THE SIGNATURE OFFICE IS CLOSED FOR EASTER AND WILL REOPEN ON TUESDAY 7TH APRIL
Have you completed your BSL Level 3 or Level 4 qualification and are now looking to take the next step on your professional sign language journey? The British Sign Language Level 6 is the highest BSL qualification you can achieve, taking your skills to an advanced level and opening doors to exciting opportunities.
This course is designed to develop your skills to near-native fluency in British Sign Language and help you communicate and understand complex ideas in a wide range of professional and social contexts.
To get your BSL Level 6, you’ll need to complete 360 learning hours (both guided and independent). Read on to find out what a Level 6 BSL course from Signature entails and to see if it’s the ideal next qualification for you.
The Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language builds on the skills you learned during your BSL Level 4 qualification.
Upon successful completion of this qualification, you will be able to use and understand complex BSL in all types of social and professional interactions.
The assessment for this qualification is designed around the UK National Occupational Standards for Languages at Level 6, focusing on the use of advanced, complex language.
There are four key learning objectives in this BSL course:
To learn more about these objectives and how each is assessed, take a look at the BSL Level 6 Qualification Specification document.
When you enrol on a Level 6 BSL course, you’ll cover eight varied topics and take part in internal and external assessments. You’ll need to demonstrate receptive and productive skills in both two-way and one-way interactions — these might include discussions, debates, and conversations, as well as monologues and presentations.
Throughout the Level 6 BSL course, you’ll explore a range of topics that offer opportunities to develop your British Sign Language skills and learn more about Deaf culture.
These topics will feature in your classes, coursework, and assessments, and you’ll need to show you can adapt and respond to opinions while maintaining grammatical accuracy, fluency, and coherence.
To gain your Level 6 qualification in BSL, you’ll need to pass several assessments. These will all be filmed and observed by either an internal or external examiner.
There are a total of 360 learning hours to achieve a British Sign Language Level 6 qualification. These are split into guided learning hours — which include classroom (or video lesson) hours, as well as one-to-one feedback sessions and assessments — and additional study hours, which cover your own learning, practice, and homework.
| Guided Learning Hours (GLH) | Additional study hours | Total learning hours | Credit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | 180 | 360 | 36 |
Guided learning hours are the time you’ll have timetabled for face-to-face contact with your teacher (this may include video communication via Zoom or Teams). Your guided learning hours will include:
You might be wondering if there’s a BSL Level 5 qualification — the answer is no! You go straight from Level 4 to Level 6. It’s also worth noting that, while BSL Level 4 is a recommended course, you can complete your British Sign Language Level 3 and go straight on to Level 6.
As an advanced qualification, the British Sign Language Level 6 qualification is suitable for those who already have their BSL Level 4 and want to really dedicate their time to developing their fluency.
Being able to demonstrate competence in BSL at level 4 or the equivalent is a prerequisite for this course, and it’s the learning centre’s responsibility to make sure that anybody enrolling in a Level 6 BSL course has the required skills.
A Level 6 qualification in British Sign Language could be a great opportunity for you if you:
BSL competency standards stipulate that learners are required to have sufficient sight, manual dexterity and facial and body movements to produce and receive a BSL qualification. It is the individual centre’s responsibility to explain these requirements before accepting a learner for this qualification.
To gain your Level 6 qualification in BSL, you’ll need to pass several assessments. These will all be filmed and observed by either an internal or external examiner.
At Level 6, your BSL skills are refined, but continued practice and exposure to new challenges are key to mastering the language. Our BSL Level 6 homework resources are designed to help you enhance your fluency, perfect your grammar, and develop the nuanced understanding required at this advanced level.
With access to expert-led video tutorials, specialised vocabulary lists, and practical exercises, you’ll gain the confidence to handle complex situations, engage in deeper conversations, and demonstrate your proficiency in professional settings. Whether you’re preparing for assessments or looking to fine-tune your skills, these resources are the perfect tool for advancing your BSL expertise.
Packages starting at £60.00 give you access to an all-encompassing range of materials to ensure you’re always improving, whether you’re at home or on the move.
Achieving a British Sign Language Level 6 qualification is a major milestone.
It represents near-fluency, advanced understanding, and the ability to communicate confidently in complex professional and social situations. Reaching this BSL level requires expert teaching, a supportive learning environment, and a well-designed qualification – and that’s exactly what you’ll experience with Signature.
With over 40 years of experience delivering high-quality British sign language qualifications, Signature has supported more than 600,000 learners on their journey to mastering British Sign Language.
From beginner courses to advanced BSL Level 6 and interpreting pathways, our programmes are built to develop real fluency, confidence, and practical communication skills.
If you’re ready to continue your BSL journey beyond BSL Level 3 or the British Sign LanguageLevel 4 and work towards the highest BSL qualification available, a Signature BSL Level 6 course will give you the guidance, structure, and expertise needed to succeed. Use our Signature centre finder to find a course near you.
If you’re ready to develop your British Sign Language skills to undergraduate degree level, find your nearest Signature course centre and book your BSL Level 6 course.
You can also explore our blog for news and information and contact the Signature team if you have any questions.
The British Sign Language Level 6 qualification is not an interpreting qualification. Upon successful completion, this qualification will allow the learner to use and understand complex BSL in all types of social and professional contexts. It can also be used to show full professional proficiency in BSL.
If you would like to progress to a Level 6 BSL interpreting course, please take a look at the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation. This qualification offers learners all the essential knowledge needed for a career in the signed language interpreting and translation professions.
Course fees are set by the individual Signature centres, therefore costs may vary.
Upon successful completion of the BSL Level 6 qualification, learners will be able to demonstrate skills equivalent to an undergraduate level in Modern Language, a Level 6 NVQ, or a Level 6 Diploma.
This is also equivalent to:
There are six assessments included within the British Sign Language Level 6 qualification. These six assessments cover the six units within the course:
Take a look at the Level 6 Award in British Sign Language (BSL) Qualification Specification for more detailed information.
Upon successful completion of the BSL Level 6 qualifications, learners will have adopted all of the skills required to support Deaf people in professional and educational settings.
Popular BSL career opportunities include working as a Communication Support Worker (CSW), working in specialised support roles in the healthcare and legal sectors, or progressing their learning with a Level 6 Sign Language Interpreting Diploma. Learners can then register with the NRCPD as a Trainee Sign Language Interpreter for more advanced career opportunities.
