Studying Esports

Introducing your course leader, Philip Cooke

Hi, I’m Philip Cooke and I’m the course leader for the BA (Hons) Esports course.

I’ve been part of the esports industry for years - starting as a fan, then working across broadcasting, marketing, and events management before moving into higher education.

Since joining the University in 2021, I’ve always ensured students have the best possible experience from day one. As the First Year Lead, I’ll be your first point of contact for any questions or concerns throughout the year. I’m passionate about engagement learning and industry collaboration, and my research focuses on how we can bridge education and real-world esports opportunities.

I look forward to welcoming you to University of Staffordshire and supporting you in developing the skills needed for a successful career in esports.

A day in the life of an esports student

We know you’ve been wondering what it’s like to be an Esports student at University of Staffordshire. Join Kurtis for a day in his life: from heading into the Esports Arena to get a head start on some work, grabbing an iced latte at his favourite campus coffee shop Squeezebox, heading to a Cheerleading training session, and wrapping things up with some Esports event planning in Ember Lounge.

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Exciting partnership announcement

We’re thrilled to share that we now have an enhanced partnership with EPIC.Lan, a leader in community gaming events. For students on our BA (Hons) Esports course, they now offer guest lectures, module support and year-round access to EPIC.LAN’s renowned tournament platform. This platform, used in both grassroots and global esports series, offers our students invaluable industry experience and training.

El Fairclough, one of our students who has benefitted from the partnership, said: "EPIC.LAN has been a major source of experience for myself upon entering the Esports industry, providing a safe environment to learn each part of a streamed tournament event. The regular team of volunteers have quickly become family, and the connections made have given me opportunities I would have otherwise missed.”

Listen to El talk about the industry opportunities and facilities available while studying Esports, on S4 EP3 of the Student Connect Podcast.

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Events and tournaments for Esports students

Our Esports course offers you an immersive experience, filled with numerous events and tournaments that provide hands-on learning and networking opportunities. Here’s a glimpse of what you can look forward to:

  • Campus Clash - Campus Clash is our annual friendly competition between year groups, held in our state-of-the-art esports facilities. This event not only fosters a sense of community but also allows you to gain experience in organising and participating in large-scale tournaments.
  • Varsity leagues - you'll have the chance to compete in UK and international varsity leagues such as NUEL (National University Esports League) and NSE (National Student Esports). These leagues feature popular games like League of Legends, Call of Duty, Valorant, Overwatch, and Super Smash Bros, providing a platform for you to test your skills against peers from other universities.
  • Industry engagement - you will also have opportunities to work with industry professionals and companies. Past collaborations include working with professionals from organisations like EPIC.LAN, ESHub, Atlas.GG, UKEL, Riot Games through the Riot Play Club Series, EVC Tournaments, BFBS Pro League, Stoke City Foundation and the Fete Smash event series, plus many more!

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Frequently asked questions

Can I join any esports societies or clubs?

Absolutely! We have numerous gaming societies where you can connect with others who share the same interests as you. We have 15 gaming clubs, so whether you play League of Legends, Valorant, Call of Duty, or Super Smash Bros, you'll find your people. These societies participate in UK and international varsity leagues and host various gaming events too. 

Are there any practical experiences included in the course?

Yes, you will have opportunities to organise and participate in events such as varsity tournaments, charity fundraisers, and collaborations with industry professionals. The course also includes live industry briefs and projects, plus a range of practical assessments that are designed to build real-world skills.

How is the course assessed?

The course uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

  • Essays
  • Reports
  • Portfolios
  • Presentations
  • Final year project
  • Written exams

What career prospects can I expect after graduating?

During your time on the course we can help you tailor your portfolio towards your chosen career path. There are a wide variety of career opportunities within the esports industry and other industries such as TV and film, broadcast media, sports, events, corporate businesses, education and many more. Typical roles you could pursue include:

  • Coach/Analyst
  • Content Creator
  • PR or Marketing Executive
  • Community or Social Media Manager
  • Broadcast or Production Crew
  • Event Manager
  • Agent
  • Organisation owner or manager

What kind of work placements are available?

Our dedicated careers team can support you to find and secure a work placement year or study exchange with our partner institute in Finland. In doing so, you could gain real-world experience in the esports industry before you graduate. 

Are there opportunities for industry collaborations?

Yes, you will work on live industry briefs and projects, and have opportunities to collaborate with professionals. We've previously worked with organisations like EPIC.LAN, ESHub, Atlas.GG, UKEL, Riot Games through the Riot Play Club Series, EVC tournaments, BFBS Pro League, Stoke City Foundation and the Fete Smash event series, plus many more!

What kind of support is available for students with disabilities?

You can request a Student Inclusion Plan by contacting the university’s Student Support or Disability Services team. They’ll guide you through the process and work with you to identify any adjustments you need. Support can include extra time in exams, accessible learning materials, assistive technology, note-taking support and adjustments for practical sessions. 

What accommodation options are available for first-year students?

The university offers a range of on-campus accommodation to choose from. Be among the first to live in our brand new Student Village - nestled alongside our woodland nature reserve and the River Trent. Opening in September 2026, our brand new on campus accommodation living is the perfect way to make friends, become more independent and feel like you belong. Visit our Accommodation page for details on options, pricing and accessibility.

Can I see what the facilities look like before joining?

Our esports facilities give you real-life experience of broadcasting and managing esports events. The space 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. Check out what other technical facilities you could be using in our Media and Communications Hub.

Teaching staff

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

Your next steps

  1. Accept your offer

    An exciting new chapter awaits you here at University of Staffordshire - we can't wait to meet you. Before you can progress with finance or accommodation choices, you'll need to confirm your offer via UCAS.

    Accept your offer

  2. Apply for student finance

    It's best to arrange your student finance before starting University. You can learn more about student finance and make an application at www.gov.uk/student-finance. Our support team is here to help, get in touch if you have any questions about student finance.

    Enquire about finance

  3. Apply for your accommodation

    We have a range of accommodation to choose from to suit all lifestyles and budgets, including en-suite and accessible rooms. Browse rooms and find out how to apply.

    Browse University accommodation
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 Intuition 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