BTEC Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma in Esports
We are proud to introduce the exclusive new Esports pathway for young people aged between 16-18! The individuals who join the course will be the first ever to represent the Blades in the Esports British Championship, playing against other colleges and teams across the country! The new qualification is a BTEC Level 3 Extended diploma, which is equivalent to 3 A-Levels. Esports is an exciting, team-based activity that engages a wide demographic of young people. When done in moderation, as part of a balanced lifestyle, Esports is a beneficial alternative to watching passive media (like TV) or scrolling social media. It has notable links to computing education, STEM subjects, and the development of business and enterprise skills. Thus, creating pathways for young people to develop career ambitions and next steps for university or employment purposes.
Every Wednesday while in term time, students will be representing the BLADES in the British Esports Championships against teams across the country! This exciting opportunity is for a variety of different team games, with you and your course mates experiencing competition like no other. Our flexible three-day timetable allows for training on the games between the morning lesson and the afternoon, maximising your practice time with teammates in preparation for the events ahead. Over the past two years, established teams have had the opportunity to travel around the country playing in a variety of competitive fixtures. Our aim is to form a formidable but fun group dynamic, ready to challenge all teams across the country. Get prepared to play like a professional on this course!
Sheffield United Community College
This unique qualification will be delivered in the newly refurbished Esports Suite at Bramall Lane in the heartbeat of Sheffield, giving potential students an easy transport link from all across South Yorkshire!
This two-year course offers both talented and recreational young Esports players the opportunity to study whilst actively participating in a bespoke weekly league, playing games like Rocket League, Overwatch, League of Legends, Valorant and more. The new contemporary vocational qualification has been designed in conjunction with feedback from employers and industry experts, in order to help the students develop the skills and qualities that are required to work within the esports sector, or others relating to technology. This is underpinned by a broad range of academic skills and knowledge, that allows learners to take their first steps within the diverse and ever-changing modern-day environment.
For accreditation purposes Sheffield United Community College deliver their educational qualifications in partnership with York College.
Enrichment Pathways: Your Course, Your Choice
Sheffield United Community College allows for a greater choice and flexibility in how students manage their study programme. Enrichment is a fundamental part of their course, therefore, we wanted this to match up with the student’s passion and career direction. All three pathways are unique in how they are delivered, but all three provide practical activity, competition, educational component, and additional qualifications. Students will get the option to select their desired pathway at the start of their course. With students choosing the esports pathway, it is highly likely that the individual will want to represent the BLADES at the British Esports Championships. However, Sheffield United Community College would give opportunity for all learners to experience the fitness or football pathway, should they choose to change options.
- Football Development Pathway
- Fitness Pathway
- Esports Pathway
Click here for more information about our Enrichment Pathways.
Course Background
A BTEC in Esports with the BLADES is such a wide and varied qualification that learners aren’t tied into esports by completing the course. Esports has academic links to ICT, Marketing, Creative Media, Health & Wellbeing and more. Because of this, learners can go on to become Data Engineers, Software Developers, or Events Managers at companies like HP, Twitch, or Madbox. On the other hand, university can be a route for learners to further enhance their studies before settling down to a particular career pathway. Completing this course with ourselves will give young people across Sheffield the opportunity to showcase these skills learnt using technology and channel it into a career and an entertaining two-year experience, acting as a professional Esports player.
Course Format & Content
The BTEC qualification is comprised of units; the BTEC Diploma has 9 units while the Extended Diploma has 15 units. All units will be internally assessed through assignments set and marked by tutors. Upon completion of each internally assessed unit, the tutor will inform the learner of what grade they have achieved (either Pass, Merit or Distinction). When all the units of the course have been completed, the learner will receive an overall grade for the qualification. This is the grade that will be shown on the certificate and the one that should be used when applying for higher education or employment.
Throughout the two years students will study a wide range of units including;
- Introduction to Esports
- Esports Skills, Strategies and Analysis
- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in the Esports Industry
- Health, Wellbeing and Fitness for Esports Players
- Esports Events
- Ethical and Current Issues in Esports
- Psychology for Esports Performance
- Launching Your Esports Enterprise
- Game Design
- Video Production
- Producing an Esports Brand
Value Added
Sheffield United Community College has made significant investments to provide one of the best Sport college programmes in Yorkshire. However, we are now determined to broaden that approach with the introduction to the esports qualification, the first of its kind within Sheffield. We have invested in resources in order for every student to have access to their own gaming PC or laptop, virtual learning including their own personal email and online storage, access to a wide variety of games across Steam, Epic games and more. Alongside this, we have invested in an incredibly enthusiastic staff team, excited for the prospect of leading the first ever academic year, to ensure all students are supported from day one of recruitment right through to completion of the course.
Students will have a dedicated work placement coordinator who will help to enhance their CV and career once the course is completed. Our newly found partnership with York College allows students the opportunity to visit their facilities, which includes an exclusive virtual reality suite. Furthermore, we will arrange for guest speakers from a huge variety of roles within the sporting industry and give the very best careers guidance whether that be university or sports career ambitions.
Recognising Achievement
To motivate and inspire our students, we have clear guidelines and boundaries, as well as a defined policy that focuses upon positive behaviour.
This encourages students to reach their goals and are rewarded for doing so. Students build up weekly points by excelling in the following areas: Attendance, Punctuality, Engagement, Meeting deadlines, outstanding contributions. At the end of each month the top performing student will become the College’s Esports Student of the Month. Students of the Month are awarded with a £20 Gaming Voucher!
Each student who has made it into the Student of the Month is rewarded with a SUFC home match ticket (should they, or a family member wish to attend), as well as granted access to one of our end of term trips. Previous trips have included Laser Quest, Alton Towers, Go-Karting, Pizza Party Gaming Tournaments and Paintball etc. At the end of the academic year all students are invited to the College Awards Evening. This event is an opportunity to recognise and reward achievement, with trophies handed out to those who excel in education and/or enrichment pathways.
Student Support
Here at Sheffield United Community College, we pride ourselves on the wrap around care available to all of our students. Our aim is to develop students in all aspects of their lives and not just their academic ability. Students leave our courses as better people, not just better students.
Every student on the Education programme has access to pastoral support in the form of a learning mentor. Working alongside the tutors, the learning mentor strives to maintain high levels of engagement, participation, attendance, punctuality and attainment. Students are constantly monitored to ensure that they are achieving their target grades, are maximising their learning time and developing their independent learning skills.
The learning mentor is also responsible for ensuring students’ welfare and liaising with tutors to support personal and academic development throughout their time on the study programme. Combined with 1-1 meetings and progress monitoring, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning in order to ensure they achieve the grades they deserve. Learning mentors will work with students to address any potential barriers they may face and strive to build supportive relationships to tailor their support to individual students’ needs. Our learning mentors are friendly, approachable and experienced and are successful in their roles, inspiring and motivating students to become more independent, innovative and responsible learners and be more empowered in solving their own problems.
In addition to this all students will also have access to York College’s support team who also provide well-being and personal support and financial advice, including travel passes and learner support funds, which can help towards the cost of travel, college kit and materials needed for your course.
Entry Requirements
- Aged 16-18
- 4 GCSE’s grade 4 or above (or equivalent), including English Language and Maths*
*Those without English or Maths will complete the Diploma and not the Extended Diploma.
Please Note: a one-year, level two sport qualification equivalent can be offered to those that fall below the entry requirements.
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Find Out More
For further information or general course enquires please get in touch with Ryan Collins (Education Manager) via the contact details below:
07891411682
ryan.collins@sufc-community.co.uk