For course enquiries contact:
Ballymena
Jacqui Livingstone
jacqui.livingstone@nrc.ac.uk
Coleraine
Kathleen Mullan
kathleen.mullan@nrc.ac.uk
Newtownabbey
Norma Sleater
norma.sleater@nrc.ac.uk
For admission enquiries and any other queries contact any of our campuses
All full-time students at the Northern Regional College have the opportunity to improve their English, Maths and IT skills and gain qualifications. The qualification you take will depend on the qualification you already have. If you do not have a grade C or above in GCSE English, Maths or ICT, you must to Essentials Skills. This will be timetabled alongside your full-time course. If you wish to undertake Essential Skills as separate course, please click here to view all of our available part-time Essential Skills courses.
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Ballymena
Coleraine
Newtownabbey
Who are they for?
Anyone, aged 16 and over, who wants to improve his or her English, Maths and ICT skills.
How will Essential Skills qualifications benefit me?
By improving your English, Maths and ICT skills could: • Help you to complete the course you are studying. • Help you to get better results on your course. • Help you to improve your confidence. • Help you to get a job. • Help you move on to higher level courses. • Get the most out of life. • Develop personally. • Engage with others easily. • Solve problems.
Will I get a nationally recognised certificate if I pass an Essential Skills qualification?
Yes you will. You will be awarded a certificate when you complete the course and pass the assessment.
Essential Skills Literacy / Communication Qualification. This course covers speaking and listening, reading and writing skills and is offered at three different levels, Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2.
Essential Skills Numeracy / Application of Number Qualification. This course covers number, measures, shape and space and handling data and is offered at three different levels, Entry Level, Level 1 and Level 2.
Essential Skills ICT Qualification. This course covers word processing, databases, spreadsheets and the use of internet and email. It is offered at Levels 1 and 2 and is assessed through a portfolio of evidence.
Why are the qualifications at different levels? So that you can take an Essential Skills qualification at the level, right for you, and be able to progress through the different levels at your own speed.
How do Essential Skills relate to GCSE? Essential Skills level 2 and GCSE Grades A*-C are both placed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) at level 2. Qualifications placed at a level in the framework are of an equivalent standard although their content may and does differ. Essential Skills level 2 is of an equivalent standard to GCSE with reference to the NQF.
Essential Skills for Fulltime Students at Northern Regional College All full-time students at the Northern Regional College have the opportunity to improve their English, Maths and IT skills and gain qualifications. The qualification you take will depend on the qualification you already have. If you do not have a grade C or above in GCSE English, Maths or ICT, you must do Essential Skills.
