Where will this course lead?

This one-year Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Esports provides a comprehensive introduction to the dynamic and fast-growing Esports industry. Designed in collaboration with industry professionals and the British Esports Federation, the course equips students with the technical, strategic, and business skills needed to thrive in a range of Esports careers or progress to further study.

What will I study?

You will study a range of modules that develop your understanding of the esports ecosystem, event management, marketing, and team dynamics. Students will gain a wide range of esports knowledge linked to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. Students are involved in vocational activities that help them to develop vocational behaviours (the attitudes and approaches required for competence) and transferable skills. By the end of Level 4, students will have sound knowledge of the basic concepts of esports. They will be competent in a range of subject-specific skills as well as in general skills and qualities relevant to key areas of esports.

Modules include:

Level 4 (HNC) - 120 Credits

• Unit 401: Esports Ecosystem (15 credits)
• Unit 402: Skills and Tactics Analysis (15 credits)
• Unit 403: Event Planning and Delivery (15 credits)
• Unit 404: Planning an Esports Project (15 credits)
• Unit 406: Branding and Sponsorship (15 credits)
• Unit 409: Streaming and Broadcasting (15 credits)
• Unit 414: Ethics and Fair Play (15 credits)
• Unit 415: Game Design Philosophy (15 credits)

For further details, see the programme specification at Pearson Esports Specification

How will this course be delivered?

This is a full-time course delivered over one academic year. Due to the nature of the specialist facilities required to deliver this course, applicants should be prepared to study at the Blossomfield (Solihull) campus but may also be required to travel to Stratford-Upon-Avon College one day per week.

· Attendance: 2 days per week at college

· Independent Study: Approximately 15 hours per week

· Work-related learning: No mandatory placement but work-related learning is integrated into modules through live briefs and industry engagement

What qualifications will I get?

Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Esports (120 credits).

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is 100% coursework-based and may include:

• Written assignments and reports
• Presentations
• Practical projects
• Group work
• Case studies
• Live briefs and industry-based tasks

How do I get a place on the course?

Full-time applications should be submitted via UCAS using the following codes:

Course Code: CES1

Institution Code: S26

Campus Code: Main Site - Blossomfield Campus

What are the entry requirements?

Standard offer: 64 UCAS Tariff points

A Levels: BC or CCC relevant subject areas

T-Levels: Pass (with C or above in core)

BTEC: MM on Level 3 National Diploma in Esports

Access to Higher Education: 60 credits overall with a minimum of 45 at level 3 with a minimum of 64 UCAS Tariff Points in relevant topic.

Level 3 Apprenticeship: Successfully achieve advanced apprenticeship in a relevant subject.

GCSE/IGCSE English Language grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent. GCSE/IGCSE Maths grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent

GCSE/IGCSE Science grades 9-4/A*-C or recognised equivalent

Contextual Offer

Contextual offer: 48 UCAS Tariff Points in a relevant subject.

A Levels: DD in a relevant subject.

T-Levels: Pass with (D or E on the Core) preferably in a relevant subject

BTEC: PPP/MP preferably in a relevant subject.

UCAS Tariff: 48 UCAS Tariff Points preferably in a relevant subject.

Access to Higher Education: 60 Credits overall with 45 Credits at level 3 with a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff Points in a related subject.

Level 3 Apprenticeship: Successfully achieve advanced apprenticeship in a relevant subject.

Contextualised Admissions - our contextualised offer, for students who meet widening participation criteria - is 16 UCAS tariff points below the standard offer. Find out more about contextualised offers https://www.solihull.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/contextualised-admissions-policy-higher-education.pdf

For help calculating your UCAS tariff points, visit https://www.ucas.com/applying/before-you-apply/what-and-where-to-study/entry-requirements/calculate-your-ucas-tariff-points

Work-based: e.g.

Equal consideration is given to applicants who are currently in relevant work and wish to apply to Solihull College & University Centre. To apply, they must have a minimum of 3 years' relevant work experience, demonstrating technical, management or supervisory duties. Any application must also include a reference from their line manager which supports entry to higher education.

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) are welcomed in accordance with the Solihull College Admissions Policy. Any student wishing to apply for RPL or RPEL should first speak to the Programme Coordinator and provide a full transcript of the work to be considered. The Programme Coordinator will then map the learning outcomes for the previously completed study to those of the programme and make a recommendation to the APL/APEL Committee.

What else do I need to know?

This course was designed in collaboration with the British Esports Federation to ensure that the qualifications offer students progression to entry-level jobs in the sector after completing Levels 4 and 5. SCUC has a specially equipped Esports room, fully fitted to provide an immersive Esports experience.

There will be some mandatory trips: Please budget up to £150 per year for industry visits and events. There is no requirement to buy textbooks, but learners may wish to budget up to £100 for their own copies of principal textbooks. You will also need to budget for travel expenses to travel to and from both campuses.

If you need to re-take a module due to non-achievement, this will also incur a cost.

You may be eligible for the Solihull College Higher Education Bursary (a non-repayable bursary of £1000 to help towards study). For details of eligibility criteria and how to apply see https://sway.cloud.microsoft/fYJIIFPhCwEYgO4E?ref=Link

Full time students with dependants may wish to review the government's Childcare Grant https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant and Parent's Learning Allowance https://www.gov.uk/parents-learning-allowance Please read our full terms and conditions https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/policies-and-applicant-information/

What can I do after this course?

Once students have achieved the Level 4 Higher National Diploma, they can develop their careers in the Esports sector by:

• Completing the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Esports
• entering employment
• continuing existing employment
• linking with the appropriate professional body
• committing to continuing professional development (CPD), or
• going to university

Many universities will allow advanced entry to the second year of relevant degree courses to holders of an HNC. However, students should not assume progression is automatic and should consult the entry requirements of individual institutions.