First esports degree on the island of Ireland announced to support major growth in sector
Ireland, June 20 2023: The first esports degree on the island of Ireland is now open for students to enrol and commence in September 2023. Irish esports organisation WYLDE and BelfastMet, the largest Further and Higher Education College in Northern Ireland and one of the largest in the UK, have signed a multi-year partnership to create the foundation esports degree supporting the burgeoning esports sector, and those seeking a career in esports and video gaming.
WYLDE, co-owned by Usain Bolt, is one of the fastest growing esports organisations in Europe with active rosters competing at top tier level in Rainbow 6 Siege, Valorant, FIFA and Rocket League. The partnership will see WYLDE become the official esports partner for BelfastMet, and the esports organisation will assist in delivering lectures and networking events, provide insider industry access, oversee real time course projects, career placement opportunities and will work with BelfastMet to deliver the most relevant curriculum.
Speaking at the launch, BelfastMet’s esports course co-ordinator Michael Smyth said “We are thrilled to partner with Ireland’s premium esports organisation. Esports is considered one of the fastest growing industries in the world, leading the way in live events production, broadcasting and streaming, and content creation. The industry is made up of professional players, games publishers, event specialists, broadcast providers, coaches, managers, health and fitness experts, psychologists and more. At Belfast Met, our Foundation Degree in partnership with WYLDE sits in the Creative and Digital Technologies Department and will look at the esports industry as a whole. We believe our esports offering will represent unique opportunities for students to enhance their skills for future careers.”
WYLDE CEO Steve Daly said, “We are incredibly passionate about supporting new talent into esports and this partnership is our way of onboarding the next generation of gamers, whilst supporting the community. We are delighted to partner with BelfastMet, who share our vision in developing esports talent. WYLDE was established with a core focus to responsibly help to provide education, training and skills, enhancing opportunities for those who have a passion and drive for esports.”
This partnership extends WYLDE’s commitment to the development of talents and esports education, following the opening of Ireland’s first esports Academy in Cork, the WYLDE Academy powered by Virgin Media.
In recent months, WYLDE has won esports titles around the world including the Rainbow Six GSA League 2022, the EU Gamers Without Borders Championship Title and placing 3rd at Gamers8 2022 in Riyadh. The company also announced a multi-year partnership with Virgin Media in 2022 and PUMA in 2023.
ENDS
Link course program profile: https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course-detail/23-25/p00992-aa/foundation-degree-in-esports/