If you’ve completed your BSL Level 1 course, and also achieved your BSL Level 2 certificate, and are keen to develop your skills further, consider trying a British Sign Language Level 3 course.
This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to use BSL more confidently in everyday situations and potentially explore new career opportunities.
Across 250 hours of guided and additional learning, you’ll build on your knowledge from your previous BSL courses and improve your signing so you can feel more confident communicating in a variety of situations. You’ll also get a deeper understanding of Deaf culture and develop your skills for real-life conversations.
A Level 3 qualification in British Sign Language is equivalent to Modern Foreign Language studies at AS and A2 level. It’s an ideal BSL course for learners who have already done their Level 2 and want to enhance their skills and knowledge.
You might choose to enrol on this course if you:
Through achieving this qualification, you’ll be able to understand and use varied BSL in a range of work and social situations. You’ll develop advanced knowledge of the structure and function of British Sign Language and learn more about the Deaf community and Deaf culture.
There are three key learning objectives for this course:
During your BSL Level 3 course, you’ll cover three units and six topics to develop your skills in the following areas:
The topics you’ll learn about and discuss will provide plenty of opportunities to explore turn-taking and cultural conventions, use a broad range of vocabulary, and distinguish opinions and feelings from facts. You’ll also be able to use advanced verb forms, timeframes, and aspects, all while focusing on accurate grammar.
These topics will include:
A British Sign Language Level 3 qualification is worth 25 credits, which means you’ll need to do 250 hours of learning. This will be split into 150 guided learning hours (where you’ll be in timetabled learning for face-to-face contact) and 100 hours of additional, independent learning.
Your guided learning hours (GLH) may include video call lessons as well as in-person teaching. It can also include:
| Guided Learning Hours | Additional Study | Total Learning Hours | Credit Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 | 100 | 250 | 25 |
To enrol on a British Sign Language Level 3 course, you’ll need to have your Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications or equivalent experience so you can expand on your foundation of knowledge. For example, many Deaf learners or children of Deaf parents can start at BSL Level 3.
As with other sign language qualifications, BSL standards also require you to have sufficient sight, manual dexterity, and facial and body movement to produce and receive BSL.
(It is the responsibility of the centre to ensure both of these requirements have been met before accepting a learner for this qualification).
BSL is naturally used in two-way interactions — such as discussions, conversations, and — as well as one-way interactions (monologues, presentations, for example). With this in mind, you’ll need to showcase both receptive and productive BSL skills through three assessments.
The best way to develop your BSL skills is to keep practising, and our helpful homework packages provide handy resources to support your learning.
BSLHomework is our comprehensive online library of video clips and support materials. You’ll find resources to help you understand your BSL Level 3 assessments and develop your vocabulary further. You can access these resources from the comfort of your own home or even on the go.
Packages start from £60.00
Progressing to British Sign Language Level 3 is an exciting step for anyone who has completed their BSL Level 1 and BSL Level 2 qualifications and wants to communicate more confidently in everyday situations.
At this stage, you’ll begin to explore more complex signed conversations, deepen your understanding of Deaf culture, and expand your grammatical knowledge – and choosing the right course provider makes all the difference.
With over 40 years of experience delivering high-quality BSL qualifications, Signature has supported more than 600,000 learners on their journey to mastering British Sign Language. Our British Sign Language Level 3 courses are designed to help you build the fluency, accuracy, and confidence needed to engage in sustained, varied interactions.
A Signature BSL Level 3 course offers:
Our courses are nationally recognised and accredited by Ofqual, giving you confidence that your qualification meets the highest standards and is valued across the UK. Whether you work with Deaf people, hope to pursue a future career involving BSL, or simply want to deepen your knowledge, Signature provides the support and structure you need to succeed.
With Signature, you’ll learn in an inclusive, motivating environment that encourages real progress – preparing you not only for your Level 3 assessments but also for continued study at Level 4 and beyond. Find a Signature approved centre near you.
Whether you want to use BSL professionally or personally, a Level 3 course will equip you with the tools to communicate effectively with members of the Deaf community and make a lasting impact.
A BSL course led by one of our supportive teachers will help you build confidence, improve fluency, and deepen your understanding of Deaf culture in an encouraging and inclusive environment.
Our finder tool can help you find your nearest course centre — so book your place and get ready to develop your BSL skills on a Level 3 course.
And why not explore our other sign language courses, including BSL Level 4 and BSL Level 6, when you want to progress further? Or consider progressing to Deafblind Communication qualifications to work confidently with deafblind individuals.
The British Sign Language (BSL) Level 3 Certificate is designed for learners who already have a good understanding of British Sign Language from Level 1 and Level 2. In this course, learners can develop the fluency, accuracy, and variety of their communications with more complex BSL language structures.
With this in mind, it is well-suited to those who want or need to use BSL confidently in everyday situations or for those who want a future career in British Sign Language.
Course fees are set by the individual Signature centres, therefore costs may vary.
The BSL Level 3 has a more advanced curriculum than BSL Level 2. For example, the BSL Level 2 themes include:
In contrast, the BSL Level 3 themes include:
Level 3 requires advanced fluency and complexity, allowing learners to understand and produce more complex language across a wider range of topics. It guides learners towards more confident, independent, and complex language use.
For more detailed information, take a look at the Level 3 Award in British Sign Language (BSL) Qualification Specification.
The Signature Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language is equivalent to Modern Foreign Languages at AS and A2 Level. The qualification is at Level 3 on the Qualification & Credit Framework (RQF), Advanced Level on the Language Ladder, and Level B2 on the Common European Framework (CEFR).
To achieve the British Sign Language Level 3 qualification, you’ll complete three assessments, with one assessment per unit.
