BSL Level 4

This is for you if you have completed and passed the full Signature BSL Level 3 Award (Units 301, 302 and 303) and you are at least 19 years old. 

Key information

Courses starting in October 2026

• Course: Wednesdays 6.00pm - 9.00pm (plus 6 intensive Saturdays*)
• Delivery: On-campus (face-to-face)
• Timeline: Starts 14 October 2026 - ends 14 July 2027. The course will take place over 36 weeks (see schedule below).
  • Term 1: 11 weeks: from October until December 2026 (+ 3 Saturdays*)
  • Term 2: 11 weeks: from January until March 2027 (+ 3 Saturdays*)
  • Term 3: 14 weeks: from April until July 2027
• Length: 36 weeks: 36 3-hour lessons, plus 6 6-hour intensive lessons on 6 Saturdays
• Online tutorials: Learners will have access to up to three hours of one-to-one online tutorials, scheduled with the tutor as required.
• Fees: Full course £1,470 (it includes the 3 Signature exam fees and external examiner fees). This is payable in full or in three instalments of £490 as outlined:
  • Payment 1 on enrolment
  • Payment 2 by 8 January 2027
  • Payment 3 by 9 April 2027
• Exam fees: All exam fees are included in the course's fee (Signature Level 4 Unit 401 £54, Unit 402 £54 and Unit 403 £80).

The Signature BSL Level 4 Certificate is designed for advanced BSL users who wish to develop their communication skills and cultural understanding to a professional standard.

The course is taught by an experienced Deaf tutor, supported by visiting specialist tutors who deliver the Topic Sessions. Teaching takes place in small groups of up to 12 learners, ensuring a supportive and interactive learning environment. A minimum of 9 learners is required for a group to run. The course fee includes all tuition, learning materials, assessments and examination fees. By enrolling on the course, you are committing to the full 36-week programme.

Course Structure

The programme consists of approximately 300 learning hours, including:

• 180 guided learning hours scheduled to be delivered to the group* through::
  • Evening classes
  • Lectures and themed sessions
  • Tutorials and portfolio-building sessions
  • Formative and formal assessments
  • Six externally led Saturday topic sessions
  • Up to three hours of individual online tutorials**
• At least 120 hours of independent study outside the classroom.

*The BSL Level 4 course entails more independent learning than previous levels. Therefore, the number of guided learning hours may vary from learner to learner according to individual needs. 
**Individual tutorials are arranged with the tutor to support learners' personal learning needs.

Entry requirements

To join the course, you must:

• Be at least 19 years old
• Hold the full Signature BSL Level 3 Award (Units 301, 302 and 303)

As part of the application process, you will need to:

1. Complete the Expression of Interest Form.
2. Submit a five-minute video in BSL covering:

• Your full name
• Where you studied BSL Level 3
• Who your tutor(s) were
• When you achieved the qualification
• Why you would like to study BSL Level 4
• Who you might involve in your portfolio evidence
• Resources you use to develop your BSL skills
• Your personal interests

Registration

Once your Expression of Interest Form and video have been reviewed, the course tutor, Sally Petch, will contact you to confirm whether you can proceed with registration.

We are committed to making this course as accessible as possible. If paying the course fee upfront would cause financial difficulty, please get in touch with us. We may be able to discuss a flexible payment plan, including monthly instalments. Please note that University regulations require the full course fee to be paid by the end of the course.

Enrol now

Qualification aim

The Signature BSL Level 4 Certificate is designed for learners who have completed BSL Level 3 and wish to develop their signing skills to an advanced level. The qualification focuses on achieving confident, fluent and accurate communication in a wide range of professional, educational and social settings.

Learners will develop a deeper understanding of the structure and use of British Sign Language, while also enhancing their knowledge of Deaf culture and the Deaf community. The course is particularly suitable for those who work with, or aspire to work with, Deaf people, including professionals in education, health, social care, community services and voluntary organisations.

By the end of the course, learners will be able to engage in extended conversations, communicate with greater fluency and accuracy, and understand sustained signed communication on a variety of topics.

The qualification is recognised at Level 4 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and is broadly comparable to B2/C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

Course content and assessment

The Signature Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language comprises six topics. Assessment consists of a Portfolio, three formative assessments and three externally assessed examination units, each of which can be achieved separately. To gain the full Level 4 Certificate, learners must successfully complete the Portfolio, undertake all formative assessments and achieve all three examination units.

In addition to the three formal examinations outlined below, learners are required to complete a coursework file, known as the Portfolio, which includes three formative assessments. These assessments involve informal discussions with native BSL users within the Deaf community and are assessed by the tutor. The Portfolio is subject to external moderation by Signature. Please refer to the Teacher and Student Support Pack for further information about the Portfolio and coursework requirements.

*Exams will take place during the third term (April to July 2027), upon completion of the Portfolio.
**Fees are transferred in its totality to the awarding body (Signature's fees booklet 2026/27).

Requests for Exam Accommodations

Students who require special accommodations for Signature examinations should contact both their tutor and the Languages at Leicester (L@L) team at [email protected] as early as possible.

The request should include details of the accommodations required and any supporting evidence, such as a medical or professional report, explaining the student's needs.

Please note that any exam accommodations must be approved by the awarding body, Signature, before they can be put in place.

Course schedule

The schedule for academic year 2026/27 is displayed below. Please notice that some of these dates could be subject to change.

• Timetable Wednesdays: Lessons take place from 6.00pm to 9.00pm (there will be two small breaks through the lesson).
• Timetable Saturdays: Lessons take place from 9.00am to 4.00pm (there will be break throughout the lesson to rest and have lunch).

Schedule (36 weeks)

Please note that the schedule below may be subject to change as the course progresses. Tutors will discuss and agree on any changes with students in advance.

The programme includes 24 hours of lectures, 36 hours of themed sessions, 84 hours of tutorials, portfolio-building and assessment sessions, and 36 hours of online tuition. Learners are expected to book 3 hours of individual tutorials.