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Qualifications

Intro To Qualifications

IBSL is a UK awarding body providing a range of qualifications in British Sign Language (BSL) and Deaf Studies that meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities.

What types of qualifications do we have?

We have qualifications in British Sign Language from Entry Level up to Level 6. We also have other qualifications such as Awareness Studies, Deafblind Communication and Bilingual Skills & Interpreting Studies – please see the tabs below and click on the relevant group to see the qualifications within that group.

In accordance with Ofqual requirements, we are creating Purpose Statements for each qualification.

For information on each Qualification, please click the link next to the Qualification to download a PDF document of the full Specification or press the BSL Version link (if present) to view a signed BSL video of the full Specification.

If you don’t already have the free Acrobat PDF reader software on your computer then you can download a copy of the software by clicking on the Adobe Reader button below:

get_adobe_reader

 

BSL Studies

You will find all the qualification specifications needed to understand our qualifications in this area.

Also, you will be able to access assessment guidelines and where appropriate, coursework file documentation to enable you to either teach the qualification, or to use as part of your learning.

There are 6 qualifications altogether

QualificationQualification SpecificationPurpose StatementBSL VersionOther Document
IBSL Entry Level Award in British Sign LanguageQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 1 Award in British Sign Language StudiesQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language StudiesQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language StudiesQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language StudiesQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language StudiesQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language StudiesQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
 

Awareness Studies

You will find all the qualification specifications needed to understand our qualifications in this area. Also, you will be able to access assessment guidelines and where appropriate, coursework file documentation to enable you to either teach the qualification, or to use as part of your learning.

There are 5 qualifications altogether.

QualificationQualification SpecificationPurpose StatementBSL VersionOther Document
Level 1 Award in Deaf AwarenessQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 1 Award in Deaf Blind AwarenessQualification Specification
 

Deafblind Communication

We have just had two new Deafblind qualifications accredited. These are level 2 and level 3 Awards in Deafblind Communication For full information, click on the one you want below.
QualificationQualification SpecificationPurpose StatementBSL VersionOther Document
Level 2 Award in Deafblind CommunicationQualification SpecificationAssessment Overview
Level 3 Award in Deafblind CommunicationQualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
 

Bilingual Skills &Interpreting Studies

We have a Level 4 Certificate in Bilingual BSL English Skills suitable for those who work with Deaf people. The full information is available here.

The Interpreting Studies qualification is also shown on this page, available from April 2014.

A supporting document titled Additional Information and Clarification for the IBSL Diplomas in Interpreting (i.e. Essay Titles and Assessment Requirements) can be downloaded by clicking here

QualificationQualification SpecificationPurpose StatementBSL VersionOther Document
Level 4 Award in Bilingual Skills (BSL/English)Qualification Specification
Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting Studies - 2016/17Qualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting Studies - 2018/19Qualification SpecificationPurpose Statement
 

Education and Training

This page relates to qualifications that are part of the Education and Training sector, and covers qualifications which help to raise the profile and status of Deaf people as Teachers and Assessors. Note: The Level 4 Certificate in Education & Training for Sign Language Teachers is currently only available in Wales.

Sorry but there is currently no BSL Video for "Education and Training"

QualificationQualification SpecificationPurpose StatementBSL VersionOther Document
Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related AchievementQualification Specification
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training for Sign Language TeachersQualification Specification

 

Purpose Statements

IBSL qualification purpose statements must reflect the business rules which the Skills Funding Agency has adopted for the approval of qualifications on the Regulation Qualification Framework for public funding for adult learners, in England.

All qualifications must have a clear statement of purpose.

The purpose must reflect selected priorities, mainly supporting progression to work although for Entry and Level 1, supporting independent living is in scope.

The purpose for qualifications must be competence-based or to prepare learners for employment or for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area.

All publically funded qualifications must show demand for funding of 100+ learners over two years delivered through organisations that are on the Register of Training Organisations.

Unfortunately, the new criteria mean that some ‘specialist’ qualifications, for example the Level 3 Deafblind Communication, may not meet the eligibility rules for funding. How flexible the SFA will be regarding qualifications that contribute to the economy and the health and well-being of the nation (our emphasis) remains to be seen.