British Sign Language

British Sign Language (BSL) is the first or preferred language of an estimated 70,000 Deaf people in the UK. In March 2003, BSL was recognised by the Government as a language in its own right. BSL is a visual-gestural language, with its own grammar and principles, which are completely different from the grammatical structure of English. We offer qualifications in British Sign Language from Level 1 to Level 4.

Level 1 Award in British Sign Language
This qualification is designed to enable learners to communicate with deaf people in BSL on a range of topics that involve simple, everyday language use.
Fact Sheet | Qualification Specification | BSL Specification

Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language
This qualification is designed to enable learners to develop an ability to communicate with Deaf people using BSL in a range of familiar contexts, participating in longer and more open-ended exchanges than at Level 1. The course will develop functional communication in BSL about a range of real life, routine and daily experiences. The learner will be able to deal with most routine language tasks and have sufficient grasp of grammar to cope with some non-routine tasks.
Fact Sheet | Qualification Specification | BSL Specification

Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language
This qualification uses the National Language Standards (CILT, 2005), which define competent performance in British Sign Language (BSL) skills in both receptive (listening) and productive (speaking) units. It caters for the learning needs of those who already have knowledge and skills in BSL at Level 2.
Fact Sheet | Qualification Specification

Level 3 NVQ in British Sign Language
This qualification uses the National Language Standards (CILT, 2005), which define competent performance in British Sign Language (BSL) skills in both receptive (listening) and productive (speaking) units. It is useful for those who work with Deaf people.
Fact Sheet | Qualification Specification

Level 4 NVQ in British Sign Language
This qualification is designed for learners who can understand and use complex language, express themselves fluently and deal confidently with most work situations. It is useful for those who work on a daily basis with Deaf people, as well as learners who wish to become a British Sign Language (BSL) / English Interpreter.
Fact Sheet | Qualification Specification

Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting (BSL/English)
This qualification is designed to enable learners to work with confidence between BSL and English in most situations, understand and use complex language, and express themselves fluently. It uses the National Occupational Standards in Interpreting (CILT 2006), which define competent performance in interpreting.
Fact Sheet | Qualification Specification