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The University of Chichester is set to launch what’s being billed as the world’s first BSc (Hons) Psychology of Esports degree in September 2025.
It will aim to bridge the gap between psychological science and the world of competitive video gaming.
Building on the university’s established expertise in esports education (given Chichester already has an esports degree and lecturers like former pro gamer Rams ‘r2k’ Singh, plus Chi Uni runs annual live esports events), this new degree will delve deep into the psychological foundations of competitive gaming.
‘The curriculum integrates psychological principles with practical esports applications, preparing graduates for diverse careers including esports psychology, team analysis, coaching and management,’ read a press release.
Dr. Benjamin Sharpe, course founder and programme leader and a senior lecturer in Cognitive Psychology, is a distinguished researcher in esports psychology. He has previously looked at how Counter-Strike players cope with stress.
“Psychology helps us decode human behaviour, motivation and interpersonal dynamics,” Dr. Benjamin Sharpe said. “Our programme will apply these psychological frameworks to understand the complex world of competitive gaming, from individual player performance to team dynamics.
“Through practical experiments, students will connect theoretical knowledge to the multifaceted esports landscape, including international competitions, global audience engagement and the industry’s full spectrum from grassroots to professional levels.
“This pioneering degree represents a collaborative achievement between our Institute of Psychology, Business and Human Sciences and Creative Industries.
“We’re not just filling a market gap and responding to stakeholder calls – we’re creating versatile graduates equipped with both psychological expertise and practical industry skills, within and beyond esports.”
Dr. Benjamin Sharpe, University of Chichester
The degree will include modules on cognitive psychology, human interaction and relationships, developmental psychology, esports ethics and codes of conduct, research skills for social scientists, and critical discussions associated with the expanding realm of the cyber-world.
The course will also be assessed for accreditation by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in February 2025, which would mean students graduate with an industry-recognised qualification that acts as a first step to becoming a psychologist.
Professor Antonina Pereira, Director of the Institute of Psychology, Business, and Human Sciences at the University of Chichester, said: “The BSc (Hons) Psychology of Esports programme invites students into a profound journey of enquiry, empowering them to critically engage with the complex psychological dimensions of esports. Through this dialogue, students are equipped not merely with knowledge but with the tools to foster resilience, mental well-being, and transformative change within competitive gaming spaces.”
As mentioned, the university already runs BA (Hons) Esports and and BA (Hons) Esports and Sports Media degrees, which explore the competitive gameplay, sports science, events, business and journalism in the industry.
There’s more info on the BSc (Hons) Psychology of Esports at the University of Chichester here
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Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
