British Sign Language
Communicate and connect through British Sign Language.
British Sign Language (BSL) gives you a direct way to communicate with Deaf people while introducing you to Deaf history and culture.
It can be especially valuable in health, education and other areas where inclusive communication matters.
Through signing, fingerspelling and visual communication, you’ll learn to interact in social and workplace settings and gain a better understanding of the Deaf community.
Alongside your language skills, you'll explore aspects of Deaf awareness, helping you build greater confidence understanding of the Deaf community.
Available study options:
British Sign Language is offered in two parts, allowing you to build your skills progressively.
- Full-year study – two semesters (September to May), with 3-contact hours per week.
- Part 1 (A1.1) – suitable for complete beginners.
- Part 2 (A1) – for students who have successfully completed Part 1 or have equivalent knowledge.
Each part can be studied in either semester. Students wishing to complete both parts in the same academic year can take Part 1 in Semester 1 and progress to Part 2 in Semester 2, subject to successful completion of Part 1.
All classes are taught on campus.
Full-year study courses
Course overview
- Credits: 10
- Pre-requisite: None.
- Taught during: LEAP BSL 1 - ULBS50001 (Semester 1); LEAP BSL 1- ULBS50002 (Semester 2). Please note ULBS50002 is a repeat of ULBS50001.
- Level of attainment: (A1.1) By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A1.1 of the Common European Framework.
- Timetable: See timetable information
Course description
This course is for learners who have no previous knowledge of British Sign Language. It aims to give students a basic knowledge of signs so that they are able to participate in simple everyday communicative situations.
Learners will be able to demonstrate a limited range of signs and basic phrases around familiar social or work situations. For the Productive units, learners are required to deliver a short presentation in BSL. For the Receptive units, learners are required to understand and extract specific details from a short presentation given to them in BSL. For the Conversational units, learners are required to participate in a simple dialogue to exchange equal amounts of information in BSL.
The course may be of particular value for students seeking a career in health or education, or for those who have contact with deaf people through work, friends, or family. It may also be of intrinsic interest to linguists. The course does not lead to a formal vocational qualification; however, this course is equivalent to an entry level three in British Sign Language.
Topics
Topics covered over the 12-week course include: Deaf awareness, culture and history, fingerspelling, communication signs, greetings and family, numbers- & colours, asking for direction.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will:
- be able to understand and converse in short, simple sentence communication in BSL;
- be able to communicate using BSL in simple, routine situations;
- demonstrate an ability to use a basic BSL vocabulary and grammar;
- be aware of current issues related to the deaf community.
By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate at a level equivalent to Level A1.1 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
- Working in pairs or small groups
- Awareness of the deaf culture and deaf history
- Communicative awareness with deaf people who communicate using BSL
Teaching and learning methods
Seminars, two hours per week. 24 contact hours including assessment.
This course is only offered (face-to-face) on Campus.
In the event that changes to our delivery method are necessary, all students will be informed at the earliest opportunity.
Assessment
- 1 Signed Productive Assessment; 30% weighting; held in Week 6
- 2 Written Productive Assessments; 30% weighting; held in Weeks 8 & 9
- 1 Conversation / Dialogue assessment; 40% weighting; held in Week 12
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing feedback resulting from class-based learning activities and formal written feedback given following summative assessments.
Convenor
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Taught by
Wayne McConnell
Maximum entry
21 per group
Set texts
There is no set text for this course. However, students use a free online resource. Here the signs are demonstrated by very experienced users and teachers of British Sign Language by moving pictures that clearly show the method of signing, plus a detailed description.
Recommended texts
- The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction. Rachel Sutton-Spence and Bencie Woll. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0521637183
- Let's Sign Dictionary: Everyday BSL for Learners [2nd Edition] Paperback – 1 Jun. 2009 ISBN-10: 1905913109
Next pathway
ULBS51002 – LEAP BSL 2 – LEAP British Sign Language Part 2 (A1)
Course overview
- Credits: 10
- Pre-requisite: ULBS50001/2 LEAP British Sign Language - Part 1 (A1.1) or equivalent.
- Taught during: either Semester 1 (September to December) or Semester 2 (January to May).
- Level of attainment: (A1) By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A1 of the Common European Framework.
- Timetable: See timetable information
Course description
This course unit is for students who have successfully completed ULBS50001/2 LEAP British Sign Language - Part 1 (A1.1).
