Level 2 functional skills, mathematics and English are considered to be the closest equivalents to GCSEs and are accepted by almost all universities and higher education providers as well as most employers. Taking courses that are equivalent to GCSEs is also beneficial for students who want to continue their education and take additional classes before starting their A-levels and applying to college. At the end of Year 8 or 9, teens choose their GCSE options and study for their GCSE subjects for two years. You can receive functional skills qualifications in English, mathematics, and information and communication technology (ICT).
For those who need extra help with their mathematics studies, Spires online maths tutors offer a range of courses to help students reach their goals. A functional skills qualification, whether it's AQA Functional Skills Maths Level 1, Functional Skills English or Functional Skills ICT, is considered a replacement for key skills. The importance of having a solid knowledge of English and mathematics is more evident than ever after the government's announcement that more measures will be put in place to help schoolchildren who fall behind in these subjects. Scottish national qualifications are not a replacement for GCSEs, but rather a direct equivalent, as grades A to C of the Scottish National Certificate directly correlate with GCSE grades 4 to 9.GCSEs focus more on the academic aspect of subjects, while functional skills, mathematics, English and ICT focuses more on the practical skills you need to address aspects of daily life and work. There are many factors to consider when choosing to study for a GCSE, a GCSE equivalent, or some combination of both.
The difficulty of a Functional Skills course compared to a GCSE depends on the student and his/her ability. The United Kingdom considers mathematics, English and science subjects to be compulsory for which everyone must take exams. These qualifications are for subjects outside of mathematics and English, so they are not as relevant to higher education. GCSE scores can determine where a student can go to college and what jobs they can qualify for.
