Esports - Level 3

Summary

Esports has enjoyed spectacular growth in recent years due mainly to the success of big games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Overwatch and Dota 2, as well as streaming platforms like Twitch, which allow fans to spectate live. It is an industry that continues to develop, offering job and career prospects globally.

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Esports is aimed at learners who are looking to progress to employment in the esports industry, possibly via an apprenticeship, or whose aspirations may also be to enter higher education.

The qualification is endorsed by The British Esports Association as being suitable for learners wanting to work in this industry. This means that it will be recognised by employers and will support entry into the industry in a range of roles.

This qualification also offers learners the opportunity to progress to a broad range of higher education programmes, including bachelor degrees.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
02 Sep 2026	Bispham Campus	2 Years	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

A course in esports can prepare students for a wide range of careers within the rapidly growing esports industry. The field of esports encompasses a variety of roles, including:

Professional player
Coach
Team manager
Tournament organizer
Marketing and PR (Public Relations) Specialist
Content creator
Broadcaster
Event producer

Through a comprehensive esports program, students can develop the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen career paths. They can learn about game theory and strategy, team dynamics and leadership, event planning and management, and marketing and branding in the context of esports.

Graduates of an esports course may find employment opportunities with professional esports teams, tournament organizers, streaming platforms, game publishers, and other companies involved in the industry. They may also choose to become entrepreneurs and start their own esports businesses, such as organizing events or launching their own teams or progress to a variety of higher education programmes, including bachelor degrees.

As the esports industry continues to grow and gain mainstream recognition, the demand for skilled and knowledgeable professionals is likely to increase. Therefore, pursuing a course in esports can provide students with a solid foundation for a fulfilling and rewarding career in this exciting and dynamic field.

On completion of this course, you can go straight into employment or continue your studies.

Next steps at B&FC

If you'd like to specialise, consider a Foundation Degree at B&FC in one of the following:

Computer Science
Software Developer (Higher apprenticeship)
Network Engineering (System Administration or Cyber Security)
Web Technologies and Digital Media
Data analyst
Software Engineering (Game Development)
Software Engineering (Systems Development)

Employment Opportunities

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Esports has a primary focus on progressing to employment across a range of roles within esports. Roles could include:

Esports player
Team coach
Events organiser
Shout caster and Presenter
Social Media influencer
Video production editor
Data Analyst

Key information

Entry Requirements

This course is suitable for anyone aged 16-18, who wants to develop a career in one of the various roles available in the digital industries.

4 GCSEs grade 4 or above in English and Maths is required along with the following:

•   A successful interview with a tutor the ability to study independently
•   A genuine interest in the subject
•   Effective communication skills
•   Hardworking approach towards the industry

All 16–18-year-old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course.

Qualification obtained

BTEC National Extended Diploma in Esports

Fees and funding

Courses for learners who are 16-18 years old at the start of their course and resident in the UK are fully funded. You may also be entitled to further financial help to support your studies depending on your personal circumstances. For more details of these, please visit our page on Finance Support for School Leavers.

If you are not a UK resident, we will confirm whether funding is available when we process your application. If not, you may be liable for course fees.

Extra costs and equipment

Read our full terms and conditions.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Pearson

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

What will I learn?

Learners taking this qualification will study five mandatory units:

•   Unit 1: Introduction to Esports
•   Unit 2: Esports Skills, Strategies and Analysis
•   Unit 3: Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in the Esports Industry
•   Unit 4: Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Esports Players
•   Unit 5: Esports Events.

Over the two years learners will also study a further 10 optional units, some of which may include:

•   Games Design
•   Business Applications of Esports in social media
•   Esports Coaching
•   Ethical and Current Issues in Esports
•   Launching Your Esports Enterprise
•   Computer Networking
•   Live-streamed Broadcasting

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

As part of this course, students will form an Esports team that will be entered into the British Esports Championships for schools and colleges.

Students will also have the opportunity to organise and host tournaments between schools and colleges and manage fixtures.

How will I learn?

Teaching and learning differ for each module, with practical units including a final assignment to show what you have learned overall.

Students are initially supported by demonstrations and walkthroughs and later by a workshop/individual focus intended to foster creativity.

Modules are delivered by subject specialists with industry experience.

Facilities and resources are regularly updated to improve your experience in college and to match the needs of the course. Our ultra-modern facilities are regularly refreshed to meet the standards of awarding bodies for our Computing courses.

Recently, our classrooms hosted World Skills UK, and the team praised how wonderful our classroom resources and setup was for enabling the events to progress successfully.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich students’ learning experience, giving them an insight into what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Learners are assessed using a variety of styles to help them develop a broad range of transferable skills. Learners are given opportunities to:

•   Present the findings of their own research
•   Use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations
•   Carry out projects for which they have choice over the direction and outcomes
•   Use practical and technical skills that mirror industry processes

We encourage learners to apply their learning in realistic contexts using scenarios and realistic activities that will allow them to draw on and apply their learning.