The Deaf Interpreter Development Programme (DIDP) course is open to deaf native and first language BSL signers who would like to pursue a career as a qualified sign language interpreter or translator. You will achieve the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation qualification, specialising in intralingual interpreting and translation. This course leads to Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) and Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) status with the NRCPD. This is currently the only course of its kind in the UK.
This course recognises the value and expertise that deaf native signers bring to the sign language interpreting and translation profession, and aims to encourage more deaf people to consider a career as a sign language interpreter or translator.
We have developed the DIDP course based on our extensive experience in the interpreting, translation and training fields. The course is made up of 420 hours of guided learning and 420 hours of independent learning spread over 3 years. This is an intensive programme and requires your full commitment.
This course will take you from little or no knowledge of sign language interpreting to Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) and Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) status. You must already hold a Level 6 BSL qualification or have completed our Interpreting Foundations course.
You will be able to register as a Trainee Sign Language Interpreter (TSLI) and/or Trainee Sign Language Translator (TSLT) in the second year of this course (subject to you also meeting all other requirements set out by the NRCPD).
The first year is made up of 120 hours of guided learning hours and 120 hours of structured independent study (total 240 hours). The guided learning sessions are divided into 10 x 12-hour sessions over a weekend once a month over 10 months. This is followed by an additional 12 hours of structured independent study per month, which is completed through our e-learning platform.
In the first year, you will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:
The second year is made up of 120 hours of guided learning hours and 120 hours of structured independent study (total 240 hours). The guided learning sessions (including assessment time) are divided into 10 x 12 hour sessions over a weekend once a month over 10 months. This is followed by an additional 12 hours of structured independent study per month, which is completed through our e-learning platform.
In the second year, you will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:
The third year is made up of 120 hours of guided learning hours and 120 hours of structured independent study (total 240 hours). The guided learning sessions (including assessment time) are divided into 10 x 12-hour sessions over a weekend once a month over 10 months. This is followed by an additional 12 hours of structured independent study per month, which is completed through our e-learning platform.
In the third year, you will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:
There are a total of 27 assessments for this qualification over the total 3-year duration. The assessments cover the requirements for both stream 3 and stream 4 of the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation qualification.
Year 1 and Year 2 cover written and theory-based assessments, as well as some practical translation assessments. Practical interpreting assessments are done in Year 3. Most of the assessments will be conducted in the classroom through simulations, but students may be required to collect some evidence in the community.
There is a growing demand for signed/signed interpreters, relay interpreters and sign language translators.
Interpreters working between two signed languages (e.g. BSL/ASL) can find work in international conference settings (e.g. EU and UN institutions, international deaf organisations), as well as community settings (e.g. deaf community events and conferences, working with foreign deaf nationals in the public services, working with deaf professionals abroad etc.).
In particular, there is a growing demand for sign language interpreters at international conferences. WFD and WASLI have an accreditation process for international sign interpreters, and qualified interpreters with two signed languages are highly sought after.
Relay interpreters often work in public service settings, e.g. police, court, mental health, child protection, DWP assessments. They often work alongside a BSL/English interpreter. The demand for relay interpreters in the public services is rapidly growing.
Sign language translators often find work in the TV and media industry, e.g. in-vision translator of TV programmes. Many sign language translators are approached by deaf and hearing organisations and public bodies (e.g. NHS) to translate written English communication materials into BSL, e.g. for social media and websites. There is a growing demand for BSL translators as organisations seek to make their content and communications accessible to the BSL community.
You will achieve the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation qualification, which allow you to apply for Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) and Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) with the NRCPD and start working as a qualified sign language interpreter and translator.
Many qualified BSL/English interpreters are freelance sole-traders. There are several interpreting agencies that offer work to qualified BSL/English interpreters. These include some big multinational agencies that offer interpreting services in several languages and some smaller specialist agencies that deal mainly with BSL/English interpreting services.
NUBSLI publish guidance on rates for freelance interpreters, which vary depending on the region of the country. On average, a newly qualified interpreter can expect a starting salary of £30,000 per annum. This can go up to as much as £50,000 per annum for experienced freelance interpreters.
For more information about starting out as a professional BSL interpreter: National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI)
Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI)
Visual Language Professionals (VLP)
Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL)
International Association of Conference InterpretersEuropean CommissionUnited Nations