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SEP Courses › Languages › British Sign Language
QH British Sign Language Programme · ONLINE · 3 LEVELS

Learn British
Sign Language

The Qualifications House (QH) British Sign Language programme is a fully online, self-study course in three levels that takes you from your first sign to confident conversation with Deaf people. Each level is 60 hours of video lessons and practice on SEP, ending in a formal assessment and a QH certificate.

Level 1A1
Foundations · 60 hours
Level 2A2
Everyday conversation · 60 hours
Level 3B1
Fluent communication · 60 hours
180total learning hours across 3 levels
£60per level, assessment and QH certificate included
A1→B1indicative CEFR range, Level 1 to Level 3
16+minimum age; no prior experience for Level 1
BSL uses a two-handed fingerspelling alphabet, unlike American Sign Language, which uses one hand. You learn it in your first two weeks.
Programme Overview

A complete pathway into BSL and the Deaf community

British Sign Language is the first or preferred language of around 87,000 Deaf people in the UK and is used by many more hearing family members, colleagues and professionals. It was recognised as a language of Great Britain in law by the British Sign Language Act 2022.

BSL is a full visual language with its own grammar. Meaning is carried by handshape, movement, location, facial expression and the space around the signer. The programme teaches the language the way Deaf people use it, alongside Deaf awareness and culture, so you learn how to communicate respectfully as well as correctly.

The programme is 100% online and self-paced. You study through video lessons signed by fluent BSL users, interactive activities and practice tasks on the Sagson Education Portal (SEP), and you can start at any time.

The three levels build on each other. Level 1 gives you the foundations for simple exchanges. Level 2 develops everyday conversation about routines, places and people. Level 3 takes you to independent, extended communication on a wide range of topics, and prepares you for further study in BSL or interpreting.

How Each 60-Hour Level Is Spent
36 h video lessons18 h practice and self-check tasks6 h assessment & review
Who it's forFamily and friends of Deaf people, teachers and teaching assistants, health and care staff, customer-facing staff, and anyone who wants to learn a new language.
DeliveryFully online self-study on the Sagson Education Portal (SEP): video lessons, interactive activities, practice tasks and self-check quizzes. No live classes to attend.
PaceStudy when it suits you. At about 5 hours a week, a level takes around 12 weeks.
Start dateStart any time. Access opens as soon as your registration is confirmed.
AssessmentEvery level is fully assessed: online receptive tests plus video recordings of your own signing, submitted through SEP and marked by qualified BSL assessors.
EquipmentA computer, tablet or phone with a camera and a stable internet connection. You record your signing for practice and assessment, so your hands, face and upper body need to be in frame.
CertificateA Qualifications House (QH) certificate for each level you pass.
Content of Each Level

Three levels, 60 hours each

Each level is made up of four units and a final assessment. Hours shown are the suggested self-study hours for each unit, including video lessons and practice tasks.

L1

Level 1 · Foundations
Start signing from day one. Learn fingerspelling, numbers and the vocabulary to introduce yourself and hold short, simple conversations about familiar topics. 60 hours • CEFR A1 • No entry requirement
UnitTitle and ContentHours
BSL1-01Deaf awareness and getting started
Visual communication, eye contact and getting attention; the Deaf community and Deaf culture; BSL as a language; the BSL Act 2022; communication tactics with Deaf people.		8
BSL1-02Fingerspelling and numbers
The two-handed alphabet; spelling names and places; numbers 1–100, age, money, prices, telling the time and dates.		14
BSL1-03Me, my family and everyday life
Greetings and introductions; family members; home and where you live; days, months and seasons; weather; colours; hobbies and interests.		20
BSL1-04Simple conversations
Asking and answering questions (what, where, who, when, how, why); facial expression as grammar; likes and dislikes; food and drink; basic polite phrases.		12
BSL1-A5Review and assessment
Revision, mock tasks and final assessment.		6
Total60
Learning Outcomes
L01Use appropriate Deaf awareness strategies to start, maintain and end a conversation with a Deaf person.
L02Fingerspell and read back names, places and short words accurately using the BSL two-handed alphabet.
L03Sign and understand numbers, time, dates and prices in everyday contexts.
L04Exchange simple personal information about themselves, their family and their home.
L05Ask and answer simple questions using the correct facial expression for question types.
L06Understand short, simple signed statements on familiar topics from a Deaf signer.
AssessmentAn online receptive test (watching and responding to short signed clips) and a recorded video in which you introduce yourself and answer set questions on familiar topics, submitted through SEP and marked by a qualified BSL assessor.

L2

Level 2 · Everyday conversation
Move beyond single signs to connected conversation. Describe people, places and routines, and begin to tell short stories using space, placement and role shift. 60 hours • CEFR A2 • Entry: Level 1 or equivalent
UnitTitle and ContentHours
BSL2-01Routines and time
Daily and weekly routines; the BSL timeline; talking about past, present and future using time markers; frequency and duration.		14
BSL2-02Describing people, places and objects
Physical descriptions; placement and use of signing space; depicting signs (classifiers) for size, shape and location; giving directions; describing your home and town.		16
BSL2-03Work, study, travel and health
Jobs and workplaces; education; transport and travel plans; shopping and services; making appointments; describing simple health problems.		14
BSL2-04Storytelling basics
Non-manual features (face, eyes, mouth, body); role shift to show who is speaking or acting; sequencing events; telling short personal stories.		10
BSL2-A5Review and assessment
Revision, mock tasks and final assessment.		6
Total60
Learning Outcomes
L01Take part in everyday conversations on routine topics with some repetition or rephrasing from the other signer.
L02Describe people, places and objects using placement, signing space and depicting signs.
L03Talk about past, present and future events using the BSL timeline and time markers.
L04Give and follow simple directions and instructions.
L05Use role shift and non-manual features to tell a short, clearly sequenced story.
L06Understand the main points of signed conversations and short narratives on familiar topics.
AssessmentAn online receptive test, recorded video responses to set conversation prompts, and a recorded signed presentation (2–3 minutes) about a personal experience, all marked by a qualified BSL assessor.

