New Level 4 and Level 5 Qualifications Provide Esports Students
With Progression Routes to Higher Education.
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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240314487652/en/
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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