British Sign Language Courses

Welcome to BSL First

We are an independent specialist provider of sign language interpreting, translation and training services. We have the finest teachers and trainers the industry has to offer. Our BSL courses are online, which means they are accessible to you wherever you are in the UK.

Why Learn BSL?

Communicate with deaf people, contributing to a society where deaf people are included.
An opportunity for a career change as a British sign language interpreter.
Stand out from the crowd by having another language on your CV.
Join a community and embrace a new culture.

What’s a typical BSL class like?

BSL First offers beginner, intermediate and advanced British sign language courses:

Level 1 BSL (online)

Upcoming courses:
• Thursdays 13:00-15:00 starting 8 May 2025 (BSL1-May25)
• Tuesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 9 September 2025 (BSL1-Sep25-Tu)
• Thursdays 18:30-20:30 starting 11 September 2025 (BSL1-Sep25-Th)
• Mondays 18:30-20:30 starting 6 October 2025 (BSL1-Oct25)
• Wednesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 5 November 2025 (BSL1-Nov25)
• Tuesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 6 January 2026 (BSL1-Jan26-Tu)
• Thursdays 18:30-20:30 starting 8 January 2026 (BSL1-Jan26-Th)
• Mondays 18:30-20:30 starting 2 February 2026 (BSL1-Feb26)
• Wednesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 4 March 2026 (BSL1-Mar26)
• Tuesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 14 April 2026 (BSL1-Apr26-Tu)
• Thursdays 18:30-20:30 starting 16 April 2026 (BSL1-Apr26-Th)
• Mondays 18:30-20:30 starting 1 June 2026 (BSL1-Jun26)
• Wednesdays 18:30-20:30 starting 1 July 2026 (BSL1-Jul26)

25 weeks

2 hours/week

Online course

£380 (inc. VAT)

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Level 2 BSL (online)

Upcoming courses:
• Wednesdays 18:00-21:00 starting 17 September 2025 (BSL2-Sep25)
• Thursdays 18:00:21:00 starting 2 October 2025 (BSL2-Oct25)
• Mondays 18:00-21:00 starting 5 January 2026 (BSL2-Jan26)
• Tuesdays 18:00-21:00 starting 14 April 2026 (BSL2-Apr26)

25 weeks

3 hours/week

Online course

£500 (inc. VAT)

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Level 3 BSL (online)

Upcoming courses:
• Mondays 18:00-21:00 starting 15 September 2025 (BSL3-Sep25)
• Tuesdays 18:00-21:00 starting 6 January 2026 (BSL3-Jan26)
• Wednesdays 18:00-21:00 starting 15 April 2026 (BSL3-Apr26)

30 weeks

3 hours/week

Online course

£810 (inc. VAT)

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Level 4 BSL (online)

Upcoming courses:
• Mondays 18:00-21:00 starting 1 September 2025 (BSL4-Sep25)
• Wednesdays 18:00-21:00 starting Wednesdays 15 April 2026 (BSL4-Apr26)

30 weeks

3 hours/week

Online course

£900 (inc. VAT)

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Level 6 BSL (online)

Upcoming courses:
• Wednesdays 18:00-21:00 starting 25 June 2025 (BSL6-Jun25)
• Tuesdays 18:00-21:00 starting 16 September 2025 (BSL6-Sep25-Tu)
• Thursdays 18:00-21:00 starting 4 September 2025 (BSL6-Sep25-Th)
• Mondays 13:00-16:00 starting 5 January 2026 (BSL6-Jan26)
• Thursdays 13:00-16:00 starting 5 February 2026 (BSL6-Feb26)

30 weeks

3 hours/week

Online course

£1,800 (inc. VAT)

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Reviews

Kerri

"Being with BSLFirst has probably been THE Best learning experience I've had. I've met many wonderful people, there has been so much support and never been more comfortable in a learning environment, either classroom based or online (blended). Would do it all over again!"

Sophie

"I am really enjoying my course with BSL First, Akbar and his team have a wealth of knowledge and I really trust that I’m in good hands. The teaching is varied and there are always opportunities to feedback on any area of the course as well."

Natasha

"I am extremely pleased I chose BSL First as a course provider. The quality of the training is first class. The tutors are friendly, approachable, supportive and, most importantly, experts in their field. I would highly recommend BSL First as a course provider."

Emma

"I cannot recommend this course enough. I have felt completely at ease throughout all the teaching time, and when I had doubts in my own abilities and motivation, Akbar was there at the end of an email, and helped me work through it. The teachers have a real wealth of experience, and are incredibly knowledgeable - I defy anyone to spend time on this course and not be inspired to take themselves as far as they can go on their journey into BSL."

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. Payment in monthly instalments is standard for all of our courses. Depending on your course, you can spread the course fees across 3-12 monthly instalments, which we will collect via Direct Debit. The first instalment payments tend to be larger sums, followed by a number of smaller payments.

2. When do the courses start and finish?

We run courses throughout the year and we advertise start and end dates for upcoming courses on the individual course pages of our website. If your selected course is full or not running, we will put you on a waiting list and contact you when the course is running.

3. Are there any exams?

All of our courses are accredited by Signature, so you are required to sit an exam in order to receive the qualification. There are no written exams for the BSL courses. There is significant written coursework and exams for all professional interpreting, translation and communication support courses. You can opt out of the BSL exams if you just wish to learn for fun, but you will not receive a qualification upon completion.

4. What qualification will I receive?

You will receive a qualification accredited by Signature, the leading awarding body for BSL, Deaf-blind and Communication Support qualifications in the UK. Signature qualifications are recognised by a wide range of employers and training providers.

5. What is included in the course fee?

The course fee includes the cost of training room hire, tuition fees, assessment fees and the Signature exam fees. We also offer a range of additional benefits for our students - you can find the current offers on our website: wordpress-569144-1909257.cloudwaysapps.com

6. What is the refund policy?

The deposit is always non-refundable. You are entitled to a full refund of the course fees (minus the deposit) if you withdraw within 14 days of starting the course. After 14 days, you will not be entitled to a refund unless you qualify for extenuating circumstances as set out in our Extenuating Circumstances Policy. You must agree to our Refund Policy when booking your place on the course.