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Esports with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London? 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
Why study this course?

This is a one-year foundation course after which you will study for a three-year degree. You will be able to choose any of the BA courses that we run in the London School of Film, Media and Design.

After a year spent building your skills in good academic practices and research while experiencing all the aspects of student life, you will be ready to progress seamlessly to your chosen degree.

Our foundation year course is particularly suited to you if:

  • you do not have the relevant qualifications in a media or design subject
  • you are returning to study
  • if English is not your first language and could benefit from a year of practising your verbal and writing skills
  • if you are still deciding on which field of media and design you would like to specialise in.

Please note that a £2000 Path to Success bursary is available to all UK foundation year students, which is non-repayable. 

A row of computers in the UWL's digital future labs

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.
Without Foundation Year
Duration: 3 years

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Esports with Foundation Year with us?

Why study Esports with Foundation Year with us?

A collage of students
A collage of students
A collage of students

What our students say…

The Foundation Course at UWL gave me the confidence to believe in myself.

Joe Bowring, Broadcast and Digital Journalism

The Foundation Year has been extremely challenging but definitely worth it.

Samantha Cleary-Giegold, Broadcast and Digital Journalism

My Foundation Year at UWL has been such an amazing experience. I learned how to grow my confidence and push myself to achieve. If I could go back I would choose to do a Foundation Year again! 

Andrea Vega Demuru, Advertising and PR
Next
UWL's Digital Futures Lab is equipped with high-specification dual-screen PCs with GPUs to support games design and development, esports, AI, and creative content creation; as well as the latest VR headsets offering both a fully immersive virtual experience and mixed reality.
Why study a Foundation year
Why study a Foundation year 2
Why study a Foundation year 3
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Why study a Foundation Year?

A Foundation Year prepares you for study at undergraduate level, it s the first step on your university journey.  The skills and knowledge you acquire will stand you in good stead for your degree studies as well as your entry into the world of work. Over the course of an academic year, you will explore a range of subjects that will underpin your future studies, as well as enjoy full access to university facilities.

What will I study during the Foundation Year? 

You will be supported to help you make the most of the foundation year through:

  • independent study (Personalised Learning module)
  • an introduction to the  various areas of the media and design industry (Creative Sectors module)
  • an understanding of how media and design fit with wider society (Contextual Studies module)
  • introduction to the software used within the industry (Creative Research module)
  • learning good academic practice and discipline (Academic Performance module)
  • creation of a media artefact which reflects your chosen path of study (Major Project module). 

Further details about the modules can be found on the right-hand side of this page.

Through these modules, you come to have a better understanding of the areas within media and design. You will become familiar with techniques that help you to:

  • manage your time and study effectively
  • learn academic, research and presentation skills.

Any other benefits? 

You will have full access to the University of West London's facilities as well as being fully integrated into university life.

This well-established course is taught by an experienced team of lecturers committed to enabling and supporting you to develop your skills and creativity.

Compulsory modules

  • English Literature I: History, Form and Genre

    In the first half of this module you will focus on the novel and the development of the genre using examples from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century literature. Concentrating on works (or extracts from works) by Samuel Richardson, Charlotte Brontë, Herman Melville, James Joyce and Toni Morrison, through lectures and seminars you will explore the novel form, and ask why it became the dominant mode of literary expression over the course of these three centuries.

    In the second half of the module you will study a range of poems in English from different historical periods. You will cover the ways in which language and form work in poetry and the kinds of readings which can be used when looking at poems. 

  • English Literature II: Critical Approaches (double credit module)

    Introducing you to a range of critical approaches to understanding literature, this module will cover formalist, biographical, historicist, gender, psychological, sociological, reader-response, structuralist, postcolonial and deconstructionist models of engagement with literary texts. The aim is provide you with the tools you need to examine writing, writers, and our engagement with their works.

  • Video Production

    Learn the basics of video production and film grammar, developing your skills as a filmmaker. Using hands-on exercises, you will learn photography, video, lighting, sound and scriptwriting.

