Summary. Discover the rise of Esports in education! UK institutions introduce Esports courses, providing career pathways and developing valuable skills. TOP-TEC creates flexible Esports spaces to meet this growing demand.
Global Esports participation has significantly increased, necessitating the creation of spaces dedicated to Esports. What was formerly considered to be just playing video games has now developed into a lucrative industry of professional teams competing in video game competitions. In fact, the industry is currently valued at £1.34 billion with approximately 29% of the UK population (aged 16-24) interested in Esports (Statista).
Esports in Education
“79% of educational stakeholders in the UK believe Esports should be taught in schools – DELL
The education sector has begun to recognise the rapid expansion of Esports. As a result, it has started introducing Esports courses and career pathway programs into its institutions they have become an exciting addition to curriculums in colleges and universities.
Esports training centres and Esports spaces are being set-up across the country to further develop gaming skills and professional qualifications. Moreover, courses such as the Esports BTEC Level 3 are being developed to show the visibility of these skills. Over 200 institutions have received the Pearson Education Board’s approval to offer BTEC courses, a significant rise from the 70 authorised last year. (Pearson, 2023)
Esports in education is also seen as a way for students who do not thrive in traditional subjects to further their professional development in an environment that is more comfortable to them. It gives them the chance to explore other areas of potential interest and develop skills that would have been difficult for them to acquire in standard classroom settings.
Schools are providing Esports after-school clubs in addition to these new courses. Hence, encouraging teamwork and social skills while providing a healthy source of relaxation for pupils. In fact, Esports students acquire a range of skills which 69 percent of UK parents believe cannot be taught in traditional school settings (DELL, 2023).
Although the idea of going to school to play games might appear unusual, the aim is to prepare students for a digital future. In addition, it gives them an early start to access the benefits of being a part of this industry.
What do these courses involve?
Esports courses have a different approach to traditional subject areas. They have an all-encompassing structure that lets students learn not only game tactics, but also develop an understanding of other areas in the industry. Most courses allow the students gain knowledge in digital marketing, team building and management, event planning, Esports culture and public relations.
Esports courses in UK universities, run for a standard 3-year period.
The first year is made up of introductory and foundational modules. This allows students have a general idea about the Esports experience, streaming techniques, and the business of competitive gaming.
The second year goes more in-depth into strategy and coaching techniques, leadership and team dynamics, commercial sponsorships and skills that are in demand throughout the sector.
The final year often focuses on fully immersing students into the world of Esports. Students combine all they have learned in the first two years and begin to engage in real-life experiences. They will undertake assignments such as working in teams to play games in practical professional settings and creating their own commercial gaming events.
Several schools also include optional work experience opportunities into the courses to assist their students with an easy transition to a career in Esports while studying.
Are there career opportunities in Esports?
There are countless employment and career paths being established as the industry expands globally. Thus, there is a need for people with specific qualifications and expertise to fill up these positions.
As a new growing industry, employers are aware that years of industry experience is a rarity. Hence, they look out for candidates with transferrable skills. This is perfect for students because, in addition to the experiences gained from school, players can also develop a variety of skills through practice. For instance, strategic thinking, dexterity, multi-tasking, problem solving and quick processing ability.
One does not have to be a pro-gamer to succeed in the industry. As long as there is a passion, dedication, and knowledge of Esports, there are limitless career opportunities. These vary from tech, STEM and engineering to photography journalism, operations, coaching, administration, and marketing.
How is TOP-TEC becoming involved?
“41% of educational institutions do not have the facilities for Esports equipment” – DELL
At TOP-TEC, we have observed the need for an Esports space in education and are focused on finding solutions to meet these needs.
Creating an Esports Space for Runshaw College
We recently worked on a project with Runshaw College who are now one of many institutions to offer Esports courses as an exciting addition to their curriculum. We helped create an “Esports Hub” to enhance their student experience and fully immerse them into the gaming culture. It was an exciting project where we provided our customised Nebula Range complete with LED lighting and privacy dividers to provide the professional gaming atmosphere that the college was after.
Find out more about our project at Runshaw College here
TOP-TEC products offer fantastic flexibility, and we are working on more creative ways to use our products in an Esports space. We look forward to collaborating with colleges and universities as they become more aware of the need to invest in Esports education.
Are you looking at creating a dedicated Esports space? Contact Us Today
Get in touch via email or by giving us a call on +44 (0)121 783 3838 to discuss your requirements
If you have found this blog helpful, then you may also be interested in our previous blog post on Transitioning From Education to the Workplace