SQA Level 1 BSL
(SCQF 4)

Already completed an Introduction to BSL and ready to take the next step?

Our SQA Level 1 BSL course will help develop your confidence in communicating in BSL as well as learning further about deaf culture.

Course objectives
  • Communicate simple information in BSL
  • Understand presentations in BSL
Course content
  • Build upon topics covered in introduction level
  • Vocabulary and context
  • BSL grammar, syntax, non-manual features
  • Receptive skills

Please note if you have prior experience in using BSL, you may be able to fast track to level 1, once completing and passing a free skills test. Please contact us for more information.

Our courses are all taught by qualified deaf tutors, so you’ll be learning from people who use BSL as their native language. As Deaf Action is a charity, when you book your BSL course through us, the income is reinvested back into improving services for deaf people.

Course details

Our courses are taking place online and in-person in our Head Office in Edinburgh, so no matter where you are, you can join us. Our course options are listed below.

In-house

Course dates: 20th August to 21st January 2026
Time: Wednesday evenings, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

No Class on 15th October, 24th and 31st December.

Price: £350

Online

Course dates: 20th August to 21st January 2026
Time: Wednesday evenings, 6pm to 8pm

No Class on 15th October and 24th and 31st December 2025

Price: £280

Please fill out the form below to register for the in-house or online course

Booking form

SQA Level 1 book a place
If you did not complete your Introduction level qualification with Deaf Action, but do have some experience of BSL (e.g. CODAs or other family members of a Deaf person or non-accredited course taken elsewhere), please email learn@deafaction.org to book an online skills test before proceeding with this application. A place will be held for you pending the outcome of the skills test.
Please select which course you would like to attend *
Where did you complete the Introduction level course? *
Gender *
The £50 deposit must be paid at the time of booking. You will be taken to the payment page for this once you have submitted this form. 
I will pay the remaining £230 balance *
I wish to set up a direct debit for
I will pay the remaining £300 balance *
I wish to set up a direct debit for
Deaf Action will never share your personal or contact information with any 3rd parties except the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) for registration purposes. We would like to keep you informed of any future BSL or Deaf Awareness courses which may be of interest to you. If you consent to us emailing you with information about new courses (including when applications for the next term open) please tick the box.

When you click submit, you will be re-directed to the deposit payment page. We are only able to accept online payment using Go Cardless at this time.
 
When you are taken to the payment page, do not be concerned that it says you are 'setting up a Direct Debit with Deaf Action'. It is a restricted direct debit which means we will only take one individual payment of £50 at this time.
 
You will then be re-directed again to the data protection form and candidate procedures contact. Both of these forms are a compulsory part of this process.
 
You will receive an email confirmation and further instructions regarding payment of your remaining balance from learn@deafaction.org. We aim to get this to you as soon as possible after you have sent your application but on rare occasions, this can take up to 2 working days.

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