British Sign Language (Interpreting)

This long established and highly respected course with a team of Deaf and hearing staff from diverse backgrounds . It is one of the few courses of its kind in British Sign Language (Interpreting) in the UK. The award offers the potential to lead to RSLI or Trainee interpreter status recognised by the professional registration body - the NRCPD (see website). An opportunity for practical application of learning through a well-established work placement component in the final year. To date, upon graduation, students have found a high level of employability success. An opportunity to explore deaf blindness as part of your studies. The lecturing team have a variety of national and international expertise in teaching and professional qualifications and have experience working for a diverse range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Access to technology support for filming of 'live assessment' - use of filming studio, editing suite, as well as other situated learning environments. The team believes in interactive learning and encourages full participation from all our students: external examiners have consistently highlighted our innovative learning, teaching and assessments regimes as a major strength.

Within the context of the University’s mission statement and its commitment to widening participation and equal opportunities, responsiveness to local, regional and national needs, curriculum innovation and continuing quality enhancement, the programme aims to: 1. Apply conceptual, theoretical and vocational knowledge of BSL to the study of Deaf people and their language. 2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Deaf issues within a wider context. 3. Develop interpersonal skills in a bilingual environment and gain/demonstrate an awareness of the impact of the interpreter upon the communities they serve. 4. Evidence knowledge of interpreting ethics and protocol in a number of interpreting settings. 5. Graduate individuals to work cohesively in an interpreting environment in accordance with the national interpreting registration standards (NIRS)/National Occupational Standards for interpreting (NOSI). 6. Sustain and foster the enjoyment of lifelong learning within the professional development of individual interpreters.