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Digital Technologies

Level 3 National Diploma in Esports

It’s not just gaming. This course covers video editing, content creation, coaching, streaming, and competing — and you choose what to focus on. No exams. All coursework and content you actually want to make. Most students arrive without a fixed plan and leave knowing exactly what they want to do.

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How you’ll learn

You’ll think it’s just playing games. It’s not. You’ll learn video editing, content creation, live streaming, coaching, event management, and the business side of esports. Every assignment is coursework — no exams — and you choose your own game, pick your own projects, and tailor the work to what you’re actually interested in.

Our students compete at regional and national level through the British Esports Association and have represented the college at WorldSkills UK. You’ll build a portfolio of real content, not just assignments — videos you’ve edited, brands you’ve created, events you’ve run. By the end, most students say they discovered career options they didn’t know existed when they started.

Year 1 Units

  • Introduction to Esports
  • Esports Skills, Strategy & Analysis
  • Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
  • Health & Wellbeing for Esports Players
  • Producing an Esports Brand
  • Esports Coaching
  • Ethics Within Esports

Year 2 Units

  • Esports Events
  • Video Production
  • Games Design
  • Shoutcasting
  • Psychology for Esports Players
  • Nutrition for Esports Players
  • Launching a Brand
  • Customer Immersion Experience

Year 2 is optional but recommended. It doubles your UCAS points and adds video production, games design, and shoutcasting — the units students rate highest.

Entry and progression

What you need and where it leads

  1. Entry requirements
  2. This course Level 3
  3. Further study

Entry requirements

  • GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above
  • GCSE English at grade 4 or above
  • Successful interview with our team
  • Initial assessment in Maths and English

Need GCSE support? If you haven’t yet achieved grade 4 in Maths or English, you’ll study for these alongside your course. 4 out of 17 of our current students are doing GCSE resits — it’s built into your timetable, not an afterthought. Don’t have traditional GCSEs? We also consider aptitude — talk to us.

Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

See all 8 courses

At University Campus Doncaster

At University Campus North Lincolnshire

Careers it can lead to

  • Arts Officers, Producers and Directors £36,200 a year
  • Actors, Entertainers and Presenters £30,900 a year
  • Photographers, Audio-visual and Broadcasting Equipment Operators £27,800 a year
  • Advertising and Marketing Associate Professionals £28,900 a year
See all 14 careers
  • Events Managers and Organisers £25,000 a year
  • Design Occupations £32,400 a year
  • Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials £16.64 an hour
  • Sports Players £18.44 an hour

With further study or experience

  • Programmers and Software Development Professionals £46,600 a year
  • Graphic and Multimedia Designers £26,400 a year
  • IT Quality and Testing Professionals £38,800 a year
  • Managers and Directors in the Creative Industries £50,800 a year
  • Marketing and Commercial Managers £46,600 a year
  • IT Business Analysts, Architects and Systems Designers £53,800 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Our facilities

Where You’ll Work

Purpose-built esports suites with the kit you’d actually use — high-spec gaming PCs, streaming setups, and dedicated spaces for content production and team practice.

  • Gaming & Competition Suite

    High-spec gaming PCs, competitive setups, and dedicated practice space for team tournaments and individual play

  • Content Production Setup

    Streaming equipment, video editing workstations, and recording space for building your content portfolio

  • Coaching & Analysis Area

    Screen sharing and replay analysis tools for coaching sessions, strategy breakdowns, and team reviews

Final-1153 esport
Competition-Ready Equipment

Our esports suite at The Hub

Kenzie

Kenzie

Level 3 Esports

Student Voice

“

Studying Esports has helped me grow in confidence, learn how to communicate better, and explore the creative side of gaming. I’ve enjoyed the people, the environment, and creating things like game ideas and merch. It’s helped me see what I want to focus on in the future.

Read more student stories
For parents and carers

Supporting your child’s journey

Real Career Prospects

These qualifications lead to real jobs. Our courses are built around the skills that employers are actually hiring for, locally and nationally.

See career options

Qualifications That Count

These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.

See the full unit list

Financial Support Available

Bursaries are available, and free meals are provided for those who qualify. If cost is a concern, there's help, and it's straightforward to apply.

Financial support info

A Friendly, Welcoming Place

Students are often surprised by how friendly and welcoming college is. It's a supportive community where they'll build genuine friendships and feel part of something.

About student life

Your next step

Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.

Ready to apply?

Applications for September 2027 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.

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Want to visit first?

FE Open Event – 12th January 202712th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm

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What happens after you apply

1

You apply

Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.

2

You meet your tutor

We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.

3

You get an offer

We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.

4

You get ready to start

Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.

Read our full guide to applying