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Lift College's TQUK Functional Skills Qualification in English at Level 2 (610/2625/6) is accepted in place of GCSE English grade 4 by apprenticeships, universities, the NHS and most employers. Study online with a named UK tutor in 8 to 16 weeks, then take the three TQUK assessments when you are ready.
| Qualification | TQUK Functional Skills Qualification in English at Level 2 (RQF) |
|---|---|
| Level | Level 2 |
| Awarding body | TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) |
| Qualification number | 610/2625/6 |
| Exams | Reading (60 minutes) and writing (60 minutes) on-screen, remotely invigilated or at a centre. Entry and one sitting of each included; resit fee applies. |
| Price | £39.99 a month, or £407.99 in total |
| Typical duration | 8 to 16 weeks |
| Age | 16 or over |
| Who it suits | Need GCSE-equivalent English for an apprenticeship, a university place, nursing or teacher training |
Functional Skills Level 2 is not a job in itself. It is the piece of paper that removes a barrier. These are the routes that ask for it.
Level 3 and higher apprenticeships in England require Level 2 English and maths before completion; many providers ask for it at entry.
Accepted by most UK universities in place of GCSE English grade 4, and by Access to HE providers, including Lift College.
Early Years Educator full-and-relevant status, teaching assistant posts and initial teacher training ask for Level 2 English.
Nursing degrees, NHS support roles and the police accept Functional Skills Level 2 as the English requirement.
Requirements are set by each employer, university or apprenticeship standard and change; check the one you are applying for. Lift College does not publish salary figures for Functional Skills because the qualification is a requirement, not a role.
See Functional Skills Maths Level 2.
Need both? See the combined English & Maths course.
How the Functional Skills Level 2 exam works: booking, format, pass marks
Could you get Functional Skills Level 2 free? Funding eligibility explained
There is no course fee to find, no finance agreement to sign and no debt to worry about. Your first 7 days are free, then you pay for the month you are in, and every payment is covered by the 14-day money back guarantee. Prefer to start now? Pay today instead of taking the trial and every payment is 15% lower for life, with the same 14-day guarantee.
You never sign a credit agreement with us, so there is no debt and nothing for anyone to chase. If you stop paying, you simply stop studying. No finance company, no loan and no letters.
There is no placement. You sit one on-screen exam when your tutor confirms you are ready.
Most people take Functional Skills because something else is waiting on it.
On-screen exam, taken with our exam partner. No placement.
Three components, all passed at Level 2. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification has a 60-minute reading paper, a 60-minute writing paper, and a 20 to 30 minute speaking, listening and communicating assessment. TQUK sets the papers. The speaking assessment is quality assured by TQUK.
Three components, all passed at Level 2: Reading, 60 minutes, 30 marks, externally marked, dictionary allowed; Writing, 60 minutes, two tasks of at least 250 words, externally marked, no spelling or grammar aids; Speaking, listening and communicating, 20 to 30 minutes, two activities, assessed by Lift College and quality assured by TQUK. Externally set and marked by TQUK, on-screen with remote invigilation or at a TQUK-approved centre; paper-based available with ten working days' notice. Pass or fail; pass marks set per paper by TQUK. Unlimited resits (fee applies).
Practice papers marked in 5 to 7 working days.
A timed mock. Your tutor confirms you are ready, then you book the exam.
On-screen, with remote invigilation or at a centre. Results in about six working days. Your certificate comes from TQUK.
Yes. You study this Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification online with a named UK tutor. There is no placement. Reading and writing are on-screen with remote invigilation or at a centre. Speaking, listening and communicating is run by Lift College online. You must pass all three components.
Training Qualifications UK issues the certificate. Lift College teaches the course and TQUK awards it.
TQUK's stated goal: Be number one in technical education
certificates issued since 2013
qualifications across more than 20 sectors
employers use TQUK for apprenticeship assessment
Figures from tquk.org, September 2026. TQUK, Crossgate House, Sale, Manchester. Recognised by Ofqual, the qualifications regulator for England.
