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Functional Skills
English Level 1
Online Course with Exam
Achieve your nationally recognised Functional Skills English Level 1 qualification 100% online at your own pace, with 1-to-1 tutor support and an official exam through a recognised awarding body.
Pass with confidence. Progress in your career.
Ofqual
Regulated
Choice of 3
Exam Boards
Official Exam
Included
or from £43.50/month — pay in 4 installments
Choose the option that’s right for you
Full online English Level 1 course.
Official exam with your chosen board.
1:1 live tutor support until you pass.
Free resit included.
Marked mock exams & feedback.
Book Your Exam Now
Already decided? Choose your exam board, invigilation type and date — or enrol now and confirm your exam date later.
Choose Location
Choose the Exam Board
That’s Right for You.
All qualifications are nationally recognised. Choose the awarding organisation that best suits your needs.
Flexible exam options to suit your needs.
Popular online route with great flexibility.
Trusted UK awarding organisation and all over the world.
High-quality qualifications and assessments.
Details of Exam Structure
& Pass Marks
Functional Skills English exam durations, marks, and pass thresholds vary by awarding body, which you can find below:
Reading Exam
60 - 75 Minutes| Awarding Body | Duration | Marks | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel | 75 mins | 35 | 65% |
| Open Awards | 60 mins | 30 | 18 / 30 |
| TQUK | 60 mins | 30 | Varies |
Reading is evaluated through a test consisting of multiple-choice, short open-response, and medium open-response questions.
Writing Exam
60 Minutes| Awarding Body | Duration | Marks | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel | 60 mins | 36 | 63% |
| Open Awards | 60 mins | 60 | 36 / 60 |
| TQUK | 60 mins | 54 | Varies |
Reading/Writing Exam Pass Mark: Learners should achieve the overall marks mentioned in the table to pass the reading/writing exam.
Speaking, Listening & Communicating (SLC) Exam
60 Minutes| Awarding Body | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson Edexcel | 60 mins | Pass / Fail |
| Open Awards | 60 mins | Pass / Fail |
| TQUK | 60 mins | Pass / Fail |
The duration of the SLC exam session may vary depending on the number of students attending.
SLC ASSESSMENT FORMAT
See how the presentation, Q&A, and discussion activities are structured for each awarding body.
Real English Skills.
Real Confidence, Real Results.
Every topic that can appear in your English exam is covered with video tutorials, practice questions, worksheets and tutor-marked assignments.
Reading
Read and understand a range of texts, identify main points and compare information with confidence.
Text Types
Fact & Opinion
Bias & Tone
Comparing Texts
Writing
Write clearly and accurately for any purpose, with correct spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Spelling
Punctuation
Grammar
Formatting
Speaking & Listening
Communicate confidently in presentations and discussions, adapting your tone to any audience.
Presentations
Discussions
Explanations
Audience & Tone
Focused Learning
Only the skills you need, nothing you don’t.
Progress Tracking
See your improvement every step of the way.
Learn At Your Pace
Study when it suits you, anytime, anywhere.
Exam Ready Skills
Master what matters and feel confident on exam day.
Ideal for Busy Individuals.
No Previous Experience Needed.
Our simple step-by-step learning journey gives you everything you need to learn, practice and achieve.
Enroll Today
Get instant access to your learning portal and everything you need to begin.
Study atAt Your Pace
Learn whenever it suits your schedule with easy-to-follow lessons.
Practice & Improve
Build confidence with guided activities and practice questions.
Take Mock examsExams
Prepare using realistic exam-style questions and track your progress.
Book Your Exam
Choose a date, location and time that works best for you.
Achieve Qualification
Pass your exam and receive official, recognised qualification.
Everything You Need to Pass in One Place.
More than just course content. You get live support, flexibility and a safety net most providers don’t offer.
Fast Exam Booking
Book your remote exam in as little as 2-3 working days and get your results within 7 working days.
Choice of 3 Exam Boards
Sit your exam with Pearson Edexcel, Open Awards or Training Qualifications UK - choose the route that suits you best.
Pay in 4 Installments
Spread the cost-free from £43.50/month - so price never gets in the way of your goal.
1:1 Live Tutor support
Dedicated English tutors guide you through live sessions - not just videos and a self service portal.
14 Days Money Back
Enrol with confidence. If it’s not right for you, get a full refund within 14 days - no questions asked.
Free Resit Included
Didn’t pass first time? Your bundle includes a free resit, so there’s no extra cost or added pressure.
Advance Your Career.
Trusted by Employers and Universities.
This qualification focuses on practical English skills you’ll actually use in work, study and everyday life - not just theory.
Practical & Relevant
Learn English that applies to real-world situations you encounter every day.
Boost Opportunities
Improve your career prospects and open doors to further education and apprenticeships
Build Confidence
Step by step support that helps you progress at your own pace and achieve your goals.
Practical & Relevant
Learn English that applies to real-world situations you encounter every day.
