Esports
Level 3
Qualification: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Esports / BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Esports / BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Esports
Duration: 2 years
Course Overview
Competitive esports has seen massive growth in recent years; estimates expect the global esports market will have generated revenues of more than $1bn in 2020, with almost 500m viewers around the world. With its growing popularity, it is an industry that offers many job and career opportunities around the world, such as professional playing and coaching, commentary, journalism, marketing, data analysis and IT roles to name just a few.
The Pearson BTEC Esports course provides a platform to progress into this exciting growth industry. It builds a wide range of skills directly relevant to working in the esports industry but, as it earns UCAS points, it also provides a pathway to university study. There is also the opportunity to participate in organised competitions on a regular basis.
What will I study?
What you study each year will depend on the choice of award you make. There is the option to take the subject as a single A Level equivalent (National Extended Certificate), a two A Level equivalent (Level 3 National Diploma in Esports) or a three A Level equivalent (Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Esports). You are advised to take advice as to which option is best for you, based around your career/ university aspirations.
All students will study the units listed under the National Extended Certificate qualification and build on these depending on the size of course chosen. We aim to offer flexibility within some of the other choices available, wherever grouping makes this viable, but the typical offering is listed below.
Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Esports
Introduction to Esports
Esports Skills, Strategies and Analysis
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in the Esports Industry
Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Esports Players
Level 3 National Diploma in Esports
As above plus:
Esports Events (event planning)
Producing an Esports Brand
Video Production
Shoutcasting
Nutrition for Esports Performance
National Extended Diploma in Esports
All of the above plus:
Esports Coaching
Psychology for Esports Performance
Ethical and Current Issues in Esports
Sports and Esports Law and Legislation
Launching Your Esports Enterprise
Games Design
Competition
There will be the opportunity for all students to regularly participate in a competitive Esports league. The current games being used by the exam board are:
Overwatch – Battle.net
League of Legends – Riot Client
Rocket League – Steam
Fortnite – EpicGames
Study Visits
Visit to/speaker from Sheffield Hallam University and a local employer.
Work Placement
We aim to be able to provide the opportunity to undertake a work placement in order to gain hands on experience, particularly for those interested in Esports as a future career.
Assessment
Fully assessed by coursework. No examinations.
Entry Criteria
Five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above in four different subjects including Grade 4 in English and Maths.
Useful Supporting Courses
Elements of the course would work well alongside courses such as Business Studies, Law, Sport or Media Studies but it can potentially be studied alongside a range of other subjects as it builds very useful skills in its own right. There is, of course, the option to take this as your only course if the Esports industry is an area of particularly strong interest for you.
Careers
The primary focus of the Pearson BTEC in Esports is on progressing to employment across a range of roles within esports. Jobs that are available in these areas include:
- esports player
- events organiser
- shoutcaster and presenter
- social media influencer
- video production editor
Flying Start
Click the link and have a go at our 10-week learning plan to get you off to the best start.
Photo credit: Mateo Vrbnjak on Unsplash