In ULBS51002, students continue to develop their ability to communicate with Deaf people in a range of familiar and work-related contexts. Students will further develop their knowledge of signs, fingerspelling, phrases and grammatical structures. They will gain further practice in signing, so that they are able to participate in everyday communicative situations with members of the Deaf community.
Learners will be able to demonstrate an extended range of signs and complex phrases around familiar social or work situations.
For the Productive units, learners are required to deliver a presentation in BSL demonstrating further linguistic patterns within BSL. For the Receptive units, learners are required to understand and extract a wider range of details from a short presentation given to them in BSL. For the Conversational units, learners are required to participate in a longer dialogue to exchange equal amounts of information in BSL.
The course may be of particular value for students seeking a career in health or education, or for those who have contact with deaf people through work, friends or family. It may also be of intrinsic interest to linguists. LEAP BSL 1 (ULBS50001/2) & LEAP BSL 2 (ULBS51002) is the equivalent to a level one qualification in British Sign Language.
Topics
Topics covered over the 12-week course include food, clothing, jobs and hobbies, countries & cities, weather, directions, transport, time, opposites, and describing people.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- gain further skills in the production and reception of BSL;
- become more familiar using BSL for communicative purposes;
- able to converse in BSL by identifying linguistic patterns within BSL and communicate complex ideas via a simple set of communicative tools (signs);
- able to gain crucial sign language skills for work or social purposes.
By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate at a level equivalent to Level A1 of the Common European Framework.
Transferable skills
- Working in pairs or small groups;
- Awareness the deaf culture and deaf history;
- Communicative awareness with deaf people who communicate using BSL.
Teaching and learning methods
Seminars, two hours per week. 24 contact hours including assessment.
This course is only offered (face-to-face) on Campus.
In the event that changes to our delivery method are necessary, all students will be informed at the earliest opportunity.
Assessment
- 1 Signed Productive Assessment; 30% weighting; held in Week 6
- 1 Written Respective Assessment; 30% weighting; held in Week 9
- 1 Conversation / Dialogue assessment; 40% weighting; held in Week 12
Nature and timing of feedback
Feedback will include a combination of informal ongoing feedback resulting from class-based learning activities and formal written feedback given following summative assessments.
Convenor
Dr Justyna Drobnik-Rogers
Taught by
Wayne McConnell
Maximum entry
21 per group
Set texts
There is no set text for this course. However, students use a free online resource. Here the signs are demonstrated by very experienced users and teachers of British Sign Language by moving pictures that clearly show the method of signing, plus a detailed description.
Recommended texts
- The Linguistics of British Sign Language: An Introduction. Rachel Sutton-Spence and Bencie Woll. Cambridge University Press. ISBN: 978-0521637183
- Let's Sign Dictionary: Everyday BSL for Learners [2nd Edition] Paperback – 1 Jun. 2009 ISBN-10: 1905913109
Next pathway
None
Timetables – 2026/27
Please note the timetable is subject to change up to and including the start of courses. Please check these pages regularly and check your personal timetable ahead of classes.
Find your classrooms and make your way around campus quickly with our interactive map.
Courses are taught in 2 or 3 hour sessions – view the timetables below:
Course code: ULBS50001/ULBS50101/ULBS90101
- Group 1: Monday, 3–5pm – Uni Place_3.214
- Group 2: Monday, 5.30–7.30pm – Uni Place_3.214
- Group 3: Wednesday, 3–5pm – Roscoe_3.9
Semester 1 only.
Course code: ULBS51001/ULBS50201/ULBS90201
- Group 1: Wednesday, 5.30–7.30pm – Sam Alex_A213
- Group 2: Tuesday, 10am–12pm – Crawford House_SEM RM B
Semester 1 only.
Course code: ULBS50002/ULBS50102/ULBS90102
- Group 1: Monday, 3–5pm – Uni Place_3.211
- Group 2: Monday, 5.30–7.30pm – Uni Place_3.211
- Group 3: Wednesday, 3–5pm – Sam Alex_A202
Semester 2 only.
Please note this is a repeat of Part 1 offered in semester 1.
Course code: ULBS51002/ULBS50202/ULBS90202
- Group 1: Wednesday, 5.30–7.30pm – Sam Alex_A213
- Group 2: Tuesday, 10am–12pm – Sam Alex_A213A
Semester 2 only.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us by phone or email leap@manchester.ac.uk.