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Whether you’re looking to learn British Sign Language, teach BSL, or you’re a Signature Approved Centre, this page is your central hub for every qualification specification and set of assessment regulations we hold. Here you’ll find the latest unit specifications and BSL assessment regulations for our full range of British Sign Language courses.
Each qualification specification outlines the learning outcomes, assessment criteria, and structure for a course, so you know exactly what’s expected before you begin, deliver, or assess it. Not sure which level is right for you yet? Take a look at our sign language courses, or head straight to our British Sign Language Level 1 course page to see where most learners begin their BSL journey.
Please note the qualification specifications on this page are the latest version used by Signature.
Below, you’ll find each qualification specification and its corresponding assessment regulations organised by level, from our BSL Level 1 course through to our Level 6 BSL course. Each entry includes the full specification document, individual unit specifications where applicable, and the assessment regulations that govern how the qualification is marked. If you’re looking for a specific BSL assessment, such as BSL101, BSL102, or BSL103, you’ll find these listed within the relevant level below.
| Qualification name | Specifications | Assessment regulations | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language |  Full Specification | BSL 201 Regulations BSL 202 and 203 Regulations |
 Qualification Specification
|
| Level 2 Certificate in Irish Sign Language | Qualification Specification | ISL 201 Regulations ISL 202 and 203 Regulations | |
| Level 2 Award in Communicating with Deafblind People | Qualification Specification | ||
| Level 2 Award in Communicating and Guiding with Deafblind People | Qualification Specification |
| Qualification name | Specifications | Assessment regulations | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language | Full Specification | BSL42 – Assessment Regulations |
Qualification Specification
Assessment Regulations
|
| Level 4 Certificate in Irish Sign Language (New 2020) | Full Specification | ISL42 – Assessment Regulations |
Have a question about a qualification specification, BSL assessment, or set of assessment regulations? Get in touch with our team, or fill out our enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you.
Leave your Name, Email, and the details of your enquiry, and a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team will get back to you as soon as possible.
A qualification specification is the official document that sets out what a course covers, how it’s structured, and what a learner needs to achieve to be awarded the qualification. It includes details on units, total qualification time (TQT), and progression routes. You can learn more about how our courses are structured on our How It Works page.
Assessment regulations explain how our sign language courses are assessed and marked, including the rules that Signature Approved Centres and other assessors must follow to ensure every learner is assessed fairly and consistently. We review these regulations regularly to keep them in line with current best practice.
BSL assessments vary by level and unit, but generally test a learner’s ability to produce and understand British Sign Language, either through observed practice, recorded tasks, or written components, depending on the qualification.
Qualification specifications and assessment regulations are useful for learners who want to understand a course before enrolling, as well as teachers preparing to deliver a qualification, and Signature Approved Centres responsible for meeting our quality requirements. If you’re new to teaching with Signature, our Becoming a BSL Teacher page is a good place to start.
We update our qualification specifications periodically to reflect changes in best practice or regulatory requirements.
If a qualification specification or set of assessment regulations isn’t listed here, or you have a question about a specific BSL exam or unit, get in touch with our friendly team and we’ll be happy to help.
