Foundation Degree (FdA) British Sign Language…

Key Details

Available at:
Rhos-on-Sea
Study Mode:
Part-time
Course Length:
Part-time: 1 day per week. 3 years. Also available on a modular basis.

Apply Now

Have you got a question? Get in touch!

Foundation Degree (FdA) British Sign Language and Deaf Studies

University-level Courses

Please contact us for further information about applying for this course.

Have you got a question? Get in touch!

Course Description

To enquire about applying for this course, please email David Duller (Programme Leader): duller1d@gllm.ac.uk

This course is designed for those who work (or want to work) with Deaf People as a Language Service Professional or in another capacity. It develops your skills and knowledge, preparing you to begin your career in a range of professional roles.

Modules include:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Introduction to Research
Introduction to Mental Health
Communication
Introduction to Deaf Studies
British Sign Language 1
Sign Linguistics and Sign Sociolinguistics

Year 2 (Level 5)

Individual Rights & Professional Practice
BSL2: Receiving and Presenting
BSL 2 Participating in Conversation
Wellbeing and Deafness

Additional information

More detailed information on Modules is to be found in the ‘Additional Campus/Course Information’ section.

Entry Criteria

Entry Requirements for Level 4

Language requirements:

GCSE in Welsh or English or equivalent as first language, grade C or above
Any degrees, diplomas or certificates eligible should have been taught and assessed in Welsh or English, or BSL
For overseas applicants, for entry onto Level 4, English fluency to IELTS 5.5 or higher (with no element less than 5.0)
For overseas applicants, for entry onto Levels 5 or above, English fluency to IELTS 6.0 or higher (with no element less than 5.5)

Academic requirements:

A minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points in a main level 3 qualification, usually gaining a pass in at least one relevant subject which could include: A Levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, ACCESS to HE; or NVQ Level 3; many additional qualifications from Wales, England and Scotland are accepted to support the UCAS points in addition to the relevant subject, such as the Welsh Baccalaureate.
GCSE Mathematics/Numeracy, grade C/4 or above, or Key/Essential Skill equivalent level. For applicants without these qualifications, evidence of numeracy skills at a suitable level to meet the demands of the programme successfully, will need to be demonstrated.
Equivalent international qualifications are acceptable
For individuals who do not meet the above academic requirements we will consider a wide range of non-standard or professional qualifications and experience, through the submission of a portfolio for accreditation of prior learning (APL/APEL/RPEL), in accordance with GLLM regulations and policies.

Entry Requirements for Level 5

Academic requirements:

Entry onto level 5 will be considered on an individual basis in line with GLlM credit transfer policy, based on previous successful study of 120 credits per level in a compatible qualification (within the time frame outlined in the policy). Or by supporting their application with the submission of a portfolio for accreditation of prior learning (APL/APEL/RPEL), in accordance with GLlM regulations and policy.

If your qualifications do not meet the entry requirements listed above, we would still encourage you to apply for the course you're interested in, as many of our courses will consider learners based on their previous work and skills experience rather than their qualifications.

Delivery

The course is delivered through a blend of the following:

Lectures
Guest Speakers
Tutorials
Independent research
Virtual learning environment (MOODLE)

Students are responsible for organising their own work experience if it is a requirement on their programme, and they will be supported by the course team.

Timetable:

Part-time: 3 years, 1 day per week

Fees

Visit the Financial Support and Finance page for more information.

More detailed information on other costs associated with your course and work placements/work experience (if applicable) will be outlined in the programme validation document and explained to you at your interview.

Additional costs

Additional costs may be associated with the following:
Sign Hub £2 per month

Start date

September 2021

Contact:

For specific course enquiries, please contact:

David Duller (Programme Leader): duller1d@gllm.ac.uk

Celine Rea (Administration): rea1c@gllm.ac.uk

For general enquiries about our degrees, please contact: degrees@gllm.ac.uk

Assessment

The course is assessed through a blend of the following:

Essay
Case Study
Poster
Exam
Portfolio
Presentation
Role Play
Signed Story
External Assessment

Feedback

Where relevant, assessments will be marked and returned to students with constructive and developmental feedback. Effective feedback combines information which enables students to understand the strengths and limitations of their past performance, and information which enables them to recognise how future performance can be improved. Students will be provided with feedback in a timely manner and this feedback will justify how the grade has been awarded. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the feedback given and identify their strengths, things they found challenging and areas for development that they will feed forward to their next assessment. Feedback will include linking evidence to assessment criteria to demonstrate how the student will have met the learning outcomes.

Progression

The course can lead to a number of professional and educational routes, depending on your goals. Some students will progress onto Level 6 to complete the BA (Hons) degree.

Others will proceed to work as Language Service Professionals, working with deaf people in schools, colleges, universities and in the community. There is also the possibility of working in social work, audiology, teaching, support services and deaf organisations.

Campus Information Rhos-on-Sea

This flexible programme offers the ability to work within the field of deafness.

For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning. This will be approximately 30% direct learning contact, 70% independent student learning.

The modules for the Foundation Degree (FdA) British Sign Language and Deaf Studies are:

Year 1 (Level 4)

Introduction to Research (10 credits, compulsory):
Introduces students to the concept of research and to develop study skills. (Essay 50%/Portfolio 50%)

Introduction to Mental Health (20 credits, core):
Introduces students to key issues and concepts surrounding mental health and developments in mental health approaches. (Essay/Case Study/Poster)

Communication (10 credits, compulsory):
Examines the importance of communication when working with diverse groups within the fields of health and social care and welfare. (Presentation/Role Play)

Introduction to Deaf Studies (20 credits, compulsory):
Provides students with an understanding of Deaf Awareness and Deaf Equality, including a range of basic tactics for clear communication with Deaf people. (Essay 100%)

Employability-based Learning 1 - Applying Theory in Practice (20 credits, compulsory):
This module provides learners with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their work-based skills. (Portfolio 100%)

British Sign Language 1 (20 credits, compulsory):
To enable learners to develop stills to communicate with Deaf People in BSL on everyday topics. (External Assessment 100%)

Sign Linguistics and Sign Sociolinguistics (20 credits, compulsory):
Provides students with an understanding of linguistics used within the context of British Sign Language. (Essay 80%, Signed Story 20%)

Year 2 (Level 5)

Research Methods (20 credits, core):
Enables students to apply a range of research skills appropriate to the study of health and social care and well-being. (Research Proposal 100%)

Individual Rights & Professional Practice (20 credits, compulsory):
Exemplifies the importance of individual rights within the delivery of health and social care and welfare services. (Essay/Poster)

Employability-based Learning 2 - Professional Reflection and Personal Development (20 credits, compulsory):
Provides learners with the opportunity to analyse the value of their learning within vocational and work specific contexts, including a relevant personal and professional development plan. (Portfolio 100%)

BSL2: Receiving and Presenting (20 credits, core)
Develops communication in BSL requiring a wider grasp of grammar to cope with some non-routine language exchanges (External Assessment 100%)

BSL 2 Participating in Conversation (20 credits, compulsory)
Furthers learners’ experience and development in communication through British Sign Language in more depth than at Level One. (External Assessment 100%)

Wellbeing and Deafness (20 credits, compulsory)
Introduces learners to the key issues in the wellbeing of Deaf people, and the reasons for the higher percentage of mental health issues within the Deaf Community. (Essay/Case Study/Group Presentation)