TQUK approves the centre, the tutors who assess you and the way the course is delivered before a single learner is registered.
An external quality assurer from TQUK samples assessed work from Lift College learners. Your result stands because TQUK has agreed it, not just your tutor.
Your certificate is printed by TQUK with a unique number. Any employer or university can confirm it is real on TQUK's certificate verification service. TQUK certificate verification
The same UK tutor supports you from enrolment through to your certificate.
Marked in 5 to 7 working days.
Your dashboard shows what you have completed and what comes next.
If a unit is referred, you resubmit at no extra cost until every criterion is met.
One price for the full course, with every fee included. Try it free for 7 days, or start now and every payment is 15% lower for life.
Full access for 7 days. Your first payment is on day 8, and you can cancel any time before then from your account.
£39.99/month from day 8
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£39.99£33.99/month, for life
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“I needed Level 2 English to start my healthcare assistant role at the NHS Trust. The remote invigilation meant I could sit the exam at home around my children's school schedule. Got my result in two weeks and started the…”
DianeFunctional Skills English Level 2“English is my second language and I was nervous about the exams. My Lift College tutor adjusted the study plan to focus on the writing components I found hardest. I passed both subjects and I've now been accepted onto an…”
FatimaFunctional Skills English and Maths Level 2“I'd failed GCSE maths three times at school. The Lift College course broke everything down into practical problems I could actually understand, budgets, measurements, percentages. I passed Level 2 in eight weeks and was…”
MarcusFunctional Skills Maths Level 2It is accepted in place of GCSE English grade 4, and this page prints RQF Level 2 as a GCSE grade 4 equivalent. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification is accepted by apprenticeships, universities, the NHS and most employers. Some courses require GCSE English specifically.
Three components, all passed at Level 2: reading for 60 minutes, writing for 60 minutes, and speaking, listening and communicating for 20 to 30 minutes. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification is set and marked by TQUK. The speaking assessment is run by Lift College and quality assured by TQUK.
Yes. The TQUK Functional Skills Qualification in English at Level 2 is an Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification. The qualification number is 610/2625/6. It is on the Ofqual register. Training Qualifications UK sets and marks the papers, and Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.
One price covers the full course with every fee included: a named UK tutor, marking in 5 to 7 working days, AI Study Support, and your TQUK exam booked for you. There is nothing extra to pay.
You need to be 16 or over. No formal entry requirements. TQUK sets no minimum age; the course is designed for learners 16 and over. Level 1 standard recommended before starting.
Yes. Annual billing saves 15%: £407.99 for the year instead of £39.99 a month. The 7-day free trial and 14-day money back apply either way.
Yes, where the route asks for Level 2 English. Nursing degrees, NHS support roles, the police, early years full-and-relevant status, teaching assistant posts and initial teacher training accept this Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification. Some courses require GCSE English Language specifically. Check the course you are applying for. See the acceptance table by university, profession and apprenticeship.
Most learners take 8 to 16 weeks at 6 to 12 hours a week with a named UK tutor, then sit when the tutor confirms they are ready. This Ofqual-regulated TQUK qualification has no fixed exam date on this page. Reading and writing can be remote or at a centre.
Functional Skills English Level 2 is accepted in place of GCSE English grade 4 by many apprenticeships, universities and employers. Some courses require GCSE English specifically. Check the one you are applying for.
The default is a free 7-day trial with your first payment on day 8. If you would rather start now, you pay today instead and every payment is 15% lower for as long as you study. Your 14-day money-back guarantee still applies: change your mind for any reason within 14 days and we refund the full payment.
Most people take this because an apprenticeship, a university place or a job asks for Level 2 English. Functional Skills Maths Level 2 is the pair to it.
Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) issues the certificate. Lift College is a TQUK recognised centre.
A UK adviser calls you back within 2 working hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. No sales script.
