Interested in learning BSL and working in the Deaf community? Come and study on the British Sign Language & Deaf Studies Foundation Entry course.
Foundation Entry degree courses are ideal if you’ve got the ability to study for a degree, but don’t have the necessary formal qualifications to directly join an honours programme. It’s a great stepping stone to a full degree.
British Sign Language (BSL), sign linguistics and deaf studies at the University has long been recognised for world-leading research, continuous top student satisfaction rates and pioneering work on the development of employability skills.
Our course covers all aspects of deafness as a social and cultural phenomenon and will enable you to develop a fluency in British Sign Language. The wealth of modules available to choose from will enable you to tailor your studies to meet your individual interests and career goals.
It is estimated that more than 60% of British Sign Language English interpreters working in the UK have been taught on our courses.
We have nearly 30 years expertise in teaching British Sign Language and Deaf Studies.
Why study with us
- Our ‘others in English studies’ courses at the University of Central Lancashire rank 1st in the UK for overall student satisfaction. (National Student Survey 2022).
- Our ‘others in English studies’ courses at the University of Central Lancashire rank 1st in the UK for learning opportunities and 1st in the UK for learning community. (National Student Survey 2022).
- Our staff members include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Lynne Barnes, who is recognised for her work in BSL and Deaf Studies.
What you'll do
- 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.
- There are opportunities to take a work placement module as part of your overall programme of study.
- You’ll have an opportunity to study abroad. In recent years we’ve provided students with opportunities in Finland, Germany, the USA and Holland.
Module overview
Year OCompulsory modules
• HUC110: Essential Study Skills for Higher Education
• HUC111: Developing Academic Knowledge
• HUC114: Target Award Extended Study
• HUC115: Learning by Experience
• HUC200: Skills for Languages and Area Studies
Optional modules• HUC201: Skills for English
• HUC202: Skills for Education
• HUC203: Skills for Humanities
Year 1
Compulsory modules
• DF1112: Deaf People in Society
• DF1113: Communities, Cultures and Identities
• DF1300: Employability and the Deaf Community
• S11005: Historical Development of British Sign Language
• SI1100: British Sign Language 100
• SI1150: British Sign Language 150
• SI1200: British Sign Language 200
• S11250: British Sign Language 250
Year 2
Compulsory modules
• DF2003: Deaf World Debates
• SI2200: British Sign Language 200
• S12250: British Sign Language 250
• S13300: British Sign Language 300
• S13350: British Sign Language 350
Optional modules• DF2002: Issues in Deaf Education
• DF2013: Sign and Society
• DF2015: Families, Deafness and Disability
• DF2021: Work Placement
• ED2205: Sociology & Education
• ED2243: Diversity and Inclusion in Education
• LG2103: Sociolinguistics
• LG2104: Semantics and Pragmatics
• LG2117: Language, Mind and Brain
• RP2091: Student Initiated Module
• S12012: Sign Linguistics
• S12013: Narrative Styles in British Sign Language
• SI2015: Sign Language Literatures
• S12020: Translation Theory
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
• DF3600: Debating Disability
• ED3215: The Education of Vulnerable Young People
• LG3112: Language and Power
• LG3117: Clinical Linguistics and Language Pathology
• RB3001: Perceptions of Morality
• RP3091: Student Initiated Module
• S13008: Sociolinguistics
• S13300: British Sign Language 300
• S13350: British Sign Language 350
• S13375: British Sign Language 375
• S13400: British Sign Language 400
Course delivery
Following the pandemic, we have found that some courses benefit from a blended learning and teaching approach. Therefore, the majority of your teaching will be face-to-face on campus aside from a small amount of online teaching where we have learnt it works best.
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.
Future careers
British Sign Language and Deaf Studies Foundation Entry 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.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.