Esports BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The esports degree at UON allows you to study key topics within esports and includes an opportunity to undertake a work placement at a local sport organisation. A strong emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge to real-world issues affecting the esports sector: developing successful esports business strategy, exploring esports governance and ethical issues, organising and delivering esports events, coaching and leading esports teams and managing gameplay performance, and the effective marketing and promotion of esports events.

  Bespoke esports university modules have been developed, in conjunction with esports specialists, to create a unique student learning experience. You will also acquire key learning, networking, self-management, and professional development skills needed to gain the Changemaker Bronze award.

  Our esports course provides a mixture of classroom-based sessions (to introduce and explore key concepts) and practical activities that enable you to develop your esports gameplay performance, coaching, and business approach. There are also opportunities to learn ‘off campus’, you will have the opportunity to attend esports competitions and events and interact with esports professionals to help support your development and enhance the learning experience.

  Alongside the degree, you are also encouraged to take an active engagement in esports, participating in the university esports teams, and engaging in practical work experience and volunteering with local esports organisations. We believe that the knowledge gained through your degree experience should be used to create a social impact wherever possible, that’s why we bring elements of the industry into your degree and encourage all our students to re-invest their knowledge, skills, and talent back into local, and national, initiatives and programmes.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

  • Stage 1
    • Understanding Esports Media (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO1050

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to the growing coverage of esports and to support students to develop a range of skills connected to researching, writing and producing journalism and content about esports. It develops students technical and editorial expertise across multimedia journalism.
    • Doing Sport & Exercise Psychology in the Digital Age (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO1051

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides an introduction to how psychological theory and research can be applied to enhance health, wellbeing, and performance in sport and exercise settings. A significant emphasis will be placed on how practitioners intervene with athletes and `at-risk? populations through the use of digital technologies alongside more traditional face-to-face methods.
    • Ready, Player One? Gameplay & Academic Skills (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO1052

      Status: Compulsory
      By the end of this module, students will be able to outline/explain different gameplay principles across esports game genres, analyse performance, and show an understanding of esports coaching techniques. Students will also be able to plan, monitor and evaluate progress towards developing academic and industry relevant knowledge and skills.
    • Esports Events Fundamentals (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO1053

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to develop an understanding of how to organise and run small scale esports events. Students will be able to identify, explain, and understand the contribution of fundamental principles associated with the planning and delivery of successful esports events.
    • Digital Esports Marketing (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO1054

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will introduce the concept of marketing and communications from a digital perspective. It will provide students with an opportunity to explore current and emerging practices in marketing communications as well as valuing the importance for creating effective engagement through identifiable target audiences within an esports context.
    • Esports Business Fundamentals (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO1055

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop student undertanding of the relationship between business and esports. This module introduces theories and techniques for assessing business applied to the esports industry. Students will explore the changing business processes, in order to add value to the business and its customers.
  • Stage 2
    • Digital Sport Marketing Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO2051

      Status: Designate
      This module appreciates the dynamic digital lanscape and provides students with the knowledge to apply traditional marketing theory to the digital environment. Digital tools available to sport marketing professionals are examined and critiqued. Through practical workshops, students develop a range of digital creativity and digital literacy skills.
    • Ready, Player Two? Coaching, Strategy and Analysis for Esports
      Module code: SPO2060

      Status: Compulsory
    • Business Strategy for Esports
      Module code: SPO2061

      Status: Designate
    • Esports Event Theory & Design
      Module code: SPO2062

      Status: Compulsory
    • Casting and Streaming
      Module code: SPO2065

      Status: Compulsory
    • Sport Business Market Research (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO2075

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of the module is to develop the knowledge and skills to be able to design business market research, analyse data, and draw comparisons across a range of sport industry contexts. Students will develop an understanding of how sport business market research informs strategic business decision-making.
    • Esports Professional Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO2076

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will enable students to gain experience of working within applied esports settings to develop essential professional practice knowledge and skills. Students will work in either esports coaching or media related settings, learning how to plan, deliver, and evalute applied interventions both safely and effectively.
    • Talent Identification and Development
      Module code: SPO2077

      Status: Designate
  • Stage 3
    • Esports Industry Experience
      Module code: SPO3055

      Status: Designate
    • Business Success in the Global Esports Market
      Module code: SPO3056

      Status: Designate
    • Psychology of Peak Performance
      Module code: SPO3058

      Status: Designate
    • Managing Esports Marketing Campaigns
      Module code: SPO3060

      Status: Designate
    • Social and Welfare Issues in Sport (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO3070

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of the module is to examine contemporary social and welfare issues in a range of sporting contexts. The module will use a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on sociology, policy and relevant research. Case studies will be used to encourage debate and discussion around these contemporary issues and associated strategies.
    • Global Sport Media (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO3072

      Status: Designate
      This module allows students to critically examine the interdependence between sport and the media on a global scale. Students will explore socio-political and economic influences on sport media representation, the role of global audiences and fans in sport communication, and the relationship between sport, media and identity formations across nations.
    • Esports Event Production and Delivery (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO3073

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is for students to develop an appreciation of the complexities involved in staging an esports event. Students will be required to work collaboratively with each other and external partners to deliver an esports event that adopts research-informed good practice in event management.
    • Esports Development Project
      Module code: SPO4010

      Status: Compulsory

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer for our BSc Esports degree would be:

  • CCC at A Level or,
  • DMM at BTEC or,
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level

  If you have non-traditional qualifications or have experience working within sport development, PE and/or youth sport then we will consider your application.

  For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  Integrated Foundation Year Entry Requirements

  Admission to this foundation course is normally:

  • DEE at A Level or,
  • MPP at BTEC or,
  • Pass (D or E) at T Level

  However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2024/25 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
  • International – Full Time: £15,200
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200

  Additional costs

  Additional costs will be incurred if you decide to participate in optional field trips/visits as part of your course. The exact cost will depend upon the location chosen for the trip.

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
  • International – Full Time: £14,750
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750

  Additional costs

  Additional costs will be incurred if you decide to participate in optional field trips/visits as part of your course. The exact cost will depend upon the location chosen for the trip.

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full time esports degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• Work Placements

  The University of Northampton works in partnership with a number of local, regional, national and international games and esports bodies such as British esports and EpicLan. Our close partnerships provide an excellent base for students to learn and develop their sport business skills in a real life setting on a regular basis.

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• FAQs

  Is there an opportunity to go on placement?

  Students have the opportunity after their second year to take a year out and source work within the industry on a paid (sandwich) placement. They also have the opportunity to undertake a placement as part of their study in their final year.

  How will I be assessed?

  You will be assessed through a rich and mixed diet of assessments designed to develop your learning, applied skills and improve your employability. This includes practical work, digital tasks, presentations, essays, assessed practicals, poster presentations, blogs and in-class tests.

  Are there any specialist esports facilities?

  • Our students benefit from our HP Omen equipped esports lab, professional standard Greaves 3D sim racing rigs, and media studios.
  • UON is home to a growing and competitive student union led Gaming Society.
  • We can help you source short term industry placements and internships.
  • Our annual Changing Futures Week helps you learn about career options and meet prospective employers.

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