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The Business of Esports Specialization (BBA)

As the first university in Ontario to offer esports programming, Algoma University’s School of Business and Economics will launch The Business of Esports Specialization in September 2022. This four year, 10 course (30 credit), will provide the relevant skills to an esports enthusiast looking to work in the esports industry as well as entrepreneurs who want to develop their own personal brand within the industry.

The Business of Esports specialization will introduce students to the world of esports through the business management and development lens. The Business of Esports Specialization will provide students with the knowledge to pursue professional careers in the growing esports industry expected to cross USD $1.6 billion in revenue by 2024. It is expected that the number of online streamers of online games will rise to one billion in 2025, which is equal to one in nine people.  In 2021, the global esports market was valued at just over 1.08 billion U.S. dollars, an almost 50 percent increase from the previous year.

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Contact:

The Business of Esports Specialization | Admissions Advisor: Shelley Mitchell
[email protected]

 

Algoma University School of Business and Economics
[email protected]

The Business of Esports Specialization will introduce students to the world of esports through the business management and development lens. The Business of Esports Specialization will provide students with the knowledge to pursue professional careers in the growing esports industry expected to cross USD 1.6 billion in revenue by 2024. It is expected that the number of online streamers of online games will rise to one billion by 2025, which is equal to one in nine people. In 2021, the global esports market was valued at just over USD 1.08 billion, an almost 50 percent increase from the previous year. 

The growth of esports in Canada is also prevalent. Over the course of the past two years, the number of Canadian video game companies increased by 16%. The video game industry contributed $4.5 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019. Furthermore, the industry is estimated to create 135,773 direct jobs, 80,507 indirect jobs and 50,977 induced jobs. These figures indicate that demand will rise for business professionals in various positions within the esports industry.

The Business of Esports graduates will receive a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with The Business of Esports Specialization. The 10 course (30 credit) specialization, provides those interested in working and managing the business side of esports an opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and abilities they will need to be successful in this industry.

The Business of Esports Specialization will provide students with current courses relevant to the needs of the  esports industry. Our  students will have contact with, and access to, subject matter experts who have real-world relevant experience and networking opportunities that will enhance their careers. 

Students in this program will have the opportunity to participate in academic esports events and tournaments and gain valuable knowledge through experiential learning opportunities.

The Business of Esports Specialization

  • ADMN 1706 – Introduction to Esports
  • ADMN 1707 – Understanding Esports Infrastructure
  • ADMN 2706 – Marketing Strategy for Esports
  • ADMN 2707 – Fundamentals of Esports Management
  • ADMN 2756-  Production, Content Creation, and Broadcasting for Esports
  • ADMN 3706 – Education and Personal Wellness Within Esports
  • ADMN 3707 – Brand Activation and Sponsorship for Esports  
  • ADMN 3756 – Event Planning for Esports
  • ADMN 4706 – Esports in the Global Market 
  • ADMN 4707 – Esports Law
Students in Esports
Develop a Range of In-Demand Skills

Students will have an opportunity to develop a range of in-demand skills that relate to the esport industry, including:  

  • Be able to identify areas of growth in the Canadian esports market and be the first mover in these new markets. 
  • Learn to increase brand identity by developing and implementing effective marketing strategies for esports teams. 
  • Learn to cultivate your own management style geared toward delivering desired results in the esports industry. 
  • Be able to identify key stakeholders within the esports ecosystem and what role they play in the overall esports industry. 
  • Learn the importance of intellectual property and how you can protect teams, players and independent leagues. 
  • Be able to develop industry standard practices for events and projects that meet the esports industry needs.   
  • Develop successful brand activation tactics that can be used for online and in person events for teams, leagues and stand alone events.
  • Be able to successfully identify current trends in technology and their impacts on the esports industry.
Why choose The Business of Esports Specialization?

The esports industry has witnessed an increase in demand for esports arenas, tournaments, leagues for gamers/participants as well as esports streaming services such as Twitch, Steam for viewers. In order to sustain industry growth, there exists a strong requirement for industry experts/ players to obtain an active and thorough understanding of business management principles and concepts, ranging from business development, planning, marketing to budgeting and operations. Leveraging these business skills/ concepts is crucial in optimizing end user experience as well as establishing sustainable avenues that facilitate revenue growth.

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With the significant and predicted growth and expansion of the esports industry by gamers comes the demand for its use through tournaments, leagues and esports media.  Behind the esports industry is the business development and implementation side of giving gamers the venue to play the games.  This requires an understanding of how a business works and how to implement a business plan in a billion dollar network.

