Key information
The MA (Hons) British Sign Language and Applied Language Studies programme will prepare you to become a professional working with deaf communities who use British Sign Language.
- UCAS code
- Q1AL
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Delivery type
- Full Time
- Degree qualification
- MA
- Mode of delivery
- On-Campus
- Duration
- 4 years
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Start date
- September
The MA (Hons) British Sign Language and Applied Language Studies programme will prepare you to become a professional working with deaf communities who use British Sign Language.
This degree is designed to lead you from a beginner's level of British Sign Language (BSL) to achieving professional competence in signed interactions. You will learn from a series of intensive courses which will provide you with the necessary cultural, social, political, and linguistic knowledge which will serve as a foundation for various careers, including roles in education, advocacy, counselling, research, and working with deaf individuals in different community settings. It also provides a solid base for those interested in pursuing further studies in areas like deaf education, sign language interpreting, or related fields.
Undergraduate webinar series
Sign up to our undergraduate webinar series to find out more about this programme and what your studies at Heriot-Watt might look like.
Sign up for updatesYour student experience
Our MA British Sign Language and Applied Languages degree is taught by experienced, leading academics who, in many cases, have published the research which shapes their disciplines and written the books which will guide your learning. In addition to British Sign Language, our academic staff are proficient in Auslan, Albanian Sign Language, American Sign Language, Danish Sign Language, Flemish Sign Language, and Indian Sign Language. This diverse language proficiency contributes to an enriching learning atmosphere, allowing our staff to draw upon local, national, and international experiences. This ensures that you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of various sign languages and cultural nuances, preparing you for future success in a globalised world.
Go Global
There are currently no Go Global opportunities for this particular programme. However, other Go Global opportunities may be available. Please contact studywithus@hw.ac.uk for more information.
Course content
September Intake - Edinburgh
Mandatory September
- BSL Intensive Beginners 1
- Introduction to Language and Intercultural Studies
Mandatory January
- BSL Intensive Beginners 2
- Introduction to Deaf History and Culture
Fees and funding
| Status | Fee |
|---|---|
| Scotland | Paid by SAAS |
| England / Wales / N Ireland / Rep of Ireland | £9,535 |
| International | £19,456 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
Scholarships and bursaries
Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales
In addition to government loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible undergraduate students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:
- Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
Entry requirements
We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.
- Highers: AABB
- A-Level: BBC
- BTEC: DMM
- IB Diploma: 30 points
- HNC: Pass with B in Graded Unit
- HND: Pass with BB in Graded Units
- SWAP: BBB
- Please check that you meet our University-wide National 5/GCSE (or equivalent) English and Maths requirements.
Why Heriot-Watt
We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.
We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.
Student life
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