Is it just playing video games all day?
We know how important it is to choose the right study path. You may love gaming or already follow the hugely popular Esports scene, but how do you get into the industry? Our course combines a range of subjects such as sport, marketing, enterprise, digital technology, and creative skills that will allow you to blend your love of gaming into a career that’s going places.
We make sure our students are taught the skills to give them the confidence and knowledge to step into their dream career in a fast-growing sector.
What actually is Esports?
As Esports is defined as organised competitive gaming, which is human versus human, either as individuals or in teams, it can seem like all you will be doing is gaming all day, that is where you are wrong! The course covers a variety of subjects and modules that will lead to a variety of careers, you will not just be sat with a controller in your hand all day.
The qualifications gained will enable you to aid your progression to employment, either directly or via further study.
It is a fast-paced and fast-growing industry that won’t just shape the future of gaming but also the future of digital technologies. In 2019 the industry contributed over £111.5m to UK GDP alone and is worth billions globally with rapid growth on the horizon too. The market is projected to be valued at $1.79 billion in 2022.
Why should I choose this course?
Based in our brand-new digital centre of excellence, We are proud to be teaming up with the awarding body Pearson who has developed the content of the new BTEC Nationals in collaboration with employers and representatives from higher education and relevant professional bodies.
Transferable skills
The qualifications include a breadth of transferable skills that enable learners to experience different areas of esports to aid their progression to employment, either directly or via further study. Esports offers a unique opportunity to study a broad sector that crosses over multiple subject areas such as sport, marketing, enterprise, IT and creative media production. It provides an opportunity for alignment of social, physical, mental, creative and financial skills into one qualification to enhance and expand your learning.
Opportunities
Students will gain practical opportunities in many roles within the context of Esports theory and production, looking into the culture, audience, fanbase and commercial appeal which surrounds a variety of the most popular games within the Industry, furthermore you will study in our brand new, purpose-built Digital Centre which will house the future of our own professional Esports teams which currently compete within the British Esports Association tournaments which you will help develop, not only as a student but as a member of a much larger organisation.
Flexible modules
The course is not only about the here and now of Esports, but of where it will grow and develop in the future. As such we have chosen modules that cater to the interests and specialisms needed to be a flexible Esports professional with opportunities to study Esports and/or other business, coaching, sports, media, games or journalism courses at University Level. There are also units and outcome which focus on those wanting to get straight into the industry either starting our own esports enterprise or expanding your own, that you might want to develop on the platforms you might currently use.
The Esports Team
We are also going to offer opportunities through our Esports Team to offer various Esports roles in a professional league system, some games of which get live broadcasted on Twitch, where you can showcase your own skills and potentially develop a following if this is something you are interested in and skilled enough to execute. We also will be running regular events throughout both years of the course, put on by students, for students to showcase and evidence their skills in a creative, fulfilling and fun way.
There’s so much progression
This course is not just for people wanting to play Esports at a Semi-Professional/Professional level but also for anyone who might want to be an Esports Analyst, Commentator, Moderator, Event Producer, Professional Coach, Video Producer/Photographer, Social Media Manager or Sports Based Fitness/Wellness Personal Trainer among many other roles, whilst accruing a vast array of transferable skills, you could take forward into any role or further/higher educational setting.
What modules are covered in the course?
You will have the opportunity to explore the culture of Esports, its audience and fan base, and a variety of the most popular current game genres.
As the sector grows, the ethical and legislative regulations are trying to keep pace. You will learn what’s happening in the industry right now and how these issues impact the Esports environment.
Find out more about the course here
Here’s an example of the modules you will study throughout the course:
- Introduction to Esports
- Esports Skills, Strategies and Analysis
- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in the Esports Industry
- Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Esports Players
- Live-streamed Broadcasting
- Video Production
- Games Design
- Nutrition to Esports
- Esports Events
- Producing an Esports Brand
- Business Applications of Esports in Social Media
- Shoutcast
- Esports Coaching
- Ethical and Current Issues in Esports
- Launching Your Esports Enterprise
What career paths will the Esports course open?
The skills you learn on the Esports course will open you up to a range of opportunities and career prospects. Everything that goes into the gaming industry needs a qualified individual to take the lead. It’s not just about the player and a game, there is a whole team of people from a variety of skill sets needed for the game to be successful:
- Association Professional player
- Shoutcaster/host
- Coach/analyst
- Journalist/content creator
- PR/Marketing executive
- Product manager
- Sales/partnerships manager
- Admin/referee
- Organisation owner/manager
- Community/social media manager
- Broadcast/production crew
- Event manager
- Agent
- Other roles (statistician, lawyer, finance, support etc)
- Other gaming careers (developers, publishers, distribution etc)
What qualifications do I need to apply for the course?
Five GCSEs at grade 5 or above including English or maths and significant interest in Esports is required. Students with a business, coaching, sports, media, games background would suit this course. You must be a team player and like working with people too.
What opportunities can I expect throughout the year?
One of the main ones is competitive gaming with various further education providers throughout the duration of the course.
Our College Esports team got to the semi-finals of the British esports championships this year.
Schools are leading the way – Esports is becoming part of the curriculum
As Esports is becoming a popular career and hobby amongst a wide range of ages, school curriculums have jumped on the interest of their students and are using Esports to let the students cooperate in play-based learning. This allows schools to encourage imagination, promote the importance of teamwork and collaboration and teach students problem-solving and how to use their creative skills within the digital technology world.
More than 70% of schools are thinking about adding video games to the curriculum and 1 in 5 schools already have a dedicated E–sports programme.
Source: Gaming classes are being taught in London’s schools – BBC London
Find out more about our course and apply for our level 3 national extended diploma in Esports today
