A global spurt in the eSports industry has seen it grow manifold in the last few years. Things have grown rapidly in the UK as well, enough for an increasing demand for professionals who could be hired into the industry despite not being full-time gamers themselves. Below is a list of some of the top universities in UK associated with eSports, either by launching courses for it or offering scholarships for those showing excellence in the sport.
There’s no doubting the excitement associated with the eSports industry, which has seen a phenomenal growth in recent times. According to a BBC report, the eSports market in the UK accounts for more than 50% of the entertainment sector, standing at nearly £4bn ($5bn) in 2019.
The industry is carving out a growth of more than 18% per annum and the direct consequence of that is the need for personnel for jobs associated with eSports. And it’s not just top-level gamers alone who earn the big bucks but this industry has begun to open up for other job profiles as well, like eSports shoutcasters (get more information on who is a shoutcaster here), who, with enough experience, can also make a living doing this (shoutcaster earnings here).
In 2018, Staffordshire University became the first university in the UK to introduce an eSports degree and since then there has been a regular influx of universities in the region which have offered this course.
The one huge benefit coming out of this education revolution is eSports as a career in multi-billion dollar need not be restricted to only the players.
Even those associated with eSports and gaming understand the risks involved with it; health aside, a gamer’s career doesn’t last too long and often the transition from gaming to other fields associated with eSports isn’t the smoothest.
Some of the required skills are production, event management, and even commentary (you can check our ultimate eSports career guide here), can be attained with some of these courses in the UK.
Stuart Kosters, who is a lecturer at the Staffordshire University, also helped launch the course and narrates an interesting story:
“One of the best stories has been at an open day, a father and son came. We were talking for five minutes, then 10 minutes, then 20 minutes, then the father said he wanted to apply.”
“I believe he did, so the father and son will be taking the course together.”
Table of Contents
List of UK Universities & Colleges for eSports
Here’s the current list of colleges and universities in the UK associated with eSports in different capacities:
- Staffordshire University (Bachelors)
- University of Chichester
- Sheffield Hallam University
- University of Leicester
- University of York
- University of Roehampton
- Oxford University
- Leeds United
- Barnsley College
- West Suffolk College
With the eSports industry growing as rapidly as it has in the recent years, we understand there would be regular changes in this below list of educational institutes in the UK offering courses or scholarships in eSports. We will strive to keep updating it as regularly as we can.
Please note, the fee figures below as correct as on May 2020, are indicative and subject to change from the university. Kindly check the official website to get the exact costs.
Staffordshire University (Bachelors)
As mentioned earlier, the Staffordshire University was the first in the region to offer a course associated with eSports. A three-year eSports BA (Hons) Full Time course which focusses on the business of eSports was designed by Stuart Kosters and has a rich vein of staff including Paul Walters, Dr Ying-Ying Law and Kevin Cheung teaching the same.
It teaches the development of one’s skills for team events, and assist in the creation of business plans to build teams. In turn, the course will also help provide a chance to “explore the culture of esports, its audience and fan base”.
In an ever-growing section, the fluidity around the various regulations associated with eSports are also a part of the curriculum.
This course also offers a four-year option including a placement year or a foundation year depending on your choice.
Students will also be encouraged to join one of the in-campus societies which are associated with the various eSports games like DOTA2, League of Legends, Counter Strike, Hearthstone, Overwatch and Super Smash Bros. In turn, if a student is good at a particular game, he/she could aspire to make it to the university team in a bid participate in UK-based or international gaming events.
This course at Staffordshire will allow students to work in a “dedicated Esports Lab and Pro Gamer training facility with all the latest industry standard software and hardware”.
Course Name
eSports BA (Hons) Full Time/eSports BA (Hons) Full Time With a Placement Year/eSports BA (Hons) Full Time With a Foundation Year
Duration
Three Years (or Four with Placement Year or Foundation Year)
Cost
- UK/EU/Channel Islands: £9,250 for first year and standard rate later
- International: £14,000/year
Entry Requirements
There are different entry requirements for British students and international students.
British Students
- Typical UCAS Offer: 48 points
- A levels: A, DD, EEE
- BTEC: PPP
International Students
Depends on the country. Check the official website for more details.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here.
Contact Details/Address:
It’s at the Stoke-on-Trent campus. Address mentioned below:
College Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DE, United Kingdom
Staffordshire University (Masters)
The Staffordshire University also has plans to provide a new eSports course as a part of its Masters degree; an MA eSports. This masters course will focus on the political, economic and regulatory framework around the industry and contextually bring in the International Esports Ecosystem as a part of the curriculum.
Course Name
eSports MA Full Time
Duration
13 months
Cost
- UK/EU/Channel Islands: £7,850
- International: £14,500
Entry Requirements
There are different entry requirements for British students and international students.
British Students
A 2:2 in a subject associated with computing, games, events, business, marketing or digital and interest and engagement in eSports. Or you could also have professional qualifications and/or experience.
