Communication - Level 1 and 2 Essential Skills (OCN)
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Part-time
Duration
15 Weeks
Start & End Date
16 September 2026
13 January 2027
Days
Wed
Time
18:30-21:30
Location
Newtownabbey
Essential skills are the qualifications that could help you to:
There are three Essential Skills:
Communication - Essential Skills Communication will give you the opportunity to develop your speaking and listening, reading and writing skills.
Application of Number - Essential Skills Application of Number will give you the opportunity to use your skills in working with figures and numbers. This course will be taught online, however you will complete your external assessment at your local College campus.
ICT - Essential Skills ICT aims to give you the opportunity to develop practical computer skills to use in your current or future workplace and for your own personal need. We also offer Entry Level ICT classes for complete beginners.
Classes are about two hours and usually run weekly. On average, it takes over 40 hours to complete a course but this will be determined by your needs and tutor's assessment. Classes are held in a range of venues, from your local community hall to your local college, throughout the day and evening depending on campus provision.
Please note that all courses are subject to minimum enrolment numbers, therefore you may be offered an alternative time or location should your chosen session not run.
For Level 1 and Level 2 courses in Communication and Application of Number assessment is through the completion of an externally assessed and marked exam. At Entry Level assessment is by the completion of an in-house test.
For Level 1 and Level 2 ICT assessment is through a portfolio only.
Improving your Essential Skills qualifications can help improve your confidence and employability. Achievement in Essential Skills can help you progress to GCSE level and also onto some Level 3 programmes.
No specific entry requirements.
This course is delivered in English and is designed for native speakers. Those who have English as a Second Language should have a working level of B1 in the Common European Framework Reference, or equivalent.
During your initial class, your lecturer will assess your current working level and assign your target level.
No fees.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
For Level 1 and Level 2 courses in Communication and Application of Number assessment is through the completion of an externally assessed and marked exam. At Entry Level assessment is by the completion of an in-house test.
For Level 1 and Level 2 ICT assessment is through a portfolio only.
Essential skills are the qualifications that could help you to:
There are three Essential Skills:
Communication - Essential Skills Communication will give you the opportunity to develop your speaking and listening, reading and writing skills.
Application of Number - Essential Skills Application of Number will give you the opportunity to use your skills in working with figures and numbers. This course will be taught online, however you will complete your external assessment at your local College campus.
ICT - Essential Skills ICT aims to give you the opportunity to develop practical computer skills to use in your current or future workplace and for your own personal need. We also offer Entry Level ICT classes for complete beginners.
Classes are about two hours and usually run weekly. On average, it takes over 40 hours to complete a course but this will be determined by your needs and tutor's assessment. Classes are held in a range of venues, from your local community hall to your local college, throughout the day and evening depending on campus provision.
Please note that all courses are subject to minimum enrolment numbers, therefore you may be offered an alternative time or location should your chosen session not run.
Improving your Essential Skills qualifications can help improve your confidence and employability. Achievement in Essential Skills can help you progress to GCSE level and also onto some Level 3 programmes.
No specific entry requirements.
This course is delivered in English and is designed for native speakers. Those who have English as a Second Language should have a working level of B1 in the Common European Framework Reference, or equivalent.
During your initial class, your lecturer will assess your current working level and assign your target level.
Course Fees
No fees.
You must arrange payment of your fees at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please contact the College to confirm that an approved Employer Consent Form has been completed and uploaded to the online admissions portal.
Direct Debit Payment
You can arrange for fees to paid by instalments if you are enrolling on a course(s) of 16 weeks duration or more and the total cost is greater than £200. Full details are available on our Fees and Funding page.
Funding
If you have applied for funding, you must provide evidence of your application, such as an acknowledgement email or confirmation from the Education Authority or Student Finance NI. This evidence should be uploaded to the online admissions portal and may also be submitted at any reception. Once your funding has been approved, upload confirmation to the online admissions portal and email a copy studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk. Find out more about available funding options.
If application for funding is unsuccessful the student is liable for payment of fees in full. All fees to be collected by 28 February 2027.
Contact Details
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk