Esports | Pearson qualifications

Esports

Subject update | Thu Nov 06 00:00:00 UTC 2025

November 2025 Esports update

Welcome to this November 2025 update with all the latest news!

This month's newsletter leads on the recent Government announcement surrounding the future of vocational education in the UK. We urge all UK centres to engage with the white paper proposal during the consultation phase in order to share your views and thoughts.

NEW! Centre Support Requests 

At Pearson, due to strict GDPR rules we are unable to share centre details with other centres without permission. However, if any centres out there are looking to collaborate or share delivery or resource ideas and would like me to publish your contact details in the monthly newsletter, please do get in touch on teachingbusiness@pearson.com.

In this update you will find information on:

 

Read more
pearson-calendar2-icon-rgb-pearson-purple

{{ gatDoctitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

 

Key Dates

Date Event
13th November

Introduction to teaching the International BTEC Level 3 in Esports

New to delivering the BTEC International Level 3 in Esports? This online session is suitable for Program Managers, Internal Verifiers, Assessors, Tutors, Heads of Department, Quality Nominees, Centre Managers, working in centres offering the BTEC International Level 2 qualification who are either new to delivering this qualification or those who would like to refresh their knowledge. 


pearson-notes2-icon-rgb-pearson-purple

{{ gatDoctitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

 

Latest News

 

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.

On 20 October, the government published its Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, setting out significant reforms to vocational education in England. We know you'll have questions about what this means for you and your students, and we want to provide you with clear information and reassurance.

What it means for you

You should continue to register students and deliver your programmes as planned in 2025/26. There are no immediate changes to your current provision, and BTECs continue to provide excellent outcomes for the thousands of students who choose vocational pathways each year.

As soon as we have full details about the funding arrangements for 2026/27, we’ll share them with you straight away, so you can plan with confidence.

What does the White Paper propose?

The government has announced plans to introduce "V Levels" as a new vocational qualification pathway at level 3, sitting alongside A levels and T Levels. These qualifications aim to simplify the current vocational landscape and will be designed to be similar in size to A levels, allowing students to combine vocational and academic study more flexibly.

The government has opened the consultation  to test the key design principles of V Levels, and new qualifications at level 2 that sit alongside GCSEs.

It invites views on size and subject areas, information advice and guidance, new T Levels, level 2 qualifications and pathways, non qualification activities, the transition plan, the co-design approach to setting content, and qualification branding.

The deadline for responses in 12 January 2026.

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.

If you were unable to attend the recent webinar "Exploring Careers & Simulation Racing," hosted by Pearson in partnership with British eSports and the Williams Sim Racing Team - catch up here.

This event was broadcast live to students across UK centres, offering valuable insights into potential career pathways stemming from their dedication to the qualification.

We had the fabulous Jac Cowie and James Yexley, Esports alumni, now working with the Williams Sim team, sharing their experiences of how an education in Esports propelled them to their dream jobs.

 

n

{{ image.gatingTitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}
n

{{ image.gatingTitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

{{ gatDoctitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

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
pearson-headphones-icon-rgb-pearson-purple

{{ gatDoctitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

 

BTEC Nationals Support & Guidance

Please scroll down the page linked to below to find a map  with details of schools and colleges delivering esports.

For help with:

  • delivery 
  • the Esports learner and teacher

For help with:

  • assessment 
  • grade statistics

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.

pearson-globe2-icon-rgb-pearson-purple

{{ gatDoctitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

 

BTEC Internationals Support & Guidance

 

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.

 

pearson-folder-digital-folder-icon-rgb-pearson-purple

{{ gatDoctitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

 

Other Information

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

funding

{{ image.gatingTitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

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.

MFA graphic

{{ image.gatingTitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}

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)
Colin Leith, Business Subject Advisor
1

{{ image.gatingTitle }}

{{invalidUserName}}
{{invalidUserMail}}
{{errorMessage}}
×

Are you sure you want to exit this session?