Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate In English (Entry 3)

Key Facts

Level:
Entry Level 3
Subject Sector:
14.1 Foundations for Learning and Life
Credits:
18
Qualification No:
601/1494/0
GLH:
180 hours
Total qualification time:
180 hours
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
Pre 16, 16-18, 19+

Whilst some of our qualifications are regulated for pre 16 learners our minimum age is 14.

Qualification purpose

Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area

Qualification Grading Type

Pass

Assessment Methods

  • Portfolio of Evidence

    • Why choose this qualification?

    Following a scheduled review of our English qualifications, positive updates that will take effect from 1st August 2026.

    These changes ensure the qualifications remain fit for purpose and engaging for learners, while also improving usability and clarity for Centres. The review has focused on making it easier to navigate qualification information and simplifying processes where possible.

    Qualifications affected

    • Entry Level Certificate in English (Entry 1)
    • Entry Level Certificate in English (Entry 2)
    • Entry Level Certificate in English (Entry 3)
    • Level 1 Certificate in English
    • Level 2 Certificate in English

    What’s changing
    As part of the review, from August 2026 each qualification has been assigned its own dedicated Qualification Specification. This improves usability and makes it quicker and easier for Centres to find key information.

    In addition, where there have been no registrations for units positioned more than one level above or below the qualification’s core level, these units have been removed from the optional unit group. This change helps to:

    • Simplify the registration process
    • Reduce ambiguity when selecting units
    • Support accurate registration at the appropriate level for learners

    A Summary of Changes document for each qualification is available to support your planning.

    Summary of Changes – Entry 1 Certificate in English
    Entry Level Certificate in English (Entry 1) Qualification Specification FROM AUGUST 2026

    Summary of Changes – Entry 2 Certificate in English
    Entry Level Certificate in English (Entry 2) Qualification Specification FROM AUGUST 2026

    Summary of Changes – Entry 3 Certificate in English
    Entry Level Certificate in English (Entry 3) Qualification Specification FROM AUGUST 2026

    Summary of Changes – Level 1 Certificate in English
    Level 1 Certificate in English Qualification Specification FROM AUGUST 2026

    Summary of Changes – Level 2 Certificate in English
    Level 2 Certificate in English Qualification Specification FROM AUGUST

    What this means for your Centre

    • No immediate action is required
    • You can begin reviewing the updates now to support lesson planning for the next academic year
    • Further guidance and support will be shared ahead of implementation

    Rules of Combination

    Learners must achieve a minimum of 18 credits. A minimum of 12 credits must come from Entry 3 units within the Mandatory Group (M) and the remaining credits can be achieved from either the Mandatory Group or Optional Group (O). Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title. For full details see list of barred units.

    Units

    Mandatory

    Learners must achieve a minimum of 12 credits from this group.

    Engage in Discussion

    Level:
    Entry Level 3
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    M/505/6129
    Click here to view full unit details

    Listen and Respond

    Level:
    Entry Level 3
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    H/505/4135
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Information

    Level:
    Entry Level 3
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    H/505/6127
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Purpose and Meaning

    Level:
    Entry Level 3
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    D/505/6126
    Click here to view full unit details

    Speak to Communicate

    Level:
    Entry Level 3
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    K/505/6128
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write Accurately

    Level:
    Entry Level 3
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    L/505/4159
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write to Communicate

    Level:
    Entry Level 3
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    H/505/6130
    Click here to view full unit details
    Optional

    Learners may achieve up to 6 credits from this group.

    Engage in Discussion

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    H/505/4149
    Click here to view full unit details

    Engage in Discussion

    Level:
    Entry Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    L/505/4145
    Click here to view full unit details

    Engage in Discussion

    Level:
    Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    Y/505/6321
    Click here to view full unit details

    Engage in Discussion

    Level:
    Entry Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    R/505/6124
    Click here to view full unit details

    Listen and Respond

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    M/505/4137
    Click here to view full unit details

    Listen and Respond

    Level:
    Entry Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    L/505/6123
    Click here to view full unit details

    Listen and Respond

    Level:
    Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    D/505/6319
    Click here to view full unit details

    Listen and Respond

    Level:
    Entry Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    M/505/6115
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Information

    Level:
    Entry Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    K/505/6114
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Information

    Level:
    Entry Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    F/505/6121
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Information

    Level:
    Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    L/505/4131
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Information

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    K/505/6324
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Purpose and Meaning

    Level:
    Entry Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    K/505/4122
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Purpose and Meaning

    Level:
    Entry Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    H/505/6113
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Purpose and Meaning

    Level:
    Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    Y/505/6318
    Click here to view full unit details

    Read for Purpose and Meaning

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    H/505/6323
    Click here to view full unit details

    Speak to Communicate

    Level:
    Entry Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    M/505/4140
    Click here to view full unit details

    Speak to Communicate

    Level:
    Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    R/505/6320
    Click here to view full unit details

