College to offer new esports qualification

College bosses in Sunderland have announced a new partnership aimed at helping the city become a major centre for esports.

Sunderland College and the British Esports Association (BEA) are combining to provide courses which offer students the opportunity to train for a career in the rapidly growing esports – competitive video gaming – industry.

The courses will be delivered at a new National Esports Performance Campus (NEPC) – opposite the Stadium of Light at Riverside–fromSeptemberand aimstobecomeacentreofexcellence for esports talent.

Toni Rhodes, principal of Sunderland College, said: “Wearedelightedtobeworking in partnership with the British Esports Association to ensure our students gain the best experience to prepare them for a career in this dynamic, growth sector.

“I’m looking forward to developing our relationship with BEA in the long-term and creating more opportunitiesforSunderlandandour students.Togetherwewillbe at the forefront of new developments and lead the way to excitingcareerinesportsand other digital industries.”

Esports is a rapidly growing industryand,forthefirst time, will this year bepartoftheCommonwealth Games – which will feature a pilot esports competition in Birmingham in August.

British Esports Association chief executive, Chester King, said: “We have long held education as one of the key pillars of esports.

Sunderland College is recruiting now for the September entry and offering a one-year Level 2 Esports Diploma and a two-year Level 3 Esports Extended Diploma.