If you’re ready to develop your BSL skills beyond Level 3, a British Sign Language Level 4 course is the ideal next step. Across 300 learning hours, you’ll learn to understand sustained signed communication and explore more complex topics and social interactions.
Read on to see if BSL Level 4 lessons from Signature are right for you, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
This is a comprehensive qualification, so in order to enroll in a British Sign Language Level 4 course, you’ll need to have completed a BSL Level 3 award or be able to show competence at Level 3.
(It is the responsibility of the centre to ensure that this requirement has been met before accepting a candidate for this qualification.)
A BSL Level 4 award is suitable for those aged over 19 and is the perfect course for anyone who works with or wants to work with members of the Deaf community. You might be a teacher working with Deaf students, for example. Or you may be a trainee social worker, carry out volunteer work with Deaf individuals, or be looking to work within a Deaf organisation.
Alternatively, you may simply wish to expand your knowledge and skills in British Sign Language and develop greater fluency.
The Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language is designed to develop advanced skills in using and understanding BSL so you can communicate effectively in a variety of settings, including professional and social contexts.
There are three main learning outcomes detailed in the BSL Level 4 Qualification Specifications:
Along with the three main units, there’s the option to complete an additional Introduction to Interpreting Skills unit. You can use this as evidence to apply for registration as a trainee interpreter.
It is important to note, however, that this alone does not allow a successful candidate to achieve Trainee Interpreter status. There are other criteria you must achieve before you can apply. Please refer to the NRCPD website for information on this.
All Signature BSL courses are recognised by Ofqual and are equivalent to other types of qualifications. For example, our British Sign Language Level 3 award offers the same level of comprehension as an A Level.
A British Sign Language Level 4 award is equivalent to a Level 4 NVQ, higher apprenticeship, and certificate of higher education (CertHE).
As with other Signature BSL courses, the Level 4 award is split into three units (plus the additional Introduction to Interpreting unit).
| Unit | QAN unit number | Unit title | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSL420 | H/506/3790 | Extended sign language linguistics | |
| BSL421 | M/506/3808 | Understand extended British Sign Language in a range of work and social situations | |
| BSL422 | L/506/3833 | Use extended British Sign Language in a range of work and social situations | |
| BSL423 | Introduction to Interpreting | T/506/3924 |
You’ll cover six topics to explore and demonstrate your receptive and productive BSL skills at level 4. These topics will include aspects of Deaf culture.
By the end of the course, you’ll also be able to demonstrate an extended range of vocabulary that builds on your knowledge from your BSL Level 3 award. This will include unfamiliar language and a variety of common regional variations.
As with other BSL courses, to complete your British Sign Language Level 4, you’ll need to undergo three assessments to evaluate your understanding. To receive your British Sign Language Level 4 qualification, you’ll need to pass all three.
Along with the assessments detailed below, you’ll need to complete a coursework file, which will include another three formative assessments.
| Assessment | Assessment Method | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Formal Presentation | External | 10-12 Mins |
| Informal Conversation | External | 12-14 mins |
| Receptive Skills | External | 15 mins |
For more details on what your BSL Level 4 assessments will include, take a look at the full Qualification Specifications document.
We recommend 300 learning hours for a Level 4 award in British Sign Language. This will be split into:
There’s also the option to complete an additional unit (BSL423) as an introduction to interpreting skills.
Here’s a breakdown of hours across the units:
| Guided Learning Hours (GLH) | Additional study hours | Total learning hours | Credit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | 120 | 300 | 30 |
Many people who complete a BSL Level 4 award go on to gain one of the following qualifications:
These are great next steps for anyone looking to advance their skills to professional-level fluency in BSL, pursue a career as a qualified sign language interpreter, or work in roles that require high-level communication with the Deaf community (such as teaching, advocacy, or community support).
A Level 4 award in British Sign Language is rewarding, but there’s no denying that it requires a lot of dedication. That’s why it’s so important to have supportive and motivating teachers guiding your BSL classes and an effective course structure.
A Signature BSL course offers:
Since becoming an independent organisation in 1982, we’ve helped over 600,000 learners develop their skills and confidence in BSL. We’re proud to be the leading awarding body for deaf communication and language qualifications in the UK and are committed to promoting effective communication and inclusion for the Deaf community.
The British Sign Language Level 4 award is the perfect qualification for anyone hoping to improve their BSL fluency and take their skills into a professional setting.
To book your place on a Signature BSL Level 4 course, find your nearest course centre, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
