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If you’re looking to start your BSL journey, our British Sign Language Level 1 Award is the perfect course. This BSL beginners course offers an introduction to how British Sign Language is structured and supports you in learning to communicate with the Deaf community in BSL.
Over 90 hours of guided and individual learning, you’ll develop an understanding of this visually rich language, including its grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills.
Read on for more details on how British Sign Language works, the topics we cover in our BSL Level 1 course, and find your nearest approved Signature centre to book your place.
After completing your British Sign Language Level 1 Award, you’ll be able to use BSL to communicate with Deaf individuals. You’ll be able to cover a range of themes that involve simple, everyday language use. You may wish to explore Deafblind Communication qualifications to broaden your practical communication skills.
Whether you want to support and communicate with a Deaf loved one, offer inclusive communication to those with hearing loss in the workplace, or simply learn BSL to broaden your horizons, this course equips you with the tools to engage confidently in basic BSL conversations.
You’ll gain basic skills and confidence to both produce and receive BSL communication — from discussing common topics and asking and answering questions to using appropriate facial expressions and gestures to enhance your communication.
At the end of this BSL beginners course, you’ll be able to:
You can find more details on the course aims in our BSL Level 1 Qualification Specification document, which has been designed using the UK Occupational Language Standards (Instructus 2013)..
This course is divided into three units. You can achieve each one separately — however, we recommend covering BSL101 first, as units BSL102 and BSL103 build on this knowledge.
Once you’ve covered the first unit, you can take units BSL102 and BSL103 in any order.
| Signature unit code | RQF unit number | Unit Title |
|---|---|---|
| BSL101 | F/502/4513 | Introduction to BSL |
| BSL102 | J/504/0762 | Conversational BSL |
| BSL103 | F/504/0761 | Communication in BSL about Everyday Life |
Through these units, you’ll cover an array of themes and topics, including:
The total qualification time for BSL Level 1 is 90 hours, which includes both individual study time and guided learning hours. Here’s a breakdown of the hours and credit value:
| Guided Learning Hours | Additional Study Hours | Total Qualification Time | Credit Value at Level 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 26 | 90 | 9 |
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:
The BSL Level 1 qualification is ideal for anyone who wants to learn basic language skills to communicate with Deaf People, whether they plan to progress to a more advanced BSL level or not.
You might choose to learn BSL for personal development or to communicate with Deaf family members, friends, or colleagues. The qualification is open to all ages.
The British Sign Language Level 1 Qualification can be undertaken by anyone, it doesn’t require any previous experience.
BSL competence standards stipulate that learners need to have sufficient sight, manual dexterity, and facial and body movements to produce and receive BSL.
It is the centre’s responsibility to explain these requirements before accepting a learner for this qualification.
To evaluate your understanding and ability to communicate using BSL, you’ll undergo three assessments throughout your British Sign Language Level 1 course.
To support you on your BSL journey, we have some helpful homework packages and resources available.
BSLHomework is a comprehensive online library of video clips and support materials to help you understand the assessments you’ll be undertaking, develop your vocabulary and linguistics skills, and practice your receptive BSL skills from wherever you are.
With packages starting from just £36.00, it’s perfect for anyone studying towards a Signature British Sign Language Level 1 award.
We also have homework DVDs available on the Signature online shop. These can help you practice the elements you’ve learned in your BSL lessons and prepare for your upcoming assessments.
Starting your BSL journey can feel exciting but a little daunting, which is why a supportive learning environment is essential. At Signature, our experienced teachers guide you every step of the way.
Since 1982, we’ve helped over 600,000 learners develop their BSL skills. Our BSL qualifications are nationally recognised and Ofqual-accredited, ensuring your learning is professional, high-quality, and structured to help you succeed.
A Signature BSL Level 1 course offers:
We offer accredited BSL courses across the UK — try our handy tool to find your nearest Signature-approved centre. You can also learn more about our other British Sign Language qualifications.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
The British Sign Language (BSL) Level 1 is an introductory qualification designed for beginners with no prior knowledge or experience of BSL. The Level 1 qualification teaches students the basics of BSL communication, focusing on basic conversations, everyday vocabulary, and simple word and sentence composition.
For this reason, it is particularly popular for those working in customer-facing roles or the education and healthcare industries. If you’re ready to begin your learning journey, study sign language at one of our Signature-approved learning centres.
Our BSL Level 1 qualification is conveniently broken down into total learning hours so students can see how much time they will need to invest in their study.
In total, it should take you 90 hours to complete the qualification’s three units included. These 90 hours will be made up of 64 guided learning hours and 26 additional study hours.
Courses are typically taught weekly, either in-person or online. It is also important to note that some of our centres offer intensive courses, so learning pace and time may vary from student to student. To find out more, please feel free to get in touch with our team.
There are three assessments students need to complete to receive their British Sign Language Level 1 qualification. There is one assessment to cover each of the three units within the course:
Take a look at the Level 1 Award in British Sign Language (BSL) Qualification Specification for more in-depth information.
Course fees are set by the individual Signature centres, therefore costs may vary.
After completing the BSL Level 1 qualification, many learners decide to progress their learning with the British Sign Language Level 2 course. The Level 2 course builds on the skills introduced at Level 1, with the goal of helping students develop more confident communication.
