HNC Esports (Athlete Support and Development Pathway)
The Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Esports (Athlete Performance and Support) is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree offers students a clear progression pathway into the esports industry or wider creative industries.
The qualification, designed in partnership with the British Esports Association, helps to develop students as independent-thinking professionals who can meet the demands of employers and adapt to a constantly changing world.
Learners will also develop a wide range of transferable skills and knowledge that can be applied to other digital and STEAM-based careers. Uniquely, York College's qualification focuses on high performance athletes with specific units of study selected to enhance Esports athletes professional practice and capabilities and inspire the next generation of professional coaches and athletes.
UCAS Code: Q123
UCAS Institution Code: Y70
| Level 4 |
|---|
| Esports Ecosystem |
| Skills and Tactics Analysis |
| Event Planning and Delivery |
| Planning an Esports Project |
| Coaching Practice |
| Wellbeing, Lifestyle and Health |
| Team Logistics |
Entry requirements
We recommend that students have the following:
Level 3 qualification in Business or other related Level 3 qualifications Grade A*- C or 9 - 4 in GCSE Maths and English Access to Higher Education Diploma
Relevant work experience International equivalent to the above qualifications.
How will I be assessed?
Individual units are assessed against performance criteria set out by the awarding organisation and include written analysis, participation and performance in Esports and practical application of knowledge and skills demonstration.
Skills you will learn
The course takes a unique approach to Esports, setting out a pathway to high performance through understanding of psychological and physiological factors that impact on Esports Athletes, as well developing tactics, techniques and procedures and instructional capability to aide the development of others.
Method of delivery
This is a face-to-face delivery mode.
Additional costs
No additional costs are expected for this course, although students should have access to an internet enabled laptop or PC.
Your next steps
The Level 4 Higher National Certificate provides a solid grounding in esports, which students can build on if they decide to continue their studies.
The Level 5 Higher National Diploma allows students to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study.
Once students have achieved the Level 5 Higher National Diploma, they can develop their careers in the business sector by:
Entering employment
Continuing existing employment
Linking with the appropriate professional body
Committing to continuing professional development (CPD) Going to university.
With a background in education theory and performance psychology, Joe has served as the Head of Esports at York College & University Centre since September 2024. As an alumnus himself, Joe is focused on growing the esports programme by building relationships with sports organisations, universities, and businesses, both regionally and nationally to better the recruitment opportunities for his students.
As a proud alumnus of York College & University Centre and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, Joe moved to New York City to work professionally before returning to York in 2018. He has worked across a wide variety of educational roles before formally completing his PGCE with the University of Huddersfield in 2022 and was subsequently recruited to join York College & University Centre.
Joe has first-hand experience with the competitive esports scene and working in tandem with his brother, operates an anonymous esports promotional company that educates people on the benefits of esports. Joe brings this wealth of experience into his teaching, grounding his instruction in real-world applications.
Looking to the future, Joe is currently pursuing a PhD exploring the topic of violence within video games.
