What are the Functional Skills levels?
Functional Skills are Ofqual-regulated qualifications in English and maths (and Digital Functional Skills) designed for adults and 16 to 19 learners who need a practical, work-focused alternative to GCSE. Awarding organisations such as TQUK, City & Guilds, NCFE and Pearson offer them at five levels:
| Functional Skills level | RQF level | Broad GCSE comparison | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level 1 | Entry | Below GCSE | First steps in literacy/numeracy |
| Entry Level 2 | Entry | Below GCSE | Building confidence |
| Entry Level 3 | Entry | Below GCSE | Pre-Level 1 preparation |
| Level 1 | 1 | GCSE grades 1 to 3 (G to D) | Entry to some Level 2 apprenticeships |
| Level 2 | 2 | GCSE grade 4 (C) | Apprenticeships, employers, most college and university entry |
There is no Functional Skills Level 3 on the list, and Ofqual's qualification register does not include one. Lift College offers the Level 2 qualifications online, awarded by TQUK: Functional Skills Maths Level 2, Functional Skills English Level 2 and the English and Maths Level 2 bundle.
Why is there no Functional Skills Level 3?
Functional Skills were built to certify the English and maths that adults need for work and everyday life, and the government fixed Level 2 as the benchmark. Level 2 matches the GCSE grade 4 standard that apprenticeship funding rules, employers and further-education entry requirements use. Beyond that point, the framework switches to subject-specific qualifications, so "Level 3 English" is an A level in English Language or Literature, and "Level 3 maths" is A level Maths or Core Maths. There is no demand for a general-skills test above the GCSE benchmark, so none was created.
What is Level 3 equivalent to?
On the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), Level 3 is the band above GCSE. It includes:
- A levels and International A levels
- Access to Higher Education Diplomas (the one-year adult route into university)
- Level 3 Diplomas, Certificates and NVQs, for example the Level 3 Early Years Educator, Level 3 Adult Care or Level 3 Teaching Assistant
- T Levels and advanced apprenticeships
If a job advert or course page asks for "Level 3", it wants one of these, not a Functional Skills certificate. Functional Skills Level 2 is usually the entry requirement for them.
What is Functional Skills Level 2 equivalent to?
Functional Skills Level 2 sits at RQF Level 2 alongside GCSE grades 4 to 9. Government apprenticeship funding rules treat it as meeting the Level 2 English and maths requirement, and from February 2025 apprentices aged 19 and over no longer have to pass English and maths to complete their apprenticeship at all. Most colleges, employers and many universities accept it in place of GCSE grade 4. Lift College's Level 2 qualifications are Ofqual-regulated and awarded by TQUK (maths 610/2624/4, English 610/2625/6). For the full picture see is Functional Skills Level 2 equivalent to GCSE? and who accepts Functional Skills Level 2.
I have Level 2, what comes next?
| Your goal | Next qualification | Level |
|---|---|---|
| University | Access to Higher Education Diploma or A levels | 3 |
| Nursing, midwifery, allied health | Access to Higher Education (Health) + GCSE/equivalent English and maths | 3 |
| Teaching assistant / HLTA | Level 3 STL Certificate, then Level 4 HLTA | 3 to 4 |
| Early years | Level 3 Early Years Educator | 3 |
| Care management | Level 3, then Level 5 Adult Care | 3 to 5 |
| Higher apprenticeship | Level 3 advanced apprenticeship first | 3 |
Most Lift College Level 3 courses list GCSE grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and maths as the entry requirement, so Level 2 is the practical bridge. Check the entry requirements on the course page you are interested in; a small number of Level 3 routes (notably teacher training and some nursing degrees) still ask for the GCSE itself or an equivalency test.
Is there a Functional Skills Level 3 in science or ICT?
No. There has never been a Functional Skills qualification in science at any level. Functional Skills ICT was withdrawn and replaced by Digital Functional Skills at Entry Level 3 and Level 1 only. If you need a science qualification for a Level 3 course, the routes are GCSE Science, a science Access to Higher Education Diploma or an equivalency test.
Should I take Level 2 or go straight to a Level 3 course?
- Take Level 2 first if you do not have GCSE grade 4 in English or maths, or you got a grade 3 or below. Most Level 3 providers will not enrol you without it, and apprenticeship employers ask for it at application.
- Go straight to Level 3 if you already hold GCSE grade 4+ (or an accepted equivalent) and the course entry requirements are met.
- Do both at once if your Level 3 provider allows concurrent study; Lift College's Level 2 courses are self-paced, so many learners finish them in 8 to 16 weeks alongside other study.
Functional Skills Level 2 at Lift College is £39.99 a month with the exam fee included, starts with a 7-day free trial, and the on-screen exam can be taken from home with remote invigilation or at a TQUK-approved centre.
Frequently asked questions
Is Functional Skills Level 2 the highest level?
Does Functional Skills Level 2 count as a Level 3 qualification?
What is a Level 3 qualification equivalent to?
Can I go to university with Functional Skills Level 2?
Is there a Functional Skills Level 3 in maths?
How long does Functional Skills Level 2 take?
Sources
- Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications (Functional Skills Entry 1 to Level 2)
- GOV.UK: What qualification levels mean (RQF levels)
- DfE apprenticeship funding rules, English and maths requirements (February 2025 change)
- TQUK Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics at Level 2 (610/2624/4); English at Level 2 (610/2625/6)