Do esports students do more than play games?

Do esports students do more than play games?5 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDanny FullbrookBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and BuckinghamshireGetty ImagesPlaying video games in college may seem unusual, but for many teenagers across the country, it could lead to professional careers.Students at Central Bedfordshire College have just finished their first year of the Level 3 Pearson BTEC in esports, the first time the college has offered such a course.While gaming is a key part of the learning, students also study a broad range of modules designed to prepare them for work both inside and outside competitive gaming.These can include psychology to understand how the brain reacts under pressure, alongside nutrition and fitness to ensure they have the energy to compete effectively.Lead lecturer Hugo Cousin, 25, says the course is designed to bridge the gap between a hobby and a professional career."The purpose of this course is not to take people who want to do gaming and just do gaming, it's to take people who've got an interest in gaming and esports and turn that into practical work experience and a practical career," he explains.Kian Boyle/BBCHugo Cousin runs the course and has a background in competitive esportsStudents practise and learn tactics in games such as Valorant, Marvel Rivals and Fortnite, but the course extends far beyond playing. Students also organise their own esports events, taking responsibility for video production, broadcasting, commentary and tournament marketing.They even work together to design the jerseys worn by the college's competitive teams.Alongside that, students explore ideas such as how exercise can improve gaming performance and how anxiety can be managed in competitive settings.Cousin continues: "Overall, the esports course teaches a lot of communication, teamwork and social skills."It's also quite technology focused... they're learning how to use video editing software, programmin...