FUN FACT: Students specializing in The Business of Esports specialization can complete more than one specialization while taking the BBA! The BBA program allows students to specialize in Accounting, Aviation Management, Human Resources, Marketing and Economics with opportunities to get professional designations such as the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) and  ified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) as well as an Integrated Commercial Pilots License (ICPL). Students must get academic advising to chart an academic progression plan that fits their dreams and goals!

Career Opportunities

As esports continues to grow as a viable business, the industry has witnessed an increase in demand for esports arenas, tournaments, leagues for gamers/participants as well as esports streaming services such as Twitch, Steam for viewers. In order to sustain industry growth, there exists a strong requirement for industry experts to obtain an active and thorough understanding of business management principles and concepts, ranging from business development, planning, marketing to budgeting and operations. Leveraging these business concepts is crucial in optimizing end user experience as well as establishing sustainable avenues that facilitate revenue growth.

The esports industry is soaring with a growing demand and there are many career opportunities available for those that want to work in the esport industry as well as entrepreneurs who want to develop their own personal brand within the industry, such as:

  • Esports Team Manager, Esports Tournament Manager, Esorts Project Manager
  • Esports Digital Content Strategist
  • Esports Content Creator
  • Esports Agent
  • Esports Tournament Brand Marketing Manager
  • Eposrts Partnerships Coordinator – gaming & esports
  • Esports Event Coordinator
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Apply now to the BBA-Business of Esports Specialization for Fall 2022! Have your documents, and transcripts ready when you apply.

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FAQs

This program provides both Canadian and International students a curriculum which provides the skills and abilities they need to enter the job market. Having a specialization as such equips students with specialized courses which enable them to directly use their skills for their future employers. Each course is specifically designed to allow students to become knowledgeable on most demand careers in esports.

There are three intakes into The Business of Esports:

22F – Sept 07, 2022
23W – Jan 09, 2023

The Business of Esports Specialization consists of 10 courses and is part of the BBA program which requires students to complete eight (8) academic terms of full-time study (4 years).

Courses are outlined in the Academic Calendar.

The program progression is as follows:

  • Year 1 
    • ADMN 1016 Introduction to Canadian Business
    • ADMN 1126 Introductory Financial Accounting I
    • ADMN 1206 Management Skills and Secondary Research Methods
    • ADMN 1207 Quantitative Management Decision-Making
    • ADMN 1306 Commercial Law
    • ECON 1006 Introduction to Microeconomics
    • ECON 1007 Introduction to Macroeconomics
    • ADMN 1706 Introduction to Esports
    • ADMN 1707 Understanding Esports Infrastructure
      • one elective course
  • Year 2 
    • ADMN 2017 Managing the Not-for- Profit Organization
    • ADMN 2406 Social and Ethical Issues in Business
    • ADMN 2506 Business Statistics
    • ADMN 2607 Introduction to Management Science
    • ADMN 3126 Marketing Concepts
    • ADMN 3127 Services Marketing
    • ADMN 2706 Marketing Strategy for Esports 
    • ADMN 2707 Fundamentals of Esports Management
    • ADMN 2756 Production, Content Creation, and Broadcasting for Esports
      • one elective course
  • Year 3 
    • ADMN 3106 Management Accounting & Control I
    • ADMN 3107 Management Accounting & Control II
    • ADMN 3116 Finance I
    • ADMN 3117 Finance II
    • ADMN 3136 Organizational Behavior
    • ADMN 3137 Management of Human Resources
    • ADMN 3706 Education and Personal Wellness Within Esports
    • ADMN 3707 Brand Activation and Sponsorship for Esports  
    • ADMN 3756 Event Planning for Esports
      • one elective course
  • Year 4 
    • ADMN 4046 Operations Management
    • ADMN 4076 International Business OR ECON 3296 Managerial Economics
    • ADMN 4606 Business Strategy and Policy I
    • ADMN 4607 Business Strategy and Policy II
    • ADMN 4876 Management
    • ADMN 4706 Esports in the Global Market 
    • ADMN 4707 Esports Law 
      • three elective courses

For maximum flexibility, we will offer The Business of Esports courses through distance education (online).  If there is demand we will consider offering courses in-person, blended, or hybrid, depending on what meets the needs of our students.

* Definitions: 

In-person instruction: means a class that meets in a classroom at the scheduled time/day, with the instructor and all students present (synchronous).

Blended instruction: means a class for which the instructor is present in the classroom at the scheduled time/day (synchronous), with ± 50% of the students present, and ± 50% of the students doing self-directed learning, including but not limited to activities such as sustained reading, completing assignments, watching recorded lectures on their own schedule (asynchronous). The student groups flip each week.

