University of Chichester launches Psychology of Esports degree

UK educational institution University of Chichester has announced a BSc (Hons) Psychology of Esports degree.

The course, set to launch in September 2025, aims to integrate psychological principles with practical esports applications, bridging the gap between psychological science and competitive gaming.

According to a release, this is the world’s first BSc (Hons) Psychology of Esports degree.

The new degree will include modules on topics such as cognitive psychology, human interaction and relationships, developmental psychology, esports ethics and codes of conduct and research skills for social scientists. Moreover, the university noted that critical discussions will also occur throughout the course that is associated with ‘the expanding realm of the cyber-world/’

University of Chichester’s course is also set to be assessed for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in February 2025. As a result, students partaking in the course will graduate with an industry-recognised qualification that acts as a first step to becoming a psychologist.

Dr. Benjamin Sharpe, Course Founder, Programme Leader and a Senior Lecturer in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Chichester, explained that the course will prepare graduates for diverse careers including esports psychology, team analysis, coaching and management.

In a release, he noted: “Through practical experiments, students will connect theoretical knowledge to the multifaceted esports landscape, including international competitions, global audience engagement and the industry’s full spectrum from grassroots to professional levels.

“This pioneering degree represents a collaborative achievement between our Institute of Psychology, Business and Human Sciences and Creative Industries. We’re not just filling a market gap and responding to stakeholder calls – we’re creating versatile graduates equipped with both psychological expertise and practical industry skills, within and beyond esports.”

Outside of esports, the University of Chichester currently cites sport, education, creative and digital technologies, and engineering as its key disciplines.