As a registered Centre for Signature awards in British Sign Language (BSL), we are delighted to offer accredited courses at Level 1 and Level 2. We also run a non-accredited Conversation/Advanced class for people who have passed their Level 2 course.

For BSL 1 and 2, we allow payment on a termly basis, as with our other courses. There is an expectation, however, that students will continue for the full 30 week course (36 weeks for BSL 2) in order to gain accreditation. Exam sessions are included in these weeks. The second block starts before Christmas and the final block starts before Easter. 

There is a break for the school holidays but, for BSL 1 and 2, the full 30/36 week block usually runs straight on apart from these breaks. If classes are missed due to unforeseen circumstances (such as tutor illness), it is sometimes necessary for Level 1 classes to last for 2.5 hours or Level 2 classes to last for 3 hours and for start/finish times to vary by half an hour, in order to fit the hours into one academic year. 

Both BSL 1 and BSL 2 are examined, with 3 exams over the course of the 30/36 weeks. It is not possible to join the Level 2 course if you have not completed your Level 1 course successfully.  

Students who pass each of the 3 exams in each qualification are awarded the appropriate certificate. We hope that students will pass the exams, but in the event of failing a module, resits or appeals are offered, in consultation with your tutor, with the appropriate fee payable.

Course	Day	Time	Tutor
BSL Level 1	Wednesday	7pm - 9pm	Karen Healy
BSL Level 2	Tuesday	6.30pm - 9pm	Karen Healy
BSL Conversation/Advanced (not accredited)	Monday	7pm - 9pm	Karen Healy

You can find the Course Fees and How to Enrol here.

Signature Level 1 Award in British Sign Language 

The Level 1 Award in BSL provides an introduction and is suitable for all learners. A range of topics are studied that involve simple, everyday language use:

Weeks 1-10	BSL Unit 101	Introduction to BSL	Meeting people, numbers, weather, transport, directions
Weeks 11-20	BSL Unit 102	Conversational BSL	At home: people, animals and objects, numbers, interests and activities, weather
Weeks 21-30	BSL Unit 103	BSL in Everyday Life (School, College & Work)	Getting around, exchanging information, refreshments, numbers

The termly course fee includes the exam fee for that term’s assessment unit, fees for Term 2 and 3 will be slightly more expensive, due to exam fees increasing (roughly £10):

Level 1 course fees INCLUDE exam fees	FULL FEE	Full time student or Over 65 and in full time retirement	School pupil (age 11+) or In receipt of means-tested benefits
Term 1 (BSL 101)	£145	£140	£130
Term 2 (BSL 102)	£170	£165	£155
Term 3 (BSL 103)	£170	£165	£155

Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language 

This course is only available to those who have passed BSL Level 1. Please see the introductory text above for other details, which apply to both levels. In Level Two, learners develop an ability to communicate with deaf people in a range of familiar and work-related contexts, participating in longer and more open-ended exchanges. 

At Level 2, the three assessed units take place later in the course, however, the termly course fees include the examination fees, to spread the cost over the year.

Level 2 course fees INCLUDE exam fees	FULL FEE	Full time student or Over 65 and in full time retirement	School pupil (age 11+) or In receipt of means-tested benefits
Term 1	£215	£205	£195
Term 2	£230	£220	£210
Term 3	£230	£220	£210

Please visit www.signature.org.uk for more information about these accredited courses.

Conversation/Advanced British Sign Language (non accredited)

 

This course is only available to those who have passed BSL Level 2. This class is an opportunity to consolidate and develop your British Sign Language skills without sitting exams. Please note: this is not a Level 3 class, it is an informal language class, in the style of our Conversation/Advanced classes in other languages. You will not be working towards a qualification on this course.

Fees for Conversation/Advanced British Sign Language (non accredited)	FULL FEE	Full time students or Over 65 and in full time retirement	School pupil (age 11+) or in receipt of means-tested benefits (see P8)
Each term	£83	£73	£58