Deliver BCS Digital Functional Skills

Ofqual approved Entry Level 3 and Level 1 qualifications.

Boost employability - Nearly every job requires some level of digital knowledge, even at a basic level. Empower learners to access better opportunities & succeed in the modern workplace.

Provide everyday skills - Make daily life a little easier for learners, whether they’re communicating with friends, managing finances, or accessing vital information.

Help apprentices shine - Some apprentices lack fundamental digital skills. Support them to thrive on their programmes, excel in their roles, and bring more value to their employers.

Help end the digital divide

Millions of people in the UK face digital exclusion, with a fifth of the population lacking the digital skills needed to function and progress in both work and life.*

*https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0643/

Digital exclusion affects everything from education and work to healthcare and social interaction. It’s especially common amongst older adults, those not in work as well as those on low incomes.

BCS’s Digital Functional Skills qualifications are a step towards digital equality, supporting people of all backgrounds and ages to improve their lives through technology.

Our Digital Divide Specialist Group recently partnered with the Digital Poverty Alliance to respond to a call for evidence by the House of Lords.

'We want to ensure everyone can access the digital services they need, which is an essential part of BCS’s purpose of ‘making IT good for society’'

Rashik Parmar

Group Chief Executive of BCS

Skills and knowledge

The Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Digital Functional Skills qualifications develop learners’ understanding of:

Using devices and handling information
Creating and editing digital content
Communicating online
Digital transactions
Being safe and responsible online

Learners will reinforce their knowledge through a range of practical tasks in different contexts.

Assessment

Each qualification uses one 90-minute test to assess both knowledge and practical skills.

On-demand online testing
Automated marking with instant results
Pass/fail
Resits possible

What you’ll receive

When you deliver these qualifications, you’ll gain access to:

Interactive online course content
Session plans
A glossary of key terms and icons
Practice tests
Levelling checklist

Why BCS?

As the Chartered Institute for IT, we’re the experts when it comes to digital technology. Our purpose is simple – to make IT good for society – and we’re committed to ensuring everyone has the skills to live and work in the digital age.

We can help by advising on how to market and deliver our Digital Functional Skills qualifications successfully. By partnering with BCS, you will also become part of a respected training provider community where you’ll benefit from our insight and expertise with input from policymakers, business leaders and peers while helping to steer the digital skills agenda.

FAQ's

Who are these qualifications for?

Our Digital Functional Skills qualifications are available to anyone aged 16+. They may be particularly useful to older adults looking to re-enter the workplace or update their skills for the digital age.

Do we have to be a BCS Approved Training Provider to work with you?

You do, yes. Partnering with us is easy, and your dedicated account manager will support you throughout the accreditation process and beyond.

What’s the difference between BCS’s Digital Functional Skills and Essential Digital Skills qualifications?

Here’s how our Digital Functional Skills qualifications (DFSQ) compare with our Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQ):

The qualifications focus on the same skills areas, but with slightly different learning and assessment content.
DFSQ includes both life and work examples, while EDSQ focuses on professional contexts. This makes DFSQ appropriate for a broader audience.
DFSQ assesses both knowledge and practical skills through a single test. EDSQ uses two tests - one each for knowledge and skills. DFSQ is therefore useful for more confident learners or those working within a time constraint.
DFSQ assessments can be accessed using Chromebooks, while EDSQ assessments cannot.