Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language
Accredited by Signature, the UK's leading award body for Sign Language qualifications, this is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to use BSL more confidently in everyday situations and to explore new career opportunities.
Course Summary
Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
Accredited by Signature, the UK’s leading award body for Sign Language qualifications, this is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to use BSL more confidently in everyday situations and to explore new career opportunities.
Successful completion of this qualification can support you to become a Communication Support Worker or to work towards becoming a BSL interpreter.
A note on course fees:
We are offering this qualification at a very competitive price of £1,000.
You will need to pay a £276 non-refundable deposit at enrolment.
There are a variety of ways to pay the remaining £724, including through an Advanced Learner Loan or direct debits spread across the duration of the course.
Entry Requirements
Learners must hold a BSL Level 2 Certificate through Signature or iBSL.
Learners will also need to have sufficient manual dexterity, sight and facial movement to produce and receive BSL.
Good attendance and a commitment to a minimum of 100 hours out-of-class study is essential to complete this qualification successfully.
What will you learn?
During your BSL Level 3 course, you’ll cover three units and six topics to develop your skills in the following areas:
- A variety of social interactions in BSL, including humour, giving formal advice and expressing feelings.
- Fluency, grammar and coherence.
- Understanding sustained signed communication.
The topics you’ll learn about and discuss will provide plenty of opportunities to explore turn-taking and cultural conventions, use a broad range of vocabulary, and distinguish opinions and feelings from facts. You’ll also be able to use advanced verb forms, timeframes and aspects, all while focusing on accurate grammar.
Topics will include:
- Home life
- Social and recreational activities
- Education and training
- Employment
- Consumer issues and daily living
- Deaf history and culture
How will you learn?
In classes – group work – practical sessions – individual study
What will you need to bring with you?
- A folder to store handouts
- Paper and pen
- A laptop or mobile phone to access the class TeamSite
How will you be assessed?
BSL is naturally used in two-way interactions such as discussions and conversations as well as one-way interactions (monologues and presentations, for example).
- 3ASS1 – Formal Presentation
- 3ASS2 – Informal Conversation
- 3ASS3 – Receptive Skills
Where next?
You could consider the BSL Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language.
Who do you contact for more information?
For more information, contact our Adult and Community Team on 01332 387465 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk
Course Information for Employers
Information for Employers
Career Information
DCG Success Stories
Discover how our students have achieved success. Their hard work and dedication to learning has enabled them to succeed in rewarding careers or progress onto higher education.
We encourage progress and aspirational outcomes by guiding people onto learning pathways that lead to positive destinations. Our students have gone on to achieve great things since leaving the College. We would like to share some of their inspiring success stories with you.
Find out what funding could be available to you:
Thinking about returning to education or developing new skills? Use our funding calculator below to get an estimate of the financial support you may be eligible for based on where you live.
Whether you’re looking to retrain, progress in your career, or try something new, funding could make your next step more accessible than you think.
Simply enter your postcode into the calculator to see an estimate of the funding that may be available in your area. This is based on regional funding allocations and typical eligibility criteria for adult learners.
Important:
The results shown are a guide only and are not a guarantee of funding.
Funding availability can vary depending on:
- Your personal circumstances (such as age, employment status, and prior qualifications)
- The course you choose
- Government and local funding rules at the time of enrolment
If you’re considering adult learning, there’s never been a better time to explore your options.
Our courses are designed to fit around your life, with flexible study options and expert support every step of the way.
Find out more about the courses available. Adult Courses
If you have any questions about funding, eligibility, or courses, our team is here to help. Contact Us
Course Information Last Updated On: March 11, 2026 2:01 pm
