New esports qualifications are now available for schools and colleges in the United Kingdom (UK), following a partnership between NCFE (Northern Council for Further Education) and Canada-based Esports Academics.
The Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications have received regulatory approval and can be delivered from the start of the new academic year. This gives education providers a formally recognised route for students wanting to move into esports.
The NCFE Level 2 Diploma in Esports introduces students to how the esports industry works, covering topics such as business operations, marketing, broadcasting, event management and the use of AI within the sector. Students can choose to focus on different areas as they go, with the qualification designed to lead on to further study, training or a job.
The NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Esports goes further, covering more advanced knowledge and hands-on skills. Areas covered include marketing, player development, the psychology behind performance, running events, and data analytics. Alongside industry-specific knowledge, students will also build analytical and technical problem-solving skills that could support progression into higher education or work, either within esports or in other digital industries.
The courses were developed through a collaboration between Esports Academics and UK awarding body NCFE, following a partnership first announced earlier this year. Sweden-based NYSA (Network of Youth, Sport and Action) facilitated the connection between the two organisations and provided support throughout the development process.
George Cork, Co-Founder of Esports Academics, said, “Working with NCFE has allowed us to develop an up to date and future-ready esports curriculum for schools not only in the UK but around the world.”
Michael Potts, Senior International and Devolved Nations Manager at NCFE, said, “The new qualifications have been developed with industry experts to support progression into higher education and employment across esports and relevant sectors.”
This announcement adds to a number of recent efforts to build stronger education links into esports across the UK. In April 2026, the British Esports Federation partnered with WorldSkills UK to help young people pursue esports careers. The previous year, the British Esports Federation also formed a partnership with the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) to give school leaders resources to support esports activity among students.
Around the same time, Lionheart School, a local authority-maintained pupil referral unit on the Isle of Wight, opened a new esports and cyber-focused learning space, developed together with London-based company Cyberlabs.
