Yes — most apprenticeships in England require Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths, or equivalent GCSEs at grade C/4 or above. Under the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025/26, achieving Level 2 in both subjects is a mandatory condition for completing any apprenticeship standard in England. If you do not already hold GCSE English and Maths at grade 4+, you will need to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 during — or before — your apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships in England are governed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), which sets the occupational standards that each apprenticeship must meet. The English and Maths requirement is set by the Department for Education through the ESFA and applies consistently across all apprenticeship levels and sectors — from Level 2 trade apprenticeships to Level 6 degree apprenticeships. According to the ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025/26, training providers are required to assess each apprentice's English and Maths prior attainment at the start of the programme and ensure that those who do not hold the required qualification achieve it before gateway.
Quick answer: If you do not hold GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above, you will need Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects to complete your apprenticeship. You can study during your apprenticeship (most common) or before you apply (which can strengthen your application). Qualvera offers individual Level 2 courses at £39.99/month each, or the combined bundle at £59.99/month.
What are the English and Maths rules for apprenticeships?
The ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025/26 set out the English and Maths requirements for all funded apprenticeships in England. The rules apply to both new apprentices starting programmes in 2026 and those already in progress. The key requirement is that apprentices must hold or achieve Level 2 in both English and Maths as a condition of completing their apprenticeship — specifically as a requirement before they are permitted to proceed to the end-point assessment (EPA) gateway.
The rules specify that training providers (colleges, independent training providers, and employers delivering in-house programmes) must carry out an initial assessment of each apprentice's existing English and Maths qualifications within the first few weeks of the programme. Where an apprentice already holds GCSE English or Maths at grade 4 or above, that subject is exempted from the Functional Skills requirement. Where they do not, the provider must include English and/or Maths as a component of the apprenticeship delivery plan.
According to the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), approximately 40% of apprentices beginning a programme in England in 2024/25 did not hold GCSE English and/or Maths at grade 4 or above at the start of their programme, meaning they were required to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 during their apprenticeship. This figure underlines how common — and well-supported — the Functional Skills route is within the apprenticeship system.
Which Functional Skills level is required for apprenticeships?
Functional Skills Level 2 in both English and Maths is the required standard for completing an apprenticeship in England. Level 1 alone does not satisfy the ESFA requirement, regardless of the apprenticeship level. This applies to all apprenticeship standards — including Level 2 apprenticeships in areas such as customer service, health and social care, and logistics; Level 3 apprenticeships in business administration, teaching, or engineering; and higher-level apprenticeships at Level 4, 5, or degree level.
The table below summarises how the English and Maths requirement applies across different apprenticeship levels:
| Apprenticeship level | English & Maths requirement | Acceptable qualifications |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Functional Skills Level 2 (or GCSE grade 4+) | GCSE grade 4+, Functional Skills L2, Key Skills L2 |
| Level 3 | Functional Skills Level 2 (or GCSE grade 4+) | GCSE grade 4+, Functional Skills L2, Key Skills L2 |
| Level 4 | Functional Skills Level 2 (or GCSE grade 4+) | GCSE grade 4+, Functional Skills L2, Key Skills L2 |
| Level 5 / Degree | Functional Skills Level 2 (or GCSE grade 4+) | GCSE grade 4+, Functional Skills L2, Key Skills L2 |
| Level 6 / Degree | Functional Skills Level 2 (or GCSE grade 4+) | GCSE grade 4+, Functional Skills L2, Key Skills L2 |
Are there exemptions from the Functional Skills requirement?
Yes. Apprentices who already hold GCSE English and/or Maths at grade 4 or above (old grade C) are exempt from the corresponding Functional Skills requirement. The training provider will check this at the start of the programme. Other qualifications may also qualify as exemptions, including O-levels at grade C or above, certain international equivalents (assessed case by case), and Key Skills Level 2 certificates issued under the old qualifications framework.
Apprentices with a specific learning difficulty, disability, or health condition may be eligible for an adjustment to how the Functional Skills requirement is assessed — for example, through use of reasonable adjustments in the external examination. In exceptional circumstances, the ESFA may grant a waiver for the Maths requirement (but not English) for apprentices with a severe and enduring learning difficulty related to numeracy. Waivers are rare and must be applied for by the training provider, not the apprentice directly.
It is important to note that having passed Functional Skills at Level 1, or having partial or incomplete attempts at Level 2, does not constitute an exemption. Only a full Level 2 pass (or a qualifying equivalent) satisfies the ESFA requirement. Your training provider is responsible for checking and recording your prior attainment accurately.
How to complete Functional Skills during your apprenticeship
Most training providers include Functional Skills delivery as part of the apprenticeship programme itself. This typically involves attending regular English and Maths sessions — either face to face at a training centre or online — alongside the main vocational component of the apprenticeship. The Functional Skills element is funded as part of the overall apprenticeship funding band and does not normally cost the apprentice or employer anything extra.
