Course Overview
Build on your current knowledge and skills and learn to use maths with confidence with Functional Skills Maths Level 1 and Level 2.
Our interactive Functional Skills Maths 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 maths and open doors to a wide range of jobs — whether you finished your studies recently or you’ve not studied maths since you left school.
Our Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 Maths 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 solving maths problems in your day-to-day life – whether household budgeting, adding up your grocery list, or calculating how much wallpaper you will need to redecorate your home.
Sometimes accepted as an alternative to a GCSE, this interactive online Functional Skills Maths Level 1 and Level 2 course will set you on the right track.
Our innovative Functional Skills Maths Level 1 and Level 2 online course put maths into real-life contexts, aiding you in your understanding of the world around you and the skills you need for your personal and professional lives.
By studying Functional Skills Maths, you will be starting from the beginning and will be able to see your skills increase over time. Level one will take you through numbers, measures, shapes and handling data. Level two will expand your knowledge to include fractions, decimals, three-dimensional shapes and more advanced ways of handling and interpreting data.
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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 2, providing you with six tutor-marked assignments (three per level).
We also offer Functional Skills Maths Level 2 only.
If you would rather study for Level 2 Functional Skills Maths only and do not need the Level 1 assignments, please visit the Level 2 course page.
Functional Skills Level 2 Maths at a glance
Push yourself in the right direction. Our Functional Skills Level 2 Maths online course is an alternative to a GCSE at Grade 4.
TQUK
- Qualification number 610/2623/2 (Level 1)
- Qualification number 610/2624/4 (Level 2)
Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment.
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.
The Level 2 qualification is marked out of 64. Underpinning skills are weighted at 25% with problem-solving at 75%.
Section A: non-calculator section
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Accounts for 25% of the qualification
Section B: Calculator section
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Accounts for 75% of the qualification
7 assignments (three per level plus one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final externally set assessment.
Tutor marked past paper so you can practise before the 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.
There are no essential set texts, as all of the information you need to succeed in the course is included in the course materials.
However, as an additional resource, you might find the following texts useful:
- CGP Functional Skills Maths Edexcel – Level 1: ISBN 978 1 78908 391 0
- CGP Functional Skills Maths Edexcel – Level 2: ISBN 978 1 78908 393 4
Each book contains a code allowing the learner to access the online version.
These texts summarise the specification content and provide practice questions and a practice paper for each level.
Internet access
Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.
You will need some basic mathematical equipment in order to study the course, both during the studies and in the exams.These include:
- A good calculator with a broad range of functions, for example a π button
- A ruler
- A protractor for measuring angles
- A set of compasses for drawing circles.
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.
No formal qualifications
An ability to read and write in English.
Minimum age 13
TQUK
- Qualification number 610/2623/2 (Level 1)
- Qualification number 610/2624/4 (Level 2)
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.
There are no essential set texts, as all of the information you need to succeed in the course is included in the course materials.
However, as an additional resource, you might find the following texts useful:
- CGP Functional Skills Maths Edexcel – Level 1: ISBN 978 1 78908 391 0
- CGP Functional Skills Maths Edexcel – Level 2: ISBN 978 1 78908 393 4
Each book contains a code allowing the learner to access the online version.
These texts summarise the specification content and provide practice questions and a practice paper for each level.
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.
The Level 2 qualification is marked out of 64. Underpinning skills are weighted at 25% with problem-solving at 75%.
Section A: non-calculator section
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Accounts for 25% of the qualification
Section B: Calculator section
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Accounts for 75% of the qualification
7 assignments (three per level plus one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final externally set assessment.
Tutor marked past paper so you can practise before the 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.
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 some basic mathematical equipment in order to study the course, both during the studies and in the exams.These include:
- A good calculator with a broad range of functions, for example a π button
- A ruler
- A protractor for measuring angles
- A set of compasses for drawing circles.
TQUK
- Qualification number 610/2623/2 (Level 1)
- Qualification number 610/2624/4 (Level 2)
Online learning with support from a personal tutor for up to 12 months from your date of enrolment.
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.
The Level 2 qualification is marked out of 64. Underpinning skills are weighted at 25% with problem-solving at 75%.
Section A: non-calculator section
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Accounts for 25% of the qualification
Section B: Calculator section
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Accounts for 75% of the qualification
7 assignments (three per level plus one introductory) – these do not contribute towards your final externally set assessment.
Tutor marked past paper so you can practise before the 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.
There are no essential set texts, as all of the information you need to succeed in the course is included in the course materials.
However, as an additional resource, you might find the following texts useful:
- CGP Functional Skills Maths Edexcel – Level 1: ISBN 978 1 78908 391 0
- CGP Functional Skills Maths Edexcel – Level 2: ISBN 978 1 78908 393 4
Each book contains a code allowing the learner to access the online version.
These texts summarise the specification content and provide practice questions and a practice paper for each level.
Internet access
Computer operating system and browser to support learn@nec.
You will need some basic mathematical equipment in order to study the course, both during the studies and in the exams.These include:
- A good calculator with a broad range of functions, for example a π button
- A ruler
- A protractor for measuring angles
- A set of compasses for drawing circles.
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.
No formal qualifications
An ability to read and write in English.
Minimum age 13
Why study Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 Maths
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.
