Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting (In Person)

Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting (INT)

Upcoming courses:
• Saturday & Sunday once a month - starting 6 September 2025 (INT-25/26)
• Saturday & Sunday once a month - starting 12 September 2026 (INT-26/27)

At a glance:

Level 6 (RQF)
2 years from Level 6
2 days/month
Leads to RSLI
London venue
£3,650 per year (inc. VAT and exam fees)

Course content

The aim of this course is to give you the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills to work as a professional sign language interpreter. You will achieve the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation (RQF) qualification. This course leads to Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) status with the NRCPD.

This course is aimed at hearing people who have learned BSL as a second language. You must have completed the Level 6 Certificate in BSL qualification. You will complete Stream 1 of the qualification (spoken/signed interpreting) in BSL/English language combination.

We have developed this course based on our extensive experience in the interpreting, translation and training fields. The course is made up of 480 hours of guided and independent learning spread over 2 years.

This course will take you from little or no knowledge of sign language interpreting to Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) status.

You will be able to register as a Trainee Sign Language Interpreter (TSLI) in the first year of this course (subject to you also meeting all other requirements set out by the NRCPD).

BSL First graduates do exceptionally well. Our average pass rate for the past 5 years is 93%, with 80% of our students achieving a Merit or Distinction grade. 
Year 1
Year 2
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 10x 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:
ModuleTopics covered
Theories and principles in interpreting and translation studiesYou will be introduced to a wide variety of key theoretical frameworks in interpreting and translation studies, such as functionalist theories, ethical models and the role of the interpreter and translator. It will introduce you to some of the current principles and issues in the public service interpreting and translation professions, with a focus on signed language interpreting and translation, and will encourage you to think critically about your own practice by applying a range of theoretical frameworks. You will also discuss ethical dilemmas that may arise during interpreting assignments.
Maintain skills and systems for interpreting tasksYou will understand the importance of maintaining interpreting and language skills as a professional interpreter and you will critically evaluate a range of systems to help you maintain your professional skills. As most sign language interpreters and translators are self-employed/freelance, you will learn about the requirements and demands of working as a freelance interpreter/translator, including practical business administration skills, the importance of maintaining good relationships with clients and how to find and charge appropriately for interpreting work.
Prepare for interpreting assignmentsYou will learn about the importance of preparing for interpreting assignments, applying key theories in interpreting and translation studies to plan and prepare appropriately for assignments. You will be able to assess your own ability to undertake, and accept, interpreting assignments, as well as plan and prepare for assignments as part of a team of interpreters. You will learn about the importance of maintaining a glossary for domains you regularly work in. You will critically evaluate and apply a range of preparation strategies and you will produce evidence of preparing for 4 assignments.
Plan and implement continuous professional development You will work with your professional supervisor to plan your development points over the course of your studies. You will create, maintain and update a Professional Development Plan throughout your studies. Your plan will be informed by trends, developments and good practice in the sign language interpreting/translation profession as well as your own evaluation of your gaps in knowledge, skills and competence. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor to review your PDP (required to maintain your TSLI registration).
Consecutive and simultaneous interpretingThis is a practical module where you will practise interpreting between English and BSL. You will be encouraged to critically analyse your own interpreting by applying relevant theories in interpreting and translation studies. You will be introduced to consecutive and simultaneous interpreting and you will be taught interpreting techniques, including note-taking skills. You will practice both one-way and two-way interpreting between English and BSL. This module will also introduce you to some of the main domains that interpreters work in.
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 10x 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:
ModuleTopics covered
Professional interpretingThis module will focus on the practical skills required for one-way and two-way consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. It will introduce you to the cognitive processes and stages of the interpreting process as well as key skills used in the field, including note taking. You are expected to practise regularly by working as a trainee interpreter and you will also receive regular formative feedback throughout the course.
Work as part of a team of professional interpretersThis module will give you the knowledge and skills to work effectively as part of a team of interpreters. It will equip you with a range of co-working techniques, such as feeding, checking and monitoring skills, as well as strategies to work with other professionals (i.e. relay interpreters and English>BSL translators). You will consider a wide range of co-working techniques in various situations and domains, using key principles and ethical models to justify your decisions.
Remote interpretingYou will learn about the emerging field of Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) and engage critically with current debates about VRI in the sign language interpreting field. You will learn how to prepare and perform VRI assignments, including how to set up, check and monitor equipment effectively and how to manage the specific demands relating to this mode of delivery. You will also be introduced to subtitling and audiovisual translation.
Sight translationYou will learn about the situations when you might be required to produce sight translations of written and signed texts. You will consider the appropriateness and feasibility of the sight translation task. You will be able to apply a wide range of interpreting and translation theories and principles to justify your translation approach and ethical decisions.
Evaluate performance as a professional interpreterYou will use a wide range of theoretical frameworks, ethical frameworks and key principles in interpreting and translation studies to critically evaluate your own interpreting performance. You will be able to justify and analyse the interpreting approach, as well as evaluate the consequences of ethical decisions made.

