Course Overview
Build on your current knowledge and skills to learn and communicate with confidence, effectiveness and an increasing level of independence with Functional Skills English Level 1 & Level 2.
Our interactive Functional Skills English online courses help you to fill gaps in your qualifications and provide vital skills that will help you progress in your career.
Functional Skills qualifications will boost your confidence in English and open doors to a wide range of jobs — whether you finished your studies recently or you’ve not studied English since you left school.
Our Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 English course is ideal if you are:
- currently in an apprenticeship programme
- looking to study at your own pace with frequent assessments
- need to boost your skills in order to feel more confident in comprehending what you are reading, writing for different audiences, identifying types of language and improving your spelling and grammar
- are looking for an introduction to English through online learning.
Increasingly accepted as an alternative to a GCSE, this interactive online Functional Skills English Level 1 and Level 2 course will set you on the right track, covering spelling, grammar, punctuation, tenses and much more.
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Interactive course
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1:1 tutor support
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Develop your skills
Which Functional Skills level is right for you?
This page is for Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2, providing you with six tutor-marked assignments (three per level).
We also offer Functional Skills English Level 2 only.
If you would rather study for Level 2 Functional Skills English only and do not need the Level 1 assignments, please visit the Level 2 course page.
Functional Skills Level 2 English at a glance
Push yourself in the right direction. Our Functional Skills Level 2 English online course is an alternative to a GCSE at Grade 4.
TQUK
- Qualification number 610/2626/8 (Level 1)
- Qualification number 610/2625/6 (Level 2)
No formal qualifications
An ability to read and write in English.
Minimum age 13
Internet access
Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.
You will need to purchase a dictionary for use on your course.
Recommended textbooks for additonal reading – these are not included in the course fee.
7 (three per level plus one introductory) – these do not contribute to your final externally set assessment.
Tutor marked past paper – so you can practise before your exam.
NEC offers an exam pass guarantee – for this to be applicable to your final externally set assessment, you must pass the past paper provided as part of your course before sitting the external assessment.
Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment.
Learn at your own pace.
Approx. 55* study hours, plus assignment time.
* The specification suggests that 55 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments, complete any reading and prepare yourself for exams.
Assessment is by externally set paper-based or on-screen on-demand assessment.
Exams are organised independently of NEC by contacting our partners Tutors & Exams or Academic Enrichment Centre directly. They will be able to provide further guidance on exam booking.
If our trusted partners do not have any convenient centres for you, you can contact local colleges ore learning establishments who may be able to offer you the opportunity to take exams with them.
Assessments take place throughout the year. With frequent assessments, you can book your exam when it suits you.
Results are issued up to 20 days after completing your external assessment.
No additional set texts required.
All the information you need to succeed on the course is included in your course materials.
TQUK
- Qualification number 610/2626/8 (Level 1)
- Qualification number 610/2625/6 (Level 2)
Assessment is by externally set paper-based or on-screen on-demand assessment.
Exams are organised independently of NEC by contacting our partners Tutors & Exams or Academic Enrichment Centre directly. They will be able to provide further guidance on exam booking.
If our trusted partners do not have any convenient centres for you, you can contact local colleges ore learning establishments who may be able to offer you the opportunity to take exams with them.
Assessments take place throughout the year. With frequent assessments, you can book your exam when it suits you.
Results are issued up to 20 days after completing your external assessment.
Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment.
Internet access
Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.
You will need to purchase a dictionary for use on your course.
Recommended textbooks for additonal reading – these are not included in the course fee.
7 (three per level plus one introductory) – these do not contribute to your final externally set assessment.
Tutor marked past paper – so you can practise before your exam.
NEC offers an exam pass guarantee – for this to be applicable to your final externally set assessment, you must pass the past paper provided as part of your course before sitting the external assessment.
No formal qualifications
An ability to read and write in English.
Minimum age 13
No additional set texts required.
All the information you need to succeed on the course is included in your course materials.
Learn at your own pace.
Approx. 55* study hours, plus assignment time.
* The specification suggests that 55 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments, complete any reading and prepare yourself for exams.
TQUK
- Qualification number 610/2626/8 (Level 1)
- Qualification number 610/2625/6 (Level 2)
No formal qualifications
An ability to read and write in English.
Minimum age 13
Internet access
Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.