International Students
Depends on the country. Check the official website for more details.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here.
Contact Details/Address
It’s at the Stoke-on-Trent campus. Address mentioned below:
College Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DE, United Kingdom
University of Chichester
Ramesh Singh, or r2k as he is popularly known in the gaming world, who is also a part of the British eSports Association, launched this course at the Chichester University.
This BA (Hons) course in eSports looks into the industry from different perspectives, including but not restricted to Competitive game play, Sports science, Psychology, Event production and Business.
Students will get an opportunity to not just study the theory around the aforementioned but also participate in single and multiplayer competitions at the venue and online. Some of these are the famous titles include Counter Strike, FIFA, League of Legends and Project Cars.
Course Name
BA (Hons) eSports
Duration
Three Years
Cost
- UK/EU/Channel Islands: £9,250 for first year and standard rate later
- International: £13,500/year
Entry Requirements
There are different entry requirements for British students and international students.
British Students
- Tariff points: 104 – 112
- A Levels: BBC – BCC BTEC: DMM – MMM
- International Baccalaureate: 28 points
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass with at least 15 credits worth of level 3 units at Merit IELTS 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5
Interestingly, the course isn’t restricted to mere grade cutoffs in a potential student’s career; it is also open to applicants who can show inclination towards the eSports industry even without possessing any of the aforementioned entry requirements. If a student can demonstrate his/her readiness for the course, would still have a chance.
International Students
Depends on the country. Check the official website for more details.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here.
Contact Details/Address
Bishop Otter campus, College Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 6PE
Sheffield Hallam University
Other than being a gamer itself, one of the requirements of this industry which is in great need is to possess skills to be able manage eSports events and the Sheffield Hallam University provides that to its students.
Other than that, this university also prepares students for a career in eSports with a multi-pronged focus – whether it’s journalism, sports reporting, commentary and esports media management. Interesting while there would be a pointed direction towards eSports, this course could also help students in other sports niches, not just eSports.
There will be classroom study but to go with those lectures and seminars, students will be encouraged with problem-solving exercises, case studies, presentations and directed learning activities. Most vitally though, there will be opportunities to work with clients on live projects.
Nana Nyarko is a part of the faculty involved in this course at the Sheffield Hallam University.
Course Name
BA (HONOURS) Esports
Duration
3 years (+1 for placement year)
Cost
- Home/EU: £9,250 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
- International: £13,650 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Entry Requirements
There are different entry requirements for British students and international students.
British Students
Other than demonstrating interest in eSports or an industry related to eSports, students need to possess the following qualifications in order to apply to the course:
A total of 96 UCAS points of which there must be at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications.
A GCSE in English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 and Maths at grade D or 3.
More information on this can be found on the official website.
International Students
EU or International students have a separate set of entry requirements, which is explained in a video here.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here
Contact Details/Address
Howard Street Sheffield S1 1WB
Birmingham City University
The chief operating officer of ESL UK, Rob Black provides a tick for the course on offer at the Birmingham City University, calling it “genuinely insightful and exciting course to prepare students for the fast moving world of esports”.
One of the selling points of this course is other than the academic expertise, it also offers students to mingle with the who’s who of the eSports industry and in turn develop contacts to grow in the industry.
With Birmingham playing to ESL One (a Dota2 game hosted by ESL), it makes a lot more sense to be that close to the action and build a network other than the provision for workshops, field projects, internships and placements at the university for roles related to eSports.
The professors involved in this course at the Birmingham City University include Richard Oddy and Dr. Russell Cowley.
As on the day this piece is published, the one disadvantage is this course isn’t available for international students.
Course Name
Esports Management – BA (Hons)
Duration
Three Years
Cost
- UK/EU: £9,250 for first year and standard rate later
Entry Requirements
There are different ways in which British students can apply to this eSports course at the Birmingham City University.
British Students
- Essential Requirements: BBC or 112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level with a minimum of 2 A Levels.
- GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above, at the point of enrollment
- Plus one of the other mentioned requirements here.
International Students
As mentioned earlier, this course isn’t available for international students yet but this might change in the future.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here
Contact Details/Address
Phone Number: +44 (0)121 331 5000
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester was expected to offer a module on eSports according to a press release they had made in 2017 and it was expected to be in partnership with ESL. The course they were targetting to deliver this module was Data Analysis for Business Intelligence, and more details about this can be found here.
One other reason why they are in this list is because of their eSports Gaming Society, which is a growing gaming community for all types of gamers, serious or casual. This gaming society has weekly games nights, console game meet-ups, bar crawls, and monthly in-house tournaments for those who are a part of the society.
With a £5/year membership fee, this is a place to be if you are looking for networking with fellow gamers and advance your skills in various aspects related to it, from actually gaming to casting and organization of events.
Contact them here.
