BA (Hons) Esports and Sports Media

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Esports & Sports Media program at the University of Chichester equips students with core skills in esports broadcast production and journalism, focusing on the burgeoning esports industry. Through a combination of theoretical and practical coursework, students gain hands-on experience in media production, event management, and storytelling, preparing them for a range of careers in the sports media landscape.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BA (Hons) Esports & Sports Media is a three-year full-time program offered at the University of Chichester's Bognor Regis Campus. It provides students with a comprehensive understanding of sports media coverage, with a particular emphasis on the rapidly growing esports industry.

Objectives:

• To equip students with the core skills of esports broadcast production and journalism.
• To develop students' understanding of technical production and equipment operation.
• To expose students to industry professionals and experts.
• To foster professional networking opportunities to support students' future careers.
• To provide students with real-world experience in client-led sports media production.

Description:

This program provides students with the fundamentals of media production within the esports sector, with a focus on the ever-expanding esports industry. Students will study esports team structures, branding, and industry contexts alongside sports journalism, live event broadcasting, and client-directed production. The program also benefits from sponsorships from companies like HyperX and DXRacer.

Outline:

Year One:

• Introduction to Esports: History & Context: This module introduces students to the history, development, and current trends of the esports world, examining its growth from early competitions to today's global events.
• Introduction to Sports Media: This module explores the complex relationship between sport, media, and society, encompassing areas like sports journalism, televised sport, sport in film, advertising, marketing, branding, and the digital landscape.
Assessment involves creating a short documentary film in a small team.
• Sports Journalism and News Culture: This module delves into developments in sports journalism, examining news values, exploring news production and consumption, and reflecting on sports reporting in new media.
The module emphasizes analyzing and constructing sports stories.
• Sports Media: Video Journalism: This module aims to develop professional, technical, and procedural skills in video journalism.

Year Two:

• Journalism and Content: This module examines the nature of contemporary media, exploring online information dissemination, the technologies involved, and the interview process as a journalistic tool.
• Multi-Camera Operations: This module explores the use of multi-camera recording techniques and the management of various events, developing technical skills and knowledge of event practice.
• Online Event Production: This module provides an immersive experience in online event production and management across two semesters, preparing students for their final year live event.
It covers aspects like game selection, player logistics, and event structure. Assessment includes a reflective commentary and a portfolio of work.
• Sports Media Production One: Indoor Sport: This module covers directing, camerawork, lighting, sound recording, editing, graphics, visual effects, sound design, reporting, research, script supervision, anchoring, commentating, and television production management within an indoor sports environment.
Assessment is through a portfolio including a sportscast and reflections on the production process.
• Sports Media Production Two: Outdoor Sport: This module builds upon the skills acquired in Sports Media Production One, further developing sports media production and sportscasting expertise.

Year Three:

• Commissioned Project: External Client: This module offers practical experience in client-led sports media production, developing skills in self-promotion, networking, career portfolio management, and showcasing talent.
• Independent Project: This module allows students to plan and execute individual projects over two semesters, building upon course knowledge and pursuing specialist interests in media-sport relations.
• Live Event Production: This module involves working with other BA (Hons) Sports Media cohorts to organize and deliver a one-day live event covering various games and competitions.
Students are also involved in event management, sponsorship, branding, and advertising.
• Sports Broadcasting: Series Development and Commissioning: This practice-based module develops advanced editing, sound design, and visual effects skills, building upon previous post-production experiences.

Assessment:

• Portfolios
• Essays
• Coursework
• Practical work
• Presentations
• Reflective writing
• Continuous assessment

Teaching:

• Scheduled lectures
• Seminars
• Skills sessions
• Laboratory classes
• Practical workshops
• Independent study
• Practical group work
• Reading journals, books, and articles

Careers:

• Social media
• Video graphics
• Journalism
• Marketing and advertising
• Television/film production

Other:

• The University of Chichester's Bognor Regis Campus boasts a £35 million Tech Park, which offers state-of-the-art facilities.
• Students have access to a library with over 200,000 books and 500,000 eBooks.
• Students have the opportunity to study abroad during their degree, enriching their experiences and broadening their horizons.
• The program benefits from industry partnerships with companies like HyperX, DXRacer, Twitch, ARRI, and AVID, providing access to industry-standard software like Nuke, Maya, and Houdini.
• University of Chichester alumni who have completed a full undergraduate degree receive a 15% discount on postgraduate fees.