Approved Courses

We approve courses that meet agreed professional standards. Only people who have successfully completed an approved course can join a Register.

Before we approve a course we assess its content to ensure it meets agreed professional standards and to make sure graduates are appropriately trained. If you want us to assess your course please contact us.

Approved courses for interpreters for deafblind people

• Signature Level 6 Certificate in Working Effectively with Deafblind Manual and Visual Frame and Hands On Signers (Applicants to the register will also require a recognised Level 6 qualification in BSL or other sign language as appropriate)
• CACDP Level 3 Certificate for LSPs working with Deaf and Deafblind People (Deafblind Manual) (This course is not currently being offered).
• CACDP Level 4 Certificate in Deafblind Interpreting (Manual) (This course is not currently being offered).

Approved courses for lipspeakers

• CACDP Level 3 Certificate for LSPs working with Deaf and Deafblind People (Lipspeaking) (This course is not currently being offered).
• Signature Level 3 Certificate in Lipspeaking

Approved courses for notetakers

• CACDP Level 3 Certificate for LSPs working with Deaf and Deafblind People (Notetaking) (This course is not currently being offered).
• Signature notetaking endorsement 2016

Approved courses for sign language interpreters

To become a Registered Sign Language Interpreter you need to show us that you are highly skilled in a signed language like BSL, ISL or ASL and second language that can be another signed language or a spoken language. One of those languages must be native to the UK and Ireland.

You must hold one of these interpreting qualifications.

• University of Wolverhampton MA Interpreting. (course available from September 2018) Graduates of the MA Interpreting or those exiting with the Post Graduate Diploma interpreting can apply to register as RSLI.
  Graduates exiting with a Post Graduate Certificate having studied:
  • 7IG003 - Critical reflective interpreting practice and;
  • 7IG006 - Conference settings and;
  • Either 7IG004 – Interpreting – healthcare settings or 7IG005 – Interpreting – legal settings
  Can apply to register as RSLI.
• UCLAN Postgraduate Diploma in BSL/English Interpreting and Translation
• Heriot-Watt University MA (Hons) BSL (Interpreting, Translating and Applied Language Studies)
• Heriot-Watt University MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (Graduates studying BSL and the amalgamated fourth year course)
• Signature Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting
• Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation (2020)
• SLI Advanced Diploma in Interpreting and Translation: BSL-English
• IBSL Level 6 Diploma in BSL/English Interpreting Studies
• IBSL Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting Studies
• Wolverhampton University BA (Hons) in Interpreting (BSL/English) (graduates who achieve a first class degree from September 2017 onwards^*)
• Queen's University Belfast MA in Interpreting (Registration will be accepted from graduates up to and including December 2013. This course is not currently being offered).
• Durham University MA in Translation Studies (graduates successfully completing the professional pathway including MELA43930 addressed using spoken English and BSL) (Registration will be accepted from graduates up to and including July 2014. This course is not currently being offered).
• English Speaking overseas Interpreting Qualifications (subject to NRCDP consideration and approval).

^* with additional evidence.

You must also hold one of these language qualifications.

• UCLAN Postgraduate Diploma in BSL/English Interpreting and Translation
• Heriot Watt Graduate Diploma course with grade C or above in Module C40BV1 British Sign Language
• Heriot-Watt University MA (Hons) BSL (Interpreting, Translating and Applied Language Studies)
• Heriot-Watt University MA (Hons) Languages (Interpreting and Translating) (Graduates studying BSL and the amalgamated fourth year course)
• Signature Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language
• Signature Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language (2019)
• IBSL Level 6 Certificate in British Sign Language Studies
• Wolverhampton University BA (Hons) in Interpreting (BSL/English) (modules 6IG001 and 6IG004 60% or above)
• Another recognised Level 6 qualification in your second language

Approved courses for sign language translators

• University of Wolverhampton MA Interpreting. (course available from 2018) Graduates of the MA Interpreting or those exiting with the Post Graduate Diploma interpreting can apply to register as RSLT.
  Graduates exiting with a Post Graduate Certificate having studied:
  • 7IG003 - Critical reflective interpreting practice and;
  • 7IG004 – Interpreting – healthcare settings; and
  • 7IG005 – Interpreting – Legal settings
  Can apply to register as RSLT.
• Durham University MA in Translation Studies (graduates successfully completing the professional pathway including MELA43930 addressed using static and scrolling English and BSL) (Registration will be accepted from graduates up to and including July 2014. This course is not currently being offered).
• Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Translation
• Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation (2020)

You will need to hold a recognised Level 6 BSL qualification or equivalent.

Approved courses for speech to text reporters

• You must have completed one of the NRCPD eligibility assessments