  • Video Documentary Production

    This is an intensely practical module, which lays the foundation for video work later in L4, and in modules at L5 and L6, as well as for future employability. You will learn the basics of filming, including camera operation, lighting, and recording sound. You will also learn the basics of editing, including sound mixing for video, structuring and scripting, and how to research stories for video.

  • Foundations of Creative Writing

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose two of the optional modules

Compulsory modules

  • Literature and Modernity

  • The Canon Reloaded

    On this module you will look at adaptations in the context of relevant cultural, critical, historical and technological factors. In addition, you will examine how and why certain texts are valued, and improve your abilities in research, academic writing and presenting effectively.

  • Media Content Production

    In this module, you will learn the workflows and typical outputs of a three to four camera television studio. You will learn new roles and techniques based on communication (via talkback) and time management (both in the studio and on-screen).

Optional modules

  • Industry Experience

    You will begin with a structured induction process, during which you will be guided in researching the job market, understanding professional responsibilities, preparing a CV plus cover letter and undertaking a mock interview. Additionally, you’ll be guided in contacting and negotiating with a potential host organisation/employer or client to secure your industry experience.

  • Visual Media Cultures

  • Worldbuilding

    Explore the migration of form and content between different texts and media, with a focus on fiction. Underpinned by explorations of intertextuality and convergence culture, theories of adaptation, intermediality and transmedia storytelling are explored through key examples from film, literature, TV, videogames, new media, visual arts, and many other media.

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose TWO of the optional modules

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

  • Video Essays

  • Bodies, Identities, Futures

    In this module, you have the opportunity to encounter and engage with a range of sci-fi texts – some mainstream, some fringe – and to apply complex theoretical perspectives in the close readings of these texts. You are encouraged to develop and explore their research interests in a supported environment, providing significant autonomy in terms of assessment.

  • Writing for Performance

  • Project (mini)

Compulsory modules

  • English Literature I: History, Form and Genre

    In the first half of this module you will focus on the novel and the development of the genre using examples from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century literature. Concentrating on works (or extracts from works) by Samuel Richardson, Charlotte Brontë, Herman Melville, James Joyce and Toni Morrison, through lectures and seminars you will explore the novel form, and ask why it became the dominant mode of literary expression over the course of these three centuries.

    In the second half of the module you will study a range of poems in English from different historical periods. You will cover the ways in which language and form work in poetry and the kinds of readings which can be used when looking at poems. 

  • English Literature II: Critical Approaches (double credit module)

    Introducing you to a range of critical approaches to understanding literature, this module will cover formalist, biographical, historicist, gender, psychological, sociological, reader-response, structuralist, postcolonial and deconstructionist models of engagement with literary texts. The aim is provide you with the tools you need to examine writing, writers, and our engagement with their works.

  • Video Production

    Learn the basics of video production and film grammar, developing your skills as a filmmaker. Using hands-on exercises, you will learn photography, video, lighting, sound and scriptwriting.

  • Video Documentary Production

    This is an intensely practical module, which lays the foundation for video work later in L4, and in modules at L5 and L6, as well as for future employability. You will learn the basics of filming, including camera operation, lighting, and recording sound. You will also learn the basics of editing, including sound mixing for video, structuring and scripting, and how to research stories for video.

  • Foundations of Creative Writing

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose two of the optional modules

Compulsory modules

  • Literature and Modernity

  • The Canon Reloaded

    On this module you will look at adaptations in the context of relevant cultural, critical, historical and technological factors. In addition, you will examine how and why certain texts are valued, and improve your abilities in research, academic writing and presenting effectively.

  • Media Content Production

    In this module, you will learn the workflows and typical outputs of a three to four camera television studio. You will learn new roles and techniques based on communication (via talkback) and time management (both in the studio and on-screen).

