January 2026 Esports update
Thu Jan 08 00:00:00 UTC 2026
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A warm welcome to the first eSports subject update of the spring term.
I hope you’ve enjoyed a refreshing break and are ready for 2026.
In this month update look out for a webinar on the 26th January, exploring key themes linked to the Pearson and British Esports BTEC Nationals in Esports; modules such as Skills, Strategies and Analysis, Esports Coaching, Psychology for Esports Performance and Nutrition for Esports Performance.
Also there is great article on how to enter your learners into the British Esports Student Champs!
| Date | Activity |
| BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints | We recently published the BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints for 2025/26. While your exams officers will take the lead on most of these activities, your support will be important to help meet these deadlines, so it’s useful to be aware of what is required and when
|
| 30 January | Termtime checkpoint deadline: cohort declaration. Your head of centre completes a declaration to confirm all students who are expecting a result in summer 2026 |
| 21 February | BTEC Tech award entry deadline: make entries for internal and external components for May/June |
| 26 January 2026 11:00 - 12:00 GMT | Esports Webinar – British Esports and Team Heretics – Esports Coaching and Performance |
| 03 February 2026 09:00 - 11:30 GMT | Introduction to Teaching the International BTEC Level 3 in Esports |
Join British Esports Federation’s Head of Education, Kalam Neale and Neil Finlay from Team Heretics as they sit down to take a deep dive into the recent successes of Team Heretics to explore how Neil in his role as Head Coach has built and transformed a team of Rookie players, to become Esports World Cup Valorant Champions in 2025.
This event is designed to be attended by teachers and learners together. Learners can hear from industry leaders and hear how BTEC skills transfer into the Esports industry.
In this event, we will explore key themes linked to the Pearson and British Esports BTEC Nationals in Esports in modules such as Skills, Strategies and Analysis, Esports Coaching, Psychology for Esports Performance and Nutrition for Esports Performance.
The webinar will conclude with an opportunity to engage directly with our presenters through Q&A.
26 January 2026 11:00-12:00
A great article from the British Esports website that I am sure every Esports learner in the country would be interest in. How to best compete!
Are you at a school or college in the UK which wants to get started in esports, but isn’t sure how?
Gil Hamilton, Esports Lecturer and Head Coach of the Esports Academy at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, shares her top five tips on getting started in esports and taking part in the national British Esports Student Champs, with sign-ups now open for 2026.
Sunderland has been announced as the host city for the inaugural International Defence Esports Games (IDEG), a first-of-its-kind gaming and esports tournament for military personnel.
The first IDEG26 finals will take place at the British Esports Federation’s state-of-the-art National Gaming and Esports Arena in Sunderland from October 9th to 11th 2026, with the Ministry of Defence having appointed British Esports to deliver this tournament through UK Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC).
The top eight countries in each of the four game titles (after online qualifying) will compete over the weekend, in titles including Call of Duty and VelociDrone.
At Pearson we are committed to understanding the efficacy of our qualifications and continuously improving and updating them to support the best outcomes for students.
We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of our provision and are pleased to share the findings of two of our recent research projects looking at outcomes associated with the BTEC Level 3 Nationals, specifically
- Salary outcomes using Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO)
- Higher Education (HE) continuation rate (i.e. proportion of students that successfully progress into their second year of a degree).
These two projects speak to the dual purpose of BTECs, supporting entry direct into employment and HE.
We are looking to create a NEW Esports Bitesize playlist based on all the questions and queries our centres want answering or resources they want to access.
Please use this form to submit questions for your Senior Standards Verifier, so we can get the most frequently asked questions or wants to you in the most efficient and easily accessible way.
Pearson are looking to recruit International Standards Verifiers in BTEC eSPORT. If you are interested in finding out more or apply for this role visit our website.
Both UK and International applicants can apply.
The latest information page from the JCQ includes
- guidance for teachers on malpractice
- presentations for teachers and learners
- an information sheet for teachers
- a poster for learners
As we go into the new year, each centre will be allocted a standards verifier (SV) for this academic year. By the end of February all centres should have been contacted by their allocated verifier.
In the meantime, its a good idea to ensure you are happy with your assessement plan as this will be requested early on in the process. However, remember, this is a working document so don't worry if things shift througout the year. It merely provided a guide for the SV.
