FdA Esports | Level 5 | P12868
How to study
Full Time
Days & Times
Wednesday and Friday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Duration
2 Years
Location
Burton Town Centre Campus
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Course overview
This course is a highly innovative and industry-connected foundation degree, designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to the rapidly expanding esports ecosystem.
Developed in partnership with the University of Staffordshire and delivered at Burton and South Derbyshire College, the course offers a supportive, accessible route into higher education for learners who thrive in familiar and inclusive environments.
Across the course, you will progress from Level 4 to Level 5, building the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies needed to succeed in a multi-million-pound global industry. The programme blends academic understanding with hands-on experience in esports operations, digital media, event production, marketing, community management, league operations, and professional practice. You will work with industry-standard technology, engage with real employer briefs, and gain exposure to guest speakers and collaborative projects that mirror the expectations of contemporary esports roles. Alongside gaining practical skills, you will develop a critical understanding of the cultural, technological, and ethical issues shaping the modern esports landscape, including corporate social responsibility, regulation, emerging technologies and the innovation required to support sustainable industry growth.
Real work engagement is central to the course. Learners actively contribute to the development of an Esports Hub within Burton and South Derbyshire, working with employers and the local community to plan, promote, and deliver live events. You will also have the opportunity to manage the BSDC Student Champs Esports teams, taking on responsibilities such as organising trials and training, coordinating match preparation, and producing journalism content including post-match interviews and summary reports.
This course is fully aligned with the respected BA (Hons) Esports at Staffordshire University, providing a seamless and natural progression route to a full honour’s degree should you choose to continue your studies.
This course is awarded by University of Staffordshire and you will study Level 4 in year one, progressing to Level 5 in year two. For more detailed course information, go to our University of Staffordshire partner page.
Please note: Specified course fee is per year. Payment plans can be agreed on an individual basis if you are not accessing a Student Loan.
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Fees and Costs
Educational entitlements or fee concessions are solely based on the individual programme and nationally set eligibility criteria. To see if you qualify for fee concessions then please visit the 'what will I pay' section of our website. You may be surprised what you are entitled to!
- Course Fees Examination & Registrations
- 16-18 School Leaver info n/a Course fee n/aExam & Registration fee
- 19-23 Educational Entitlement info £6350.00Course fee n/aExam & Registration fee
- 19+ Part Funded info £6350.00 Course fee n/aExam & Registration fee
- 19+ Fully Funded info £6350.00Course fee n/a Exam & Registration fee
- 24+ Fully Funded info £6350.00Course fee n/a Exam & Registration fee
- Full Cost info £6350.00Course fee n/aExam & Registration fee
Payment methods
- Payment in Full (Credit Card / Debit Cards / Cash / Employer Sponsored) accepted
- Direct Debit Instalments accepted
- Advanced Learning Loan accepted
- Student Finance English Loan (HE) not accepted
For International Learners
Email us: financialsupport@bsdc.ac.uk
Call us: 01283 494757 or 01283 494472
Visit us: Chat to the Financial Support Team in the Learner Hub
Just drop-in, Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.Disclaimer
Further Education Programme Only: The College reserves the right to change or amend, at any time, any of the course details including but not limited to; content, dates, times, venues, tutor, fees payable, concessions available, terms or conditions.
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What modules will I study?
Level 4 (Year 1)
- Esports in Context (40 credits)
- Multidisciplinary Teamwork (20 credits)
- Digital Media Platforms (20 credits)
- Marketing Esports (20 credits)
- Tournament Production (20 credits)
Intermediate Award: CertHE Esports Level 5 (Year 2)
- Industry Professional Skills & Practice (20 credits)
- Community Management (20 credits)
- Managing in a Digital World (20 credits)
- Esports Policy in Action (20 credits)
- Event Development Workflows (20 credits)
- Making Media Matter (20 credits)
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How will I be assessed?
Assessments will be diverse, inclusive and reflective of real-world industry practice. Learners will complete:
- Written assignments and research-based work
- Live industry briefs and event proposals
- Video essays and digital content submissions
- Practical production tasks
- Pitches to industry partners
- Reflective writing, reports and strategy documents
- Team-based and individual projects
Each module includes formative checkpoints to support ongoing development, feedback and academic growth. Assessment methods are designed to encourage creativity, professionalism, personalisation and the development of employability skills relevant across esports and adjacent creative sectors.
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What can I do next?
Graduates will gain practical and transferable skills relevant to a wide range of roles within esports and associated industries. Progression opportunities include:
Career pathways:
- Esports event assistant/coordinator
- Tournament operations support
- Broadcast and production roles
- Community or social media manager
- Digital content creator
- Marketing assistant within gaming/esports organisations
Further study:
- Progression to BA (Hons) Esports at University of Staffordshire
- Entry into related creative, media or digital degree pathways
The programme also equips learners with broader employability skills suited to careers across business, marketing, communications, media production, and live event environments.
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Uniform
As part of your course, you will be required to purchase an industry related uniform and/or kit. Please find details of industry related uniforms in the Student Life section of the website.
If you live independently and are in receipt of certain means tested benefits in your own right or live in a low-income household, you may be eligible for one of our grants. To see a full detail of financial support and eligibility criteria, including financial support application forms please visit the financial support section of our website. Alternatively, please drop in to the Learner Services Hub to see the Financial Co-ordinator, who will be able to talk you through what financial support is available to help with purchasing the kit or uniform for your course. For more information on Financial Support, please contact our Financial Support Team on 01283 494757 or email financialsupport@bsdc.ac.uk.
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