Optional modules

  • Industry Experience

    You will begin with a structured induction process, during which you will be guided in researching the job market, understanding professional responsibilities, preparing a CV plus cover letter and undertaking a mock interview. Additionally, you’ll be guided in contacting and negotiating with a potential host organisation/employer or client to secure your industry experience.

  • Visual Media Cultures

  • Worldbuilding

    Explore the migration of form and content between different texts and media, with a focus on fiction. Underpinned by explorations of intertextuality and convergence culture, theories of adaptation, intermediality and transmedia storytelling are explored through key examples from film, literature, TV, videogames, new media, visual arts, and many other media.

You will study all the compulsory modules and will choose TWO of the optional modules

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

  • Video Essays

  • Bodies, Identities, Futures

    In this module, you have the opportunity to encounter and engage with a range of sci-fi texts – some mainstream, some fringe – and to apply complex theoretical perspectives in the close readings of these texts. You are encouraged to develop and explore their research interests in a supported environment, providing significant autonomy in terms of assessment.

  • Writing for Performance

  • Project (mini)

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

  • Principles of Esports

    Principles of Esports establishes the historical context of esports and competitive gaming, exploring the development of games, network, and livestream technologies. This module also covers current workflows and terminology within esports, alongside its origins. You will delve into the significant milestones and key figures that have shaped the industry, gaining an understanding of how esports has evolved from niche communities to a global phenomenon.

  • Video Production for Esports

    At the end of this module, you will be able to: 

    1. Describe effective uses of professional audio and video equipment for media production 
    2. Identify the key workflows and pipelines in the creation of a media product 
    3. Operate an industry-standard software solution for media preparation, editing, and finalisation 
    4. Execute a concept produced for a given brief with support.

  • Introduction to Budgeting and Finance for Esports Management

    The aim of this module is to equip you with a foundational understanding of financial principles and practices essential for effective management within the esports industry. 

    Through a comprehensive exploration of budgeting techniques, revenue generation strategies, and financial decision-making processes specific to esports, the module seeks to empower you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the dynamic financial landscape of esports organisations. 

    By focusing on practical applications and industry-specific scenarios, the module aims to foster financial literacy and competence, preparing you for future roles where budgeting and financial acumen are integral to successful esports management. 

  • Game Design and Concept

    The module aims to:

    • Introduce concept and design development strategies
    • Help you look beyond 'the first idea' or derivative interpretations of briefs
    • Enable growth of self-directed research skills
    • Re-introduce core 2D graphics and image manipulation software
    • Provide a forum for the critical analysis and dissection of existing or established designs.

  • Personal Livestreaming

    This module covers the essential aspects of live broadcasting, from technical setup to execution. You will learn about livestreaming equipment, such as cameras, microphones, capture cards, and encoders, and how to configure these tools for optimal performance. You will also use software solutions for livestreaming, comparing features and exploring what sets apart high-quality livestream products. You will also learn effective on-camera communication, audience engagement techniques, and how to maintain a professional presence during live broadcasts. 

  • Media and Esports

    This module provides you with a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between media and esports. 

    Through theoretical discussions and practical applications, you will develop a nuanced understanding of the role media plays in shaping, promoting, and broadcasting esports content.

Compulsory modules

  • Esports Event Fundamentals

    This module provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of organising and managing esports events. You will gain insights into the key components that contribute to successful event planning and execution, including event logistics, tournament formats, audience engagement strategies, and the use of technology.

  • Eplayer Nutrition and Wellbeing

    The module aims to equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of nutrition and wellbeing tailored for esports athletes, fostering an appreciation for holistic health in the context of competitive gaming.   

    The module explores the intersection of esports and nutrition, emphasising the impact of lifestyle choices on player performance. It delves into the critical role of nutrition and overall wellbeing in optimising esports athletes' cognitive and physical capabilities. 

