A game-changing Esports BTEC is being introduced at Croydon College – making it the only College in the local vicinity to offer this course.
Starting in September, this pioneering course will give students the opportunity to obtain either a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification and start a career in a fast-growing industry worth more than £1billion.
Played by both amateurs and professionals – and open to all, Esports is competitive video gaming, where gamers play against each other on online and at spectator events in large indoor arenas for medals, trophies and cash prizes.
Esports attracts millions of viewers worldwide. The entire Esports audience sat at 495m at the end of 2020. In comparison, the 2021 FA Cup Final was watched by a peak audience of 9.1m viewers and last year’s Super Bowl attracted 96.4m viewers.
The Level 2 Esports qualification will prepare learners for work or an Apprenticeship by giving them the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge, technical and practical skills, as well as the chance to apply these skills in work-related environments – along with progression to the Level 3 qualification.
The Level 3 Esports qualification is aimed at people wanting to progress to employment in the Esports industry or may wish to enter Higher Education – with many universities offering degrees in the subject. Endorsed by the British Esports Association, it will be recognised by employers and could lead to a job as an Esports player, team coach, social media influencer, data analyst and much more.
The courses, accredited by Pearson, will equip learners with a number of transferable skills, including, but not limited to, development, events management, marketing and production.
Martin Silverwood, Croydon College’s Vice Principal Education and Quality, said: “Esports education is an exciting opportunity to learners in the local area and we’re excited to be able to bring it to Croydon.
“While people may just think of it as playing video games, it’s much more than that. By studying these courses, students can develop themselves personally and professionally while also learning a number of key, inter-changeable, skills which can be applied to a number of career options across virtually any sector.”
For more information on the Esports BTEC, and to apply, visit https://croydon.ac.uk/course/esports-l2/ for the Level 2 course and https://croydon.ac.uk/course/esports-l3/ for the Level 3 course.