If you have not heard from your SV by late February, please do get in touch with us via the support portal.
Please scroll down the page linked to below to find a map with details of schools and colleges delivering esports.
Learning aim C: Explore career pathways and associated routes in esports
C1 Job roles, career pathways and progression routes in esports
• Selected job roles, career pathways and progression routes in esports, e.g. professional players, coach, shoutcaster/host, esports analyst, esports journalist, esports content creator, observer, administrator, esports broadcaster/producer community manager, team/player manager, operations, events manager.
• Potential link between job roles, career pathways and progression routes in esports and other related industries, e.g. cyber security, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, interface design, games development, social media management, event management, merchandising, sports coaching and development, journalism, exercise science.
• Sources of information on careers in esports.
• Education pathways in Higher Education and Apprenticeships.
• Industry and job-specific qualifications.
• Employers: local, national, international.
This article from the University of Chichester focuses on career opportunities which might follow study of one its programmes. Some of the material is relevant to Unit 1 Learning Aim C.
British Esports have a great page dedicated to career pathways in Esports and shares different contacts to industry partners who are really championing the qualifcation.
For help with:
- delivery
- the Esports learner and teacher
For help with:
- assessment
- grade statistics
As we go into the new year, each centre will be allocted a standards verifier (SV) for this academic year. By the end of February all centres should have been contacted by their allocated verifier.
In the meantime, its a good idea to ensure you are happy with your assessement plan as this will be requested early on in the process. However, remember, this is a working document so don't worry if things shift througout the year. It merely provided a guide for the SV.
If you have not heard from your SV by late February, please do get in touch with us via the support portal.
Following the recent UK government reform announcement regarding BTEC reform in the UK and the impact of this on BTEC qualifications. I would like to reassure all our international customers that this does not affect you. BTECs will continue to grow and flourish in our international markets, so please continue to plan and operate as usual!
Level 2 Esport is an available qualification to our international centres. Currently, we do not have a dedicated Level 2 International webpage - however the UK qualification can be taught in international centres.
These qualifications are for learners who want to develop a range of skills within the esports and related industries. They are designed for learners at post-16 but are suitable qualifications for 14-16 where appropriate, as part of their wider study programme. They are ideal qualifications for learners intending to progress to further education at level 3 or to an apprenticeship within esports and related industries.
We have a variety of pages devoted to keeping you updated with the specifications, teaching resources, sample assignment materials as well as all authorised assignment briefs and Pearson Set Assignments.
I am frequently being asked about plans to reform our esports qualifications and we are waiting for the outcome of the Curriculum and Assessment Review whose final report is due in the autumn. I am confident in the December newsletter a full response will be available.
We have a variety of pages devoted to keeping you informed about the reforms in the meantime.
The interim report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review was published in March and seemed to acknowledge that "a significant proportion of young people require a mix of qualifications, or cannot access A levels or T Levels, or have not yet decided on career plans."
Level 2
Our Level 2 Esports qualifications have been extended for delivery in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The last registration date is 31 July 2027.
The last certification date is 31 July 2029.
Level 3
The National Esports Performance Campus (NEPC) is a multi-site entertainment and education complex located in Sunderland.
NEPC is the home of British Esports and provides access to state-of-the-art equipment, training, and investment. The facility offers luxury accommodation for esports bootcamps, providing a comfortable and focused environment for players. The campus boasts cutting-edge technology, including a 100-seater esports arena, training rooms, and broadcast facilities.
Multi factor authentication was rolled out to nearly a quarter of a million Pearson Portal users last year. Although it has now become a standard way of accessing our systems, it can sometimes present challenges if a smart device is lost or replaced.
You can read more information, see a quick start guide and access FAQs and troubleshooting for our authenticator app in our Pearson Portal Authenticator support article.
Based on feedback received this graphic was created to answer some common questions.
You can read more information, see a quick start guide and access FAQs and troubleshooting for our authenticator app in our Pearson Portal Authenticator support article.
Subject advisor
Sarah Mark
BTEC Business, Enterprise, Marketing, Esports
Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535
(Teaching Services team | Mon-Fri, 8am - 5pm GMT)