    Speak to Communicate

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    J/505/4144
    Click here to view full unit details

    Speak to Communicate

    Level:
    Entry Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    20
    Credits:
    2
    Unit No:
    T/505/6116
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write Accurately

    Level:
    Entry Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    J/505/6119
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write Fluently and Accurately

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    T/505/6326
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write Using Basic Punctuation and Spelling

    Level:
    Entry Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    A/505/6120
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write to Communicate

    Level:
    Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    M/505/6325
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write to Communicate

    Level:
    Entry Level 2
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    Y/505/6125
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write to Communicate

    Level:
    Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    D/505/6322
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write to Communicate

    Level:
    Entry Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    A/505/6117
    Click here to view full unit details

    Write with Accuracy

    Level:
    Level 1
    Guided Learning Hours:
    30
    Credits:
    3
    Unit No:
    F/505/4160
    Click here to view full unit details

    What is the purpose of this qualification?

    The qualification is intended for learners who need to develop spoken and written English skills at this level in order to progress in further study, work or life.

    This qualification is based on the National Standards for Adult Literacy and is fully referenced to the Adult Literacy Core Curriculum. It is part of a suite of qualifications covering different English skills at different levels and is designed to allow flexibility as well as clear progression opportunities enabling learners to follow highly personalised programmes.

    What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?

    In this qualification learners will learn to read texts and other media for purpose, meaning and information; listen and respond in conversations and discussions; speak to communicate in different situations; engage in discussion, and write accurately to communicate for different purposes.

    Mandatory units include:

    • Read for Purpose and Meaning
    • Read for Information
    • Listen and Respond
    • Speak to Communicate
    • Engage in Discussion
    • Write to Communicate
    • Write Accurately

    How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?

    This qualification is part of a suite of English qualifications it allows learners to progress through a framework of English units and qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2.

    Learners can progress:

    • towards a GCSE in English
    • towards a Level 1 or Level 2 Functional Skills qualification in English
    • to further study including to a Gateway Qualifications vocational qualification
    • to an Apprenticeship programme

    Which sector does this qualification support?

    This qualification is designed to help learners to develop the English language skills needed in a wide range of job roles.

    Progression & entry requirements

    Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. However, it is anticipated that the qualification will have been selected as suitable for the individual learner on the basis of findings from initial and/or diagnostic assessment. The qualification can be tailored to the needs of individual learners as they can achieve a proportion of the learning at a higher or lower level than that of the qualification. This flexibility enables the qualification to be delivered as part of a personalised package of learning. t is available to learners of any age, however it is anticipated that it will be of specific relevance to: • Young people and adults, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, who wish to develop their skills in spoken and written English to communicate clearly and accurately for specific purposes.

    Funding information

    There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.

    The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:

    View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website

    The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).

    View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search

    How to find a learning aim

    If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:

    How to Use: Find a learning Aim

    Additional funding information for English and Maths

    For Adults

    The Adult Education Budget states that they will fully fund :

    • English and maths, up to and including level 2, for individuals aged 19 and over, who have not previously attained a GCSE grade A* – C or grade 4, or higher, and/or
    • first full qualification at level 2 for individuals aged 19 to 23, and/or
    • first full qualification at level 3 for individuals aged 19 to 23

    The following qualifications are eligible as they are included in the English and maths legal entitlement offer:

    • Certificate in English (Entry 1)
    • Certificate in English (Entry 2)
    • Certificate in English (Entry 3)
    • Certificate in Maths (Entry 1)
    • Certificate in Maths (Entry 2)
    • Certificate in Maths (Entry 3)

    Local flexibilities

    Other qualifications within the suite may be eligible for funding through local flexibilities.

    For Young People

    Students must study maths and/or English as part of their study programme. To meet the condition of funding, a student has to study an approved qualification. These are GCSEs and certain other qualifications, known as ‘stepping stone’ qualifications.  Please refer to the 16-19 maths and English condition of funding for further information.

    The following qualifications meet the 16-19 maths and English condition of funding:

    • Certificate in English (Entry 1)
    • Certificate in English (Entry 2)
    • Certificate in English (Entry 3)
    • Certificate in Maths (Entry 1)
    • Certificate in Maths (Entry 2)
    • Certificate in Maths (Entry 3)

    As qualifications on sections 96, the Awards can be used to support the achievement of stepping stones qualifications.

    Exemptions to the condition of funding

    The 16-19 maths and English condition of funding states that there are two exemptions to the condition of funding:

    • Students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) who are assessed as not able to study either GCSE or stepping stone qualification
    • Students with overseas qualifications that are established as equivalent to GCSE grade 4 or grade C

    We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

    This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

    The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.

    Learner Assessment Tracking – English

    Qualification Assessment Guidance English

    Boosting Literacy and Numeracy Levels – a bite-sized approach

    Suggested Resources for English and ESOL

    Related Qualifications