University of York
Unlike some of the aforementioned universities, the University of York would only be offering a module on eSports Content Production in the final year of two of their programmes: BSc in Film and TV Production or BSc in Interactive Media.
This module will students learn how the eSports experience can translated into an exciting, captivating one more its millions of fans globally. It will help students narrate “engaging and insightful stories about live esports”.
The best part about this course is this module won’t be restricted only to eSports but combine conventional sports broadcasting and interactive technology along with eSports to dish out an excellent perspective.
This followed the announcement University of York was getting into a partnership with ESL to make teaching and research in eSports happen for students wanting to dig into this fast-growing industry.
This partnership also includes the Digital Creativity Labs, which is an £18 million research initiative looking into the combination of digital games and interactive media, along with the the University of York’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television and the Department of Computer Science.
Their collaboration will include a three-pronged approach, as it looks into Teaching, Research and Careers in the field of eSports.
Florian Block, who is the module convener and lead of a research group on esports at the Digital Creativity Labs explained the need for this course was thanks to the rapid growth in the eSports sector necessitating those who can take up highly-skilled jobs around it.
Peter Cowling, who is the Director of the Digital Creativity Labs at York and a Professor of Computer Science, pointed to how the market size of eSports has overtaken films and as a result the aforementioned partnership would allow a chance to lead a “highly relevant, impact-driven research” in eSports.
What is special about this course is it allows even those students, who have supposedly missed the bus in not picking BSc in eSports, to get their feet wet and give themselves an opportunity in the job world of eSports.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here.
University of Roehampton
While the University of Roehampton currently doesn’t offer any courses on eSports, it does provide a scholarship to those showing an inclination and aptitude towards the industry. This is in line with recognizing the burgeoning eSports sector and incentivizing potential students to apply to their undergraduate or postgraduate courses.
In order to be eligible, a student needs to have applied for one of the undergraduate or postgraduate courses at the University of Roehampton and if a student is awarded the scholarship, it would be worth £1,500 a year.
Students applying for the scholarship will need to “demonstrate talent in the field” while those awarded the scholarship will need to “show their commitment to esports alongside successful academic progression”.
In turn students with a scholarship will also be allowed to use the university’s eSports facilities, which would allow them to create new content and stream it, along with the chance to garner new skills.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here for the scholarship or email the university at esports@roehampton.ac.uk to get more information.
Oxford University
Some websites had reported Tencent had allegedly signed a deal with the Oxford University to offer courses for students but this was later dismissed as a rumour.
However, Tencent had definitely signed up a deal with Oxford University to host eSports tournaments in their campus, but nothing more than that. Tencent is a Chinese social media giant which is heavily invested in eSports.
Already the Oxford campus hosts the annual eSports match between Oxford University eSports Society (OUES) and Cambridge University Digital Gaming Society (CUDGS).
Leeds United
The Leeds United College was started by Leeds United Football College and offers Level 2 and Level 3 eSports courses.
The Level 2 course gives out an in-depth study of the eSports industry along with helping progress to the next level. It is a one-year course. The Level 3 course goes further in detail about the eSports sector and lasts for two years.
These two courses digs into some of the areas of eSports like Business, Marketing, Leadership, Finance, Coaching, Entrepreneurship, Event Management, Production and Journalism, along with a few others.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here for Level 2 and here for Level 3.
Barnsley College
The Barnsley College offers a full-time Level 3 course in Esports, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. This two-year course will provide an in-depth study of the eSports industry and build the base for higher education in aspects of Business, Marketing, Finance, Coaching, Entrepreneurship, Event Management, Production and Shoutcasting among others. (here’s our exhaustive guide on what to do as a eSports shoutcasting beginner)
Some of the main requirements for this course include a keen interest in eSports, along with an obvious affinity towards entrepreneurship, and 5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above including English and Mathematics.
The college boasts of facilities customized to help grow the the course they are offering. A dedicated eSports Arena adds to the impressive classroom experience and as a bonus, you can get to be a part of the ‘Esports Academy’ which participates in different games at the British Esports Association Championships.
How to Get in Touch
Apply here for Level 3.
West Suffolk College
The West Suffolk College offers a two-year, Level 3 course on Managing and Developing ESports Extended Diploma, starting from September 2020.
Much like the previous Level 3 courses mentioned, this one will help students gain skills in planning an Esports event, Commentating, Live-stream broadcasting and most importantly the Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Esports.
The mental and physical health of eSports gamers is a topic which is only recently getting traction but it’s quite some distance away from receiving its full due and the course here helps broaden one’s horizons about it.
The entry requirement for this course aren’t very stringent; it is good to have a GCSE pass in five subjects at grade C/4 or above, which should include Mathematics and English at grade 5 or above among other options (which you can check below while applying) but the college also allows the following students to apply:
“Mature learners without the above qualifications are very welcome to apply and will be considered for entry based on their individual circumstances.”
How to Get in Touch
Apply here for Level 3.