  • Esports Team Game Analysis and Data Management

    In this module, you will explore various analytical techniques used to assess team performance, player statistics, and game outcomes. You will learn to interpret complex data sets and derive actionable insights that can influence coaching decisions, team compositions, and game strategies. The curriculum includes hands-on experience with analytics software and tools commonly used in the esports industry, enabling you to perform in-depth game analysis and data visualisation. You will also learn about the ethical considerations and best practices in data management, ensuring the responsible use of data in esports.

  • Research Project

    This module aims to develop your research skills, deepen your understanding of game design, and promote your contribution to knowledge within the field. Throughout the module, you will engage with various topics and activities to achieve these aims.

  • Coaching for Eplayers

    This module focuses on advanced coaching techniques tailored to the unique needs of esports athletes. Addressing the intricate blend of cognitive skills, team dynamics, and physical wellbeing, you will develop expertise in coaching strategies specific to the esports realm. The module aims to equip you with advanced coaching skills, fostering the holistic development of eplayers in the context of esports, encompassing cognitive performance, team dynamics, and overall wellbeing. 

  • Professional Skills and Live Brief

    This module covers the structure and dynamics of the games and esports industries, highlighting the various career opportunities and pathways available. You will engage in practical exercises to develop your professional skills, including resume building, portfolio creation, and interview techniques.

Compulsory modules

  • Esports Major Project

    The Major Project module allows you to apply your accumulated knowledge and skills to a substantial, self-directed project within esports and livestreaming. This capstone module emphasises independent research, project management, and creative problem-solving. You will identify a specific area of interest, develop a detailed project proposal and execute your plan under the guidance 
    of faculty mentors.

  • Strategic Management and Data Analytics for Esports Organisations

    This module explores the synergies between strategic management and data analytics. You will delve into strategic decision-making, leveraging data analytics to inform and enhance strategies in the dynamic esports industry. The module will equip you with advanced skills in strategic management and data analytics tailored to the esports sector, enabling you to make informed decisions, drive competitive advantage, and optimise organisational performance.

  • Planning for Media

    This Module focuses on the creation and organisation of a ‘Moving Image’ project. This module will explore the methods for production planning and management required in the process of adapting a piece of scripted drama to a visual medium. We will introduce planning and scheduling conventions used in the film and TV industry as well as methods used in animation and games development.

  • Contemporary Issues in Esports Management

    The module aims to equip you with advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills to navigate and contribute to the rapidly evolving landscape of esports, integrating perspectives from event production and nutrition and wellbeing. You will critically analyse emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the esports industry, fostering a deep understanding of contemporary issues shaping the field.  

  • Games Business

    This is a hybrid module, covering the reality of founding and operating an indie studio and introducing key concepts of entrepreneurship, business planning, business development, and building budgets and financial projections.
     

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

Looking for BA (Hons) Esports without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BA (Hons) Esports without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents. 

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Looking for BA (Hons) Esports without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BA (Hons) Esports without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Foundation year bursary

If you are a UK student joining a foundation year course with UWL, you will receive a £2000 Path to Success bursary to support your studies. This is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. You will receive £500 per year subject to your attendance, engagement and progression through your studies. 

Additional scholarships specifically for students in the fields of film, media and design are also on offer.

Funding your studies
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Ryan Callard

Ryan Callard

Ryan began teaching because of a music education workshop module during his studies at University of West London in 2013. Since then he has built a career in teaching in multiple schools and sixth forms around the area, before finally returning to University of West London.

Ryan began teaching because of a music education workshop module during his studies at University of West London in 2013. Since then he has built a career in teaching in multiple schools and sixth forms around the area, before finally returning to University of West London.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A row of computers in the UWL's digital future labs

Currently experiencing rapid growth, the esports industry offers a variety of roles and career paths. 

Potential jobs for esports degree graduates include:

  • Broadcast Producer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Content Creator
  • Esports Event Manager
  • Esports Analyst
  • Community Manager
  • Technical Director
  • Marketing Specialist
  • Game Developer
  • Talent Manager
  • Esports Coach

Additionally, you may wish to continue your studies. Explore our range of postgraduate courses.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.