L3

Level 3 · Fluent communication
Communicate independently on a wide range of topics, express and defend opinions, and deepen your understanding of BSL grammar, Deaf history and working with interpreters. 60 hours • CEFR B1 • Entry: Level 2 or equivalent
UnitTitle and ContentHours
BSL3-01BSL structure and grammar
Topic-comment structure; spatial grammar; directional (agreement) verbs; aspect and modification of signs; plurals; negation; advanced non-manual features.		14
BSL3-02Discussing ideas and opinions
Current affairs, education, employment, technology and rights; giving and justifying opinions; agreeing and disagreeing; abstract concepts; formal and informal register.		16
BSL3-03Deaf culture, history and community
History of Deaf education, including the 1880 Milan Congress; Deaf arts and media; regional variation in BSL; Deaf etiquette; working with BSL/English interpreters.		12
BSL3-04Extended signing and presentations
Planning and delivering a signed presentation; extended narratives; understanding fluent native signers at natural speed; summarising signed content.		12
BSL3-A5Review and assessment
Revision, mock tasks and final assessment.		6
Total60
Learning Outcomes
L01Sustain extended conversations with Deaf people on familiar and less familiar topics with confidence and fluency.
L02Use BSL grammar accurately, including spatial grammar, directional verbs and aspect.
L03Express, explain and justify opinions, and respond to the views of others.
L04Deliver a structured signed presentation of 5–7 minutes on a chosen topic.
L05Understand the main content and detail of signing by fluent native signers at natural speed.
L06Explain key aspects of Deaf history, culture and community, and how to work effectively with interpreters.
AssessmentAn online receptive test using native-signer video, recorded video responses to discussion prompts, and a recorded 5–7 minute presentation, all submitted through SEP and marked by a qualified BSL assessor.
Free Resource
Qualifications House
QH British Sign Language
Fingerspelling Alphabet Dictionary
A-Z

BSL Fingerspelling Alphabet Dictionary

Every letter of the BSL two-handed alphabet from A to Z: how each letter is formed, a memory tip, letters it's easily confused with, and practice words. It also covers fingerspelling technique, a quick-reference chart and self-test activities.

FormatPDF, print-ready A5 book
Pages37
Size145 KB
LevelSupports Level 1, Unit 2 (Fingerspelling and numbers)

© 2026 Qualifications House UK. Free for personal study and for use by QH-approved centres.

Download Dictionary - Free
Fees

Price per level

One fee covers everything you need for the level: all learning materials on SEP, the full assessment and your QH certificate.

Level 1 · Foundations

£60 per learner
  • 60 hours of self-study on SEP
  • Video lessons and practice tasks
  • Full assessment, marked by BSL assessors
  • QH certificate on passing
Choose Level 1

Level 2 · Everyday conversation

£60 per learner
  • 60 hours of self-study on SEP
  • Video lessons and practice tasks
  • Full assessment, marked by BSL assessors
  • QH certificate on passing
Choose Level 2

Level 3 · Fluent communication

£60 per learner
  • 60 hours of self-study on SEP
  • Video lessons and practice tasks
  • Full assessment, marked by BSL assessors
  • QH certificate on passing
Choose Level 3
Full pathway: Levels 1, 2 and 3
Register for all three levels at once. Each level unlocks on SEP when you pass the one before.£180

Fees are in pounds sterling and include assessment and certification. Organisations can offer the programme to their own learners at discounted centre rates: become a QH centre

Awarding Organisation

A Qualifications House programme

This is a Qualifications House (QH) programme, delivered online on SEP and through QH-approved centres. QH quality-assures every assessment through internal and external verification. Learners who pass a level receive a QH certificate with a unique certificate number that employers can verify.

ProgrammeQH British Sign Language, Levels 1-3
Awarding organisationQualifications House UK (QH)
Programme reference[QH programme code]
DeliveryOnline on the Sagson Education Portal (SEP) and through QH-approved centres
CertificateIssued by QH for each level passed

Schools, colleges, employers and community organisations can offer this programme to their own learners. Find out about becoming a QH centre.

Registration

Register for British Sign Language

Complete the form to reserve your place. We'll email payment details within two working days, and your SEP access opens once payment is received.

1 · Choose Your Course
Level 1
£60
Foundations
Level 2
£60
Everyday conversation
Level 3
£60
Fluent communication
All 3 levels
£180
Full pathway
2 · Your Details
3 · About You
4 · Confirm
I confirm I am 16 or over.
I agree to the programme terms and conditions and understand that my place is confirmed once payment is received.
I agree to my details being used to process my registration, in line with the privacy notice.
Send me news about future courses (optional).
Submit Registration
QH British Sign Language programme · Delivered on the Sagson Education Portal (SEP) · Learners: info@sagsonportal.com · Centres: info@qh-uk.com

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