You can either go straight onto your main degree programme or start with a foundation year. If you choose to take a Foundation Year, we’ll build up your academic skills so you are ready to join the main degree programme. You’ll study topics in key areas, including History of Competitive Gaming, Introduction to Tournament Operations, Computer and Networking Fundamentals and Team Project.
The first year of the BA (Hons) Esports degree provides a broad introduction to the esports industry, with core modules shared across all pathway routes. This gives you the opportunity to explore the different roles, disciplines and opportunities within esports before specialising from your second year. You’ll develop an understanding of the wider esports ecosystem while gaining practical experience across areas such as competitive gaming, tournament operations, production, broadcasting, marketing, events and business. If you’re not yet sure which area of esports you want to pursue - or simply want to experience a range of disciplines before deciding - this first year gives you the flexibility to discover where your interests and strengths lie.
In your second year, you’ll begin to develop your chosen pathway while strengthening your academic and research skills. Alongside your specialist study, Research Methods in Esports will introduce you to the approaches and techniques used to investigate issues within the esports industry. You’ll also develop a project for an industry client, gaining practical experience in project planning and production design while responding to a professional brief.
In your final year, you’ll further develop your understanding of the global esports landscape and the wider business and social responsibilities of the industry. Modules include Corporate Social Responsibility, Global Esports, and your Final Year Project. Your Final Year Project gives you the opportunity to investigate an area of esports that interests you, applying your research and analytical skills to a substantial independent project.
We have a strong focus on student research, with projects exploring everything from the impact of publicly listed esports teams through to exploring barriers to entry for minority groups within esports, with the opportunity to present these to industry at GradEx.
You’ll be taught by research-active staff who bring a wide variety of industry and academic experience, including in esports coaching, broadcasting, marketing, events and business skills.