – Most universities will request that applicants have at least two GCSEs, with Maths and English being favoured subjects. Given that Functional Skills are Level 2 equivalent to GCSEs and they specialise in Maths and English, you can expect some universities to be open to welcoming applicants with Functional Skills qualifications instead of GCSEs 
• A Levels or Access to Higher Education Diploma – At least two A Levels are generally needed for most universities. If you don’t have these qualifications, then you can study the equivalent through an Access to Higher Education Diploma. These are vocational courses, so you will learn subject-specific topics. For example, Nursing and Midwifery Access to HE Diplomas cover job-related modules. Most universities across the UK accept these A Level alternatives, but please check before applying 
• Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – This can be taken as an extension of an Access to Higher Education Diploma or A Level. It is a project that is based on a topic of your choice, related to the degree that you want to study but has not been covered in previous qualifications. It is widely accepted by universities, but it is not mandatory 

If you are still mulling over whether to study Functional Skills online, keep in mind that many universities will accept these qualifications alongside other criteria. As well as the list above, most higher education establishments will have general entrance requirements, which may include an English language requirement, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, or a fitness to practise check. 

Start Learning Today! 

If you are starting from scratch and want to pursue degree-level learning, then studying Functional Skills online could help you get there. Whether you want to enrol on a Functional Skills Maths Level 2 course or the Functional Skills English Level 2 course, Stonebridge Associated Colleges can assist. 

We boast a wide range of regulated online courses, each of which can be studied from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. Alternatively, you can study GCSEs online through our extensive course offering. Many of our course packages include the exams, so you will be able to achieve your qualification in less than a year! 

If you are struggling to make a decision, then consider the difference between Functional Skills and GCSEs. Whichever route you choose to go down, speak to one of our Course Executives today by calling 0121 392 8288 or contact us online. Take charge of your academic journey today!