BTEC Level 3 Esports, Business and Enterprise (Diploma / Extended Diploma)

Esports (electronic sports) is defined as organised competitive gaming, which is human versus human, either as individuals or in teams. The structure of this two-year qualification has been developed to meet this upcoming demand for skills in esports. The qualifications include a breadth of transferable skills that enable learners to experience different areas of esports to aid their progression to employment, either directly or via further study. Esports offers a unique opportunity to study a sector that crosses over multiple subject areas such as sport, marketing, business, enterprise, IT and creative media. It provides an opportunity for alignment of social, physical, mental and financial skills into one qualification to deepen and expand learning. These are skills that are highly valued in the changing and fluid workplace.

A core component of this qualification is around the development of digital skills, as students apply skills and knowledge within the realm of Esports and its associated industry connections. Learners will be looking to develop and refine practices within events, ICT, business / marketing, creative media, health & wellbeing, professional gaming and more. All while absorbing information from various guest speakers and industry experts delivering their journeys into employment. Students are provided with opportunities to sample various technological devices, software and applications, which are utilised across industry. Alongside this the students interpersonal skills that are nurtured and developed within a team environment, helping them to grow socially and become more confident in their interactions.

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!

Esports at Sheffield United Community College

• Courses Exclusively at Bramall Lane: Benefit from state-of-the-art facilities for an unparalleled learning experience.
• Qualifications Areas: Delve into video production, game design, event planning, IT, coaching, digital skills, brand creation, and business development.
• British Student Championships: Compete every Wednesday against teams from across the UK.
• Competitive Gaming: Compete in titles such as EA FC, Rocket League, Fortnite, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Street Fighter, League of Legends, and Apex Legends.
• Exclusive Williams FI Partnership: Represent the college in F1 Racing Leagues using our newly fitted simulator rigs.
• Student-Led Podcast: opportunity for students to record, present and/or edit their own podcast content - 'Community Blades' on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
• Individualised Work Experience: Access hands-on opportunities in various industry roles.
• Value-Added Opportunities: Additional qualifications, college trips, Esports Tour, varsity competitions, industry speakers, career events, college rewards, and awards evening.
• Exclusive Partnerships with Williams F1 and professional team EndPoint: Gain access to a diverse range of educational and career opportunities from leading industry experts.
• Unique Student-to-Staff Ratio: Ensures comprehensive, personalised support for every student.

For accreditation purposes Sheffield United Community College deliver their Esports qualifications in partnership with Barnsley College.

For more information please check out our College Prospectus

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, Business, 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.

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.

Enrichment

The Esports enrichment pathway offers students the opportunity to engage in competitive online gaming across a variety of popular platforms. Esports is an exciting, team-based activity that appeals to a diverse range of young people. When practised responsibly and as part of a balanced lifestyle, Esports provides a positive alternative to passive media consumption, such as watching television or scrolling through social media. Additionally, it has strong links to computing, STEM subjects, and the development of business and entrepreneurial skills.

Students on this pathway will represent Sheffield United Community College in the British Esports Championship, competing against teams from colleges across England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. The championship follows a group and knockout format, culminating in an overall British champion. This competitive arena includes a wide range of popular gaming titles to suit players of all skill levels, including Fortnite, Rocket League, Valorant, Overwatch, FC26, Marvel Rivals, League of Legends, Street Fighter, Apex Legends, Splatoon 3 and many more. Over the past two years, our established teams have travelled across the country to participate in live, or streamed competitive fixtures. Our goal is to build a strong yet enjoyable team dynamic ready to challenge the best teams across Britain for the championship titles.

A unique feature of this pathway is the opportunity to represent the college in F1 racing simulators through our exclusive partnership as a Williams F1 affiliate. This collaboration gives students access to cutting-edge racing simulation technology and the chance to compete in high-level virtual motorsport events, either as a driver or as part of the virtual pit crew support team.

Training takes place two to three times a week during dedicated sessions specific to each game title, led by specialist coaches who maximise practice time and team cohesion in preparation for upcoming events. Scrimmaging involves playing practice matches against other college teams, whether local rivals in Yorkshire, other British teams, or even international opponents. These sessions provide vital gameplay experience while coaches analyse footage to assess individual skills and team strategies. After each scrimmage, players meet with coaches to review game footage and receive structured drills, ensuring a professional and supportive gaming environment.

Beyond competitive play, students will have opportunities to organise and lead tournaments, design and deliver digital-skill workshops for children, and volunteer at esports-related events. This enrichment pathway also offers the chance to gain additional industry-recognised qualifications in areas such as esports ethics, coaching, mental health awareness, and content creation.