However, the quality and intensity of in-programme Functional Skills delivery varies considerably between training providers. Some providers offer robust online study platforms and qualified specialist tutors; others provide only limited contact time. If you are concerned about the pace or quality of Functional Skills support within your apprenticeship programme, you have the option to supplement your in-programme study with an independent provider such as Qualvera, where you can access the curriculum at your own pace with instant study support available 24/7.
For a clear comparison of the two Functional Skills levels and what each involves, see our article on Functional Skills Level 1 vs Level 2: which do I need?. For exam preparation advice, the Functional Skills exam tips guide covers the most effective strategies for both subjects.
Should you study Functional Skills before applying for an apprenticeship?
Completing Functional Skills Level 2 before applying for an apprenticeship is not mandatory, but it can be a strategic advantage — particularly in competitive apprenticeship markets. Employers and training providers reviewing applications for popular apprenticeship programmes often see candidates who already hold Level 2 English and Maths as lower-risk and better prepared, reducing the probability of delays in the programme caused by Functional Skills requirements.
Studying before applying is especially advisable in the following situations: if you are applying for a higher-level or degree apprenticeship where employers typically expect a stronger academic profile; if your target employer is a large organisation with formal recruitment criteria; or if you have a history of difficulty with formal assessments and want to give yourself maximum time to prepare without the pressure of an active apprenticeship timeline running concurrently.
Qualvera's Functional Skills English and Maths Level 2 bundle is available at £59.99/month, with on-demand assessments you can sit as soon as you are ready. This makes it practical to achieve both qualifications before an apprenticeship start date, particularly if you have 4–6 months available.
What employers expect from apprenticeship applicants
Employer expectations regarding English and Maths vary by sector and by the level of the apprenticeship. For Level 2 apprenticeships in sectors such as retail, hospitality, or warehousing, many employers accept that applicants will not hold Level 2 English and Maths yet, and actively build Functional Skills support into their programmes. For Level 3 and above apprenticeships in professional fields — business administration, digital marketing, healthcare science, engineering — employers increasingly expect or prefer candidates who already hold Level 2 or above.
According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Skills Survey 2025, 78% of employers cited literacy and numeracy skills as critical factors in apprentice recruitment decisions, and 62% said they would give preference to candidates who already held the required English and Maths qualifications over those who did not. This reflects a broader trend of employer confidence increasing where apprentices bring existing foundational skills, allowing the programme to focus on the technical and occupational content.
Key takeaways
- ESFA rules (2025/26) require Functional Skills Level 2 in both English and Maths for all apprenticeship completions.
- GCSE grade 4+ in English and/or Maths exempts you from the corresponding Functional Skills requirement.
- You can study Functional Skills during your apprenticeship (funded) or before applying (self-funded).
- Studying before applying can strengthen your application for competitive programmes.
- Qualvera: individual Level 2 at £39.99/month each; bundle (English + Maths) at £59.99/month.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, in most cases. Under the ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025/26, apprentices who do not hold GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above must achieve Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects as a mandatory condition of completing their apprenticeship. This applies to apprenticeships at Level 2, 3, 4, and above — including degree apprenticeships.
Yes. You can start most apprenticeships without holding GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above, or Functional Skills Level 2 equivalents. However, you must achieve Functional Skills Level 2 in both subjects before your apprenticeship can be formally completed and your certificate issued. Many apprentices study for Functional Skills during their apprenticeship programme.
Level 2 in both English and Maths is required for the vast majority of apprenticeships in England. The ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025/26 specify Level 2 as the minimum standard. Level 1 alone does not satisfy this requirement. If you are starting a Level 2 apprenticeship, your training provider may initially work with you at Level 1 as a stepping stone, but you must reach Level 2 to complete.
Yes. Apprentices who already hold GCSE English and/or Maths at grade 4 or above (or grade C under the old system) are exempt from the Functional Skills requirement for that subject. Other equivalent qualifications may also be accepted — such as O-levels at grade C, Scottish Standard Grade at Credit level, or certain international equivalents. Your training provider will verify exemptions on enrolment.
Completing Functional Skills Level 2 before applying can strengthen your application and remove a potential barrier to being offered a place. Some employers prefer candidates who already hold the qualification. However, many training providers and employers accept apprentices who do not yet hold Level 2, on the condition that they will achieve it during the programme. Studying before applying is particularly advisable if you have a specific employer or competitive programme in mind.
Achieve Functional Skills Level 2 — before or during your apprenticeship
Study English and Maths Level 2 online with Qualvera. Individual subjects from £39.99/month, or the bundle for £59.99/month. Flexible study, instant support, and on-demand assessments.
Sources: ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules 2025/26, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), GOV.UK Apprenticeship Entry Requirements. Information accurate as of March 2026.