Esports

Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:: Full-time, September start
Study option:: Full-time, January start; Choose another study option
Duration:: 13 Months
Duration:: 17 Months
Start date:: 9 September 2019

Come to an Open Event Enquire about this course Apply now

Be part of the gaming phenomenon that’s watched by millions all over the world. Our Esports MA is designed to prepare you to lead the next generation of people working in this exciting industry. You’ll meet the people shaping the industry today, find out about the history of the sport and develop your own ideas on what the future might look like for Esports.

Our MA in esports is a cutting-edge course designed to give you the skill set needed to work within a growing number of jobs in this flourishing industry.

Studying under internationally renowned course leaders in a university with one of the largest computer games schools in the UK, you’ll learn exciting new skills that will enable you to fully immerse yourself in the esports ecosystem.

You will be expected to develop higher level research and analytical skills through the development of a substantive research project of your choice. The focus will be on strategic level management skills, influencing policies and practices in the industry and developing a critical awareness of the sociological, political and legal landscape.

Like esports itself, this practical course is fast and dynamic, and you’ll be expected to work in a range of esports settings within weeks of starting your course.

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

Course content

You will develop a critical and investigative approach to the esports ecosystem, covering teams, leagues, tournaments, platforms, brands, games developers, investors and fans, before choosing your own research topic to develop during the later part of your course.

A focus on employability will be intrinsic throughout the esports award. The Esports Ecosystems module covers careers talks, visits and guest speakers from industry along with the opportunity to take up a role overseeing the undergraduate teams on live events at each level.

In the final module students will develop their reflective practise and develop a research topic of their own choice that reflects their interests and demonstrates their ability to apply skills they have developed throughout their course.

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.

Standard route

Year 1 compulsory modules
Dissertation And Dissemination	60 credits
Esports Ecosystem And Metrics	30 credits
International Esport Policy And Planning	30 credits
Managing Esport Arena Strategies	30 credits
Research Methods And Esports Data	30 credits

Entry requirements

UK qualifications

International qualifications

You will usually have achieved a 2:2 in a computing, games, business, events, marketing or digital related subject with evidence of engagement in Esports. Alternatively you may have professional qualifications and/or experience. If you need to discuss the entry requirements please get in touch with the course leader.

News

Ex-Gfinity Esports Manager joins Digital Institute London

Staffordshire University has appointed Matt Huxley as the newest member of their specialist staffing team for DIL.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country

Facilities

Esports Hub

New for 2018, this room will amaze you. All the latest gaming software, cameras, lighting and broadcast kit to help you create your own esports experiences and play tournaments that can be streamed to the world.

Games Programming

Our labs offer development facilities for multiple platforms, including PS4, Xbox360, Xbox One, phones, tablets and PCs. Underpinning the console specific solutions are development environments for languages including C, C++, C# and Java.

Esports Lab

A customised esports lab for showcase and learning. Computer equipment is top of the range industry standard, featuring tournament level hardware and software, allowing for ease of use and the best in quality assurance.

Business School

Home to dedicated business facilities including conference rooms and 'collaboratories' perfect for creative get-togethers.

Careers

After completing the Esports MA, you’ll be equipped to take on the following roles in industry:

Shoutcaster/host
Coach/analyst
Journalist/content creator
PR/Marketing executive
Product manager
Sales/partnerships manager
Admin/referee
Organisation owner/manager
Community/social media manager
Broadcast/production crew
Event manager
Agent

Interested in further study? After finishing your course, you'll leave with the skills you need for further academic study at PhD level.

Teaching and assessment

Overview

Teaching

We know that everyone learns differently. So, not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you will:

Work with others on group work
Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your final project.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module. These could include essays, exams, or portfolios.

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking, presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Fees

Overview

Additional costs

Financial support

For the course starting on 9 September 2019 the tuition fees are:

Study option
Full time

UK / EU / Channel Islands
£7,620 per course

International (Non-EU)
£12,750 per course

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to a discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact Graduate Relations.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £10,609 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options - part-time, full-time and distance learning.

For more information and how to apply visit postgraduate loans.

Bursaries and scholarships

As a postgraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply

Location:

Award:

Study option:

Start date:

Apply link

Location:

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Award:

MA

Study option:

Full-time, September start

Start date:

9 September 2019

Apply now

Rules and regulations

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

Students of Staffordshire University 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.

Course content

Meet the Esports Lecturers

Modules

Standard route

Entry requirements

Ex-Gfinity Esports Manager joins Digital Institute London

Facilities

Esports Hub

Games Programming

Esports Lab

Business School

Careers

Postgraduate Open Event

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Assessment

Learning support

Additional support

Fees

Alumni discount

Alumni discount

Apply

Rules and regulations