Eligible maths and English qualifications

England, Wales and Northern Ireland 

 
Level 2 maths and English skills 

English qualifications: 

• GCSE English grades 4-9 (Language or 
  Literature) 

• GCSE English A*-C (Language or Literature) 

• O Level English (Language or Literature) any pass grade (grades 1-6 or grades A-C) 

• CSE grade 1 English (Language or Literature) 

• Functional Skills in English Level 2 and above (OFQUAL approved) 

• Key Skills Communication Level 2 and above 

• Professional Skills Test in Literacy (DfE) 

• ESOL Skills for Life examinations at Level 2 (full qualification) 

• Northern Ireland Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills – Communication 

• OCNW/OCN Level 2 GCSE equivalent in English 

• Certificates in Essential Skills (3800) 

• Equivalency Testing for Career Development (GCSE equivalent) L2 English - Grades 9 – 4 

  

Maths qualifications: 

• GCSE Mathematics grades 4-9 

• GCSE Mathematics A*-C 

• GCSE Methods in Mathematics grades A-C (full course) 

• O Level Mathematics any pass grade (grades 1-6 or grades A-C) 

• CSE grade 1 Mathematics 

• Functional Skills in Mathematics Level 2 and above (OFQUAL approved) 

• Key Skills Application of Number – Level 2 and above 

• Professional Skills Test in Numeracy (DfE) 

• Associated Examining Board (AEB) Proficiency Test in Arithmetic 

• City & Guilds Certificate in Mathematics Skills (14 credits) 

• City & Guilds Certificate in Mathematical Techniques (13 credits) 

• Essential Skills Wales in Application of Number Level 2 

• NCFE Certificate in Basic Maths Level 2 

• Northern Ireland Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills – Application of Number 

• Certificates in Essential Skills (3800) 

• University of Plymouth maths equivalency test 

• Equivalency Testing for Career Development (GCSE equivalent) L2 Maths - Grades 9 - 4 

  

Level 3 maths and English skills 

English qualifications: 

• A Level English Language 

• AS Level English Language 

• A Level English Language and Literature 

• AS Level English Language and Literature 

• A Level Communication Studies 

• AS Level Communication Studies 

• Oxford College Certificate of Diploma Education in English Literature 

• IBSL Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies (QCF) 

• Signature Level 3 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language (QCF) 

• Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Level 3 

• Certificate in Delivering Basic Skills to Adults (City & Guilds Wales) 

• 14-19 Diplomas (higher and advanced) – England 

• Level 3 Award in English for literacy and language teaching 

• Level 3 (120 hours) TEFL teaching English certificate 

Maths qualifications: 

• A Level Mathematics 

• AS Level Mathematics 

• Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma – Level 3 

• Certificate in Delivering Basic Skills to Adults (City & Guilds Wales) 

• 14-19 Diplomas (higher and advanced) – must include Functional Skills Mathematics at Level 2 

• Level 3 Award in mathematics for numeracy teaching 

• Secondary mathematics TSST (Teacher Subject Specialist Training) certificate 

• AQA Certificate Level 3 mathematical studies 

  

Level 4 maths and English skills 

English qualifications: 

• Degrees in English Language/Literature/Communication 

• Additional Diploma in Teaching English (Literacy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 

• Additional Diploma in Teaching English (ESOL) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 

• Diploma in Teaching English (Literacy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 

• Diploma in Teaching English (ESOL) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 

• Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (English Literacy) 

• Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (English ESOL) 

• Subsidary Diploma  in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (English Literacy) 

• Certificate for adult literacy subject specialists 

• Certificate for adult ESOL subject specialists 

• Signature Level 4 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language (QCF) 

• Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) 

• Diploma in teaching English to Adults (DELTA) (Cambridge ESOL) 

• The Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Cert TESOL) 

• Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)  

• Advanced Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) (160 hours) 

• Trinity Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Level 7 

• Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (that are, or have been, available from such awarding institutions as Cambridge ESOL, Trinity College London and RSA) 

• MA in TESOL 

Maths qualifications: 

• BA or BSc or BEd or higher degree in Mathematics 

• Diploma in Teaching Mathematics (Numeracy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 

• Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (Mathematics Numeracy) 

• Additional Diploma in Teaching Mathematics (Numeracy) in the Lifelong Learning Sector 

• Subsidary Diploma  in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (Mathematics Numeracy) 

• Certificate for adult numeracy subject specialists 

  

Ireland 

Level 2 maths and English skills:  

• Leaving certificate (Level 4) 

Level 3 maths and English skills: 

• Leaving certificate (Level 5) 

Level 4 maths and English skills: 

• Advanced certificate 

• Higher certificate 

  

Scotland 

Level 2 maths and English skills:  

English qualifications: 

• English Intermediate 2 (Credit standard grade) 

• SVQ Level 2 

• Core Skills Communication – Intermediate 2 and above 

• ESOL National Qualification – Intermediate 2 and above 

Maths qualifications: 

• Mathematics Intermediate 2 (Credit standard grade) 

• SVQ Level 2 

• Core Skills Numeracy – Intermediate 2 and above 

• Scottish Certificate in Arithmetic – Ordinary level 

  

Level 3 maths and English skills: 

• SVQ Level 3 (Highers) 

Level 4 maths and English skills: 

• SVQ Level 3 (Advanced Highers) 

 

European and international 

Level 2 maths and English skills: 

English qualifications: 

• European Baccalaureate 

• International Baccalaureate 

• University of Cambridge International GCSE English (iGCSE) 

• CEFR C1 level (English) 

Maths qualifications: 

• European Baccalaureate 

• International BaccalaureateUniversity of Cambridge International GCSE Mathematics (iGCSE) 

Level 3 maths and English skills: 

English qualifications: 

• Trinity Integrated Skills – ISE 3 (Common European Framework) 

• Edexcel International Test of English (Pearson) – Level 3 (CEF) 

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – score 6.5 and above 

• European Baccalaureate 

• International Baccalaureate 

  

Level 4 English skills: 

• Trinity Integrated Skills – ISE 4 (Common European Framework) 

• Edexcel International Test of English (Pearson) – Level 4 (CEF) 

  

For further information please download the guide to comparing qualifications in the UK and Ireland. 

 
For queries regarding any other qualifications not listed above, please contact the Professional Formation team via email at membership@etfoundation.co.uk