Gaining an essential qualification in English and Maths can improve your options at work and home.
If you missed out on an essential qualification at school, we can help. With a GCSE or Functional Skills in English or Maths, securing employment, progressing in your career or applying skills at home can become much easier.
No matter what your level of English or Maths is, find out how we can support you.
✅ GCSEs and Functional Skills courses in English and Maths – starting in January 2026
📣 Our free courses are available online or run in venues across Devon
😄 Small class sizes with friendly and supportive tutors
Why learn with us?
As Devon County Council’s adult education service, we have been delivering courses for adults in Devon for over 20 years. Find out more about why you should learn with us.
Learning online or in the classroom
Alongside online courses, we deliver in a number of venues across Devon. Most of our courses are delivered in Bideford, Exmouth, Newton Abbot and Tavistock.
Individual learning and support
We understand that joining a course can be challenging, so our dedicated learning support team is here to help our learners. Find out how we can support you.
Every year, Learn Devon helps hundreds of adult learners gain the qualifications they need to move forward in life.
After starting at Learn Devon on a Functional Skills in Maths qualification course, Natasha progressed to GCSE Maths. After sitting the exam and securing a pass grade, Natasha was able to enrol on an RAF training pathway.
“I’m over the moon with my results. I worked so hard in the last six months. Fast-track Maths was a real challenge, but I got the grade, alongside my English GCSE grade.”
We offer courses from Entry 1 through to Level 2. From basic to intermediate skill-level, the Functional Skills courses will support learners as they develop their skills across the subject curriculum. The Level 2 course is a perfect stepping-stone for those looking to take a GCSE in the future.
These courses are held either online or face-to-face, at one of our centres. Each lesson is up to 2.5 hours long and homework/further study will be required between lessons.
Our GCSE courses are intensive and challenging Level 2 qualification. Our tutors will guide you through the subject curriculum and help you prepare for the exams in May/June.
These courses are held either online or face-to-face, at one of our centres. For each subject area, the tutors will set you homework and/or further reading.
If you have questions about a course, qualification or programme of study, are team are here. Our team of customer service officers will be able to provide you with clear information about each course.
Either send us a message or give us a call on 0345 155 1014 to discuss your options with one of our friendly team.
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If you have any questions, please contact our team. These FAQs may answer some common questions learners have.
Functional Skills: Functional Skills are fundamental English and Maths qualifications, providing you with the skills that you need for your working and personal life. They allow you to gain access into higher education as well. English and Maths are the most popular Functional Skills courses, as these level 2 courses are needed for most jobs and further education courses if you don’t already hold the equivalent GCSE qualifications.
GCSEs: The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is the UK’s most widely recognised certification for the end of secondary school education. It is often the entry-level requirement to further study, such as A Levels and apprenticeships. Learn Devon offers GCSEs in English and Maths.
Our groups are small and welcoming. Our tutors are friendly, patient and passionate about helping our learners gain their qualifications.
Our tutors work with our Higher Level Learning Support Assistants who are on hand to help you with any learning difficulties. Using a tailored learning plan, our tutors will provide you with feedback to help you achieve your learning goals. If you require any help with your digital skills to support your learning, please let us know.
To join one of our Functional Skills or GCSE courses, all learners will need take a short assessment to help us understand their skills. This can be completed either online or face-to-face.
The length of time it takes to gain your qualification depends on the pathway you select.
Functional Skills: Our regular Functional Skills courses are delivered in six months and require you to attend one lesson per week. These courses can start in either September (finishing in February) or February (finishing in July).
With a fast-track pathway, you can complete the course in one term; this pathway will require you to attend two lessons per week. Fast-track courses often start in September, January and April.
There are also several opportunities to sit an assessment through the year.
GCSEs: We have two starting points for our GCSE courses. The majority of our courses run over an entire academic year and start in September. They require a weekly 3 hour lesson.
For learners who want to gain a GCSE quickly, we offer a fast-track course. These courses start in January and finish in June. They require two 3 hour lessons per week.
Our courses are free if you do not have a GCSE qualification or have a GCSE D grade (grade 3 under the new grading system) equivalent or below. To help you onto the right course, all learners will have a short assessment to understand their current skills.
If you’re not quite ready for a GCSE yet, don’t worry, we have several courses available to build you skills and confidence.
We welcome adult learners of all ages, from all walks of life and from all corners of Devon.
Our tutors are friendly and patient and our classes are small and welcoming to all learners.
We are passionate about adult learning and our learning support team is always there to support you.
We run morning, afternoon and evening courses as we know the challenges of juggling learning, family life and work.
We can help you achieve nationally accredited qualifications helping you progress in your career or go onto further study.
Our courses will help you improve your confidence, increase your wellbeing and reduce loneliness and isolation.