You will need to purchase a dictionary for use on your course.
Recommended textbooks for additonal reading – these are not included in the course fee.
7 (three per level plus one introductory) – these do not contribute to your final externally set assessment.
Tutor marked past paper – so you can practise before your exam.
NEC offers an exam pass guarantee – for this to be applicable to your final externally set assessment, you must pass the past paper provided as part of your course before sitting the external assessment.
Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment.
Learn at your own pace.
Approx. 55* study hours, plus assignment time.
* The specification suggests that 55 hours is needed. You’ll also need time to complete assignments, complete any reading and prepare yourself for exams.
Assessment is by externally set paper-based or on-screen on-demand assessment.
Exams are organised independently of NEC by contacting our partners Tutors & Exams or Academic Enrichment Centre directly. They will be able to provide further guidance on exam booking.
If our trusted partners do not have any convenient centres for you, you can contact local colleges ore learning establishments who may be able to offer you the opportunity to take exams with them.
Assessments take place throughout the year. With frequent assessments, you can book your exam when it suits you.
Results are issued up to 20 days after completing your external assessment.
No additional set texts required.
All the information you need to succeed on the course is included in your course materials.
Why study Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 English
Future opportunities
- Continuing to further studies such as GCSE, A level or a vocational course.
- Build skills that are transferable to many other subjects.
- Progressing in your career – Functional Skills Level 2 can act as an alternative to a GCSEs at Grade 4.
Flexible payments and financial help
- As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.
- NEC’s fees offer some of the best value on the market, with multi-buy options, special offers, personal discounts and affordable finance options.
- Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We’ve teamed up with Omni, one of the UK’s leading finance specialists.
- Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.
Visit our Fee information page or
Study now, pay your way
It’s your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 monthly repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.
To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.
The National Extension College (NEC) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and replayment plans see our Fee Information page.
| Course fee | £395 (excl. registration fee) |
| Deposit | £39.50 |
| Amount of credit | £335.50 |
| Monthly payment | £29.63 |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Total repayment | £395 (excl. registration fee) |
| Cost of credit | £0.00 |
| Rate of interest | 0% APR representative |
Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor
You’ll have access to 1:1 support from your tutor for up to 12 months from the date of enrolment.
All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.
Additional support for under 18s
We understand younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies. NEC’s unique Progress Tracker makes it easy for parents and guardians to follow their child’s progress, access assignment grades and view tutor feedback to ensure effective learning.
Talk to one of our course advisors
Unsure whether online distance learning is right for you?
Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.
- Book a call and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
- Or contact us today by phone or email.
We’re waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.
Frequently asked questions
Your common questions and concerns answered. Read more FAQs.
NEC offers flexible, online courses that you can study anytime, anywhere. When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details for learn@nec, our virtual learning platform.
Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.
Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule.
Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you.
If you’re planning to apply to university, and doing this course as part of your preparation, please be aware of application deadlines.
Yes — NEC is ideal for international students.
Our team is happy to help you explore your options.
Yes. Most NEC courses, including all GCSEs and A levels, lead to qualifications awarded by major UK exam boards such as AQA, Edexcel, OCR and Cambridge International. You’ll earn exactly the same qualification as students in school or college.
We’re also approved to offer CMI qualifications for management, as well as TQUK-accredited courses and Functional Skills qualifications in English and Maths. These nationally recognised qualifications are designed to help learners build practical skills and are ideal for both personal development and career progression.
Some short courses, like those in the arts, are for personal development and enjoyment but don’t lead to formal accreditation.
Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 alternatives…
Do you need to develop your English and maths skills but not sure what courses to take. Here are some alternatives.
Functional Skills Maths Levels 1 and 2
Fill gaps in your qualifications and open doors to a wide range of job areas. Our Functional Skills courses are designed to give you the skills you need to succeed.
English Language GCSE
Develop your confidence and competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English. This internationally-recognised GCSE qualification, is vital for further studies and your future career.
English Language Resit GCSE
Improve your exam results and excel at English. Is that pass grade holding you back from exciting future opportunities? This course is ideal if you have previously studied GCSE English Language but did not achieve a Grade 4.
Maths GCSE
Become better equipped when it comes to problem-solving, critical thinking, analytical and interpretative skills, and learn the importance of maths in society, employment and study.
