Our innovative Functional Skills Maths courses 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.

Our Functional Skills Maths (Levels 1 and 2) course is ideal if you:

• Are wanting to progress in your career but do not have GCSE Maths or equivalent – Level 2 can act as an alternative to a GCSE at grade 4 and can be enough to push you forward in the right direction.
• Are currently in an apprenticeship programme.
• Are looking to study at your own pace. With frequent assessments, you can book your exam when it suits you. 
• Are looking to boost your skills in order to feel more confident in solving maths problems in your day-to-day life. This could be anything from household budgeting or adding up your grocery list to calculating how much wallpaper you will need for redecorating your home.
• Are aiming to continue to further studies such as GCSE, A level or a vocational course but are looking for an introduction to maths through online learning. The skills learned on our Functional Skills courses will be transferable to many other subjects.

All students will have access to the learning materials for both Level 1 and Level 2. If you are enrolling on Level 2 , your tutor marked assignments will be for that level but you will also have access to all the level 1 materials – this will be helpful for refreshing your skills or for revision.

If you are enrolling on both levels then your tutor marked assignments will start and level 1 and continue to the end of level 2.

Level 1
Section 1 Numbers
Topic 1 Whole numbers
Topic 2 Working with numbers
Topic 3 Fractions
Topic 4 Decimals
Topic 5 Percentages and equivalences
Topic 6 Ratio and proportion
Topic 7 Using a calculator
Level 1 Assignment 1

Section 2 Measures, shape and space
Topic 1 Using different units for measuring
Topic 2 Measuring time
Topic 3 Area and perimeter
Topic 4 Volume
Topic 5 Shapes and symmetry
Topic 6 Angles and bearings
Topic 7 Using plans and maps
Level 1 Assignment 2

Section 3 Handling information and data
Topic 1 Tables
Topic 2 Bar charts
Topic 3 Line graphs
Topic 4 Pie charts
Topic 5 Mean and range
Topic 6 Probability
Level 1 Assignment 3

Level 2
Section 1 Numbers
Topic 1 Working with whole numbers
Topic 2 BIDMAS and formulas
Topic 3 Fractions
Topic 4 Decimals
Topic 5 Percentages and equivalences
Topic 6 Ratio and proportion
Topic 7 Working with money
Level 2 Assignment 1

Section 2 Measures, shape and space
Topic 1 Converting units
Topic 2 Compound measures
Topic 3 Perimeter and area
Topic 4 3D shapes
Topic 5 Nets, plans and elevations
Topic 6 Scale
Topic 7 Coordinates and angles
Level 2 Assignment 2

Section 3 Handling information and data
Topic 1 Mean, median and mode
Topic 2 Using averages
Topic 3 Working out the probability of combined events
Topic 4 Scatter diagrams
Level 2 Assignment 3

Practice paper assignment
Level 1 Practice paper assignment
Level 2 Practice paper assignment

Your tutor is a subject expert who will mark your assignments, giving feedback on the work submitted and advising on areas for improvement. This feedback is vital to improving your grades and will be the best preparation for the final assessments.

Exam board

Pearson Edexcel

Qualification number 603/4267/5 (Level 1)
Qualification number 603/4268/7 (Level 2)

Format

Interactive online learning with tutor marked assignments to prepare you for the assessments

Hours

Complete at your own pace – enrol anytime and take the assessment as soon as you’re ready.

Approx. 55* hours plus time for completing assignments per level

*This is an estimate. Everyone is different and learns at a different pace. Your study time will not only include reading the online course materials and doing the online activities, but also completing assignments and preparing yourself for the assessment.

Assignments

Introductory assignment – ‘Getting to know you’ session with your tutor. This can be arranged with your tutor to take place by telephone, video call or email

3 assignments per level – these do not contribute towards your final grade

Tutor marked past paper so you can practise before the exam

Resources

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Important information

This course page is for Functional Skills Maths Levels 1 and 2, providing you with tutor-marked assignments for both levels.

If you would like to enrol on only level 2, click here.

Our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.

Your course fee includes:

• 24/7 access to learn@nec platform and resources
• Expertly designed online course materials that you need to complete the course
• Support from our Student Services team
• Structured assignments carefully designed to prepare you for assessment
• Extensive feedback to all assignments that will support your learning
• NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar guide
• Time planner template to help you plan your study timetable
• Information on how to apply for exams
• Tutor marked past paper so you can practise before the exam

Your course fee does not cover:

• Any fees in relation to exam entries or assessments
• Centre Assessment Grades (CAG) in the event of exam cancellation
• Recommended textbooks for additional reading

If you need more support, you can purchase:

• Online tutorials – if you need help with a specific topic you can arrange a 30 minute or 1 hour tutorial
• Additional past paper marking – to help with your exam preparation
• Revision tutorial –  to plan your revision and explore revision techniques

For further information on additional/optional support you can purchase, please visit our additional services page.

Assessment is by externally set paper-based or onscreen on-demand assessment. Assessments take place throughout the year.

Students are not entered for any exams when they enrol with NEC but we will put you in touch with our trusted partner Tutors and Exams who will enter you and provide you with the opportunity to take the exams.

The Level 1 qualification is marked out of 56; the Level 2 qualification is marked out of 64. Underpinning skills are weighted at 25% for both Level 1 and 2, with problem-solving at 75%. 

The structure and timings outlined below are the same for both Levels. 

Section A: non-calculator section

• Duration: 25 minutes
• Accounts for 25% of the qualification
  

Section B: Calculator section

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Accounts for 75% of the qualification
  

Exams are organised independently of NEC, by contacting Tutors & Exams directly. They will be able to provide further guidance on exam booking. For a list of exam locations and dates, click here.

Results are issued up to 20 days after completing the external assessment.

NEC offers an exam pass guarantee. In order for this to be applicable to your Functional Skills course, you must have passed the past paper that is provided as part of your course before sitting the external assessment.

We know that our younger students often need an extra helping hand with their studies.  In our experience, learning online works best when the parents are involved, so when you enrol your child with NEC, you’ll have a unique set of services to help you to support your child.

This includes:

• Your own log in to learn@nec to access the course so you can view the course materials and other information for yourself.
• Access to your child’s gradebook to help you to monitor progress and provide appropriate and timely intervention and support
• You’ll receive emails and forum posts so that you have all the examination and assessment updates/information provided by the NEC team
• Dedicated Progress Portal Pages and targeted blogs with updates/information/help and advice on many aspects of home education.
• Access to the Kudos career platform for young learners to explore career choices.

Read more about how we work with young students who are studying at home or through a school.