See The Difference
Traditional GCSE
Theory-Heavy content
One-size-fits-all teaching
Designed for school students
Less focused on workplace skills
Functional Skills
English Level 1
Focus on practical real-life EnglishEnglish For Everyday Life
Personalised support every step of the wayStep-by-Step Personal Support
Designed for adults & career changersFor adults & career changers
Skills employers actually value
Thousands of Satisfied Learners.
Our learners have achieved their goals with Lead Academy. Here are just a few of their success stories.
Fantastic learning platform
“I am thrilled to have completed functional skills English level 1 course online. The virtual learning platform is fantastic.”
Course Completed
Functional Skills English Level 1
Scarlett Robertson
Verified Learner
Verified Review
Google Reviews
Incredibly helpful tutors
“The tutor support and live chat support are incredibly helpful. I felt encouraged to ask questions, and my tutor provided detailed feedback on my writing. The level 1 writing examples were also very useful.”
Course Completed
Functional Skills English Level 1
Harry Adams
Verified Learner
Verified Review
Google Reviews
Highly recommended
“I was able to improve my English language skills by this course. I highly recommend this online course.”
Course Completed
Functional Skills English Level 1
Matilda Turner
Verified Learner
Verified Review
Google Reviews
Perfect course
“This course is perfect for anyone who wants to improve their English language skills.”
Course Completed
Functional Skills English Level 1
Henry Bell
Verified Learner
Verified Review
Google Reviews
Thank you Lead Academy
“The level 1 writing examples were very helpful, and writing past Edexcel papers helped me to prepare for the exam. Highly Recommended.”
Course Completed
Functional Skills English Level 1
Isla Mitchell
Verified Learner
Verified Review
Google Reviews
Exceptional tutor support
“I appreciated the one-year access, as it gave me ample time to complete the course. Most importantly, the tutor support was exceptional.”
Course Completed
Functional Skills English Level 1
Charlie Simpson
Verified Learner
Verified Review
Google Reviews
What Our Students Say in Their Own Words.
Watch and hear from learners who passed their Functional Skills English Level 1 exam and took the next step with confidence.
Real Students, Real Experiences
See Success Stories
Verified Student Reviews
All reviews are from our real students who completed the course successfully.
Real Experiences
Hear directly from our students about their journey and success.
Inspiration & Motivation
Be inspired by their stories and see what you can achieve from us.
Your Future Starts Now
Join thousands of learners worldwide and take the first step towards a better future today.
Ofqual
Regulated
Choice of 3
Exam Boards
Official Exam
Included
Functional Skills English Level 1 FAQs
Level 1 English equals a GCSE Grade 1 to 3 or D-G. This means that achieving a Level 1 qualification in English demonstrates a basic understanding and practical application of the English language, including reading, writing, and communication skills.
The advanced course of functional skills English level 1 is the level 2 English course. In the advanced course, you will learn English in depth.
Some universities may approve the functional skills English level 1 as an alternative to GCSEs or other qualifications, it ultimately depends on the specific university and its admissions policies. Therefore, it's best to check with the university's requirements. However, most universities usually require a higher level of English proficiency, like Functional Skills English level2 GCSE Grade C/4 in English.
Lead Academy's Pearson Edexcel and NCFE Qualifications in English Level 1 consist of internally marked speaking, listening, and communicating assessments and externally marked reading and writing assessments. The speaking and listening assessments include a 5-minute presentation and a 15-minute formal discussion in groups of three to five learners. The reading assessment lasts 75 minutes and consists of multiple-choice, short open-response, and medium open-response questions. The writing assessment, which includes tasks assessing spelling, punctuation, and grammar, lasts 60 minutes.
Functional English skills Level 1 is generally less complicated than GCSE English. The exam focuses on basic language skills and communication, emphasizing practical, real-world applications. The exam is designed to be accessible to many learners, including those who may have struggled with traditional classroom-based learning. However, it still requires a good understanding and proficiency in English, so preparing and practicing in advance is essential.
A Functional skills course develops for the one who wants to learn Math, English, and ICT for individual achievement in the daily workplace. On the other hand, GCSE focuses on theories and tests your academic ability.
A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email after payment. Hereafter anytime, you can start your learning journey with Lead Academy.
For Pearson Edexcel and NCFE:
To sit your assessment, you’ll need:
For Open Awards:
In order to take your exam, you need to have the following equipment:
Supported Browsers
Chrome: 34.0.1847 or above
Microsoft Edge: Version 88.0.705.81 or newer Firefox: 31.0 or above Safari: 6.2 or above Safe Exam Browser 2.0.2 or above
Please note: Chromebooks are not compatible with the Safe Exam Browser
Browser settings
Popups must be allowed.
Guidance on how to do this below:
Chrome
Edge
Firefox
Safari
For TQUK:
Exam conditions
All remote exams must take place in a controlled environment. Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) defines a controlled environment as a quiet, appropriate space conducive to the undertaking of a remotely invigilated exam. The environment must be:
Requirements and guidance for materials:
The following relates to materials within the controlled environment and must be followed to ensure compliance:
has context menu
This depends on your learning pace and individual circumstances. This functional skills qualification has 55 guided learning hours (GLH).