Esports

Course Information

Introduction

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Esports is a 2 year course, equivalent to three A-levels. It is defined as organised competitive gaming, which is human versus human, either as individuals or in teams. Learn a range of skills from various disciplines including - sports, creative industries, business & enterprise, marketing, event management and social platforms. Explore the gaming industry, design your own games, manage events, use IT skills to create promotional and marketing strategies.

Overview

The world of competitive video gaming known as Esports is a fast-growing international global phenomenon where it is expected to grow and have a net value of around £1.4 billion by 2022. The qualification includes a diverse range 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 sector that crosses over multiple subject areas such as sport, business, marketing, events, enterprise, IT and the creative industries. It provides an opportunity for the combination of social, physical, mental and financial skills into one qualification to deepen and expand learning, allowing various career opportunities.There is also the opportunity to be involved in the Esports Academy which competes in the British Esports Association Championships.

WHAT IS ESPORTS?

Esports is the term used for competitive gaming in a professional setting such as internationally recognised tournaments or championships.

According to the British Esports Associations Championships website “Esports is different from standard video gaming in that esports is competitive (human-vs-human) and usually has an engaging spectator element to it, like traditional sports. Tournaments usually consist of amateur or professional gamers competing against one another for a cash prize. Think of esports as competitive video gaming where skill and professionalism is celebrated. The pro gamers who play at this level know the games inside out, much like a professional footballer or athlete would in their respective fields”. You can read more about it on their website here.

WHY CHOOSE ESPORTS?

Have you had a passion for competitive gaming but haven’t had the opportunity to go pro? Esports in education is a forward-thinking movement where students can turn their drive for gaming into a well-established career path. Although it may seem like a niche course to readers outside of the gaming industry, this Level 3 Diploma can provide skills and expertise in a wide range of technical and digital platforms.

Who is this course for?

The course is for any individual that has a keen interest in the development of Esports events, including the development of games, event management, marketing, IT, business & enterprise, and the general creative industry.

Course units/modules

• Introduction to Esports
• Esports Skills, Strategies and Analysis
• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in the Esports Industry
• Health, Wellbeing, and Fitness for Esports Players
• Producing an Esports Brand
• Psychology for Esports Performance
• Game Design
• Business Applications of Esports in Social Media
• Live-streamed Broadcasting
• Esports Coaching
• Video Production
• Computer Networking
• Launching Esports Enterprise

Benefits and skills

• Strategic and analytical skills
• Entrepreneurial and enterprise skills
• Psychology, health and wellbeing for Esports
• Event organisation and management, branding, game design, broadcasting
• Business management of Esports within social media platforms.
• In addition to this you will become a strong team player equipped with good communication, decision making and leadership skills.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 4 GCSE’s at grade 4 or above including English or Maths. Or 4 GCSE’s at grade C or above including English and Maths.

Available apprenticeships and progression options

On completion of this course, students may decide to study a higher apprenticeship, continue into higher education or go straight into employment. Thanks to the host of transferable skills developed, the Esports course offers many different pathways to suit all interests.

There is a wide variety of job roles that become accessible within the Esports industry, these include: Professional Gaming, Coaching, Business Management, Journalism and Content Creation, Sales, PR and Marketing, Production, and Product Management to name a few.

WOMEN IN ESPORTS

According to recent studies, 1 in 20 employees in the Esports industry are women and these statistics are on the rise. Ofcom reports show that the number of young women that play video games has increased from 38% in 2018 to 49%. Esports strives to be fully inclusive and aims to encourage more women to join the competitive gaming industry. This includes campaigning to raise awareness of women in Esports and working alongside other organisations to promote these incredible opportunities.

Want to know more about women in esports? Read here.

Assessment types

All assessment for this course is completed via assignments/projects and marked your highly trained professional tutors.