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Interpreting (BSL/English)

Educating and training sign language interpreters since 1993The interpreting course has two routes:

Why study Interpreting (BSL/English) at Wolverhampton?

BA (Hons) Interpreting (BSL/English) with Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is an intensive language programme to enable students without the relevant language skills (level 2 or equivalent*) to meet the required standard for entry into the first year of the BA (Hons) Interpreting (British Sign Language (BSL)/English) degree program.

*assessments can be arranged for those with fluency in BSL but no formal qualification

BA (Hons) Interpreting (BSL/English)

This degree provides learning opportunities for students to gain occupational level fluency in British Sign Language (BSL), gives you linguistic insights into BSL and English, and develops theoretical and practical translation, consecutive and simultaneous interpreting skills. During your final year all students undertake a work placement to enable you to effectively transition into working professional interpreters.

Final Year students talk about the course
Final Year students talk about the course
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Final year student shares his experience
Final year student shares his experience
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Employability

Many graduates choose to become interpreters registered with the professional body (NRCPD) and have the potential to work in a range of settings, e.g. educational, health, social services, theatre, TV, etc. where Deaf BSL-users wish to communicate with hearing people.

When applying to the 3 or 4 year interpreting programme, please ensure you are familiar with and aware of the NRCPD requirements for registration and the 'Fit and Proper Person's Declaration'. 

If you have any queries in relation to the above information and your application to the course, please contact the Course Leader for the Interpreting Subject of your chosen programme. For further information please see our page.

Student testimonials

"The work placement experience for me summed up everything I had learnt throughout my time at the University of Wolverhampton. It was a wonderful experience and I certainly gained much more than I anticipated from it. I now have everything I feel I need in order to work confidently within the community and I am looking forward to the exciting career I have ahead of me."

“Soon after graduating as a Trainee Interpreter I was offered a job as an in-house interpreter for a local community based interpreting agency. I was supported, encouraged and able to put theory into practice incorporating the many aspects taught on the degree.”

"The most positive aspects of my placement were...too many things to list. It was a brilliant experience!"

Comments from our External Examiner

Each course at the University of Wolverhampton is externally assessed by an examiner from another Higher Education institution in the country. These are the most recent comments from external examiners about the Interpreting programme:

"The curriculum is very well developed and all materials pertaining to the courses that I have reviewed are clearly structured and highly relevant to the profession".

“This programme's content is also mapped onto national requirements for interpreters offering additional confirmation that the course content is appropriately preparing students for professional life."

“Assessment strategies are well conceived and applied. They map onto the learning outcomes in an effective way and students receive valuable feedback regarding their strengths and weaknesses.”

"The variety of assessments used is commendable and there are many innovative approaches to assessment evidenced in the materials that I have reviewed.....the assessments often reflect a good deal of innovation and creativity on the part of the lecturers".

More information

For any further queries please check our .