Summary

Esports is defined as organised competitive gaming, players versus players, be that one versus one or in teams. Esports is a fast-growing global industry and its estimated value is set to reach £1.34 Billion by 2022 and already employs a wide range of roles from the players, shoutcasters, coaches to marketing and content creators. 

At SGS we have our new Brunel Centre which is a purpose-built facility, constructed to deliver our technology and media subjects. The Brunel Centre includes high quality facilities such as editing suites, TV studios and a Gaming Hub which will be the home of our Esports provision.

Our Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A levels and carries up to 168 UCAS points. The Esports programme, enables learners to create and build teams, develop online communities, and utilise digital marketing to promote events as well as the supporting business management skills. The programme will explore the psychological skills needed and used in Esports, and then put this into practice to optimise your competitive performance. Other aspects of the programme include researching and discussing the ethics involved with Esport, nutritional advice and guidance, and Esports coaching.

The programme includes a wide range of transferable skills, enabling learners to not only experience different areas of the Esports sector but other associated sectors as well to aid progression to employment or higher education. You will develop skills, strategies, enterprise and entrepreneurship within the Esports industry whilst also developing your skills and tactics for single and multiple player team events. The course will include options to cover units such as:

• Esports Skills, Strategies and Analysis
• Video Production
• Shoutcasting
• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in the Esports Industry
• Psychology for Esports Performance
• Esports Events
• Live Stream Broadcast
• Business Applications of Esports in Social Media
• Producing an Esports Brand
• Esports Coaching
• Ethical and Current Issues in Esports

Esports Academy
All learners on the Extended Diploma – Esports programme will be part of our new SGS Esports Academy. The Esports Academy will provide opportunities for learners to receive high level Esports coaching, participate in inter college competitions and compete in both the AOC and British Esports nationally recognised competitions and leagues. National competitions will be played from the gaming hub in the SGS Brunel Centre; you will compete within the following games titles:

• Overwatch
• League of Legends
• Rocket League
• Fortnite
  

How will I know how I am doing?

A variety of assessment methods will be used to measure your progress tracked against your expected grade and target grade. These may include practical tasks and assessments, written assignments, performance reviews, presentations and discussions, all of which will be submitted on-line.

You will also be required to attend assessment days in-person at SGS College in Bristol.

Your course tutors will provide regular formal feedback reporting your academic progress throughout the year.

What do I need to join?

Applicants will hold a total of 5 GCSE grade 4’s, including English, maths and I.T.

Maths & English

A key requirement for future progression and employment is a good understanding and application of knowledge and skills in both English and maths.

You must have GCSEs at grade 4 or above, in both English & Maths. English & Maths skills will be developed holistically within the core programme through a range of activities such as data analysis.

Employability

Possible careers and salaries include:

• Journalism - £13,000 - £80,000
• Social Media Manager - £23,000 - £75,000
• Web Content Creator/ Editor - £22,000 - £37,250
• Video Editing - £18,000 - £45,000
• Event Management - £17,000 - £80,000
• Digital Marketer – £20.000 - £50,000 depending upon experience
• Retail Manager - £20,000 to £70,000 depending upon experience
• E-sports Player
• E-Sports Coach

And many more…

Average yearly salary data taken from the National Careers Services website

Work Experience

Every learner at SGS College is tasked with achieving 36 hours of work experience during the academic year. We suggest the learner starts to consider their work experience placement at the earliest opportunity.

What can I do next?

This course will provide you with opportunities to progress within the exciting Esports gaming industry as well as providing you opportunities to pursue a career relating to sales, marketing or event management. The course allows you to develop entrepreneurship and enterprise skills to create a start-up business or gain employment in a large-scale organisation. Additionally, with successful completion, there are opportunities to progress to higher-level qualifications such as the foundation degree in Computer Games Design and Development.