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Functional Skills English Level 1 Course in Birmingham – South & City College Birmingham Handsworth Campus

CostFree if you're eligible
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modePart-time
AttendanceEvening
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body

Free if you're 19 or over and don't have a GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, whatever you earn. If you already have one, fees apply. Contact South & City College Birmingham for more info.

Apply now →Check if you're eligible

About this course

Functional Skills English Level 1 Course in Birmingham. Classes run at South & City College Birmingham Handsworth Campus, on weekday evenings. Fees depend on your circumstances. Visit the college website or call for details.

The course builds your maths skills at Level 1. You'll cover number, measures, and handling data in practical, everyday contexts. It runs over one year, part-time. You'll need to show a qualification at Entry Level 3 or equivalent to join, plus an initial assessment to confirm the right level for you.

You'll finish with a Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics at Level 1, a recognised GCSE maths alternative accepted by many employers.

Who this course is for

At four of our campuses across Birmingham, we have courses aimed at improving the literacy and numeracy of adults. We offer Functional Skills to adults who would like to develop these skills beyond an Entry 3 qualification, which is the entry requirement. Our courses will help to support and develop confidence with Maths.

Entry requirements

Proof of a qualification at ‘Entry 3’ level or equivalent and a successful initial assessment so that we can assess the functional skill level you need to be placed on.

What you will learn

  • You'll work with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages.
  • You'll use measurements and handle units of length, weight, capacity, and time.
  • You'll read and interpret simple charts, tables, and graphs.
  • You'll solve practical maths problems from everyday and work situations.
  • You'll check your own calculations and identify errors.
  • You'll apply maths to real tasks such as budgeting, measuring, and comparing quantities.

How you will learn

You'll study in a classroom with a tutor, attending evening sessions. Learning is practical and task-based, using everyday contexts to develop your skills. Assessment is by a written external test set by NCFE. You'll also complete tasks that show you can apply maths in real situations. The initial assessment at enrolment helps place you at the right level.

What you will need to bring

South & City College Birmingham Handsworth Campus will confirm what you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Retail assistant, handles cash, stock counts, and basic calculations.
  • Warehouse operative, uses measurement and numeracy in daily tasks.
  • Care assistant, records figures and follows written instructions at work.
  • Catering assistant, measures ingredients and manages simple orders.
  • Administrator, supports office tasks that need basic numeracy and data handling.

What you could study next

  • Functional Skills Maths Level 2, the next step up and a recognised GCSE maths equivalent accepted by employers and colleges.
  • Functional Skills English Level 1 or Level 2, to build literacy alongside your maths.
  • A vocational Level 2 qualification in your chosen sector, where Level 1 maths is often an entry requirement.
Apply on sccb.ac.uk →Check if you're eligible
Apply now →Check if you're eligible

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