BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE LEVEL 6 CERTIFICATE

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.

Who can get a Level 6 BSL qualification?

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:

  • Want to communicate confidently in BSL with near-native fluency.
  • Are aiming to become a BSL interpreter or work in a job that needs advanced BSL skills.
  • Enjoy connecting with the Deaf community and are passionate about bridging communication gaps.
  • Want to learn more about Deaf culture and how BSL works as a language.
  • Are ready to earn a qualification that’s equal to a degree and can help your career grow.

British Sign Language Level 6 qualification aims

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:

  • LO1: Use receptive and productive skills to engage in all types of complex social interaction.
  • LO2: Use and understand complex language and maintain fluency, grammatical accuracy and coherence in sustained contributions containing complex language.
  • LO3: Understand sustained signed discourse containing complex language.
  • LO4: Use reference sources to confirm or clarify the meaning of signs.

To learn more about these objectives and how each is assessed, take a look at the BSL Level 6 Qualification Specification document.

What is a BSL Level 6 equivalent to?

All Signature BSL courses are recognised by Ofqual and are equivalent to other types of qualifications. For example, our British Sign Language Level 3 qualification matches the comprehension of an A Level.

So, what does a Level 6 BSL qualification equate to? This qualification demonstrates the language and comprehension skills equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Modern Languages.

BSL Level 6 course structure

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. 

Topics

  1. Medicine
  2. Education 
  3. Employment and Business 
  4. Finance 
  5. Politics and Law 
  6. Society
  7. Media 
  8. Science and Technology

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. 

What assessments will you take on a BSL Level 6 course?

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. 

  1. An informal one-to-one discussion showcasing your use of persuasive language (15 minutes)

  2. An informal group debate that demonstrates your ability to maintain a consistent argument following research (15 minutes)

  3. A formal group meeting that covers negotiation (15 minutes)

  4. A formal discussion, which involves researching a topic and demonstrating critical analysis (15 minutes)

  5. A formal presentation, also showing critical analysis of a researched subject (15 minutes)

  6. A receptive skills exam (120 minutes)

How long does it take to get your BSL Level 6 qualification?

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 hoursTotal learning hoursCredit value
18018036036

Progression options following BSL Level 6

While BSL Level 6 is the highest qualification in British Sign Language, you can still progress your learning and career prospects. You might choose to pursue a career as a professional BSL interpreter or translator, which could involve a Sign Language Interpreting and Translation course.

You may also wish to become a tutor for BSL learners, take another course to interpret for a specific setting (such as legal or medical), or work in a community role that supports Deaf individuals.

Why choose a Signature BSL Level 6 course?

A Level 6 qualification in British Sign Language is a significant achievement, requiring advanced skills and a deep commitment to mastering the language. That’s why it’s essential to have dedicated and experienced teachers, along with a well-structured course to guide you through the learning process. And that’s just what you’ll get with Signature.

We offer a range of sign language qualifications, from beginner’s BSL and Irish Sign Language (ISL) to BSL Level 6 and interpreting courses.

With over 40 years of experience, we’ve been able to support more than 600,000 BSL learners. Our approach to British Sign Language qualifications focuses on providing high-quality, accessible learning with a strong emphasis on fluency, confidence, and practical application. We’ll make sure you get the support you need to succeed, whether you’re taking British sign language classes for professional or personal reasons.

Complete your BSL Level 6 qualification with Signature

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.

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