New educational programmes in esports are challenging the perception that studying competitive gaming is solely about playing video games. Colleges and universities across the UK are now offering comprehensive courses designed to equip students with a diverse skillset, preparing them for a multitude of careers within the rapidly professionalising esports industry and beyond.
Central Bedfordshire College, for instance, has just completed its inaugural year of the Level 3 Pearson BTEC in esports. While gaming remains a central component, students delve into modules covering psychology to understand performance under pressure, nutrition and fitness for optimal energy, and practical skills such as video production, broadcasting, and event marketing. Hugo Cousin, a lead lecturer at the college, emphasises that the course aims to transform a passion for gaming into a practical career path, teaching valuable communication, teamwork, and technical skills like video editing and programming.
This multidisciplinary approach is echoed across the UK. British Esports, which launched its education programmes in 2020, now collaborates with 200 schools and colleges, with over 18,000 students currently enrolled in Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Esports. Many of these students are subsequently pursuing higher education, with British Esports working with more than 100 universities offering degree courses in the field.
Dr Lucy Zhu, a senior lecturer and programme leader at the University of Northampton, notes that the majority of their degree applicants now come from a BTEC background. She highlights the industry's significant professionalisation since 2015, which has created a demand for a structured talent pipeline. University programmes, she explains, focus on skills like coaching, business management, and digital marketing, rather than exclusively training professional players. The aim is to help younger generations develop diverse skills and create economic and social value through the esports vehicle.
The breadth of learning has surprised students like 16-year-old Alfie Humphrey, who initially considered a traditional sports course. He found the academic aspects, particularly psychology, to be a favourite part of his esports studies and plans to continue his education at university level to gain a deeper understanding of the industry. This shift reflects a growing recognition of esports as a legitimate field requiring a broad range of professional expertise.