Languages at Leicester
BSL Level 3
This is for you if you have completed and passed either the full Signature BSL Level 2 Award (Units 201, 202 and 203) or the full iBSL Level 2 Award (Units 2A1, 2A2, 2A3 and 2A4).
Key information
Courses starting in October 2025
- Course: Thursdays 6.00pm - 9.00pm (plus 9 intensive Saturdays*)
- Delivery: On-campus (face-to-face)
- Timeline: Starts 9 October 2025 - ends 18 June 2026. The course will take place over 32 weeks (see schedule below).
- Term 1: 11 weeks: from October until December 2025 (+ 3 Saturdays*)
- Term 2: 11 weeks: from January until April 2026 (+ 3 Saturdays*)
- Term 3: 10 weeks: from April until June 2026 (+ 3 Saturdays*)
- Lengths: 32 weeks: 32 3-hour lessons, plus 9 6-hour intensive lessons on 9 Saturdays (150 guided learning hours)
- Fees: Full course £1095 (it includes all exams). This is payable in full or in three instalments of £365 as outlined:
- Payment 1 on enrolment
- Payment 2 by the beginning of January 2026
- Payment 3 by the end of April April 2026
- Exam fees: All exam fees are included in the course's fee (Signature Level 3 Unit 301 £47, Unit 302 £47 and Unit 303 £77).
This course will be taught by two deaf Tutors in two small groups of up to 11 students each. Each group requires a minimum of 8 and it can have up to a maximum of 11 students. Course fee includes all tuition, access to Blackboard and handouts and any tests/exams.
The course also includes two individual (one-to-one) tutorials of half an hour each per learner with your BSL tutor to evaluate and guide your progress and attainment. Tutorials will be scheduled with tutors as required and will take place during lesson's time.
The course runs from October 2025 to June 2026. The full course comprises 250 learning hours (150 guided learning hours plus 100 independent learning hours). Lesson take place over 32 weeks (on Wednesdays from 6.00pm to 9.00pm) and 9 Saturdays* (please see schedule below). When enrolling you are committing to the full 32-week course.
Entry level
A pass in BSL Level 2 Award: the full BSL Level 2 (Units 201, 202 and 203) or the full iBSL Level 2 Award (Units 2A1, 2A2, 2A3 and 2A4). Registered students will be required to undertake an evaluation interview with the BSL coordinator.
The interview session is important as it helps students to learn what they can expect from the course and what would be expected from them. Upon registering the BSL coordinator will contact you to arrange a face-to-face (or online if required) interview session. The interviews will include 3 tasks to ensure applicants are of Level 2 standard:
- Receptive - 30 secs (write notes or relay back to teacher)
- Storytelling - personal story or activities done at the weekend - 2 minutes (filmed)
- Q&A with the tutor - 3 questions
Interviews
Registered learners may need to attend a 10-minute online interview with the tutor to assess their BSL proficiency. Interviews will be arranged with each learner upon registering.
Qualification aim
This Level 3 Certificate qualification in British Sign Language meets the learning needs of those who already have competence in BSL at Level 2 and are interested in developing their skills and knowledge. Successful learners must be able to demonstrate competence at Level 3 of the UK Occupational Language Standards. This means that the learner will be able to understand and use varied BSL in a range of work and social situations.
The learner will develop an advanced knowledge of the structure and function of British Sign Language and an understanding of the Deaf Community and Deaf Culture. The specification has been designed to be consistent with the National Language Standards at Level 3.
Course content
This British Sign Language qualification is divided into three units, each of which can be achieved separately.
To achieve the full Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language, candidates are required to achieve all three units.
| Unit | Unit title | Assessment | Exam fee |
| BSL 301 | BSL Presentation Skills | Formal presentation | £47* |
| BSL 302 | BSL Productive Skills | Informal conversation | £47* |
| BSL 303 | BSL Receptive Skills | Receptive skills | £77* |
*Fees are transferred in its totality to the awarding body (Signature's fees booklet 2025/26).
Course schedule
The schedule for academic year 2025/26 is displayed below. Please notice that some of these dates could be subject to change.
- Timetable Thursdays: Lessons take place from 6.00pm to 9.00pm (there will be two small breaks through the lesson).
- Timetable Saturdays: Lessons take place from 9.00am to 4.00pm (there will be break throughout the lesson to rest and have lunch).
Schedule (32 weeks)
Please note that the schedule below may be subject to change as the course progresses. Tutors will discuss and agree on any changes with students in advance.
- Week 1: Thursday 9 October 2025
- Week 2: Thursday 16 October 2025
- Sat 1: Saturday 18 October 2025
- Week 3: Thursday 23 October 2025
- Week 4: Thursday 30 October 2025
- Week 5: Thursday 6 November 2025
- Week 6: Thursday 13 November 2025
- Sat 2: Saturday 15 November 2025
- Week 7: Thursday 20 November 2025
- Week 8: Thursday 27 November 2025
- Week 9: Thursday 4 December 2025
- Week 10: Thursday 11 December 2025
- Sat 3: Saturday 13 December 2025
- Week 11: Thursday 18 December 2025
**Christmas break** - Week 12: Thursday 15 January 2026
- Week 13: Thursday 22 January 2026
- Sat 4: Saturday 24 January 2026
- Week 14: Thursday 29 January 2026
- Week 15: Thursday 5 February 2026
- Week 16: Thursday 12 February 2026
- Week 17: Thursday 19 February 2026
- Sat 5: Saturday 21 February 2026
- Week 18: Thursday 26 February 2026
- Week 19: Thursday 5 March 2026
- Week 20: Thursday 12 March 2026
- Week 21: Thursday 19 March 2026
- Sat 6: Saturday 21 March 2026
- Week 22: Thursday 26 March 2026
**Easter break** - Week 23: Thursday 16 April 2026
- Week 24: Thursday 23 April 2026
- Sat 7: Saturday 25 April 2026
- Week 25: Thursday 30 April 2026
- Week 26: Thursday 7 May 2026
- Week 27: Thursday 14 May 2026
- Sat 8: Saturday 16 May 2026
- Week 28: Thursday 21 May 2026
- Week 29: Thursday 28 May 2026
- Week 30: Thursday 4 June 2026
- Week 31: Thursday 11 June 2026
- Sat 9: Saturday 13 June 2026
- Week 32: Thursday 18 June 2026