The AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS) gives students the chance to complete short units of work and gain certificates from AQA — a recognised exam board. These certificates showcase the skills, knowledge and experience they’ve developed. With over 18,500 units to choose from, learners working with Nicola Johnstone Education can choose the ones that suit them best from the full database or follow Functional Skills Unit Awards with the view of taking the Functional Skills exam a the end.

UAS is designed to make learning accessible for everyone. Each time a learner completes a unit, they earn a certificate. Over time, they can build up a collection that clearly shows what they’ve achieved. It’s a great way to boost confidence, improve motivation and support progress in learning — wherever that journey may lead. You can browse all available units here.

You can just complete the AQA Unit Awards that relate to Functional Skills. You do not need to sit the exam if you don't want to. It is entirely your choice.

In Sept 2025 the fees are as follows:

All learners £35 registration fee (£24.99 of this goes directly to AQA)

Functional Skills Maths monthly fee £28

Functional Skills English £28

Functional Skills Maths and English £51

Choose Your Own Units 2 x units per month £20

4 x units per month £35

Yes- you can allocate the units however you see fit amongst members of your own family. Each child muct be registered with the AQA Unit Award scheme at a fee of £35 however.

This is something I am currently investigating. Functional Skills exams can be sat online. I am in talks with a Functional Skills provider to hopefully be able to offer these in July 2025.

I am a great believer in 'stage' not 'age.' There is no 'should.' The units are skills based, not age based.

That is why I wanted to offer the UAS.

Depending on ability I would advise selecting from rom Pre-Entry Level, Entry Level and Level 1 for primary and secondary students. It may be that they work at Entry Level for some things and Level 1 or 2 for others. It is entirely up to you- you can tailor the curriculum as you see best and if following the choose your own option you can vary the levels.

The AQA Unit Award Scheme is a brilliant fit for home educating families.

It offers a flexible, low-pressure way to recognise your child’s learning as it happens, with certificates awarded for each completed unit.

You’re free to choose topics that genuinely interest your child, at a level that suits them — no rigid age expectations or one-size-fits-all approach.

You can choose the number of units you work towards each month.

You can choose how to evidence the learning (photograph, video, feedback sheet, worksheet etc)

It’s a great way to build confidence, track progress, and create a record of their skills and achievements — all backed by a recognised exam board.

You can use the certificates as evidence of learning for your Local Authority should you wish to.

If you follow the functional Skills scheme and then do not wish to sit the exam you will still have the Unit Award Certificates to celebrate learning.

You can find the T and C's here: Nicola Johnstone Education Unit Awards

You can cancel the monthly membership at any time at all. I cannot give a refund for the AQA Unit Award Registration fee as this will have been paid to AQA. Instead you could choose to to submit Units for £15 per unit as and when required.