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BA (Hons)

British Sign Language & Deaf Studies

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2024

UCAS Code

Q160

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation Entry

Interested in visual language learning and exploring deaf culture? Do you want to begin training to become a BSL/English Interpreter? Our British Sign Language and Deaf Studies degree is the ground-breaking course for you.

We have 30 years expertise in teaching British Sign Language and Deaf Studies.

We are a UK leader in the training of BSL-English interpreters. On completion of our course, you will be able to register as a Trainee BSL/English Interpreter.

You will study all aspects of deafness as a social and cultural phenomenon. You will be immersed in Deaf culture, history and education, will develop fluency in British Sign Language and will learn sign linguistics and the theories surrounding BSL/English interpreting.

You will become part of a vibrant signing community within a close-knit deaf and hearing programme.

Why study with us

3rd
in the UK for student satisfaction
Complete University Guide (Linguistics)
2023/24

You will participate in Community Engagement that will help you to gain real-world experience at local and regional events where sign language users are gathering.
You will undertake field trips and visit places of interest, such as the British Deaf History Museum.
We offer you modules which will inspire you and provide you with the skills you need to enable you to gain employment within the Deaf community or within the wider world of work.

Interested?

Download

What you'll do

You will be taught by a mixed deaf and hearing team comprised of experts in the field of Deaf Studies, BSL/English interpreting and Deaf Studies-related research.
You’ll be offered study and work placements in deaf communities.
Facilities for this programme include dedicated BSL teaching rooms and a BSL language lab. BSL is taught solely in sign language; theory sessions in English or BSL via an interpreter.

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Dionne Thomas - UCLan Alumni

Module overview

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Year 1

Compulsory modules

DF1112: Deaf People in Society
DF1113: Communities, Cultures and Identities
DF1300: Employability and the Deaf Community
SI1005: Historical Development of British Sign Language
SI1100: British Sign Language 100
SI1150: British Sign Language 150
SI1200: British Sign Language 200
SI1250: British Sign Language 250

DF1112: Deaf People in Society

This module aims to increase your understanding of deafness and the experiences of deaf people, to explore the different models of deafness and how these affect deaf people within society and to give you an insight into the wider international deaf world and encourage you to compare and contrast individual and collective experiences.

SI1200: British Sign Language 200

You will develop your previous British Sign Language skills beyond everyday communication. This module introduces a more academic viewpoint. You will gain employability skills, ethics, and cultural awareness. You will develop an understanding of language, critical reading, discussion, and analysis. By the end, you will be able to take part in group and one-to-one BSL interactions. You will understand the structure and culture of the Deaf community.

SI1250: British Sign Language 250

You'll develop the essential employability skills of communication and cultural awareness, gaining insight into the importance of minority language and ethical issues surrounding our area of study. You'll look at the grammatical features of BSL, including proforms, pronouns, size/time modulation and enumeration, and familiarise yourself with more complex linguistic features such as aspect and manner, metaphor, creative lexicon and turn-taking. By the end of the module you'll be able to participate in near-native level interactions with a wider range of Deaf BSL users and understand the culture of the BSL community in greater depth.

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Year 2

Compulsory modules

DF2003: Deaf World Debates
SI2200: British Sign Language 200
SI2250: British Sign Language 250
SI3300: British Sign Language 300
SI3350: British Sign Language 350

Optional modules

DF2002: Issues in Deaf Education
ED2244: Learners with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
LG2117: Language, Mind and Brain
LG2225: Language and Power
ML2000: Employability Skills Project
SI2012: Sign Linguistics
SI2013: Narrative Styles in British Sign Language
SI2020: Translation Theory

DF2003: Deaf World Debates

Our module will develop your knowledge and appreciation of the current debates surrounding the deaf community. You will study contemporary issues in the deaf world, looking at disability policies, minority groups in the UK, deafness in the European Community and adjustment to acquired hearing loss.

SI2250: British Sign Language 250

This module develops the skills and knowledge you have previously acquired to a post-Intermediate level. The module content will enable you to interact effectively with a wider range of near-native level BSL users and you will be able to discuss both the structure of BSL and the culture of the Deaf community in greater depth and with greater awareness of variation, etc.

LG2225: Language and Power

This module introduces you to the concept of ‘power’, and the way that power informs both institutional and non-institutional human interaction. You'll explore legitimate and illegitimate uses of power and the relationship between power, language and social institutions. You will study a variety of frameworks for analysing power as a tool for analysing a variety of texts.

