New Level 4 and Level 5 Qualifications Provide
Esports Students With Progression Routes to Higher Education.
LONDON, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- British Esports,
the UK's national esports federation, and Pearson (FTSE: PSON,L),
the world's leading learning company, have launched a new suite of
higher-tier BTEC qualifications in Esports - the first
internationally available qualifications of their kind.
The new qualifications offer a route into careers in the
exciting esports industry, which is projected to reach revenues of
$4.3bn worldwide in 2024, according
to Statista*.
This continues the successful partnership between British
Esports and Pearson, in developing the Level 2 and Level 3 BTECs in
Esports, which have been delivered in 160+ schools and colleges to
nearly 10,000 students around the world.
The Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC, equivalent to the
first year of an undergraduate degree) and the Level 5 Higher
National Diploma (HND, equivalent to the second year of an
undergraduate degree) offer students a clear progression pathway
into the esports industry or wider creative industries. They help
to develop students as independent-thinking professionals who can
meet the demands of employers and adapt to a constantly changing
world. Learners will also develop a wide range of transferable
skills and knowledge that can be applied to other digital and
STEAM-based careers.
International centres have already begun delivering these
qualifications, with the UK set to begin delivery from September 2024.
The Level 4 Higher National Certificate and Level 5 Higher
National Diploma consist of 30 units, ranging from esports
management, to coaching and event production, that help bring
competitive gaming tournaments to life.
Higher National qualifications are designed to meet the rising
demand for high-quality professional and technical education
pathways, and are developed in partnership with employers and
industry experts. The qualifications offer not only a route to
university, but also vital skills development, supporting the
transition from Higher Education, straight into employment. Mapped
to occupational standards, they equip students with the necessary
knowledge and skills for employment in their chosen career.
"When we partnered with Pearson four years ago to launch the
world's first Esports BTECs, we did so with the intention of
creating a workforce well-prepared for the challenges and changes
this fast-moving industry has seen," said Kalam Neale, Head of Education at British
Esports. "We're proud to have launched the Higher Nationals in
Esports that will continue to strengthen the workforce of the
future, and provide students with greater options and accessibility
when pursuing a career in esports or in other creative
industries."
"What many people don't realise is that there is a wealth of
career opportunities around the esports sector, which calls upon a
whole range of supporting roles and services, including the need
for financial, legal, creative and digital skills," said
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing
Director, Vocational Qualifications & Training at Pearson.
"These new HNC and HND qualifications provide a seamless
progression path for esports students eager to transition to the
next level of their education journey - supporting the creation of
long-term careers in the growing esports industry both in the UK
and internationally."
There are a number of colleges and further education
institutions across the UK and internationally who will be
delivering the Higher National Esports qualifications such as
Newcastle and Staffordshire
Colleges Group, RNN Group, York College
and The University of Technology and Management (UTM) Vietnam to name a few.
In addition, Sunderland
College, recent winner of the AoC Beacon Awards for 'Excellence in
Real World Learning', will be offering this exciting new
qualification, with delivery from British Esports' National Esports
Performance Campus starting this academic year.
Sheree Rymer, Faculty Director
(Creative, Digital & Computing) at Sunderland College, said: "It has been a
pleasure for Sunderland College
and the faculty to be working with British Esports. Our students
have had access to outstanding world-class esports facilities at
British Esports' National Esports Performance Campus, and to be
taught there has ensured our students are having the best training
and skill development, to start their careers in the industry."
For graduates of the Higher Nationals, a further range of
esports degrees are available from universities for students who
want to pursue a top-up qualification to obtain a Level 6
Degree.
"The progression by Pearson into Level 4 and 5 builds on their
successful delivery of the Level 3 Esports BTEC. We are excited to
see the growth of the industry and wider digital sector," said
Professor Philip Wilson, Executive
Chair at the College of Esports. "This qualification is the
perfect avenue to the top-up degree available from College of
Esports for Level 6 and ultimately, Level 7."
For more information about the Higher National BTEC
Qualifications in Esports, please visit the BTEC Higher Nationals
in Esports.
Notes to Editors
- These new qualifications, launching in 2024, complement Pearson
and British Esports' existing BTEC in Esports offering, including
the Level 2 Skills in Esports BTEC for Key Stage 4 students, and
the Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Esports for students aged 16+.
- They also complement the existing range of esports related
degrees available from colleges and universities worldwide.
- They offer students another pathway, flexibility, career
prospects and affordability (as Higher Nationals generally cost
less than traditional degrees and the Higher Nationals are mapped
to occupational standards), offering multiple routes into
employment via Level 4 or Level 5.
- Additionally, they offer a solution to students who may not
have gained university entry requirements or aren't able to travel
to a particular university, by providing local opportunities
through existing FE Colleges or through local University
Providers.
- The BTEC Higher National qualifications are widely recognised
by industry and higher education authorities around the world as
the principal technical professional qualification at this
level.
- College of Esports is British Esports' exclusive university
level partner for esports related degrees.
- Revenues in esports are projected to reach $4.3bn worldwide in 2024, according to
Statista.
- Industry experts directly involved in the ESAG and validation
panels and review of resources:
- EPIC.LAN, Williams Esports, UK Esports Team
Committee.
- Universities and further education tutors and students directly
involved in the ESAG and validation panels and review of
resources:
- Activate Learning, Barnsley
College, Belfast Metropolitan
College, Coventry
College, GEMS Education, Gower College
Swansea, Newcastle and
Stafford Colleges Group, Nottingham
Trent University, Queen
Mary's College, Sheffield Hallam University,
Swindon and Wiltshire Institute of
Technology, University of Chichester, University of Northampton, University of Salford.
About British Esports
Established in 2016, British
Esports is the national body for esports in the UK. As one of
the world's leading esports authorities, we are the recognised
member of the Global Esports Federation for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and founding member of the
International Olympic Committee Esports and Gaming Liaison Group.
From nationwide amateur grassroots competition to cutting edge
esports curriculum and national representation on the global stage,
we're dedicated to increasing levels of esports awareness,
improving esports standards, and inspiring future esports talent.
For more information and all the latest news, visit
www.britishesports.org or follow British Esports
on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn,
Twitch, YouTube, TikTok.
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of
learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance
for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c. 18,000 Pearson
employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning
experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's
leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries
with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For
us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at
pearsonplc.com.
Contacts:
Hannah
Hawkins, Pearson: Hannah.Hawkins@pearson.com
Adam McGowan | Marketing Director |
British Esports | press@britishesports.org
Mimi Craig | Marketing Manager |
British Esports | mc@britishesports.org
Kalam Neale | Head of Education |
British Esports | education@britishesports.org
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