Level 1 Award in BSL

level 1 award in bsl

The Level 1 Award in BSL (British Sign Language), otherwise known as BSL level 1, is an Ofqual-regulated qualification administered by Signature. Most registered providers are Deaf tutors who offer online and classroom courses to suit students’ needs. BSL Level 1 is one of many deaf communication qualifications. The qualification gives you the confidence and skills to communicate with deaf people in social settings and at work.

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bsl class

What happens at the first session with your BSL tutor?

Booking on to a tutor-led level 1 course can be an exciting experience. Like most students, you’ll be nervous meeting your tutor and other students for the first time. Most students wonder “how will we communicate in the first session?”, “will the tutor understand me?” and “will I understand the tutor?”

Tutors expect learners to be nervous. Most will write instructions on the board or use a PowerPoint presentation to explain what will be covered in your first session.

Most tutors start their BSL course with fingerspelling. You’ll learn to spell your name and other students names. You’ll soon realise that fingerspelling can be a lifeline when you forget a sign!

What does BSL Level 1 cover?

The Level 1 Award in BSL course is usually split into 3 modules:  

  • Module 101 focuses on greetings and is a gentle introduction to BSL
  • Module 102 focuses on widening your vocabulary so you can use BSL in conversations
  • Module 103 aims to improve your fluency to communicate in BSL about daily life.

The modules help you gain the basic skills and confidence to sign and understand others’ signing.

Module 1:

Did you know? Signature provide different BSL 101 modules for frontline staff, young people and healthcare

Module 2:

Module 3:

*You can test your understanding with videos on our YouTube channel

Accredited or Regulated?

To achieve BSL Level 1 (the official title is ‘Level 1 Award in BSL’), your course must be regulated by Ofqual. You must complete the recommended 60+ tutor-guided hours plus 20+ hours of personal study.  It doesn’t matter if your course is online or face-to-face in a classroom; the key takeaway is that you need to complete tutor-guided hours.

However, nothing stops you from completing an online course and contacting a centre to complete your assessments. But be aware if you have just relied on video content, you will be missing the conversation skills to prove you can use BSL competently.

bsl student learning bsl online

BSL Level 1 Courses near me:

Here is a list of bona fide British Sign Language course providers that offer the Level 1 Award in BSL. When searching for the best BSL courses near you, it’s important to consider various factors such as:

  • The reputation of the course providers,
  • The qualifications of the instructors,
  • The flexibility of the course schedules,
  • And the available learning materials.

Questions to ask yourself include: Is the tutor profoundly deaf? Has the tutor got a teaching qualification?

We have checked all the providers listed below. Please note some providers offer the Signature BSL Level 1 as a live online course instead of a classroom course:

  • BID Services, Birmingham are all classroom courses
  • B.S.L Training classroom courses in Chatham or Maidstone. An online course (via Zoom) is also offered.
  • City Lit, London runs classroom courses
  • Deaf Action provides a classroom course, in Edinburgh. An online course (via Zoom) is also offered.
  • Deaf Active provides a classroom course, in Liverpool
  • Hi Kent provides classroom courses
  • Me Sign provides a classroom course, Stockton-on Tees
  • Remark provides a classroom course, in London
  • Sh BSL provides a classroom course in Norwich. Online courses are also offered.
  • Sign2Go offers BSL Level 1 or face-to-face
  • Simply Signed this is classroom courses, Harlow. Online courses (via Zoom) are also offered.

Tutor’s Note: Some course providers in larger cities offer free BSL courses (taster sessions).

How much does BSL Level 1 cost?

Ofqual-regulated courses cost between £300 – £600. The cost covers several items. Signature charges a fee for each assessment. There are three assessments for BSL Level 1. The rest of the costs cover teaching time, classroom hire, and resources. If a course provider offers a BSL course for a silly price of £12, avoid it! The ‘course’ will be low quality, and you’ll find the same content for free on YouTube.

Is BSL easy to learn?

Yes, BSL is easy to learn when someone provides the proper guidance from the start. British Sign Language has a grammatical structure and vocabulary like any other language. How you learn sign language and who you learn from can make learning BSL easy.

What makes BSL hard to Learn?

We usually learn languages based on sound. BSL differs because it is a visual language, without relying on sound. Lots of people find this difficult to understand.

BSL is a three-dimensional language, which means you need to understand how to use hand gestures, facial expressions, and a different grammatical structure (than English) to convey meaning. This can make it challenging to learn by yourself from an app, book or YouTube clips. This is why it’s important to learn in a structured way with a qualified professional.

Secondly, BSL is a visual language. It helps if you immerse yourself in it as much as possible. Attend BSL classes or events and meet deaf people. By keeping these things in mind, you can become a proficient BSL user.

The Level 1 award in BSL serves as a stepping stone for complete beginners. Even if you don’t want a qualification, a regulated course will help you. It will improve your communication with native Sign Language users.

How long does it take to learn BSL?

Classroom-based BSL courses can run for up to 32 weeks. They usually follow the academic calendar, so start in September and finish the following May or June. This is particularly useful for parents as sessions don’t normally run during school holidays.

Online courses, with live weekly sessions, will be shorter. So, you could complete a regulated BSL course and gain your Level 1 Award in BSL in less than 6 months. All regulated language courses teach you signs used as part of everyday language.

A few course providers run a BSL level 1 ‘intensive course’ where you learn for 4 – 5 hours per day over a couple of weeks. While this might seem like a great idea, it has a downside. You may forget signs from the Level 1 curriculum (there are a lot of signs to learn on Level 1). You need to give yourself time to develop your muscle memory. This is what helps you sign competently.

Many non-regulated course providers prey on new learners who think learning BSL is easy. They encourage you to pay for courses with the option to buy a certificate at the end. It’s easy to learn how to fingerspell or sign your name. But, to sign well, students pass the four levels of competency to be competent at signing, even at a basic level.

What can I do with BSL Level 1?

Achieving a Level 1 award in BSL qualification is equal to a pass at GCSE. Under the new GCSE grading system, that means achieving a grade of 4 or above. Level 1 is a gateway qualification. it lets you pursue higher qualifications for roles like:

  • A Communication Support Worker (usually BSL Level 3)
  • A Teacher for the Deaf (usually Level 3), or
  • A BSL/English Interpreter (Level 6).

You need formal qualifications to work with deaf children or in the Deaf community.

If you are not ready to commit to a lengthy course, try an introductory BSL Basics course instead! Plenty of online providers teach content in bite-size, manageable chunks. Alternatively, you can check out our study guides and tips.

Is there a GCSE in BSL?

A GCSE in BSL will start in 2025. The UK government has agreed on the subject content for the new BSL GCSE, which is unlikely to affect BSL Level 1 or 2. The GCSE is for secondary students to learn BSL as a language option and will cover topics from both BSL levels.

Before you go:

Want to learn basic greetings or how to say your name? Click on the links below to find resources to get you started on your BSL journey: