Esports BA(Hons)

In year one, you'll gain a solid practical and theoretical foundation in the field of esports. You'll learn about the basic context in which esports are streamed, gain an understanding of the whole delivery process from start to finish, discover the roles that work together to make a project happen and explore team-working methodologies. You'll also get an introduction to digital media and creative marketing processes.

Modules

Theory: Sports History and Contemporary Esports Studies

You'll be introduced to the historical context for studying esports and the theories and concepts that have been developed specifically for their discussion, as well as those which have emerged from other disciplines such as sports history and visual media.

Development Principles

You'll engage with the core processes of digital project development in a studio-centred context, as well as the culture it supports. You'll work in teams to develop your collaboration skills.

Marketing and Digital Media

An understanding of marketing and digital media is vital in the esports industry. You'll learn how to utilise creative marketing processes within the experience sector.

Streaming Technology and Online Networked Broadcast

In this module, you'll gain an understanding of the components that make up a live networked streaming setup designed for online spectatorship. You'll get to grips with the technologies, protocols, and systems vital to esports production.

Multidisciplinary Development Practice

This module will help you to deliver an industry-standard proof-of-concept for an esports production, using specialist skills and multi-skilled collaboration.

In year two of this Esports degree, your growing knowledge and skills will be put to the test with practical projects. You'll define and execute a solo esports, livestreaming or content creation project and work in a team to respond to a project brief. You'll consider the game-specific factors that impact spectator experience, encounter the legal, regulatory, financial and ethical considerations for running an esports business and develop an understanding of branding and promotion.

Modules

Legal and Financial Management in the Experience Sector

Through this introduction to the legal and financial elements of the industry, you'll learn to accurately interpret and respond to financial data and legislative considerations.

Analysing Esports Strategy and Highlights

In this module, you'll unpick the strategy behind an esports production. You'll get to know all the game-specific factors that need to be considered when producing an engaging spectator experience.

Media Lab

Focusing on esports promotion, you'll explore the creative opportunities and ethical implications of media technologies and advertising platforms.

Esports Events and Community Management

You'll work in a team to deliver a livestreamed esports event, considering physical vs. digital delivery. Backed by the lessons learned in the Media Lab module, you'll also consider online promotion and community engagement.

Individual Esports Project

You'll strike out on your own to explore content creation and media production as part of a solo project. You can focus on esports or digital content creation more generally.

Collaboration University-wide Challenge

This module encourages collaborative opportunities between students across all areas of the University.

Your final year of your Esports degree is all about preparing for industry. You'll gain vital entrepreneurial knowhow and finesse your practical skills by doing it for real. Working in a team, you'll deliver a large-scale, long-term esports event management project, which you'll present at the end of year show. To support this practical project, you'll write an extended essay based on a specific game and/or esports research topic.

Modules

Esports Professional Practice

You'll advance and consolidate your knowledge and understanding of esports enterprise. Supported by lecturers and mentors, you'll discover how to participate in esports enterprise and how to set up an esports company.

Entrepreneurial Practice

This module will support the development of entrepreneurial skills alongside your professional and specialist practice.

Major Game Development Project: Pre-production

You'll prepare for the Final Major Collaboration module by carrying out the pre-production of a market-viable esports production, as part of a team.

Theory: Preparing for the Future

This theory-based module will help you build a greater awareness of the evolving nature of games and esports. You'll deepen your understanding of the cultural, social and political contexts within which games and esports are made, played and perceived.

Major Collaboration

Building on the pre-production developed in the Major Game Development module, you'll produce, promote and broadcast a market-viable esports production as part of a multi-skilled team.

Why study an Integrated Foundation Year route?

If you’re taking on a new subject that you haven’t studied in depth before, have been out of education for a while or have a non-standard educational background then an Integrated Foundation Year degree may be the right choice for you. It is a four-year degree with an Integrated Foundation Year to start, which allows you to explore the primary elements of your subject before progressing on to the remaining three years of the BA(Hons) degree.

What you'll learn

If you choose this pathway, you'll study five core modules in your Foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.

Modules

Explore

You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.

Technique

You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.

Apply

You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.

Industry

You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.

Launch

You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.

After the Foundation year, you progress into Year One of the full three-year degree, equipped with a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject.

The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2023 and subject to validation.

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.  

UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. 

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.  

If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you'll need to take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.

UK applications: 25 January 2023 (for equal consideration)

Applications after the 25 January will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available. Apply for this course now.

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.