Backed by the British Esports Association, the new level two and three qualifications will start in September 2021 – based at DCG’s Joseph Wright Centre where Digital, Sport A-level and BTEC Games Development study programmes are already established.
They have been designed to develop vital skills that will open doors to further study and potential careers in a wide range of roles from being professional players, shoutcasters and video editors to software engineering and cyber security.
Esports is a form of sport competition using video games and often takes the form of organised, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players – individually or as teams.
It is increasingly being recognised as an official sport with common skills of concentration, training and competitiveness at the fore and is furthermore being considered as a future Olympics event.
DCG Digital team manager Vanessa Simpson explained: “Esports is a growing and exciting multi-billion pound industry that many young people are looking at with interest and it’s important they have the opportunity to unlock their potential and be the leaders of tomorrow.
“UK colleges are leading the world in embedding new Esports qualifications and we are delighted to be part of this to future proof our students for changes in the digital arena.
“With no live or televised sports taking place during lockdown, thousands more people tried new hobbies like competitive gaming. This qualification is however much more than just focusing on the huge opportunities available to professional Esport players.
“It focuses on a wide range of technical and transferable employability skills that open doors to great careers in this and wider digital industries.”