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Year 3

Compulsory modules

DF3995: Double Dissertation

Optional modules

DF3011: Insiders and Outsiders: Representations of Deafness
DF3012: Principles of Sign Language Interpreting
DF3016: Introduction to the Roles of Public Service Interpreters
DF3021: Work Placement
ED3215: The Education of Vulnerable Young People
LG3117: Clinical Linguistics and Language Pathology
SI3300: British Sign Language 300
SI3350: British Sign Language 350
SI3375: British Sign Language 375
SI3400: British Sign Language 400

DF3995: Double Dissertation

This module will give you an opportunity to undertake an extended independent study in an area of your choosing. You'll demonstrate an ability to develop and sustain a logical and consistent argument for the analysis of Deaf issues. You'll also develop your employability skills with project planning and preparation, time management and personal research skills.

DF3016: Introduction to the Roles of Public Service Interpreters

In this module, we examine the place and role of Interpreters in primary and secondary schools, tertiary education, and community settings. Issues raised will include the expectations of employers, relationships with other professionals, co-working, professional and ethical boundaries, professional development, and examples of good practice.

SI3375: British Sign Language 375

You will develop British Sign Language competence, cultural awareness, and self-reflective skills. You will develop an understanding of grammar, jargon, and vocabulary. You will also gain understanding and fluency suitable for professional or social situations. At this level, you will be able to exchange ideas and opinions in a variety of environments. The module consists of real-life practice in settings with the Deaf community.

Course delivery

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

100%Face-to-face

Please note the delivery information for this course is accurate for the academic year 2023/24. The information displayed in this section may not yet accurately reflect how the course will be delivered in 2024/25 but this information will be updated by October 2023.

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.

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SignTeach Online

Our BSL and Deaf studies offering is part of SignTeach Online, a European project funded by the Erasmus+ programme. SignTeach Online will host resources and examples of good practice of teaching online for anyone trying to educate via this route.

Find out more

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I love the sense of community from being at the University of Central Lancashire. It genuinely feels like the staff are rooting for you and want you to do as well as you can.

Adele Vickers

BA (Hons) British Sign Language and Deaf Studies
United Kingdom

Future careers

There are many careers and professions you could join with a BA (Hons) British Sign Language and Deaf Studies degree, including lecturing in higher and further education, teaching, and working as an interpreter.

Fees and funding

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

2024/25

Full-time£9,250 per year

Part-time£1,540 per 20 credits

International

Full-time£16,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

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

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

Select your country/region

Care Leaver Bursary
Our Care Leaver Bursary is for students who need extra support because they have been in care or are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Care Leaver Bursary
Estranged student support
Estranged Student Support Bursary is for students who need extra support because they are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Estranged student support
Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary
Contextualised Admissions Bursary
We recognise that the last two years have been very challenging for young people and learning has been impacted. To help support students eligible for a contextualised offer we are offering a bursary of £250 in their first year of study.
Find out more about Contextualised Admissions Bursary

A three-year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits. Each 20 credits (a standard module) equates to 200 hours of study.

Modules comprise a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and independent study.

Independent study is an important aspect of your degree course. The exact combination of study time will be detailed within your module descriptors, and will depend on your options.

Assessment methods include coursework and practical BSL assessments.

Throughout the sign language course, you will take six compulsory modules, three further compulsory modules and three optional modules. This gives you the flexibility to design a course that meets your needs and interests.

In your first two years you’ll study BSL, a compulsory part of the course. You’ll have the option to study BSL up to Level 6. You don’t need BSL fluency or knowledge to gain entry to the course. If you do hold qualifications and skills, there are modules that allow you to continue with your practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

You will be assessed on your BSL skills at the interview stage in order to be placed in the most appropriate class once your studies commence.

There are opportunities to take a work placement module too.

Interested?

Download

This course is based in the School of Psychology and Humanities

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

Book your place

British Sign Language & Deaf Studies

Why study with us

What you'll do

Module overview

Year 1

DF1112: Deaf People in Society

Course delivery

View the course facilities

SignTeach Online

Future careers

Fees and funding

Course Specific Optional Costs

Course Specific Optional Costs

Scholarships and bursaries

Care Leaver Bursary

Estranged student support

Dependants Bursary

Contextualised Admissions Bursary

Learning and assessment

Further information