Discover British Sign Language or improve your existing skills in a practical and interactive environment. Whether for business or personal interest, learn to communicate effectively with the deaf community, expand your knowledge of their culture and enjoy an authentic learning experience.

Our classes are relaxed and collaborative, with plenty of exposure to the language and many opportunities to practise and learn with your peers.

Why learn with us?

  • Our British Sign Language courses are taught by qualified deaf tutors
  • Choose from four different units depending on your current skills in the language
  • Our courses are open to students, staff, alumni and members of the public
  • Daytime and evening courses available with on campus and live online options
  • Complete the coursework and obtain credits or simply learn the language for pleasure
  • Even at a basic level, our courses will allow you to communicate with deaf people, enhance your CV and give you an extra cultural insight

Who are short course languages for?

  • Anyone who is interested in learning or exploring a new or previously studied language without long-term registration commitments and high costs
  • Current students who want to complement their studies or gain additional credits towards their degree
  • Prospective students considering further study of the language
  • Professionals who would like to add a new skill to their CV

What qualifications/ credits can I gain?

Course assessment is optional but on successful completion you will obtain 5 credits at SCQF level 7.

How you’ll study

Language classes are interactive and collaborative, with plenty of exposure to the language and many opportunities to practise and learn with your peers. 

BSL level descriptions

BSL Unit 1 (20 hours)

This course is recommended for absolute beginners who have had very little or no contact with British Sign Language before.

Course aims:

  • Develop Deaf awareness skills;
  • Introduce basic, familiar everyday expressions;
  • Become familiar with the basics of fingerspelling.

BSL Unit 2 (20 hours)

This course is recommended for learners who have completed Unit 1 or studied a minimum of 20 hours in the language.

Course aims:

  • Introduce basic, familiar everyday expressions and very simple;
  • Develop basic productive and receptive skills;
  • Introduce a limited range of basic signs;
  • Become familiar with additional signing components (fingerspelling, signing space, placement and facial expressions).

BSL Unit 3 (20 hours)

This course is recommended for learners who have completed Unit 2 or studied a minimum of 40 hours in the language.

Course aims:

  • Further your knowledge of basic, familiar everyday expressions and simple phrases to satisfy specific needs;
  • Develop productive and receptive skills;
  • Expand your range of basic signs;
  • Develop the use of additional signing and non-manual components (fingerspelling, signing space, placement and facial expressions).

BSL Unit 4 Conversation class (20 hours)

This course is recommended for learners who have completed Unit 3 or studied a minimum of 60 hours in the language.

Course aims:
              - Practise your knowledge of basic, familiar everyday expressions and simple phrases to satisfy                  specific needs;
              - Further develop productive and receptive skills;
              - Expand your range of signs;
              - Develop communication tactics and non-manual components

Upcoming courses

Bookings will open in August for courses starting September onwards.

View all available BSL courses on our Languages page

Discounts for staff members

UoG staff are entitled to a 10% discount of all BSL courses. Find out more at the Staff Benefits page