Functional Skills qualifications: requirements and guidance

Rules and guidance for Functional Skills qualifications.

This collection sets out rules and guidance for Functional Skills qualifications.

You should also read the requirements for all awarding organisations and qualifications.

Reform of Functional Skills qualifications in English and maths

All legacy Functional Skills qualifications

Including all qualifications in ICT

• Criteria for Functional Skills qualifications
  • 16 January 2012
  • Regulation
• Controlled assessment regulations for Functional Skills
  • 7 October 2011
  • Regulation
• Specifications in relation to the reasonable adjustment of general qualifications
  • 19 September 2017
  • Regulation

English (legacy qualifications)

Qualifications awarded before 1 August 2021 to learners registered before 1 September 2019.

• Functional Skills criteria for English
  • 7 October 2011
  • Regulation

English (reformed qualifications)

Qualifications awarded to learners registered on or after 1 September 2019, and all qualifications awarded on or after 1 September 2020.

• Functional Skills English conditions and requirements
  • 22 April 2021
  • Regulation
• Functional Skills English guidance
  • 22 April 2021
  • Statutory guidance

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

• Functional Skills criteria for ICT
  • 7 October 2011
  • Regulation

Mathematics (legacy qualifications)

Qualifications awarded before 1 August 2021 to learners registered before 1 September 2019.

• Functional Skills criteria for mathematics
  • 7 October 2011
  • Regulation

Mathematics (reformed qualifications)

Qualifications awarded to learners registered on or after 1 September 2019, and all qualifications awarded on or after 1 September 2020.

• Functional Skills mathematics conditions and requirements
  • 22 April 2021
  • Regulation
• Functional Skills mathematics guidance
  • 22 April 2021
  • Statutory guidance

Published 19 November 2014
Last updated 22 April 2021 + show all updates

1. 22 April 2021

   English and mathematics legacy qualification subject headings updated with new dates.

2. 8 March 2019

   Added a video outlining the changes to functional skills qualifications in English and maths.

3. 28 June 2018

   Added new rules and guidance for reformed functional skills qualifications

4. 19 November 2014

   First published.

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