15th July 2025
Do you imagine studying Esports is just playing computer games? Think again! Esports is quite a new concept in education, covering a multitude of sectors and areas of expertise, giving students so many transferable skills. It’s certainly not just gaming! With the Esports World Cup currently thrilling audiences in Saudi Arabia, and drawing interest from worldwide media, we thought we’d shine a light on how a career in Esports could position you on a world stage.
Enrolling on an Esports qualification will equip you with a diverse range of practical, technical, interpersonal and commercial skills. Covering strategies, enterprise and entrepreneurship, organisation and coaching, the well-rounded skillset gained will be transferrable to a vast array of industries.
The Esports program at South Devon College has expanded significantly over the past four years, growing from just eight students in a pilot programme to nearly 100 students currently enrolled across various disciplines. This provision covers Esports and Games & Interactive Design from Level 2 up to Higher National Certificate Level 4 Foundation Degree level, with opportunities for students to progress to a full degree at the University of Plymouth.
The curriculum has been developed closely with relevant employers, university and FE tutors and professional bodes, ensuring alignment with recognised professional standards.
As the dynamic Esports industry continues to experience rapid growth, many students and employers alike wonder what transferrable skills a qualification in Esports can deliver. The answer is ‘many’!
The Esports industry itself requires a myriad of expertise, including team organisation, sponsorship negotiations, marketing, and financial budgeting – all of which can be utilised within many other industries in a cross-over of skills, positively impacting any business.
As an example, the South Devon College Esports students planned and hosted the biggest live Esports tournament ever seen in the South West last year – the Radiant Rumble Gaming Tournament! To make this tournament a reality, the students brought a host of skills to the table, including event management, journalism, community engagement and production.
The Radiant Rumble tournament underway in the Real Immersive Dome in Plymouth
The students also showcased digital marketing skills, including brand awareness, social media expertise, influencer marketing and content creation. In business terms, these translate to brand awareness and visibility, helping with strategy and goals.
Businesses are driven by insights, data and market analysis in order to become more competitive and productive, and Esports gives students the ability to analyse gaming communities and gain insights into product development and improvement, alongside beta testing technical-related products.
The very nature of Esports study demonstrates high-level technical skills, with game development, design and testing being a pertinent area of expertise. Familiarity with streaming platforms can help optimise business content delivery and live broadcasts, as well as with troubleshooting and technical assistance.
Joe Cook, Lecturer in Computing at the College, said: “Esports isn’t just about gaming – it’s a rapidly growing industry that requires expertise in production, marketing, and business. Students studying Esports at College level develop transferable skills that extend far beyond competitive play. From live event production and broadcasting to digital marketing, sponsorship management, and monetisation strategies, these courses prepare students for careers in media, entertainment, and tech.
“Understanding audience engagement, brand partnerships, and content creation in the fast-paced world of Esports equips graduates with the tools to thrive in a variety of industries, making it a valuable and future-proof field of study.”
And it’s not just students who benefit from these skills and qualifications -many businesses across various industry sectors can utilise this workforce in so many different departments.
Steve Caunter, Assistant Principal at South Devon College, said: “By harnessing the diverse skills of Esports students, you could drive your business forward, from innovative marketing and event management to product development and strategic growth.
“By integrating their expertise, you could position your company to thrive in the fast-evolving digital and technical landscape, outpacing competitors and capturing new opportunities.”
If you are interested finding out more about the Esports courses on offer please visit Courses – South Devon College
