Barnsley College levels up with new Esports degree

Barnsley College is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new undergraduate qualification, Esports Education: Coaching, Health and Wellbeing Foundation Degree*.

Set to begin in September 2022 at the SciTech Digital Innovation Hub, this course will look at one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

This Level 5 qualification will develop students’ existing skills and support the development of transferable skills related to Esports, sport, health, physical activity and coaching. After completing the course students will be able to progress onto Esports Education: Coaching, Health and Wellbeing BA (Hons) Top-Up* in September 2024.

Barnsley College was the first Further Education provider of an Esports education programme in the UK in 2019 and has been part of the writing team for the Pearson and British Esports Association suite of Esports qualifications.

Kalam Neale, Sport Curriculum Leader at Barnsley College, said:

“We are very excited to launch our Esports degree in September 2022. Esports covers a wide range of careers across media, business and sport and our degree provides students with a broad knowledge base so they can apply and progress in their chosen area.

“We have brand new, internationally recognised, state-of-the-art Esports facilities alongside an expert teaching team who are trailblazing Esports in education. With the emergence of over 160 approved centres to teach Esports at Level 2 and Level 3, there is now a huge demand for teachers. Our degree aims to fill this gap and provide the Esports educators of the future. Whilst many other Esports degrees are centred heavily around business, events or production, our degree has a focus on providing students with access to other careers within the industry and beyond such as teacher, coach, health professional, personal trainer, analyst, entrepreneur, psychologist, Esports development officer and dietitian to name a few.

“Our Esports courses have already gained wide-spread international recognition and students will benefit from engagement with our network of employers and partners within competitive Esports.”

Barnsley College is proud to work with the following organisations: The British Esports Association; Digital Schoolhouse; North American Scholastic Esports Federation; Microsoft; National University Esports League; National Student Esports; Game Academy; Strategic Esports Group; the Royal Air Force; and Primary and Secondary schools.

For more information about our Esports courses visit www.barnsley.ac.uk/sport