ESPORTS FOR EDUCATION
BUILD AN ESPORTS ARENA ON YOUR CAMPUS
This is an exciting time for esports as players and fans are set to eclipse traditional sports participation and viewing. Ensure your students have access to the most inclusive and dynamic growth industry that will encourage engagement in the educational environment and make sure they are equipped with the most future-proof skills for this vast industry already worth over $1.2 billion and growing.
Since the launch of the new BTEC in 2020, esports has been welcomed as an exciting, contemporary addition to the curriculum in schools, colleges and sixth-forms here in the UK as the education sector looks to future-proof emerging industry sectors.
A number of universities had previously introduced degree programmes specialising in esports and as a result of the success of the BTEC more and more institutions are offering courses in esports in Higher Education. In an industry that’s growing exponentially Education has taken the front foot to focus on developing the next generation of candidates to acquire the skills and knowledge for employment within the esports business which is already worth more than the film industry in the UK. Preparing a workforce ready for the industry involves a range of transferable skills from business and enterprise, to broadcasting, to coaching, to analytics, to event management in line with wellbeing and a sensible work-life balance.
Within the Yoyotech team, we have two educational specialists who not only teach the esports BTEC and can help explain the purpose and relevance of the esports educational sector and its importance to the UK and global economy but are also heavily involved in the development of the qualification with Pearsons.
This is an exciting time for esports, with participation and fans set to eclipse that of traditional sports. Ensure your students have access to the most inclusive and dynamic growth industry that will encourage engagement in the educational environment and make sure they are future-ready with 21st Century skills.
Learn more about building an esports arena here or read about QMC's experience of introducing esports to the curriculum.
WHY YOUR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY NEEDS TO INVEST IN ESPORTS EDUCATION
It’s important to remember that esports isn’t just gaming! It’s so much more! The transferable skills developed through engaging and being educated in esports goes far deeper than the obvious motor skills and hand to eye coordination. Esports education is crucial in developing different ways of thinking, consideration of strategy, quick-thinking, decision making, communication, collaboration, creativity, enterprise, technological literacy, social inclusion and self confidence and self-esteem.
It is well documented that engaging in esports fosters and encourages an interest in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Esports is a huge growth area that inspires future talent and gives your students 21st Century skills for an expanding market. The industry isn't just made up of celebrity pro-athletes, far from it, they represent less than 1% of the workforce. The industry needs game developers, producers, marketers, coaches, expert tutors, sound engineers, event managers, referees, content creators, IT specialists, coaches, analysts, lawyers to name a few. Straddling so many genres; technology, sport and entertainment, experts have the potential to develop skills that will assist students in an ever-expanding range of careers.
- Huge Source of new revenue stream for Universities
- Great attraction for new recruits visiting campus
- Brings Universities real credibility and relevancy
- Universities able to offer a range of new esports courses
- Universities able to compete globally against other teams
- Esports arenas offer social hubs on campus
- Use esports to promote University
- Use esports to help students succeed
BENEFITS OF ESPORTS
WORKING WITHIN A TEAM
Working with others requires the merging of many skills such as communication, conflict management, active listening, and respect. These can be developed in esports as you work within a team to achieve a goal whether as a team leader or following instructions for a good outcome. Esports provide a level playfield with participation and success available to a much wider demographic than traditional sports - creating a truly inclusive activity for students.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Sports require students to set goals and assess the competition. As part of a team, students learn to form tactics and game plans in direct response to their competition. The opportunity to engage in critical and analytical thinking, as well as resilience.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Students have academic requirements they must meet, to remain eligible for esports competitions. This forces them to be diligent about the use of their time, akin to that of a traditional student-athlete.
COMMUNITY
Offering esports as an extracurricular activity allows schools to reach students who would otherwise be distant from the school community. esports can create a common room of sorts, allowing all students to liaise in a fun, less stressful environment. By feeling a part of the community, they are more likely to be engaged during classes, graduate, and move on to higher education.
REVENUE
Esports can be an extremely lucrative avenue for universities, providing extra funding through sponsorships and grants. The extra money can then be used to provide quality resources for students, as well as scholarships and schemes, increasing the likelihood of their success.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Esports helps young people gain social skills such as communication, working as a team, and overall social interactions, all of which are necessities in the working world.
CAREERS IN ESPORTS
The esports industry offers plenty of jobs for those who want to get closer to the action
The esports industry offers plenty of jobs for those who want to get closer to the action.
As the esports industry is expected to hit the £1 billion mark in the next couple of years, it’s no real surprise to find that there’s a massive range of esports careers available for people who want to take competitive gaming to the next level. From being a key part in what happens in esports tournaments, to playing an important role behind the scenes. The competitive industry is actively looking for talented, disciplined, and flexible individuals who are keen to show their love of esports and get a job in professional gaming.
HOW TO GET INTO ESPORTS JOBS
The more dedication to esports someone can demonstrate the more successful they are likely to be.
Skills or qualifications that can be applied to the esports industry - an expert in law, sales, finance, media production, video editing etc with a passion and knowledge for the industry that will mean they can apply for jobs in esports today. In such a new industry, years of industry expertise is rare so companies will be hiring people with transferable skills.
There is now also the option to get into an esports career by studying esports and gaming in school, college, and university. With gaming now an official sport in many educational establishments you can even look for an esports scholarship or be spotted as the next professional gamer while you are at school or college. Universities across the globe are offering esports degrees or degrees with esports specialisms and placements built in.
Today, there are a multitude of opportunities to develop an esports career whether with experience or starting from scratch.
