Postgraduate course
Language and Social Justice with British Sign Language MA
Combine your passion for social justice with the study of language. Learn British Sign Language as part of your studies.

Study how language can affect wealth, opportunities and privilege in society. Learn British Sign Language and adapt to communicating with the Deaf community. Join a department renowned for its world-leading research in language. Be part of our thriving research community and study with peers that share your passion.
- Subject to final approval
York campus
- Duration – 1 year full time | 2 years part time
- Start date – September 2021
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
Minimum Entry Requirements
2:2 undergraduate degree in a related subject
6.5 IELTS if English is not your first language
Tuition Fees
UK and EU 2020-21 £6,500 full time
International 2020-21 £12,750 full time
Course overview
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.
Course structure
Level 1
Modules
Credits: 15
Compulsory module
This module is suitable for beginners or those with little prior knowledge of the language. British Sign Language is a visual/gestural language. On this module you will start to understand this way of communicating. You are expected to proactively engage with the language outside of the classroom.
Credits: 15
Compulsory module
This module raises your awareness of language myths. By critiquing these myths we will introduce you to theoretical frameworks and detailed methods of language analysis. This will prepare you for further study of these in subsequent modules.
Credits: 15 credits each
Compulsory module
This module introduces you to theories and approaches in Critical Discourse Analysis. We will cover discourse and the politics of identity, discourse and power, multimodal critical discourse analysis and critical appraisal analysis.
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Apply the knowledge from your previous module to specific populations and contexts. Content may include:
- Socio-economic status
- Gender and sexuality
- Speakers of minority language varieties
- Language and language-related disorders
- Defendants and plaintiffs
- Non-native speakers
- Ethnicity and race.
Credits: 15
Compulsory module
This module explores the implications of research findings in language and applied linguistics for future professional practice. It encourages you to exercise an enquiring approach to issues of language and social justice in your current or future career. We will prepare you to conduct research project work or a campaign in the field of language and linguistics.
Credits: 15
Compulsory module
On this module you will develop the ability to communicate with deaf people in a range of familiar and work-related contexts. You will participate in longer and more open-ended exchanges. You are expected to proactively engage with the language outside of the classroom.
Credits: 30
Compulsory module
Your final piece of work will either explore a specific research question about a topic within language and social justice. Alternatively, you will produce this in the form of a campaign. The dissertation provides an opportunity for you to show that your knowledge of language and social justice can be applied to research. You will be supervised by an academic member of staff but will be guided towards taking independent responsibility for your own work. The module will allow you to provide evidence of your ability to pro-actively formulate research plans, independently carry these out and critically reflect on your findings.
Teaching and assessment
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.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum Entry Requirements
2:2 undergraduate degree in a related subject
6.5 IELTS if English is not your first language
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.
Fees and Funding
UK & EU 2020 - 21
The tuition fee for 2020 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 2020 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) 2020 - 21
The tuition fee for 2020 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
UK and EU 2020-21 £6,500 full time
International 2020-21 £12,750 full time
Alumni Scholarships
If you are an alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
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.
Apply for this course
You can apply directly to the course via our Apply Now links. Please select the variant of the course that you intend to undertake (full time or part time) as the link will take you to a customised form for the specific course.
You will need to create a login and password and complete the online form. Please contact two referees in advance of submitting your application as an automated request will go out as soon as you submit, and your application will not be reviewed until both references are in place.
More than a degree
Research experience
Co-organise and present at our annual Postgraduate Forum in Applied Linguistics (PFAL). A conference run by Languages and Linguistics postgraduate students.
Join the community
Take part in collaborative community engagement projects. Practice your BSL skills at Sign Bar or raise money for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.
Events to inspire
Attend our Colloquium Lecture series to learn about current research from guest lecturers. Our Research Centre for Language and Social Justice also holds regular events throughout the year.