Level 3 certificate in BSL for Deaf people
The Free Courses for Jobs initiative is for Londoners aged 24 or over at the start of the course who are: on a low-income; or on certain benefits; or do not have a full level 3 qualification. For more information Click here
Email us to enrol: deafedu@citylit.ac.uk
Why do I need an advice session
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 01 Oct 2024End Date: 20 May 2025This course is fullTue (Daytime): 13:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £0.00 Senior fee £0.00 Concession £0.00
- Start Date: 30 Sep 2025End Date: 24 Mar 2026Tue (Daytime): 13:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £0.00 Senior fee £0.00 Concession £0.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The qualification is useful for deaf people who want to progress to teach BSL, work within the deaf community or get a better understanding of BSL to access information and services in the wider community.
You will develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of British Sign Language relating to a wider range of topics and Deaf Culture.
What will we cover?
You will learn productive, receptive and conversational skills at advanced level in a wide range of topics:
- home life
- social / recreational activities
- education and training
- employment
- consumer issues and daily living
- Deaf history and culture.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Use receptive and productive skills to engage in varied social interaction.
• Maintain fluency, grammatical accuracy and coherence in sustained contributions containing varied language.
• Understand sustained signed communication containing varied language.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is designed for those who already have competence in Signature's BSL level 2 examination and have been recommended to level 3 in BSL.
You will be required to have basic literacy skills, as you will be asked to write some self-evaluations and notes as part of the preparation for the presentations and Sign Language assessments, as well as read instructions for exercises and assessment marking criteria.
An interview will be required before enrolment, to assess your signing. You will need to bring a copy of your Level 2 in BSL certificate on the interview day.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching methods may include
- classroom interaction
- pair / group work
- lectures
- presentation
- debate
- conversation practice
- watching video clips for receptive skills
- research
Utilising resources and materials uploaded onto Google Classroom – accessed through your student account.
A considerable amount of additional home study will be required.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Examination fees are included in the course fees.
You will need a smartphone for filming, research and access to Google Classroom.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
If you successfully pass the Signature Level 3 assessments, you can apply for Level 4 in BSL.
Pat has been teaching BSL Level 1 and 2 for the last 10 years starting in 1990 and it is her passion. She qualified on the Signing Teachers Training Course at City Lit in 1990 and continued to teach staff BSL Levels 1, 2 and 3 at a Deaf school, also taught at Adult Education Centres in Kent for the 10 years. Pat trained as an assessor for BSL Level 1 where she travelled around the country even to Jersey and Guernsey to assess students’ Level 1 signing skills. Pat studied Deaf Studies at the Open University where she studied BSL linguistics, culture, education and mental health. In 1996, Pat was BSL teacher at Oak Lodge School for the deaf where she developed a Deaf Studies curriculum and other subjects and taught for many years. Pat is Deaf and uses BSL as her preferred language and has a Deaf brother who is also a native BSL signer.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.