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School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries

BA (Hons) British Sign Language (Deaf Studies)

BA (Hons) Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

The BA (Hons) British Sign language (Deaf Studies) is a long established and highly respected course with a team of Deaf and hearing staff from diverse backgrounds. It is one of the few courses of its kind in British Sign Language (Deaf Studies) in the UK.  

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The BA (Hons) British Sign language (Deaf Studies) is a long established and highly respected course with a team of Deaf and hearing staff from diverse backgrounds. It is one of the few courses of its kind in British Sign Language (Deaf Studies) in the UK.  

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BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
14 September 2026
UCAS Code
Q160
Course specifications
View course spec
Course length
Full-time (3 years),Part-time (6 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
School
School of Social Science, Humanities and Creative Industries
UCAS points calculator
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'I greatly enjoyed my time on the BA Hons Deaf studies and SENDIS degree, the support and guidance was always available, and nothing was too much trouble. I felt completely supported from start to finish and due to this I completed my degree with grades higher than I ever expected. The modules covered were interesting and relevant especially educating Deaf children as currently I am working in a Deaf base in mainstream secondary. In my final year instead of a traditional dissertation I chose to do the Business and Community Link in the Deaf Community. Choosing this instead of the dissertation meant that I was able to actively contribute to the needs of a deaf organisation. This not only gave me current experience of working with potential employers but also the confidence to complete a working document on their behalf. '  
Alex Mcdermott- Graduate

Why choose this course?

The BA (Hons) British Sign language (Deaf Studies) is a long established and highly respected course with a team of Deaf and hearing staff from diverse backgrounds. It is one of the few courses of its kind in British Sign Language (Deaf Studies) in the UK.  

Staff are active researchers, and these interests contribute to high quality teaching, curriculum development and innovation which underpins the teaching and learning that you will experience. The lecturing team have a variety of national and international expertise in teaching, professional qualifications and experience of working for a diverse range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. 

The course provides an opportunity for practical application of learning through a community-based research project in the final year as well as opportunities for volunteering. We recognise that you will have a unique learning journey and we will maximise your potential through a range of assessment types such as presentations, written assessments, problem-solving approaches, and reports. You will also have the opportunity to gain a recognised British Sign Language qualification. 

The team believes in interactive learning and encourages full participation from all our students. External examiners have consistently highlighted our innovative learning, teaching and assessments regimes as a major strength. 

                      My  course has helped me pursue my career as it has given me the lived experience (From doing work experience) as the academic skills to help me learn and advance in my career.

 

Dawn Huitson a recent graduate of Deaf studies said below...

     "My course benefited my career as it gave me the experience and academic skills to start in my dream Career. In my career I am able to learn and expand on my skills on a daily basis and use the experience and knowledge I learnt from my 3 years on the course."



What's unique about this course?

  • This is one of the few courses of its kind in British Sign Language (Deaf Studies) in the UK.  

  • The lecturing team have a variety of national and international expertise in teaching, professional qualifications and experience of working for a diverse range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. 

  • The team believes in interactive learning and encourages full participation from all our students.

What happens on the course?

This course is currently subject to revalidation in February 2026.

Our BA British Sign language (Deaf Studies) course provides a unique course which engages with the local community to provide students with current research and good links with the deaf community. Our ongoing research within the team feeds directly into and informs our teaching on the programme.  

Subject Areas: 

Modules across the programme are designed to introduce you to the topics of British Sign language, linguistics, deaf culture, deaf history, deafblindness, and the wider deaf community and its heritage.  Other subjects included in the course provide the opportunity to follow specific routes by selecting modules in social studies, linguistics, and special needs. Modules are designed to help you develop a range of study related skills, such as research, communication, essay writing and presentations. 

Work based Experience:  

The course has links with a range of organisations and in the final year, students have the option to conduct research on behalf of an organisation.   

Facilities:  

You will be taught in traditional style classrooms as well as collaborative style classrooms. You will have access to your subjects via our virtual learning environment – Canvas. Here you can access materials for your subject.  

Assessments: 

You will be assessed in many different ways, through academic assignments such as essays and case studies, reports, British Sign Language discussions, presentations, as well as a research project in your final year. 

Links and collaborations: 

We have many links with local organisations and strongly encourage students to take up volunteering opportunities with organisations such as Zebra Access, Sandwell Deaf Association, BID, Deafblind UK, NDCS to name but a few. 

 

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement. Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

  • Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
  • Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
  • Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
  • Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
  • Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
  • Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

  • Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
  • Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
  • Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
  • Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
  • Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
  • Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Potential Career Paths

Graduates have a range of career opportunities including teacher training, social work, mentoring and advocacy posts, inclusion managers and positions within support groups and charities related to Deafness and Disability. Alumni have gone onto lecturing posts, researcher roles and local authority positions relating to inclusion with many graduates completing PGCE. Others have completed Masters level degrees in a range of areas including speech and language therapy, audiology, cognition and deafness, social work and special needs. 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

The BA (Hons) British Sign Language (Deaf Studies) is one of the few in the country. 

The course is taught by a well-established and long-standing team of deaf and hearing staff from diverse backgrounds, with many years of experience and well known within their field. 

Throughout the years, staff have been nominated for various awards in recognition of support for students and innovation in teaching. 

The course provides the opportunity to develop British Sign Language skills to an advanced level, as well as various routes to undertake modules in linguistics, sociology, social policy, special education needs related subjects.  

An opportunity to gain a recognised British Sign Language qualification. 

External examiners through the years have commented on the standard of support, teaching and learning, as well as the “excellent standard” of our work-based research module and the level of support from staff.  

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

Demonstrate the ability to process, analyse and evaluate concepts and theories related to deafness and deaf peoples' lives. 

Effectively communicate in British Sign Language (BSL) supported by theoretical knowledge of BSL and to understand a bilingual and bicultural approach towards Deaf communities. 

Work both co-operatively and independently whilst developing the expertise required to progress to related studies at postgraduate level, and the skills and knowledge necessary for successful employment. 

Reflect critically on their own value system and relate this to the construction of deafness, disability, and social diversity. 

Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility. Decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts. – Ongoing skills including IT and communication strategies

Location Mode Sep intake Fee Year
Home Full-time £9535 per year 2025-26
Home Part-time £4768 per year# 2025-26
International Full-time £15995 per year 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.


If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

Typical entry requirement: 96 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades DD
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)
  • T Levels with an overall grade of Pass and a minimum grade of C in Core.

    • Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

    • If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.
    • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

     Other Requirements

    Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses.

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