Assessments

There are a total of 17 assessments spread across the two years. There are 5 assessments in Year 1 and 12 assessments in Year 2. All assessments in year 1 involve written coursework. In year 2, there are a total of 6x internal assessments of one-way and two-way interpreting, 4x external assessments of one-way and two-way interpreting and 2x sight translations (externally assessed). This means students are required to produce 6x evidence of real interpreting assignments in the community (some of these assessments will be conducted in the classroom).
Year 1 Assessments
Year 2 Assessments
No.AssessmentMethod
13,000 word essayWritten essay - externally assessed
2Business plan (detailing systems and processes in place to do business)Coursework - internally assessed
3Glossary Coursework - internally assessed
44x evidence of preparing for interpreting assignments, including evidence of preparing for co-working assignments, 1-way interpreting, 2-way interpreting and sight translation.Coursework - internally assessed
5Professional Development Plan and reflective journalsCoursework - internally assessed
No.AssessmentMethod
1One-way consecutive interpreting BSL>EnglishLive observation or filmed clip - internally assessed
2One-way consecutive interpreting English>BSLLive observation or filmed clip - internally assessed
3One-way simultaneous interpreting BSL>English and critical analysis Live observation or filmed clip - internally assessed
4One-way simultaneous interpreting English>BSL and critical analysisLive observation or filmed clip - internally assessed
5Two-way face-to-face interpreting and critical analysisLive observation or filmed clip - internally assessed
6Two-way remote interpreting and critical analysisLive observation or filmed clip - internally assessed
7One-way simultaneous interpreting BSL>EnglishFilmed clip - externally assessed
8One-way simultaneous interpreting English>BSLFilmed clip - externally assessed
9Two-way face-to-face interpretingFilmed clip - externally assessed
10Two-way remote interpretingFilmed clip - externally assessed
11Sight translation English>BSLFilmed clip - externally assessed
12Immediate translation BSL>EnglishWritten product - externally assessed

Entry Requirements

We receive a high number of applications for a limited number of places for this course. Our average acceptance rate is 40%. We operate on a selective basis.

The first stage is the application stage where we look at your previous qualifications, experience and BSL skills. If you pass the application stage, you will be invited to attend an online interview with the course leaders.

Application Stage

The application stage allows us to check you meet the minimum academic requirements for the course. There is no fee for submitting an application.

You will be required to send us:

1) Up-to-date CV detailing your previous professional experiences and academic qualifications (in particular any university degrees).

2) BSL video, maximum 4 minutes, talking about your reasons for wanting to become a BSL interpreter. 

We will inform you by email if we have selected your application for interview.

Interview Stage

If we decide to select your application for an interview, you will be sent a link to book an interview. The interview costs £75 and is non-refundable even in the event that you are not offered a place on the course.

The interview will take place via Zoom and lasts for around 30 minutes. It will consist of two parts:

A) Two-way interpreting simulation (10-15 minutes).

B) General questions about your ambitions for wanting to become a BSL interpreter and your expectations from the course. You can also take this opportunity to ask any questions you have about the course.

After the interview, we will contact you by email within 3-4 working days to inform you whether or not you have been successful in securing a place on the course.

Progression

After you have completed the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation course, you can register with the NRCPD as a Registered Sign Language Interpreter and start working as a qualified sign language interpreter.

You will also be eligible for full membership of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (MASLI) and Visual Language Professionals (MVLP).

Careers

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/English interpreter:

National Union of British Sign Language Interpreters (NUBSLI)

Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI)

Visual Language Professionals (VLP)

Dates and times

Applications for the 2025/26 academic year are now open.

Deadline for applications: 30 June 2025

Applicants will be informed if their application has been selected by 11 July 2025

Interviews will take place on 1 & 2 August 2025.

Course dates

Year 1 (2025/26 Academic Year)

  • 6 & 7 September 2025
  • 11 & 12 October 2025
  • 1 & 2 November 2025
  • 13 & 14 December 2025
  • 10 & 11 January 2026
  • 7 & 8 February 2026
  • 7 & 8 March 2026
  • 11 & 12 April 2026
  • 9 & 10 May 2026
  • 13 & 14 June 2026

Year 2 (2026/27 Academic Year)

  • 12 & 13 September 2026
  • 10 & 11 October 2026
  • 7 & 8 November 2026
  • 12 & 13 December 2026
  • 9 & 10 January 2027
  • February study leave
  • March study leave
  • 10 & 11 April 2027
  • 8 & 9 May 2027
  • 12 & 13 June 2027

Applications for the 2026/27 academic year are not yet open. Applications will open in April/May 2026.

Provisional Course Dates

Year 1 (2026/27 Academic Year)

  • 12 & 13 September 2026
  • 10 & 11 October 2026
  • 7 & 8 November 2026
  • 12 & 13 December 2026
  • 9 & 10 January 2027
  • 13 & 14 February 2027
  • 13 & 14 March 2027
  • 10 & 11 April 2027
  • 8 & 9 May 2027
  • 12 & 13 June 2027

Year 2 (2027/28 Academic Year)

  • 11 & 12 September 2027
  • 9 & 10 October 2027
  • 13 & 14 November 2027
  • 11 & 12 December 2027
  • 8 & 9 January 2028
  • February study leave
  • March study leave
  • 8 & 9 April 2028
  • 13 & 14 May 2028
  • 10 & 11 June 2028

 

Fees

For individuals paying privately

Year 1: £3,650
Year 2: £3,650

Valid for courses starting in 2025/26 academic year. Fee quoted above includes exam fees.

Option 1 – Pay in full
£75 interview fee payable when booking the interview
£365 deposit payable when accepting place
£3,285 payable within 21 days after the course starts

Refund policy:
£3,285 refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.

Option 2 – Pay in instalments
£75 interview fee payable when booking the interview
£365 deposit payable when accepting place
£365 per month x 9 months

Refund policy:
£365 initial deposit non-refundable. Remaining payments refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.

For employers and organisations

We do not absorb the VAT for VAT-registered companies. We will raise an invoice for the full course and exam fee. We do not offer employers the option to pay in instalments.

Full course fee: £3,650 + VAT = £4,380 per year

There is no VAT on the exam fee.

PO number and employer financial details required at the time of application.

Refund policy:
£3,285 refundable up to 21 days after the course starts. No refund after 21 days.


Contact Form
BSL First LTD | Company number: 12860304 | VAT number: 379905441

Designed & Development by WP Ability

chevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram