British Sign Language (BSL) will be introduced as a GCSE in England from September 2025, the government has announced.
After a 12-week public consultation with parents, teachers and organisations from the deaf and hearing communities, the content of the curriculum has been finalised.
Ofqual, the government's exam regulator, will approve the syllabus before it can be introduced in schools.
The Department for Education said it will teach students how to sign effectively using BSL and it will give them an understanding of the history of sign language.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said it will “open so many doors for young people.”
She added: "This new qualification will not only break down barriers and give young people valuable new skills, but also celebrate the history and rich culture of BSL."
BSL was officially recognised as a language last year after the British Sign Language Act was passed by the government.
In 2018, the government considered introducing BSL after deaf schoolboy Daniel Jillings campaigned for the qualification, but faced delays due to the pandemic.
The 17-year-old who has been advocating for deaf students since he was 12 said he was pleased to know that BSL will be introduced as a GCSE qualification “after many years of campaigning.”
He told the BBC that he hoped “deaf students will feel less isolated in school.”
According to the British Deaf Association about 151,000 people use BSL in the UK, with 87,000 being deaf.
Michael Hanton, deputy chief regulator of Ofqual, said: "We're grateful to those who engaged with our consultation, which was a crucial step forward for this new and important qualification.
"We will now begin the detailed regulatory work to ensure that the new GCSE in British Sign Language will be high quality and fair for students."
Susan Daniels, chief executive of the National Deaf Children's Society, said campaigners like Jillings have done "an incredible amount of work" to reach this point.
She said: "A GCSE in BSL is vital as it will break down barriers and celebrate the rich culture and history of British Sign Language."
