Functional Skills English and Maths (Basic Skills)
Introduction
If you're 19 or over our functional skills courses can help you develop the practical skills in English and maths that you need to live, study and work. You'll learn to apply English and maths skills in real-life situations through reading, writing, speaking and listening tasks.
The courses are available across different levels, so you'll be able to study at the level best suited to you. If you've applied to study a GCSE with us, depending on your assessment, we may recommend you study Functional Skills first.
You'll work towards the Edexcel Functional Skills qualification, or the City & Guilds Award in Functional Skills.
Entry requirements
This course will suit you if you're a beginner, or want to work towards GCSE or other higher level English qualification. There are no formal entry requirements, but before you enrol you'll have a short test with one of our tutors to help us decide what level is right for you.
If you've already completed a functional skills course and want to study for the next level, please bring your certificates with you when you come in for your test.
You can take another course at the College alongside functional skills. Remember to check the entry requirements for the other course as well.
If you don't have a formal qualification in English or maths then you can take this course for free as long as you get a good enough mark on your assessment. On our free courses there are sometimes administrative charges - like the College registration fee - to pay. Find out more when you enrol or by speaking to Student Services.
When and where can I study?
You can study in the daytime or evening.
On daytime courses you'll study two 2.5 hour sessions a week. Both sessions run at the same time; morning or afternoon. Evening classes are one evening a week for 3 hours. Your class times depend on your assessment level.
Sessions run from Monday to Friday at these times:
- Mornings: 9:30-12:00
- Afternoons: 13:00-15:30 or 12:30-15:00
- Evening: 18:15-21:15
Your tutor will discuss timetabling options and your study level when you come in to enrol.
What you'll pay
If you don't have a formal qualification in English or maths then you can take this course for free as long as you get a good enough mark on your assessment. On our free courses there are sometimes administrative charges - like the College registration fee - to pay. Find out more when you enrol or by speaking to Student Services.
How to apply
You'll need to take an assessment before you can enrol on the course so we can put you on the right level.
Click here to book your assessment.
Email updates
Please note that these Merton assessments are for people aged 19 and over only.
You can receive email notifications when further assessment dates are added to this page by entering your details here.