British Sign Language (Interpreting, Translating and Applied Language Studies) - MA (Hons)

Heriot-Watt University

This degree is designed to lead you from a beginners level of British Sign Language (BSL), to achieving professional competence in signed interactions. The degree focuses on practical and applied language skills, interpreting and translating skills, communication studies, linguistics, translation and interpreting studies, and Deaf studies. You will learn from a series of intensive courses which will provide you with the necessary cultural, social, political, and linguistic knowledge which will form your ability to become reflective practitioners and will prepare you for postgraduate study. By the end of this degree, you will be trained to a high professional standard to work in applied settings with BSL. In your third year, you’ll be placed full-time with signing organisations in the UK or at one of our international partner universities. This will allow you to develop your linguistic skills, and you’ll be able to understand complex language in a wide range of social and work situations. In your final year, you’ll have additional opportunities to work closely with professional interpreters in real-life situations on placement, gaining vital work-place experience. After you have graduated and successfully completed all specified components of the programme, you are able to register as full members of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters with NRCPD – the national registration body in the UK for sign language interpreting, and with SASLI, the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters. You’ll benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation. Upon completion, you’ll be equipped with a variety of skills that are appropriate for you to embark on professional level employment in a wide range of careers.

Languages and Intercultural Studies