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sign language interpreter?

I haven't started any BSL courses yet.
I would like to be a sign language interpreter but I'm unsure as to what qualifications I will need as everywhere online seems to have a different answer. Some places say I need a bachelors in English.. others don't even mention an English qualification.

Does a level 6 certificate in BSL include interpreting, or is interpreting a separate degree?
What level in English is required?

If anyone here is an interpreter, or studying to be one and would be willing to offer some insight as to what is needed- it would be much appreciated. Thank you!
sorry if this is the wrong area to post this, new to the site.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 1

National Careers Service

Original post by gmrtn

I'm currently in year 10 and haven't started any BSL courses yet.
I would like to be a sign language interpreter but I'm unsure as to what qualifications I will need as everywhere online seems to have a different answer. Some places say I need a bachelors in English.. others don't even mention an English qualification.

Does a level 6 certificate in BSL include interpreting, or is interpreting a separate degree?
What level in English is required?

If anyone here is an interpreter, or studying to be one and would be willing to offer some insight as to what is needed- it would be much appreciated. Thank you!
sorry if this is the wrong area to post this, new to the site.

Hi there,

Hoping I can give you some straightforward information here on your career path.

Essentially, you'll need a degree or level 6 award in both British Sign Language and interpreting. You can get the two (BSL and interpreting) combined into one qualification but it does need to include both for you to work as a BSL interpreter.

If you do a degree in a language subject you can then go on and do postgraduate or master’s degree in interpreting and translation which is level 7.

There are also level 5 and 6 degrees in British Sign Language that you can take - https://digital.ucas.com/search/results?SearchText=British%20sign%20language&filters=Destination_Undergraduate

I hope that helps, for further information you can use our job profile - https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/british-sign-language-interpreter

If you have further questions we are always here to help.

Thanks - Sophie.

Reply 2

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by gmrtn

............

You need to crack on and do Level 1 - which takes about 30 weeks and is just straight 2 hour evening classes each week. Try Signature and see if they are running any courses in your area.

Then you really need to do Level 2, if you absolutely ace Level 1 and perhaps have a deaf person you can regularly sign with, you might just be able to go straight to Level 3, but it's unusual. Level 2 builds the foundations of grammar and more technical signs.

Level 3 is a longer course - you need to do a substantial amount of practice at a certain level in addition to the classroom elements. I'm not sure of the exact figures, but it's something like 300 hours of additional practice with at least one other person who is at least L3. Level 3 takes about a year to do (it also gives you UCAS points!).

Then you can skip Level 4 and 5 and go straight to 6. Level 6 is degree level, and most often taught as part of a degree course, alongside Deaf/deaf studies. I think at this point you can decide whether to specialise in interpreting or translating. There are very few non-degree L6 options.

Check out the Signature website, it's one of the largest training/qualification providers.

https://www.signature.org.uk/british-sign-language?_ga=2.183868518.1976750663.1562599540-926983709.1562599540

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