Value Added

• E-Learning Hub: As part of the learning experience, each student is provided access to their own E-learning platform which includes access to virtual classrooms, email, and cloud storage..
• Tutorial Programme: Through our tutorial programmes, learners will engage with a diverse range of thought-provoking, challenging, and relevant topics that extend beyond their core post-16 qualification. These topics not only prepare students for their future endeavours, but also broaden their understanding and knowledge of current and practical matters in today’s society.
• Careers and Progression: this programme is in place to support and guide our students through the various progression pathways offered to them after they complete their studies with us. Our programme includes; Careers week, CV and Interview workshops, UCAS and University Workshops, Progress Meetings and Career / Open Day events.
• Work Placement: Work placement is an integral part of the study programme at Sheffield United Community College, with students expected to complete a minimum of 30-hours work experience throughout their time at the college. At the start of the study programme, each student is given their own personal record portfolio. The purpose of this portfolio is for students to keep a log of the additional skills, experiences and qualifications that they build up throughout their study programme.
• 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 and outstanding contributions. At the end of each month, the top performing students will make it into the Colleges Squad of the Month (SoTM). Students are rewarded with access to our end-of-term trips and activities, Residential trips, European tours and SUFC match tickets. 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.
• College Residential Trip: During the early stages of joining the college, all new students are invited to attend a free residential trip. This trip will include a wide range of team building and skill development activities that help familiarise the new students with each other, as well as college staff. The students will then work together to complete a social action project, such as raising money for a local charity.
• European Tour: All second year students will get the opportunity to attend a European tour to our affiliated club partner Malaga CF, located in Spain. This trip involves a combination of esports enrichment, leisure and cultural experience.
• Community Blades Podcast: SUCC Podcast channel which is hosted, edited and organised by Community College students. The podcast will provide weekly updates, college sports and esports roundups, as well as appearances by industry guests. This channel was developed to provide real-world work experience opportunities for our students, allowing them to gain transferable skills that can be used in media, journalism, marketing and more.

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. We want students to leave our college as better people, not just better students.

Every student at the college has access to pastoral support in the form of a Learning Mentor. 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.

Working alongside the tutors, the mentors strive to maintain high levels of engagement, participation, attendance, punctuality and attainment. Students are regularly monitored to ensure that they are achieving their target grades, are maximising their learning time and developing their independent learning skills.

The Learning Mentors are also responsible for ensuring students’ welfare and liaising with tutors to support personal and academic development throughout their time at the college. Combined with termly one-to-one progress meetings, students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning in order to ensure they achieve the grades that 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.

Progress meetings with students are scheduled termly sessions where educators and students come together to discuss the student’s academic progress, achievements, and areas for improvement. These meetings serve as an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their performance, set goals, and identify strategies for enhancing their learning experience. Through these meetings, the mentors can provide guidance, support, and resources tailored to the individual needs of each student.

Student Wellbeing and Support Services are resources and programmes offered by Sheffield United Community College to support the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of our students. These services aim to help students navigate personal, financial, social, and academic challenges while providing students with a network of support. Examples of these services include; Welfare Reviews, Student Shout Service, Student Assistance Programme (SAP) and access to Kooth Mental Health support programmes.

In addition to the above, students will have full access to our partner college’s external student support services which 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.

This BTEC qualification consists 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. Each unit is made up of two or three individual assignments. 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.

The course comprises both classroom (theory) and practical learning and features various assessment methods that will prepare you for further academic study. Most units are assessed through assignments which are submitted via our interactive learning platforms in a variety of formats; these include written reports, business plans, video editing / analysis, interactive posters / advertisements, practical demonstrations, group tasks, interviews, screencasts, website / tech designs, presentations, projects and event management.

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
• Media Broadcasting
• Game Design
• Video Production
• Shoutcasting
• Nutrition for Esports
• Producing an Esports Brand

English and Maths GCSE

English and maths are an essential part of your studies here at Sheffield United Community College and can sometimes be a real barrier for the future, if you do not gain a pass at GCSE level. Employers and universities really value these essential qualifications, so it is important we help you achieve them. Students who join the college with a grade 3 or below in either or both subjects, will be automatically enrolled onto our GCSE programme or Functional Skill programme. These subject lessons take place weekly at Sheffield College and will include resitting examinations during the summer term.

4 GCSE’s grade 4 or above (or equivalent), including English Language and Maths*

*Those without English or Maths (Grade 4) will complete the BTEC Level 3 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.

The college recognise that there are a number of pathways learners want to take post-study programme and we want to ensure that all possible information is made available. While the final progression route of each student is unique and personal to them, the following bullet points below shows typical progression pathways which students take following completion of their studies with us.

• University: Students progress onto a wide range of academic courses in Esports, Business, Media, Marketing and many more.
  
• Foundation Degree: Continue your academic journey with us by enrolling onto a vocationally focused Esports and business degree programme.
• Direct Employment: Students may decide to go straight into direct employment. Typical jobs include; IT, Business Admin, Graphic Design, Social Media, Coaching, Marketing, Games Design etc