Language and Social Justice with British Sign Language MA

Study Applied Linguistics and explore its contribution to social justice. Examine the theories and approaches in language analysis and apply this knowledge to specific social justice contexts. As part of the course, you will study British Sign Language (BSL) from beginners level. You will learn to hold conversations with others on familiar topics. We will prepare you to engage with communities and contribute to their wellbeing.

Staff research areas include:

• Language, social justice and deaf communities
• Language, gender and sexuality-related inclusion in schools
• Language and in/equalities in higher education
• Language-based analysis of York’s and the North East region’s BME communities
• Inclusion and social justice issues relating to languages beyond English in schools
• Social evaluations of accent, dialect and multilingualism
• Inclusive/emancipatory (re)conceptualizations of English as an additional language.

You can join this thriving research community. Co-organise and contribute to our annual conference, the Postgraduate Forum in Applied Linguistics. Alternatively, you can join our student as researchers scheme. This allows you to work alongside staff on their research projects.

You will join a community of students and staff who share your passion for language. Take advantage of our community engagement programmes to enhance your studies. Engage with the deaf community and practice your BSL communication at our Sign Bar. Organise and take part in fundraising events for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Level 1

Modules

You are encouraged to play an active role in your own learning. Module tutors will take the role of facilitators, encouraging you to think outside your own sphere of reference. You will be encouraged to share your experience and reflections through in-class dialogue and a proactive approach to learning will be promoted.

You will be helped to acquire the key skills appropriate to taught postgraduate study. These include:

• Evaluation of your own achievement and that of others
• The ability to develop professional relationships
• Self-direction and effective decision-making and time management
• Independent learning
• The ability to work in a way that encourages continuing professional development.

The programme employs a range of teaching, learning practices including:

• Lectures (with supporting materials posted on the VLE)
• Tutor and student-led seminars; workshops and discussion groups
• Independent study and research
• Collection and analysis of data.

We use a range of assessment methods on the course. They cater for a diverse range of preferences in assessment type. These include:

• Essays
• Oral presentations 
• Self-reflection
• Data analysis
• Videos

For your language modules:

• Oral exams
• Reading/writing/grammar exams
• Videos

There are two options for your final project. You can conduct a final research project or plan a language and social justice campaign.

You will receive support and feedback on assessments prior to submission. You will also receive feedback on each submitted assessment. This will allow you to continually improve your academic work.

Qualifications

Entry onto this postgraduate course requires a minimum of a 2:2 undergraduate degree in a related subject. 

You can join this programme as a beginner in British Sign Language. 

International Students

If you are an international student, you will need to show that your qualifications are equivalent to those above.

If your first language is not English you must show evidence of English Language competence at IELTS level 6.5 overall, with no skill below 6.0, or equivalent.

This course is not suitable if:

• British Sign Language is your first language
• You have British Sign Language Signature level 1
• You have B1 level or above of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR) in British Sign Language.

APEL policy

If you can't meet these minimum requirements it may be possible to take into account evidence of Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) as an alternative method of meeting the programme’s entry requirements. In such a case, appropriate references and records of employment might be presented to support the applicant’s case for admission.

UK and EU 2022 - 2023

The tuition fee for 2022 entry to this postgraduate course is £6,500 for full time UK/EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

For UK/EU, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students studying part time, the tuition fee for 2022 entry to this postgraduate course is £3,250 per year.

Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about postgraduate funding opportunities.

International (non-EU) 2022 - 2023

The tuition fee for 2022 entry to this postgraduate course is £12,750 for international students.

Due to immigration laws, international students on a Student Visa must be studying full-time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

More information about funding your studies is available on our International Fees and Funding page.

Tuition Fees

Alumni Scholarships

If you are an alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.

Scholarships for Alumni

Additional costs and financial support

COURSE-RELATED COSTS

Whilst studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING COSTS

View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.