Level 2 functional skills, mathematics and English are considered to be the closest equivalents to GCSEs and are accepted by almost all universities and higher education providers as most employers. The United Kingdom considers mathematics, English and science subjects to be compulsory for which everyone must take exams. Taking courses equivalent to GCSE is also beneficial for students who want to continue their education and want to take additional classes before starting their A-levels and applying to college. The importance of having a solid knowledge of English and mathematics is more evident than ever after the government's announcement that more measures will be put in place to help schoolchildren who fall behind in these subjects.
Scottish national titles are not a substitute for GCSE, but rather a direct equivalent, as grades A to C of the Scottish national certificate directly correlate with GCSE grades 4 to 9.GCSE score results can determine where a student can go to college and what jobs they can qualify for. GCSEs focus more on the academic aspect of subjects, while functional skills mathematics, functional skills English, and functional skills ICT focus more on the practical skills you need to address aspects of daily living and work. You can receive functional skills qualifications in English, mathematics, and information and communication technology (ICT). The difficulty of a Functional Skills course compared to a GCSE depends on the student and his/her ability.
These qualifications are for subjects outside of mathematics and English, so they are not as relevant to higher education. There are many factors to consider when choosing to study for a GCSE, a GCSE equivalent, or some combination of both. Teens choose their GCSE options at the end of Year 8 or 9 and study for their GCSE subjects for two years. A functional skills qualification, whether in AQA Functional Skills Maths Level 1, Functional Skills English or Functional Skills ICT, is considered a replacement for key skills.
