Esports

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Industry-led learning

Learn from guest lectures, live briefs and feedback from esports professionals

Hands-on experience

Get involved in live tournament productions, from grassroots events to major esports series

Expert teaching

We’ll also teach you about the community and cultural studies aspects of the esports industry

Take your skills to the next level and break into the multi-billion pound esports industry.

Esports is an exciting fusion of online gaming and spectator sport. But its success isn’t just down to the players – it’s also the specialist teams behind the scenes.

On our course, you’ll combine digital media and broadcasting skills with practical experience of business, event management and marketing. It means you’ll have a wide range of transferable skills for your future career.

Our graduates have gone on to become everything from community managers and event managers to broadcast and production crew.

As a student here, you can stage your own esports tournaments in our 60-seat arena and commentate on events using our caster desk. In our production galleries, you’ll also learn how to do everything from action replays to close-ups.

We were the first university in the UK to offer an Esports degree and have continued to innovate. Developments include establishing a partnership with EPIC.LAN, renowned for its community gaming events. With guest lectures, tailored module support and access to EPIC.LAN’s professional tournament platform, you’ll gain the experience and industry insights to set you apart from the competition.

Courses

Why study with us?

You’ll be studying at an award-winning games university and will learn how to host small and large-scale productions, tournaments and events. On our Esports course, you will also:

  • Learn all the essentials to succeed in the industry, including digital media, marketing, business, production, employability, events and communities
  • Manage events, build a portfolio and get lots of practical experience
  • Have opportunity to join one of our competitive societies and compete across the UK
  • Complete live industry briefs and run your own projects
  • Look at how to freelance and market your skills to employers

You can choose which areas you want to specialise in and can personalise your degree through optional modules and flexible assessments.

Careers and connections

We’ve worked with industry professionals to help develop the course, so our graduates have the skills that employers need. You’ll also be able to tailor your portfolio towards your chosen career path.

There are a wide variety of opportunities within the industry. You could become an event manager, analyst, content creator, PR or marketing executive, community or social media manager, broadcast or production crew, or agent. Other roles could focus on the statistics or finance side of esports, or on gaming careers such as developers or publishers.

During your course, you’ll benefit from our professional connections to help you become career-ready. Our students have worked with the Alpine F1 team on their 'Community Cup' series and are involved in other industry links.

There are also opportunities for placements or a study exchange with our partner institute in Finland.

I’ve been given all the skills I needed to learn to get into this role. I wake up every morning feeling absolutely blessed that I’ve got this position.
Joshua Griffin-Meek

BA (Hons) Esports graduate and Esports Executive at Oracle Red Bull Sim Racing

Our students

If you want to study esports, the resources and teaching staff at Staffordshire University will give the best possible university experience.

My biggest bit of advice for anyone thinking about doing the course is to do it. I was not sure at first as its not a “traditional” subject to study at university, however it has been one of the best choices I have ever made. On top of this, if you want to study esports, the resources and teaching staff at Staffordshire University will give the best possible university experience.

Joshua Welling

BA (Hons) Esports

In my first semester here I have created a society around our course and helped at Esports taster events at the Uni.

In my first semester here I have created a society around our course, helped at Esports taster events at the Uni, met industry professionals, been invited to London for meetings and just genuinely been involved in as many things Esports related as I can.

Adam Fortune

BA (Hons) Esports

Staffordshire University is the real trend setter

Staffordshire University is the real trend setter by creating the first worldwide course focusing on the business and culture behind the scenes. Our course is about understanding the culture, developing businesses, planning and budgeting events, as well as learning about the technology and innovations required to create the premium experience that millions of viewers are already engaging in.

Kris Krastev

BA (Hons) Esports

Facilities

Our brand new esports facilities give you real-life experience of broadcasting and managing events. The major investment includes a 60-seat arena, multi-camera studio and two professional production galleries.

It means you’ll be getting hands-on exploring all aspects of esports operations.

Beacon Esports Arena

Our 60-seat dynamic arena has been purpose built for immersive gameplay and competitions. You’ll be using the arena to stage your own esports tournaments and to showcase your skills. Read more

It features a bespoke presenter and shoutcaster desk, with specialist workstations. It also features a huge 7690 x 1080 screen.

Production Galleries

Immerse yourself in the future of broadcasting with our bi-directional, professional-grade production galleries. Read more

Learn how to vision mix on Panasonic’s KAIROS live video production platform and master an  end-to-end EditShare production workflow. You’ll also get to grips with real-time production with our  SMPTE2110 system and play back music on our Allen and Heath Avantis audio desk.

Broadcast Studio

Every angle is captured flawlessly in our multi-camera broadcast studio equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment from EVS Broadcast. Read more

Discover the heart of our production capabilities, where every angle is captured flawlessly in our multi-camera broadcast studio equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment from EVS Broadcast.  You’ll learn how to use EVS XT-GO system for action replays to align your skills to real world  professional broadcast standards.

Expertise

Dr Ying-Ying Law

Course Director - Esports

Ying-Ying is a sociologist and an active researcher in digital cultures. Her main area of interest includes video gamer culture, communities, play, esports, research methods and gender studies from a sociological perspective.

Ying-Ying's profile

Dr Joshua Jarrett

Senior Lecturer

Josh is a Senior Lecturer specialising in Esports, who joined Staffordshire University in September 2019. Josh’s ongoing research interests include co-creative player relations, free-to-play monetisation, grassroots esports and platform governance.

Joshua's profile

Philip Cooke

Senior Lecturer

Phil is a Lecturer on the Esports course at Staffs. Specialising in Marketing, Broadcasting & Events, Phil has experience working on a variety of events globally before moving on to the lecturer team.

Philip's profile

Joshua Wales-Ferguson

Senior Lecturer

Josh is a project manager and final-year lead in the esports department. His main area of interest is business development, broadcast production and contemporary uses of marketing in the esports industry.

Joshua's profile

Thomas Evans

Lecturer

Tom is a lecturer specialising in Events Management/Tournament Operations, originally completing his undergraduate study in Game Design before completing a Masters degree in Esports, Tom is currently studying alongside lecturing to complete a PgCHPE.

Cameron Vanloo

Senior Lecturer

Cameron is a lecturer and a research in performance management in relation to sports and esports coaching and performance. His main area of interest is the development of physical fitness in relation to psychological and sociological.

Cameron's profile

Ross Wilson

Lecturer

Ross is a Lecturer on the Esports course at Staffs. Specialising in broadcasting and analytics modules. He has experience working in event logistics and computer networking and is currently studying his PgCHPE.

Ross's profile

Rhys Williams

Lecturer

Rhys is a Lecturer at Staffs whilst also being active in the industry. His main area of interest being as a professional esports coach whilst also creating content and projects globally.

Rhys's profile

Joshua Lindsey

Lecturer

Joshua is a lecturer in computer science, focusing on engagement, mentoring, and commercial opportunities. He also contributes to the Esports course at Stoke-on-Trent by leading modules on emerging technology, digital media, and governance.

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