Esports

at Burton and South Derbyshire College

FdA

Location

Burton and South Derbyshire College

Start dates available

  • September 2026

Esports is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing industries globally, and this Foundation Degree is designed to help you become part of it.

The course enables you to take your first steps into higher education in a way that feels familiar and supportive. It will help you to build confidence, develop practical skills and prepare for exciting careers or further study within Esports and many other career paths.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdA Esports

Course content

This course shows how different areas like business, events, marketing and production come together in the esports world. You’ll explore each of these through practical projects and flexible assignments that let you focus on what interests you most. From producing tournaments to working in teams, you’ll build a professional portfolio that showcases your skills.

You’ll get lots of support, especially in your first year, with regular sessions to help you plan your future and make the most of your course. As you progress through the course, you’ll be encouraged to take on volunteering, placements or short courses to boost your experience. You’ll also learn from guest speakers and work on live industry briefs, giving you real insight into the fast-moving esports industry.

The course is closely linked to our full BA (Hons) Esports degree and has the option to progress onto our one year BA (Hons) Esports Top-up course here at University of Staffordshire, so when you're ready you'll have the opportunity to progress further with confidence. You’ll learn from expert staff, work on real industry projects and develop critical thinking, teamwork and communication skills. The course also helps you understand the wider impact of esports, including ethical and social issues, and prepares you for a range of career paths.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Digital Media Platforms 20 credits
Esports In Context 40 credits
Marketing Esports 20 credits
Multidisciplinary Teamwork 20 credits
Tournament Production 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Community Management 20 credits
Esports Policy In Action 20 credits
Event Development Workflows 20 credits
Industry Professional Skills & Practice 20 credits
Making Media Matter 20 credits
Managing In A Digital World 20 credits

Location

You will study at Burton and South Derbyshire College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Burton and South Derbyshire College is a great place to learn. There’s a real buzz here; inspiring teachers, engaged learners, fantastic state of the art facilities and career-boosting links with leading businesses.

Burton and South Derbyshire College website
Burton and South Derbyshire College logo

Entry requirements

You'll need a minimum of 64 UCAS points. Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered on an individual basis, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

Careers

This course is designed to prepare you for a wide range of career paths both within the esports industry and beyond. You’ll gain real-world experience through live industry briefs, guest lectures and practical projects that mirror professional environments. Whether you're interested in event management, marketing, the production or business side of esports, the course helps you build the skills employers are looking for.

From day one, you’ll be supported to develop a personalised career plan, with access to academic mentors, career services and volunteering opportunities. You’ll also build a professional portfolio that showcases your achievements and helps you stand out when applying for jobs or further study.

As you progress, you’ll explore specialised modules that let you focus on areas that match your interests and career goals. You’ll also learn how to position yourself for freelance work or employment in related industries like sport, hospitality and digital media.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with:

  • Transferable skills in teamwork, communication and critical thinking
  • Industry insight from professionals and real-world projects
  • A clear pathway to progression into a full honours degree
  • The confidence and experience to launch your career in esports or beyond

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You’ll learn in a flexible and supportive environment that’s built around your needs and interests, with personalised teaching and plenty of hands-on experience. The course connects esports with areas like events, hospitality, sport and tourism, giving you a broad understanding of how the industry works. As you progress, you’ll take more specialised modules, hear from guest speakers and work on real-world projects that prepare you for university or a career.

Assessment

We use a mix of creative and practical ways to assess your progress, so it’s not just about writing essays! You’ll get to:

  • Work on real industry briefs and pitch ideas to professionals
  • Create video essays, content, and practical projects
  • Take part in teamwork challenges and personalised tasks based on your interests
  • Receive regular feedback to help you improve as you go

This approach helps you build skills that employers really value and shows how your work connects to the real world, and not just the classroom.

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option International
Full-time £6,350 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Apply now to Esports

Location Award Study option Start date
Burton and South Derbyshire College FdA Full-time 21 September 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021