Cambridge Regional College adds Esports to its Creative Media course options

Cambridge Regional College (@CRC_College) has launched a new Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production: Esports. The two-year course, starting September 2021, will provide routes for young people to enter the fast growing Esports industry.

The UK esports sector has grown at an annual average rate of 8.5% (Source Ukie.org) between 2016 and 2019 with the sector supporting £111.5 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2019.

Course Leader, Matthew Phelan said,

“E-Sports is the next stage of media evolution, with more eyes looking online than ever before, the industry needs people with skills to create ever changing content and be part of the demand. E-Sports is not simply understanding gameplay, but knowing how the industry is moving, live event management online, content creation, branding, advertising, marketing and journalism. This course is the future.”

With over 50% of the UK engaging in gaming, there is an ever-increasing industry that is emerging, changing the way media content is created. The Esports course is available to learners aged 16 and above, and aims to provide learners with the ability to apply creative media production techniques to online content in the form of streaming competitive matches, creating vlogs, editing replays, creating promotional material, writing reviews, and learning about the industry. In addition, students will gain a range of transferable skills including teamwork, communication, networking, strategy and work ethic under pressure.

Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded a Level 3 Diploma and UCAS points to support their progression to higher education. Once qualified, learners can look to secure employment in areas such broadcast production, analyst, content creator, pro gamer, journalist and shoutcaster/host and more.

The new course will be previewed by Course Leader Matthew Phelan in an online event at the college’s Open Day 30 January. Anyone wishing to join this event can sign up here.

Total esports viewership is expected to grow at a 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2019 and 2023, up from 454 million in 2019 to 646 million in 2023, according to BusinessInsider.com estimates. That puts the audience on pace to nearly double over a six-year period, as the 2017 audience stood at 335 million.