Esports
Subject update |
Wed Nov 04 00:00:00 UTC 2026
November 2026 Esports update
Welcome to this November 2026 update.
In this month’s update, you'll find the latest news, key dates, and updates for 2026/27 to help you plan for the rest of term and beyond.
| Date | Activity |
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| BTEC key dates and term-time checkpoints |
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.
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Sunderland/Dubai, 3 November - UK schools were today encouraged to register for EGAMES DUBAI27, the first-ever global esports competition open to every type of school, including state-funded, government-run, and independent schools.
The initiative has been co-created by Varkey Group and the British Esports Federation, one of the world’s leading esports bodies, with support from national esports federations and education institutions.
The British Esports Federation will organise a national tournament for participating schools, giving students the opportunity to qualify for the live finals in Dubai in April 2027. The highest-ranking teams will secure a place in the finals. The UK joins 12 other national esports federations that have committed to supporting the global competition, with further federations expected to come on board in the coming weeks and months.
The UK, which counts nearly 40 million gamers, has a history of excelling on the global esports stage, with three first-place finishes at the 2025 Esports World Cup, and 85 participants from the UK overall.
EGAMES DUBAI27 will bring together students, schools and communities from across the world through safe, inclusive competition, giving young people the opportunity to represent their schools and countries on a global stage. Beyond gaming, the competition will help students develop teamwork, communication, resilience and digital skills, while creating pathways to opportunities in esports, technology and related industries. It will also encourage international cultural exchange and help parents and teachers better understand the educational benefits of esports.
The deadline to submit your digital assessment plans on Edexcel Online is 13 November.
Once submitted, an automatic validation check will tell you if there are any issues with your plans. Your plan should have a status of pending approval or approved to meet the deadline. If any of your plans are showing as in progress or not started, you'll need to address this before the deadline. You can still edit/make changes to your submitted plans after the deadline as they remain a working document.
Need help?
- Read the centre guide to digital assessment plans for step-by-step guidance
- Find out more about the validation checks
- Watch our recorded training session
- Join a drop-in session if you have questions or need help
If you're having trouble submitting your plan, let us know via the Pearson support portal so we can help.
Qualifications in Scope and Guidance
Working with us is about to get easier. The Digital Assessment Plan (DAP) is now live, giving centres a simpler way to plan assessments.
BTEC Business qualifications in scope are:
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Business
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Business
- BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business
- Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Award in Business, First Certificate, Extended Certificate and Diploma in Business (as Level 2 Firsts)
- Applied Law
Qualifications not in scope will continue to use the existing assessment plan template. A full list can be found in Appendix A of the centre guide.
Training and support
Join an interactive training session to see how to access DAP through Edexcel Online, create and submit plans, and use key features - with time for questions.
Prefer informal support? Drop into one of our regular DAP Drop-In Sessions for quick answers and to share feedback.
Both run throughout the rollout, so join whenever suits you.
We are seeking feedback on a potential qualification in Financial Literacy, aimed primarily at KS5 learners. The qualification could be taken to gain additional UCAS points or as a part-time enrichment activity.
Please answer based on your current understanding and circumstances, recognising that your centre strategy may change as reforms are introduced next year. Many thanks for your feedback.
Whether you’re ready to start, scale or strengthen your esports vision, British Esports are here to help.
They provide tailored end-to-end solutions for organisations across education, community, commercial sectors and beyond in the following 10 areas:
- Esports facility development, procurement services and project management – a turnkey solution
- Funding advice, bid and grant writing services for esports projectsCurriculum support, planning & student pathways (covering BTECs, V-Levels, degrees and more)
- Business case development, feasibility studies and revenue modellingStaff and teacher CPD (Continuing Professional Development), training and certificationEsports and gaming strategy development
- National and regional esports policy developmentEsports business advice, acceleration and incubation programmes
- Education day trips, residentials and workshopsTeam apparel, student and staff esports uniform and kit design
The Centre Guides are available below.
The first document is the BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Assessment (although it is just labelled 'Document Title').
Book mark and utilise the BTEC Quailty Assurance Year Planner to ensure you are up to date with all aspects of quality assurance across this academic year.
The Digital Assessment Plan (DAP) is new for 2026. Find more information in the on our Quality Assurance pages.
When you upload learner work to Learner Work Transfer, Progress or SharePoint for marking, verification or moderation, you need to make sure your files meet a few basic requirements. This helps uploads run smoothly and avoids delay.
These changes will happen from September 2026.
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
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
The current BTEC International Level 3 in Esports (2020) qualification expired on 31 August 2026. This means that, from 1 September 2026, you won’t be able to register any new learners onto this programme.
What’s available?
While we're withdrawing the BTEC International qualification, the UK regulated version of the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Esports qualification will be available to you from 1 September 2026.
If you're approved to deliver the current qualification, you'll receive automatic approval to deliver the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Esports qualification.
Visit the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Esports page to view the teaching specification and available resources.
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.
Post 16 qualification reform: New V Levels, Foundation Certificates and Occupational Certificates in development for first teach September 2027. Explore our new qualifications
A two year 360GLH vocational course and an alternative to A levels and BTEC Nationals.
A one year vocational course with a focus on applied learning.
A two year occupation-specific course.
Access the latest updates and funding guidance for post-16 vocational qualifications on our dedicated qualification reform page.
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
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)
Subject updates
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BTEC Esports qualifications
Welcome to this October 2026 update.
In this month’s update, you'll find the latest news, key dates, and updates for 2026/27 to help you plan for the rest of term and beyond.