Bradford: A Capital for Esports?

Esports is a rapidly growing industry. Valued at over one billion pounds globally, Bradford could be set to cash in on the industry’s success thanks to academic pathways available at two local colleges.

Once just a hobby relegated to bedrooms and internet cafe’s, Esports and online gaming has now become a valuable market, with top players earning life changing sums that are attracting more and more competitors to the field. This has lead to the development of a new academic pathway, with colleges and universities nationwide now offering courses specifically designed to equip students with the skills needed to pursue careers in Esports.

Two such colleges exist right here. Both Bradford College and Shipley College have seen an uptick in demand for education in the field, marking the city as a notable location where students can embark on this journey, offering the necessary challenges and training to integrate into the Esports industry.

The courses available range from Level Two to Level Three, requiring at least a grade three in Maths and English to progress to the higher level.

The Level Two course, spanning one year, introduces students to four fundamental units: Teams and Tournaments, Establishing an Esports Organisation, Streaming for Esports, and Planning an Esports Event. These units provide a foundational understanding of the Esports industry, covering gaming, content creation, and the business aspects necessary for further education or immediate employment within the field.

Level Three, a more advanced course lasting two years, delves deeper with fifteen complex units. Some of these include Strategies and Analysis, Introduction to Esports, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, alongside Health, Wellbeing, and Fitness. While the course primarily focuses on gaming, it also addresses essential behind-the-scenes elements such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle within the industry. These comprehensive units offer a thorough education in Esports, coupled with opportunities for work placements and visits to Esports team headquarters for real-world learning experiences.

The introduction of these courses has significantly impacted the Esports landscape, attracting increasing numbers of individuals considering Esports as a viable career path. These academic programs provide a structured way to turn a gaming hobby into a professional occupation, offering insights and skills essential for succeeding in the industry.

Dominic Jordan, an Esports student at Shipley College, spoke to the Bradfordian about his experience:

“While taking this course my experience has been great. I’ve been able to learn a lot about Esports and I’ve had opportunities to learn from people who have worked in the industry. I chose this career because it’s something I enjoy and playing games as a job would be nice to do, which is also why my favourite part of the course is playing and analysing our gameplay.”

Speaking about his plans upon graduation and how the course can influence that, Dominic stated:

“I would be looking to join the industry as a content creator or an analyst. Studying at a college can help me with that, as they can give me the opportunities to learn and gain more knowledge about Esports. My course is helping me do that as we have been able to look more into what we need to do to analyse how we play and for the second year we will be getting more into the content creation side of the subject.”

For those who see Esports and online gaming as just a hobby, the question often arises: why enrol in an Esports course? The answer lies in the rapid growth of the Esports industry and the jobs it has created. These courses not only prepare students for careers directly within Esports but also equip them with transferable skills applicable in various fields. Graduates can pursue roles such as coaches, professional players, analysts, shout casters, nutritionists, journalists, managers, and team owners, among others.

Despite being a relatively new educational path, Esports courses offer diverse career opportunities. Interested individuals can apply for Level Two or Level Three courses online, embarking on their journey in the Esports world. The comprehensive training and education provided by these courses serve as the gateway to a promising and dynamic industry.

For more information on these courses, visit Bradford College and Shipley College websites.