of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Course Level
Level 3
Duration
2 years full-time
Placement
10 days per year
Entry
September (2021)
Fees
View Fees
$1.1bn global Esports revenue in 2019*
Join the UK’s 2nd-fastest growing entertainment and media sector
Esports is an industry rapidly on the rise. Global Esports revenues are tipped to hit $1.8 billion by 2022, with more than 450 million viewers tuning in last year. As part of a balanced lifestyle, it’s also a beneficial alternative to passive media like TV and supports building a wide array of technical and personal skills. Our BTEC Esports college course lets you explore the field in depth and opens doors to a future in this booming business.
Esports has strong connections to computing education, STEAM subjects and developing business and enterprise skills, cyber skills and digital literacy. Endorsed by the British Esports Association for learners wanting to work in the industry, this Level 3 course builds upon a wealth of transferable skills and enables you to experience different aspects of Esports, covering a range of subjects from video production and branding to games design and computer networking.
By completing our Esports BTEC course, you will gain a recognised qualification that will enable you to progress to employment in the industry, possibly via an apprenticeship. You could also move into higher education with potential pathways ranging from media to events management, as well as accessing Higher Nationals directly from your qualification.
Why choose this college course?
- BOOST YOUR SKILLS – Learn a range of subjects including Esports coaching, events, livestreamed broadcasting, business applications in social media and more
- WORK PLACEMENT – Transfer your learning into real-world practice through work placement opportunities with our industry partners
- INDUSTRY APPROVED – Our course is endorsed by the British Esports Association, meaning it is recognised by employers and supports entry into a range of industry roles
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to continue your learning journey after college? Progress your training to degree level on an undergraduate course at University College Birmingham
Our facilities
Students on our computing and ICT courses at University College Birmingham have access to new computer labs on campus, as well as our new Digital Creative Studio featuring industry-standard media equipment.
Based in Camden House, our new Digital Creative Studio houses a dedicated teaching lab complete with high-spec computers and industry-standard media technology, including Adobe Creative Cloud software
The Digital Creative Studio features state-of-the-art video and audio production facilities, including a video production studio with 4K cameras and green screen technology
Our Digital Creative Studio also hosts audio podcasting, vision mixing and editing facilities, as well as a creative media and design lab with graphics tablets
Course breakdown
Topics you will study:
Year 1
- 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
- Games Design
- Esports Coaching
Year 2
- Esports Events
- Live-streamed Broadcasting
- Video Production
- Business Applications of Esports in Social Media
- Shoutcasting
- Ethical and Current Issues in Esports
- Launching Your Esports Enterprise
- Computer Networking
Maths and English
To help you secure your dream career, you will also continue developing your maths and English skills alongside your full-time course. If you haven’t achieved GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths at age 16, you will continue to study these through resits or taking Functional Skills at an appropriate level.
How maths will support your career
- Designing computer game algorithms
- Understanding calculated decisions
- Understanding the use of geometry, vectors and transformations to design a game
- Presenting information
- Understanding statistics and equations
How English will support your career
- Good quality speaking and listening skills are needed when communicating with colleagues and customers
- Customer service requires good English skills in speaking and written communication
- Accurate reading is vital for following instructions, reading documents and emails, and understanding the ideas, aspirations and demands of colleagues and competitors
- English is important when preparing a CV and a business proposal, and for putting together advertising and marketing plans for your business
Entry requirements
- Normally, you will require 4 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) and above, including maths or English. (GCSE equivalent qualifications in English and maths will also be accepted)
- Alternatively you will need a BTEC Level 2 Diploma plus English or maths
- School applicants will be required to provide a good school report and references
- You should be committed, enthusiastic and have a desire to succeed in the IT industry
- If you do not have a grade 4 (grade C) or above in English and/or maths and you are under 19, you will be required to complete an assessment so we can ensure you receive appropriate support.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be assessed through coursework assignments and projects, some of which will involve industry-related visits and external assessment.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2015-2020.
Need some advice?
Our Schools Liaison team deliver drop-in sessions for you to ask any questions you have about college. Find out more here.
This qualification is endorsed by the British Esports Association
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
70%
Work placements
Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our hired@UCB team can help find the ideal placement for you.
During your BTEC Esports course, you will undertake a work placement with one of our industry partners. Each year of the course involves 10 days on placement, usually split into two block placements of 5 days each.
Esports will rival the biggest traditional sports leagues in terms of future opportunities, and between advertising, ticket sales, licensing, sponsorships and merchandising, there are tremendous growth areas for this nascent industry.
Career opportunities
Note: Some roles below may require further study/training. The roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Marketing executive
Average salary: £26,500 – £30,500
Social media manager
Average salary: £25,000 – £32,000
Event manager
Average Salary: £33,000
Journalist/content creator
Average Salary: £24,000
Production crew
Variable
Professional Esports player
Variable
Aspiring to a higher level career? Complete this course and you could progress onto our Computing degree.
Kanwal’s Story
Kanwal brings vast expertise to this new course and is dedicated to promoting learning strengths across diverse groups of students.
