Esports BSc (Hons)

• Overview

  Esports BSc (Hons) is subject to validation – available to apply through UCAS for September 2021 entry

  Applications to the Integrated Foundation Year for Esports BSc (Hons) are open for September 2020 entry, you can apply now through UCAS.

  BSc (Hons) Esports places significant emphasis on the development of knowledge and real-world skills needed in sport technology, analytics, media, marketing, gameplay, and performance, to meet the growing demand for qualified graduates in the fastpaced world of Esports.

  The degree is split into three levels. In the first level, you’ll develop a breadth of knowledge and skills, in the fields of competitive gameplay analysis, Esports marketing, Esports journalism and reporting, the psychology behind Esports performance and coaching, and you’ll even work towards organising your first Esports event.

  In the second and third stages of the degree you’ll have the opportunity to specialise; choosing from a range of contemporary Esports topics such as Esports branding and promotion, the psychology of performing under pressure, using digital media and reporting on Esports events, exploring VR and immersive technologies, and building to advanced knowledge of international Esports culture and business opportunities. In the third stage of the degree, you’ ll also get the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a work placement setting, produce an online live event, and undertake an Esports development project, giving you the experience and skills needed to break into the Esports industry.

  We will support you to achieve your career and study ambitions, which is why if you complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold certificate alongside your studies and if you haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating* we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you, or support you into postgraduate study.

  *with a 2:2 degree classification or higher

  Read more

  Course

  Highlights

  • Guest talks from leading experts from the world of Esports.
  • Practical experience relevant to the industry.
  • Opportunity to be a part of live Esports competitions and events.
  • Access to cutting-edge Esports technology and equipment.
  • Extensive professional industry networks provide real world experience and work placements.
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  BSc (Hons) Esports 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.

  Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for this 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.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, 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.

  Unique Learning Experience

  Bespoke Esports 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.

  The 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.

  Assessments

  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.

  Optional Placement Year

  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.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  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.

• Careers and Events
  • The Northampton Employment Promise.

    *We promise to secure paid experience for you, if you need it.

    We work with employers to understand what they’re looking for and we’re confident that if you follow one of our structured awards, as well as committing to your studies you’ll be in a competitive position when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

    We’re so confident, that we promise to secure a paid 3-6 month internship for you, if you need it. Find out more about the Northampton Employment Promise, including how it works and who is eligible.

    
  • Open Days

    Discover your Course

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying with us.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    This course will open up a range of career opportunities in Esports, including: Campaign manager, Caster, Communications manager, Content and digital creator, Esports manager, Esports specialist, Esports executive, Esports operations manager, Events organiser, Esports journalist, Esports sponsorship manager, Esports social media specialist, Esports talent acquisition manager, plus many more opportunities.

    
  • Varsity, trips and societies

    Esports varsity

    This is an opportunity for esports students and the wider student body to compete across multiple esports competitions against a rival university. This is a student-led opportunity and is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain experience in competing in, organising, and reporting on Esports competitions.

    Esports related trips

    Students will have the opportunity to experience Esports events or professional practice experiences within their studies that can be used to develop professional networks and enhance employability.

    Esports society

    Students will be able to compete and be part of the university esports society and represent the university at competitions including NUEL (National University Esports League) and NES (National Esports Society).

    
• Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer would be CCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. 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 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. 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.

  Contacts

  Course Enquiries

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stage 3
  • Foundation

  Modules to be updated in due course

  Modules to be updated in due course

  Modules to be updated in due course

  • Transition to University – Learning to Learn (40 Credits)
    Module code: FDN018

    Core Module Y
  • Investigating Your Subject (20 Credits)
    Module code: FDN020

    Core Module Y
  • Foundations in Business, Marketing and Management (20 Credits)
    Module code: FDN023

    Core Module Y
  • Negotiated Learning Project (40 Credits)
    Module code: FDN021

    Core Module Y

  • Reading List
    • Jin, D. (2010). ESports and television business in the digital economy. In D. Jin (ed.), Korea’s online gaming empire (pp. 59–79). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
    • Kim, Y., & Ross, S. D. (2006). An exploration of motives in sport video gaming. International Journal of Sports Marketing & Sponsorship, 8(1), 34.
    • Segal, D. (2014, October 10). Behind League of Legends, E-Sports’s main attraction. New York Times.
    • Tassi, P. (2013, July 14). The U.S. now recognizes eSports players as professional athletes. Forbes.
    • Heaven, D. (2014b, August 13). Esports: Pro video gaming explodes with big prize pots. New Scientist. Retrieved

  Course subject to validation – modules to be uploaded in due course.

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  • Bespoke Esports facilities are being developed at our £330 million at Waterside University of Northampton Campus.
  • 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.
• Further Studies
  • Careers

    Employability

    Whether you want to become a professional gamer, event producer, host, marketer or journalist you will gain a whole host of skills and industry experience and insight to enhance your career prospects and help you work in this flourishing global industry.

    Typical graduate roles include:

    • Esports league and tournament management and operations
    • Esports business development
    • Social media and content creation
    • Marketing campaign and sales
    • Esports journalism and editorial operations
    • On-line and live Esports event management

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  2021/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module
  Foundation: £6,750 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate).

  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.

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,900
  Foundation Framework: £9,800

  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.

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  Sir Thomas White Scholarship

  The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

  Wilson Endowment Scholarship

  The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

• 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.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, 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.

*Course data provided by Unistats