Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

Last updated: 18 September 2009

What are they?

The functional skills standards define and differentiate the skill requirements for the functional skills qualifications in English, mathematics and ICT currently being piloted.

How are they presented?

The format and presentation of the standards differs slightly across English, ICT and mathematics. These differences are necessary for various reasons, including the disparate nature of these bodies of knowledge.

By accessing and engaging with a wealth of experience and expertise throughout the development of the standards, QCDA has carefully tailored the standards document to their specific subject areas.

Who will use them?

While the standards are intended for qualification experts within awarding organisations, a wider audience can use the documents to identify the minimum requirements at specific skill levels. For this reason, the standards are of interest to stakeholders beyond awarding organisations.

Functional skills guidance: amplification of the standards

QCDA has produced Functional skills guidance: amplification of the standards to provide guidance on the requirements of the functional skills standards. The guidance elaborates on the knowledge, skills and understanding required at each level (entry level to level 2) for each of the functional skills qualifications (English, ICT and mathematics).  

More information

For further information on the purpose, design and development of the functional skills qualifications please refer to Functional skills: essential for life, learning and work, which can be downloaded from this page.