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Fast-Track Functional Skills Certificate in English Level 1 & 2

This fast track Functional Skills English course is designed to help individuals develop their English skills in order to apply them in employment, academic or everyday life within a shorter time frame. We supports individuals successfully complete their English qualifications with the Standalone Functional Skills Programme in 10 weeks.

This course is tutor led at our Colchester Campus over 10 weeks once a week for a minimum of 3 hours. Please note you can not complete our Fast-track English and Fast-track Maths course at the same time.

Course Info
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Fast-Track Functional Skills Certificate in English Level 1 & 2
LevelLevel 1
Level 2
LocationColchester
Duration10 weeks
Start DateSeptember 2026
January 2027
AttendanceMinimum of 3 hours once a week
Thursday 1pm-4pm
Course Content
  • Fully recognised qualification for English
  • Discover English skills needed in everyday contexts
  • Complete your qualification in 10 weeks
  • Exams are based at our Colchester Campus
  • Weekly sessions with one of our tutors in a live classroom environment

We offer groups starting in September and January on Thursday 1pm- 4pm at our Colchester Campus. These fast track options take 10 weeks.

City & Guilds Functional Skills Certificate in English

Offered at Level 1 and Level 2 these qualifications are designed to equip you with skills such as comparing the ideas and presentation of texts, writing for a specified audience and purpose, and communicating and adapting language. They’re assessed in three units – Speaking, Listening and Communication; Reading and Writing.  They have a flexible learning structure that can be adapted to meet your individual needs and provide a progression route through to higher achievement such as GCSE.

Book a Careers Advice Appointment

The Adult Careers Service at Colchester Institute. Providing Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)

Colchester Institute is pleased to offer this free, confidential and impartial service for all adults (19+) employed and unemployed.

The Adults Careers Service can help you take the next step in finding the advice you need to make the right decision about your learning and working life.

For your free IAG session at a centre near you, please contact us using the telephone number or email below:

01206 583333
acs@colchester.ac.uk

English and maths, up to and including Level 2, will be fully-funded by the UK Government for individuals aged 19 and over, who have not previously achieved a GCSE grade A* – C or grade 4, or higher.

This means you will not have to pay tuition fees if you meet this criteria.

This applies to both GCSE English language or maths and Functional Skills English or maths (from Entry to Level 2)

Learners who want to retake their GCSE English and maths qualification because they did not achieve a grade 4 (C), or higher, will not be funded to only resit the exam.

Please get in touch with us if you are interested in enrolling onto Functional Skills programme in English and/or Mathematics.

You can contact us via the details provided on this page or submit the course enquiry form for your preferred learning method using the menu buttons in the section below.

We will then contact you and make arrangements for you to complete an assessment to determine the appropriate level for you to study at.

We will also need to confirm whether or not you are eligible to pay any course fees, and you may be asked to provide some further information about your current employment and financial status and previous learning.

Courses may also be free if you are in receipt of either Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance or Employment Support Allowance benefit.

Once this has been completed we will then enrol you onto your course programme.

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2025-26 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.

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