Hybrid instruction (also called “HyFlex”): means a class for which the instructor is present in the classroom at the scheduled time/day, with students present who wish to attend in person, and students who prefer not to attend in person participating remotely at the same time (synchronous). The student makes the choice for any given class and can switch as needed. Requires additional support for content preparation, technology and class management.

Distance education: means a class for which the course materials–lectures, videos, assignments, assessments, discussion boards, etc.–are prepared prior to course delivery, and which students take on their own schedule (asynchronous). Delivered on the Brightspace platform.

No, you would be eligible for the certificate in The Business of Esports.

Learn More

Prospective domestic and international students interested in The Business of Esports Specialization can apply directly to Algoma University!

APPLY NOW to the BBA- Business of Esports Specialization for Sep 2022! Have your documents, and transcripts ready when you apply.

The Business of Esports  l  Annual Tuition and Fees*  l  Starting: Sep 07, 2022 

*Tuition and fees shown are estimated. The AU Board of Governors reserves the right to amend fees after the publication of the Academic Calendar and without further notice.

International Students: $20,758.10 CAD annually*  Domestic Students: $6,807.28 annually*

 

International Admissions

Admission requirements are unique to various countries and International Curriculums. 

A grade of 70% (B grade) or equivalent is required from all curriculums in order to meet the admission grade requirement for the program

A graduation certificate along with a transcript showing courses completed and grades achieved is required in order to determine eligibility for the program

English language requirement:

The IELTS requirement for The Business of Esports program will be an overall score of 6.0 [including 6.0 in each band of reading, writing, listening and speaking]. Proof of English language proficiency is required from all countries where English is not the first language. English Language Requirements must be met for admission into Algoma University. 

Domestic Admissions

Ontario Student Requirements:

  • ENG4U
  • Two U/M MATH
    • (MDM4U recommended)
  • Minimum 70% overall average

YES, you can take the specialization if you are interested in doing the BBA program! If not, you can take The Business of Esports Certificate. The certificate is a one year ten course program to provide you with industry specific skills without the 3 -4 years commitment required in a degree program.

YES! Prospective domestic and international students interested in The Business of Esports can apply directly to Algoma University!

APPLY NOW to the BBA-Business of Esports Specialization for Fall 2022! Have your documents, and transcripts ready when you apply.

Students applying as transfer students must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% from post-secondary studies from an accredited diploma/degree-granting institution.

  • Transcripts from both secondary school and post-secondary institutions attended are required in order to determine eligibility for the program
  • The transcripts must indicate courses completed, grades achieved, graduation certificate from secondary school and a graduation certificate from post-secondary school if awarded

From another University: This is done on a case by case basis.  

From an Ontario College – Pathway Agreements are in place with every College in Ontario.  

Please click on this link for more information Transfers and PathwaysFrom any other institution, please contact The Business of Esports Specialization | Admissions Advisor: Shelley Mitchell [email protected]

We offer numerous awards based on academic achievement and financial need to both newly admitted and continuing students.

You may be automatically considered for some awards strictly based on your grades, however, you may choose to apply for other scholarships and bursaries. AU webpage 

To graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with a Specialization in The Business of Esports, a student must:

  1. satisfy all the stated requirements for the degree
  2. complete 120 credits in no more than 162 credit attempts with a minimum overall average of 60% on all passed courses (only courses taken at Algoma University are to be included in the calculation of averages)
  3. complete all core courses (72 credits) with a minimum grade in each core course of 60%.
  4. A student failing to attain this minimum grade in any of the core courses must repeat such courses as soon as possible.

Failure to do so will result in suspension from the program. A student is permitted to repeat a core course only once, except with the special permission of the Senate Committee on Academic Regulations and Petitions.

No problem – you can do The Business of Esports Certificate! The Certificate allows professionals to upgrade their skills to the university level without a commitment of  3-4 years. For those direct from High School, it also presents an excellent opportunity to learn and develop industry specific skills.

The Business of Esports programming (both the specialization and the certificate) is designed to meet the growing demand for business knowledge and acumen within the esports industry.  Both the specialization and the certificate consist of 10 courses (30 credits) that cover the business behind the esports industry.

The Business of Esports Specialization is part of the four year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree.  Students will graduate with a BBA and a specialization in The Business of Esports.

The Business of Esports Certificate is a 10 course, stand alone, one year program. Students will graduate with a certificate in The Business of Esports. If students taking this certificate are interested in taking the BBA the courses are transferable and students will be given degree credits for the courses they took as part of the certificate.

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