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BA (Hons) British Sign Language, Deaf Studies and Linguistics

York St John University, United Kingdom
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Course Overview

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of British Sign Language (BSL), Deaf studies, and linguistics. You will learn how to communicate with Deaf people using BSL, understand the cultural and social aspects of Deafness, and develop an appreciation of the linguistic properties of BSL. The course is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in teaching, interpreting, or working with Deaf individuals.

Additional Information

Students on this course will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a sign language resource room and opportunities to engage in practical placements. The course is also designed to meet the requirements of the National Registers of Interpreters and Translators (NRIT).

Discover the excellence of York St John University's BSL program

York St John University has a long history of excellence in teaching and research related to Deafness and BSL. Our experienced lecturers are passionate about providing high-quality education, and our location in the historic city of York offers access to a rich cultural heritage. Students on this course will benefit from small class sizes, personalized support, and opportunities for networking with professionals in the field.

Why You Should Study This Course

In this course, you will learn BSL to an advanced level. This is the preferred language of over 87,000 people in the UK. You will explore the history, cultures, and experiences of deaf people across the country. You can choose to learn about the role of language in education and speech and language impairments letting you specialize your knowledge and prepare for different careers. Whether you are a beginner or have previous experience, we can help you advance your BSL skills. We will place you at the appropriate level when you arrive. By the end of the course, you will be able to hold fluent conversations in BSL, allowing you to use the language for academic, social, and professional purposes. If you have studied BSL previously you can still join this course, but the British Sign Language modules may contain some element of revision for you.

General Eligibility

104 UCAS Tariff points 3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including the English Language.

Part Time Work Details

20 Hours of Work permit weekly for international students.

What You'll Study

1 Year 1
  • Accelerated British Sign Language 1 OR Enhanced British Sign Language 1

  • Deaf History

  • Introduction to Language and Linguistics

  • Accelerated British Sign Language 2 OR Enhanced British Sign Language 2

  • Deaf Cultures

  • Descriptive Grammar of English

  • Multilingualism

  • Phonetics

2 Year 2
  • British Sign Language for Education

  • Sociolinguistics of British Sign Language

  • Analysing Texts

  • Applied Phonetics and Phonology

  • Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom

  • British Sign Language for Employment

  • Deaf Social Theory

  • Language at Work

3 Year 3
  • British Sign Language for Education

  • Sociolinguistics of British Sign Language

  • Analysing Texts

  • Applied Phonetics and Phonology

  • Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom

  • British Sign Language for Employment

  • Deaf Social Theory

  • Language at Work

Language Requirement

  • IELTS5.5
  • TOEFL59
  • PTE50
  • Duolingo69
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

Ready to get started?

For any enquiries or further details, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let's take the next step in your academic journey together.

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