Esports undergraduate degree attracts six students

The university said there was still capacity for more students to apply for the upcoming year

A university has had six applicants for the upcoming year for its new esports undergraduate degree course.

The University of Suffolk in Ipswich said the "cutting-edge" degree in competitive video gaming would provide students with "a much-needed pathway" into the industry.

Capacity for up to 26 students is expected as "the course grows", the university says.

"There is still a small window for late applicants to claim a place, which is supported by a £1,000 bursary," a spokesperson added.

In April, the university said there would be more than 40 gaming-specification PCs which would be installed in a £1.6m newly renovated building.

Course leader Charlie Smith has said students will learn skills that they can use within other industries

The university spokesperson said: "We anticipated a small first cohort given the shorter time-period to market the course, and few facilities for applicants to see while the building was being developed.

"The university has been establishing strong links with esport courses at feeder colleges and sixth forms and, with the industry continuing to grow, we anticipate demand for the course growing in future years."

In April, course leader Charlie Smith said: "What degrees like this do is teach you transferable and technical skills through the passion of video gaming.