Program Overview

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British Sign Language & Deaf Studies (with Foundation Year), BA (Hons)

Attendance

Full-time

Campus

Preston Campus

Start

September 2025

Duration

4 years

UCAS Code

S756

Delivery

In-person

Why study with us

• 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, Linguistics, 2023/24)
• Learn in a supportive environment and develop the academic skills you need to study a degree.
• Continue to develop your language skills and explore the language learning process.
• We will provide you with the skills you need to gain employment within the Deaf community.

What you'll do

• You'll develop your academic and language skills to prepare you to study at degree level.
• You'll explore the language learning process, reflecting on your own experience and applying new methods of learning.
• You’ll be taught by a mixed deaf and hearing team who are experts in a range of topics including linguistics, translation studies, community and history.

Modules

Foundation year

Compulsory modules

• Essential Study Skills for Higher Education (HUC110)
• Developing Academic Knowledge (HUC111)
• Target Award Extended Study (HUC114)
• Learning by Experience (HUC115)

Optional modules

• Skills for Languages and Area Studies (HUC200)
• Skills for English (HUC201)
• Skills for Education (HUC202)
• Skills for Humanities (HUC203)

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Deaf People in Society (DF1112)
• Deaf Communities and Culture (DF1116)
• Education for Everyone? (ED1202)
• Language, Gender and Identity (LG1105)
• British Sign Language 100 (SI1100)
• British Sign Language 150 (SI1150)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Deaf World Debates (DF2003)
• Learners with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) (ED2244)
• British Sign Language 200 (SI2200)
• British Sign Language 250 (SI2250)

Optional modules

• Employability and Global Citizenship (CS2002)
• System and Structure (LG2227)
• Translation Theory (SI2020)

Year 3

Compulsory modules

• Dissertation (CS3001)
• British Sign Language 300 (SI3300)
• British Sign Language 350 (SI3350)
• British Sign Language 375 (SI3375)

Optional modules

• Principles of Sign Language Interpreting (DF3012)
• Introduction to the Roles of Public Service Interpreters (DF3016)
• The Education of Vulnerable Young People (ED3215)
• Clinical Linguistics and Language Pathology (LG3117)

Entry requirements

• UCAS: 64 points at A2
• BTEC Extended Diploma: MPP
• BTEC Diploma: MM
• Pass Access Course: 64 points
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 64 points from Higher Level subjects
• T Level: P (D or E)
• IELTS: 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
• GCSEs: GCSE English Language at grade C and GCSE Maths at grade C are not required for this course
• Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications or relevant work/life experience who can demonstrate the ability to cope with and benefit from degree level studies are welcome.

Fees and funding

• UK: £5,760 for the first year, £9,535 per year
• International: £17,250 for the first year, £17,325 per year

Additional costs

• As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

• We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Learning and assessment

• Throughout the course you’ll attend a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions. You’ll also be expected to undertake independent study in-between your taught sessions.
• We’ll assess your progress in a number of ways. These are likely to include written and signed work (such as essays, reports, critical reviews and personal reflections), presentations, posters, logbooks and journals, scrapbooks and deaf awareness training packs. There are no exams in BSL and Deaf Studies other than timed BSL productive and receptive tasks.

Meet our Alumni

• Deaf Studies Graduate, Asif Iqbal MBE, talks about career in Public Services
• Graduate discusses how BSL degree introduced her to dream career
• Bethany's desire to communicate with her Deaf parents lead her to studying BSL and Deaf Studies

Future careers

• British Sign Language and Deaf Studies course with a foundation year could lead to a variety of careers and professions, including: lecturers, teachers, BSL/English interpreters, social workers, educational support workers, or working with the media or the police.
• Our graduates have also moved on to higher degrees and research, as well as running their own businesses.