Pearson and British Esports Federation Launch First Internationally Recognised Higher National BTEC Qualifications in Esports - Seite 2

“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.

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