If you want to immerse yourself in an exciting and challenging field of study, constantly evolving in response to social change and technological advances, then Deaf Studies or Interpreting (BSL/English) are the subjects for you.
Through a unique combination of practical British Sign Language and expansive theoretical study, your bilingual and bicultural teaching team seek to keep your hands and mind working hard, whilst nurturing your commitment to the lives of deaf people and the Deaf community.
Over 85% of the world doesn't speak English. Whether you want to master languages for business or to provide a voice to the unheard, the insight, experience and understanding of our lecturers will enable you to go on to communicate with a whole new world.
As a student at one of the UK’s largest teaching institutions within this field, you will experience all of the benefits that a knowledgeable and enthusiastic teaching team have to offer. Your lecturers have been the recipients of several learning and teaching awards and are committed to offering a high level of student support. Teaching methods are interactive and innovative and your learning will continue outside the classroom, aided by quality online learning materials and BSL video clips.
When they are not in the classroom, your teaching team are usually busy building upon their national and international reputation at conferences, conducting and presenting research, and maintaining strong working partnerships with deaf organisations. Staff expertise covers private, statutory, voluntary and third sectors.
Our Deaf Studies and Interpreting (BSL/English) students also benefit from our strong links with the Deaf community. The Midlands has a vibrant and thriving ‘Deaf scene’ and enjoys a wide range of cultural and political Deaf events. The University is also extremely proud to be part of the international Deaf film festival ‘Deaffest’, which takes place every year here in Wolverhampton.
Alongside volunteering opportunities linked to these events, you will also have the chance to join the very active Sign Language Society, meet deaf and hearing people with similar interests and develop your language skills.
As a Deaf Studies or Interpreting graduate, you will benefit from specialist knowledge and a skills set that is sought-after in many workplaces. To date, our Interpreting (BSL/English) graduates have enjoyed extremely high levels of employment success, and are now regularly seen working in theatres, on television, and with high-profile clients as well as in vital education and community settings across the country.
Deaf Studies students move into a variety of settings and, depending on your choice of subject, you could be working in areas as diverse as social work, disability access, teaching deaf children, advocacy, working with deafblind people or speech therapy. Whichever route you choose, your future has the potential to be full of variety and incredibly rewarding.
The Interpreting degree is professionally recognised and mapped by Signature (formally the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People) and the National Registers for Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (formerly the Independent Registration Panel). As a student on this course you have the opportunity to undertake a work placement in the second semester of your final year and it’s interesting to know that many of these placements have led to offers of employment.
Typical graduate destinations include:
Kristiaan Dekesel Executive Principal Lecturer Deaf Studies and Interpreting: (BSL/English)
Email: K.Dekesel@wlv.ac.uk Room: MC306 Tel: 01902 322352
Research interests include
Course Leader and Senior Lecturer Interpreting BSL/English and Deaf Studies.
Email: S.Bown@wlv.ac.uk Room: MC324 Tel: 01902 322672
Staff Profile: Sarah Bown
Research interests include:
Thaïsa Whistance
Lecturer
Interpreting: (BSL/English) and Deaf Studies
Email: T.Whistance@wlv.ac.uk
Tel: 01902 323418
Staff Profile: Thaïsa Whistance
Teaching responsibilities include:
Work Placement Supervision
Senior Lecturer: Interpreting & Deaf Studies (BSL/English)
Academic Skills Support Tutor
Email: DWRose@wlv.ac.uk Room: MC323 Textphone: 01902 32 2353 VoiceMessage: 01902 322483 (interpreter)
Staff Profile: David Wolfe-Rose
Research Interests include:
Senior Lecturer Deaf Studies and Interpreting (BSL/English)
Level 3 Project Co-ordinator for Deaf Studies
Admissions Tutor
Email: Spratt@wlv.ac.uk Room: MC324 Tel: 01902 323326
Staff Profile: Sandra Pratt
