Esports Programs Offer Broad Skill Development
While playing video games is central to esports, educational programs in the field are designed to equip students with a wide array of skills applicable to various professional careers. Central Bedfordshire College, for instance, has successfully completed its inaugural year of a Level 3 Pearson BTEC in esports, providing students with a curriculum that extends far beyond gameplay.
Hugo Cousin, the lead lecturer for the course, explains that the program aims to bridge the gap between a hobby and a professional career. Students delve into modules covering psychology to understand performance under pressure, alongside nutrition and fitness to maintain competitive energy. The goal is to transform an interest in gaming into practical work experience and a viable career path.
Diverse Curriculum and Practical Experience
Students engage in tactical gameplay in titles such as Valorant, Marvel Rivals, and Fortnite. However, the curriculum's scope is much broader. Participants learn to organize esports events, handling aspects like video production, broadcasting, commentary, and tournament marketing. They also collaborate on designing jerseys for the college's competitive teams.
Further academic exploration includes understanding how physical exercise can enhance gaming performance and strategies for managing anxiety in high-stakes competitive environments. Cousin highlights that the course fosters essential communication, teamwork, and social skills. It also emphasizes technology, teaching students how to use video editing software, programming languages, and recording software, which are valuable technical skills for various industries.
Student Perspectives and Industry Growth
Alfie Humphrey, a 16-year-old student, initially considered a traditional sports course but found the academic breadth of the esports program surprising. He particularly enjoys learning about psychology, noting that there are "lots of different things that I wouldn't think go into like just playing games." Alfie plans to pursue esports at university to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and acquire additional skills.
The UK boasts Europe's largest community of student esports players, according to a 2023 report by Ukie, the trade association for the UK video game industry. British Esports, which launched its educational programs in 2020, now partners with 200 schools and colleges, with over 18,000 students enrolled in Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Esports. Many of these students advance to university-level esports studies, with British Esports collaborating with over 100 universities nationwide.
Professionalization and Career Pathways
Dr. Lucy Zhu, Senior Lecturer and Program Leader in Esports at the University of Northampton, observes that most applicants for their degree courses now come from a BTEC background. She notes that the rapid "professionalization" of the industry since 2015 has necessitated a more formal talent pipeline. Dr. Zhu clarifies that university programs do not primarily aim to train professional players but rather to provide a multidisciplinary education.
Northampton students acquire diverse skills including coaching, business management, and digital marketing. This multidisciplinary approach is becoming increasingly common across esports institutions due to the wide range of potential career directions. The goal is to help young people develop skills that create economic and social value using esports as a vehicle.
Alanis, a 20-year-old Rocket League player who won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Esports Championships, advocates for esports education. She emphasizes that while few make a full-time living solely from competitive play, a broader understanding of the industry and diverse skill development are crucial for other opportunities. Many rewarding careers in esports exist outside of direct gameplay, and educational courses provide a strong foundation. Alanis also stresses the importance of practical experience beyond the classroom, such as competing, content creation, volunteering, community management, or networking, as these experiences are often as valuable as formal learning.