Course may be subject to change and programme is subject to validation.
This course is aimed for people aged 19 years or over.
We understand that many people may be revisiting studying maths after a long break.
Please be reassured that when you apply we will give you advice and guidance to ensure you are supported to enrol on the correct course. We recognise it can be confusing to know which qualification is best for you.
You can register your potential interest in studying at NCD or ask our maths team any questions before applying by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Update your maths skills, improve your career prospects or boost your confidence with maths at NCD.
Entry Criteria
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GCSE Maths - Foundation
Entry requirements - none. You will receive an unconditional offer to enrol on the GCSE Foundation course if you do not hold a grade 4/C or above.
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GCSE Maths - Higher
Entry requirements - GCSE grade 4/C or above. You will receive an unconditional offer to enrol on the GCSE Higher course if you hold a grade 4/C or above. If you have achieved a higher grade and are hoping to improve it there will be a fee of £362.
You will receive a conditional offer if you do not hold a grade 4/C. You will be required to come into college to complete an initial assessment to gain access to the course. Passing this assessment will confirm you have the ability to achieve at this level.
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Functional Skills Maths - Entry 3
Entry requirements - none. You will receive an unconditional offer to enrol on the FS Entry 3 course.
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Functional Skills Maths - Level 1
Entry requirements - FS Entry 3 or GCSE grade 2 from previous academic year. You will receive an unconditional offer to enrol on Level 1 if you hold the above, otherwise you will receive a conditional offer.
If you receive a conditional offer, you will be required to come into college to complete an initial assessment to gain access to the course. Passing this assessment will confirm you have the ability to achieve at this level.
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Functional Skills Maths - Level 2
Entry requirements - FS Level 1 or GCSE grade 3 from previous academic year. You will receive an unconditional offer to enrol on Level 1 if you hold the above, otherwise you will receive a conditional offer.
If you receive a conditional offer, you will be required to come into college to complete an initial assessment to gain access to the course. Passing this assessment will confirm you have the ability to achieve at this level.
What are the next steps?
Your briefing session with the tutor will last 45 minutes and give you an overview of the course, its requirements, start dates and assessment measures. Please bring copies of your certificates for your previous maths qualifications.
Study Aims
Choosing the right course
If you have not achieved a grade 4/C or above in GCSE Maths then you will not need to pay to study GCSE or Functional Skills Maths. You will receive funding to improve your maths grade until you achieve a grade 4/C or higher.
If you are new to NCD, you will be asked to complete an online diagnostic test. This will simply help us assign you to a course that is right for you to get the most out of your experience at NCD.
If you are hoping to enrol on a specific qualification, please read on to find further information about the courses and requirements and conditions of each.
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GCSE Maths
All GCSE lessons are delivered on-site once a week for three hours. We run classes for both Foundation and Higher tiers of GCSE Maths.
Foundation classes are split into three groups that are delivered on one of the following: Mondays 5pm-8pm Wednesdays 1pm-4pm Thursdays 10am-1pm
Our Higher class runs on Wednesdays 5pm-8pm.
We use the Pearson exam board and you will be entered for the summer exam series.
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Functional Skills (FS) Maths
The key difference between GCSE Maths and FS Maths is that with FS Maths your exam will be scheduled when you are ready to sit the exam. You will also have fewer guided learning hours. The exam board is Pearson for all levels of FS Maths.
Lessons are two hours long and run once a week.
Functional Skills Maths has three different entry levels:
Entry 3 For anyone starting their maths journey. You will study on Tuesdays from 12.45pm-2.45pm.
Level 1 A natural step for anyone who has achieved FS Entry 3 or has a GCSE grade 1 or 2. Level 1 will prepare you to study Level 2. You will study on Mondays either from 12.45pm-2.45pm or 5pm-7pm.
Level 2 This is the final step of the Functional Skills pathway. Achieving Level 2 can be accepted by employers and universities as the equivalent to GCSE Maths grade 4/C. Please ensure this is the case for your desired progression route. You will study on either Mondays from 5pm-7pm or Tuesdays 12.30pm-2.30pm. There is also the opportunity to study Level 2 remotely via engaging Microsoft Teams sessions on a Wednesday evening from 5pm-7pm. You will be required to come on-site to enrol and sit your practice exam and official exam.
Teaching and Assessment
You will have one lesson in college each week.
Lessons will focus on working on gaps in knowledge or skills and then measuring progress in order to set targets. During your first lesson you will be assessed to assign you to the right level and support will be put in place.
You may have to sit a diagnostic assessment before the course begins to make sure you are on the most suitable qualification.
Throughout the year there will be exam windows where you will sit a mock exam so you can experience a paper in exam conditions.
There will be regular assessment opportunities in lessons for you to understand how you are progressing. Your tutor will inform you when they think you are exam ready.
You could progress to an Access to Higher Education programme at New College Durham.
