English & Maths for Adults (Functional Skills)
Build your confidence and skills with a free* maths or English qualification at East Durham College.
Strong English and maths skills help you handle the everyday tasks and challenges that show up in work and life. Whether you want to improve your English, progress at work, or further your education, our Functional Skills courses are a great place to start.
Designed for adults aged 19 and over, classes are relaxed and self-paced with daytime and evening options to fit around your life.
Work towards a recognised qualification up to Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE Grade 4/C).
Functional Skills overview
Functional Skills English
- Improve your spelling, punctuation and grammar.
- Read and understand different types of texts.
- Find and understand key information.
- Write clear, effective emails, letters and reports.
- Write persuasively and build strong arguments.
- Communicate your ideas clearly.
- Develop your speaking, listening and communication skills.
Functional Skills Maths
- Work confidently with numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages.
- Measure, estimate and calculate accurately.
- Understand shapes, spaces and scale.
- Interpret charts, graphs and tables.
- Budget, shop and manage money.
- Solve real-world problems.
View our Functional Skills courses by visiting the course finder.
Where it could lead
These qualifications help you:
- build the practical skills you need for further education, work and life
- meet the entry requirements for apprenticeships and employment
- progress to higher-level college courses
- move on to university (some accept Functional Skills Level 2)
Fees & funding
This course is free* for most students. Check your eligibility by visiting our fees and funding page.
*Eligibility criteria applies.
Apply now
You can apply for Functional Skills English and/or maths by visiting the course finder.
Need more information? Fill in the form at the bottom of this page and we'll be in touch soon.
