University of West London launches two new esports degrees

The University of West London has announced two new esports-focused courses that will be launched in September 2024.

The VSc Esports Management with Event Production and FDSc Coaching for Eplayers courses will be taught at the newly-created Digital Futures Lab on the University’s campus in London.

The two new courses mark the university’s entry into a rather fast-growing esports education segment, which has seen a large number of UK institutions create esports courses. The Esports Management with Event Production course will focus on esports regulation, risk management, digital marketing, promotion and event production. The three-year degree will be run by the London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism (LGCHT).

The second new course, Coaching for Eplayers, will train future esports coaches in the fields of nutrition, well-being, esports team dynamics and cognitive skills. This will be a two-year foundation degree.

The University noted that it has developed the courses with lecturers that have ‘extensive experience across events, gaming, sports psychology, hospitality and leisure’.

The University of West London has campuses in Brentford, Ealing and Reading. UWL has around 12,000 students with its roots dating back to 1860. The university’s most-known alumni is Freddie Mercury, the singer of the English rock band Queen, when its Ealing campus was called Ealing Art College.

James Edmunds, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean at UWL’s LGCHT commented: “There are so many dimensions to esports, and we are taking a holistic approach to teaching and building skills.

“All our new esports degrees will immerse students in the world of gaming with theoretical and practical experience. Being based in West London, we have excellent relationships with esports companies around the golden mile. There is a growing demand for talented and career-ready esports graduates.“

The university did not say whether it enlisted the help of any esports organisations, which has happened in the past with some institutions.