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PGDip/MA

British Sign Language/English Interpreting

Attendance

Campus

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Duration

3 Years

Start

January 2024

Delivery

Campus Taught

Become a Registered Qualified Interpreter with our PGDip/MA in British Sign Language/ English Interpreting and Translation.

British Sign Language (BSL) is the sign language used in the UK to communicate with Deaf or hard-of-hearing people. It is a language of space and movement using the hands, body, face and head. There are approximately 70,000 Deaf people in the UK whose preferred language is BSL.

This course will enable you to apply your knowledge and skills in strategies for planning, delivering and reviewing your own professional interpreting work. It offers interpreters a structured career and professional development route that enables those currently practising to improve their skills and achieve not only a postgraduate diploma, but also nationally recognised qualification status.

The overall aim of this postgraduate course is to produce practitioners with high order interpreting skills who will be able to interpret between Deaf people whose first or preferred language is BSL and the many hearing people with whom they interact.

The course includes theoretically based knowledge of language, linguistics and culture required in order to understand the various client groups’ language choices and interact appropriately with them.

Why study with us

The course is taught over weekends, one weekend every other month for two years.
Successful completion of the course will enable you to register and work as a Professional British Sign Language interpreter.

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What you'll do

Allows you to fit work around your studies on a part-time, distance-learning course.
Those who successfully complete the PGDip are eligible to apply to the top-up MA.  
Learn through a range of teaching strategies, including formal lectures, seminars, language laboratory work, small-group activities, role-play, workshops, distance learning and individual tutorials as appropriate.

Module overview

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Our range of subjects and study modes can support your goals, take your next step with a postgraduate degree.

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Future careers

Successful British Sign Language/English Interpreting and Translation Studies students will be eligible to register and work as Professional British Sign Language interpreters.

Fees and funding

2022/23

Part-time£867 per 20 credits

2023/24

Part-time£933 per 20 credits

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country and see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

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The PGDip course comprises 12 two-day blocks (contact time) over a two-year period. Except in exceptional circumstances, you will be expected to be working as BSL/English interpreters or doing some type of communication support for Deaf people whilst attending the course.

Only through such contact and practice will you be able to develop the level of competence required and have the opportunity to collect the necessary evidence to complete your portfolio.

You’ll have access to our Deaf Studies Language Laboratory and take part in work-based interpreting assignments, classroom-based lectures, workshops, seminars and online discussions.

Throughout the course you’ll undertake written assignments, BSL presentations, self-evaluations and Personal Development Planning (PDP) as well as audio-visual interpreting of evidence in live and simulated settings.