Interested in visual language learning and exploring deaf culture? Our British Sign Language and Deaf Studies degree is the ground-breaking course for you.
The University has long been recognised for world-leading research, continuous top student satisfaction rates and pioneering work on employability skills.
Over 60% of British Sign Language/English interpreters working in the UK have studied here.
We’re also a UK leader in the training of BSL-English interpreters.
We have nearly 30 years expertise in teaching British Sign Language and Deaf Studies.
You’ll study all aspects of deafness as a social and cultural phenomenon and you’ll develop fluency in British Sign Language.
Why study with us
- Our ‘others in English studies’ courses at the University of Central Lancashire are ranked 1st in the UK for overall student satisfaction (NSS, 2022).
- Our ‘others in English studies’ courses at the University of Central Lancashire are ranked 1st in the UK for learning opportunities and 1st in the UK for learning community (NSS, 2022).
- Given the wealth of modules on offer you’ll be able to tailor the course to meet your interests and career goals.
What you'll do
- You’ll be taught by a mixed deaf and hearing team including Lynne Barnes, a National Teaching Fellow with award-winning work in deaf studies.
- 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.
Module overview
Year 1Compulsory 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
• S11200: 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
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ED2243: Diversity and Inclusion in Education
•
LG2103: Sociolinguistics
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LG2104: Semantics and Pragmatics
• LG2117: Language, Mind and Brain
•
RP2091: Student Initiated Module
• S12012: Sign Linguistics
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S12013: Narrative Styles in British Sign Language
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SI2015: Sign Language Literatures
•
SI2020: 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
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LG3117: Clinical Linguistics and Language Pathology
• RB3001: Perceptions of Morality
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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 400LG3117: 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
This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.
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
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.
You could also work for deaf welfare organisations, become a social worker or educational support worker. Maybe you’ll want to find a job in the media or police or go on to study higher degrees, take up research, be a freelancer or run your own business? All are valid career options on graduation.
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