Program Overview

MA BSL and Applied Languages

The MA (Hons) British Sign Language and Applied Language Studies programme will prepare students to become professionals working with deaf communities who use British Sign Language. This degree is designed to lead students from a beginner's level of British Sign Language (BSL) to achieving professional competence in signed interactions.

Key Information

• UCAS code: Q1AL
• Level: Undergraduate
• Delivery type: Full Time
• Degree qualification: MA
• Mode of delivery: On-Campus
• Duration: 4 years
• Location: Edinburgh
• Start date: September

The programme will provide students with the necessary cultural, social, political, and linguistic knowledge to serve as a foundation for various careers, including roles in education, advocacy, counselling, research, and working with deaf individuals in different community settings. It also provides a solid base for those interested in pursuing further studies in areas like deaf education, sign language interpreting, or related fields.

Your Student Experience

Our MA British Sign Language and Applied Languages degree is taught by experienced, leading academics who, in many cases, have published the research which shapes their disciplines and written the books which will guide student learning. In addition to British Sign Language, our academic staff are proficient in Auslan, Albanian Sign Language, American Sign Language, Danish Sign Language, Flemish Sign Language, and Indian Sign Language. This diverse language proficiency contributes to an enriching learning atmosphere, allowing our staff to draw upon local, national, and international experiences.

Course Content

September Intake - Edinburgh

• Year 1:
  • Mandatory September:
    • BSL Intensive Beginners 1
    • Introduction to Language and Intercultural Studies
  • Mandatory January:
    • BSL Intensive Beginners 2
    • Introduction to Deaf History and Culture
• Year 2:
  • Mandatory September:
    • BSL Advanced 1
    • Deaf People in Society and Culture and Comparative Studies
    • Sociolinguistics of sign languages
  • Mandatory January:
    • BSL Advanced 2
    • General Linguistics
    • Working with Deaf Communities
• Year 3:
  • Mandatory September:
    • Work-based BSL Placement
  • Mandatory January:
    • Work-Based BSL Placement and Research Project
    • Introduction to Research Skills and Methods
• Year 4:
  • Mandatory September:
    • BSL Proficiency 1
    • Honours Dissertation 1
    • International and National Deaf Political Studies
  • Optional September:
    • Employment Relations
    • Comparative Social and Cultural Issues
    • International Politics and Organisations
    • Translation and Interpreting Studies
  • Mandatory January:
    • BSL Proficiency 2
    • Honours Dissertation 2
  • Optional January:
    • Diversity Management
    • Sustainable Development and the Intercultural Context
    • Applied Linguistics

Fees and Funding

• September 2026 intake tuition fees:
  • Scotland: Paid by SAAS
  • England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland: Ł9,790
  • International: Ł20,080
• Status: Residency status is usually defined as the country where the student has been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of the course.
• International: Includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in the UK.

Scholarships and Bursaries

• Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland, or Wales:
  • Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to Ł3,100 per year)

Entry Requirements

• Standard entry requirements:
  • Highers: BBBB (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BBC
  • International Baccalaureate: 30 points
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM
  • HNC: B in graded unit
  • HND: BB
• Minimum entry requirements:
  • Highers: BBBC (over two sittings)
  • A-Levels: BCC
  • International Baccalaureate: 30 points
  • BTEC Extended Diploma: MMM
  • HNC: B in graded unit
  • HND: BC / CB
• Additional information:
  • Applications are welcomed from holders of non-school qualifications, mature candidates, and overseas students.
  • For British Sign Language degree programmes, some experience in BSL is useful, and a demonstrable interest in BSL and Deaf culture is required. Admission may require a successful interview.

English Language Requirements

• The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 6.0.

Employability

• Work and study: 60% of MA BSL and Applied Languages students are working, 5% are studying, and 10% are studying and working 15 months after graduating.
• Salary: The average salary of students 15 months after graduating is Ł25,500.
• Potential career paths:
  • Artistic, literary, and media occupations