Functional Skills: gain the skills you need to succeed
Free English and maths courses for adults
Entry Level, Level 1, and Level 2 Functional Skills courses available.
Do you want to improve your maths and/or English? Are you looking for a flexible, fast way to secure the skills employers seek? Our Functional Skills courses are short programmes designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for employment and for life.
Why Functional Skills at Leeds City College?
Flexibility
Classes are designed to fit around you and your commitments.
- Courses start every six weeks
- Classes are available at times to suit you:
- Morning (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm)
- Afternoon (Mondays and Wednesdays 12:30-3:30pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30-4:30pm)
- Evening (5-7:30pm)
- Online (various)
Fast
These are short courses – running for twelve weeks – teaching you all you need without a long commitment period.
Fully-funded
Our Functional Skills courses are free to you if you’re aged 19+ and don’t already hold a Level 2 in English or maths.
Resits are free – so if you do need to retake an exam the cost is taken care of.
If you are under 25 years old and have an Educational Healthcare Plan, you cannot apply for our course and should be on a 16-18 study programme.
Opportunities
Our Apprenticeship Team can help identify opportunities for you after you have completed your Functional Skills course.
We have strong links with employers and universities and can help identify progression opportunities for you.
Courses available include
English, Entry Level
Course code: 77592-01
Course area: Return to Study/Essential skills
Department: Employer Functional Skills
Where is the course taught? Park Lane Campus
Duration: 12 weeks
Study type: Part time
Start date: September
About the course:
This entry level qualification is ideal for gaining a basic grasp of the English language, writing, and spelling skills. Successful completion of this course will enable you to progress onto the Level 1 qualification in Functional Skills English.
Assessment type: Course assessment is via three exams – reading, writing, and a speaking and listening exam. The course is centre-assessed and exams will be sat in your classroom.
What you will study:
(At introductory level)
- Language (format and structure, asking questions/making requests, dictionary skills)
- Writing (punctuation, grammar, tenses)
- Spelling
Entry requirements: You must be referred by your employer or organisation. You must be able to provide evidence of having lived in the UK for at least three years and possess the right to remain.
What’s next?
This course enables you to progress to further education and provides you with skills to develop your career.
English, Level 1
Course code: 77588-01
Course area: Return to Study/Essential skills
Department: Employer Functional Skills
Where is the course taught? Park Lane Campus
Duration: 12 weeks
Study type: Part time
Start date: Ongoing (intake approximately every six weeks)
About the course:
English Functional Skills Level 1 is the ideal qualification if you are wanting to progress onto an apprenticeship or further your job prospects.
Successful completion of the course will enable you to access a Level 2 intermediate apprenticeship or study programme and is the ideal platform for progressing onto English Functional Skills Level 2.
The course is completely free of charge for anyone who has not already completed a Level 2 qualification or equivalent in English.
Assessment type:
Assessment type: The course will be assessed via two online exams, which will be sat in the centre with an independent invigilator. You will also have to complete a speaking and listening assessment, which will be internally assessed.
What you will study:
(At beginner level)
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Language features
- Language structure
- Fact, bias and opinion
- Reading, writing and speaking and listening
Entry requirements:
You will need to complete an initial assessment before enrolment and will need to be at Entry 3.
What’s next?
Progression may include English Functional Skills Level 2.
English, Level 2
Course code: 77586-01
Course area: Return to Study/Essential skills
Department: Employer Functional Skills
Where is the course taught? Park Lane Campus
Duration: 12 weeks
Study type: Part time
Start date: Ongoing
About the course:
English Functional Skills Level 2 is the ideal qualification if you are wanting to progress onto an apprenticeship or further your job prospects.
This programme enables you to study a Level 3 apprenticeship.
The course is completely free of charge for anyone who has not already completed a Level 2 qualification or equivalent in English.
Assessment type:
The course is assessed via two exams – a speaking and listening exam and a writing exam.
What you will study:
(At intermediate level)
- Punctuation
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Language features
- Language structure
- Fact, bias and opinion
- Reading, writing and speaking and listening
Entry requirements:
You will need to complete an initial assessment before enrolment and will need to be at Level 1.
What’s next?
This course enables you to progress to further education and provides you with skills to develop your career.
Maths, Entry Level
Course code: 77594-01
Course area: Return to Study/Essential skills
Department: Employer Functional Skills
Where is the course taught? Park Lane Campus
Duration: 12 weeks
Study type: Part time
Start date: Ongoing (intake approximately every six weeks)
About the course:
This entry level qualification is ideal for gaining a basic grasp of maths. Successful completion of this course will enable you to progress onto the Level 1 qualification in Functional Skills Maths.
Assessment type:
This course is assessed via an externally marked, invigilated assessment.
What you will study:
(At introductory level)
- Addition, subtraction, division and multiplication
- Numbers
- Fractions
- Time
- Measurements
- 2D and 3D shapes
- Extracting information
Entry requirements: You must be referred by your employer or organisation. You must be able to provide evidence of having lived in the UK for at least three years and possess the right to remain.
What’s next?
Progression may include Functional Skills Maths, Level 1.
Maths, Level 1
Course code: 77590-01
Course area: Return to Study/Essential skills
Department: Employer Functional Skills
Where is the course taught? Park Lane Campus
Duration: 12 weeks
Study type: Part time
Start date: Ongoing
About the course:
Maths Functional Skills Level 1 is the ideal qualification to study if you are wanting to progress onto an apprenticeship or further your prospects at work.
This programme is a great way to get started on your maths journey. It can lead to acceptance on Level 2 apprenticeships or study programmes and can improve your employment opportunities.
Once you have completed your Level 1 qualification, you will automatically qualify for entry to Maths Functional Skills Level 2.
The course is completely free of charge for anyone who has not already completed up to a Level 2 qualification or equivalent in maths.
Assessment type:
The course is assessed via an internally held and marked exam.
What you will study:
(At beginner level)
- Numbers
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Area, perimeter and volume
- Area and circumference
- Ratio and proportion
- Probability
- Mean, median and mode
- Place value
- Speed, distance and time
Entry requirements: You will need to complete an initial assessment before enrolment and will need to be at Entry 3.
What’s next?
Progression may include Maths Functional Skills Level 2.
Maths, Level 2
Course code: 77584-01
Course area: Return to Study/Essential skills
Department: Employer Functional Skills
Where is the course taught? Park Lane Campus
Duration: 12 weeks
Study type: Part time
Start date: Ongoing
About the course:
Maths Functional Skills Level 2 is the ideal qualification to study if you are wanting to progress onto an apprenticeship or further your prospects at work.
This programme will help you access a Level 3 course or higher apprenticeship and can improve your employment prospects.
This course may also help to build your confidence in maths, which can enhance both work and home life.
The course is completely free of charge for anyone who has not completed a Level 2 qualification or equivalent in maths already.
Assessment type:
The course will be assessed with one online exam, which will be sat in the centre with an independent invigilator.
What you will study:
As you progress through this maths qualification, you will study the following topics:
(At intermediate level)
- Numbers
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Area, perimeter and volume
- Area and circumference
- Ratio and proportion
- Probability
- Mean, median and mode
- Place value
- Speed, distance and time
Entry requirements: You will need to complete an initial assessment before enrolment and will need to be at Level 1.
What’s next?
This course enables you to progress on to further education and provides you with skills to develop your career.
