Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD) is set to become one of the first schools worldwide to integrate a formal Esports qualification into its curriculum, in a move that reflects the city’s ambitions to prepare young people for the jobs of the future.
From August 2025, students in Grades 6 and 7 will be able to take the BTEC Level 2 in Esports, delivered in partnership with EStars. The qualification, accredited by Pearson Education, is designed to give students industry-relevant skills in one of the fastest-growing global sectors.
More than gaming
School leaders stressed that the new course is not simply about playing video games but about introducing pupils to a multi-billion-dollar industry spanning broadcasting, coaching, marketing, event management and digital entrepreneurship.
Paul Gardner, Head of Secondary (Middle School) at SISD, said the programme was designed to match the pace of change in global industries.
“At SISD, we believe education should be as dynamic and forward-thinking as the world our students are preparing to enter,” he said. “Esports is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally – and by offering this qualification, we’re helping students transform their passion into potential.”
He added that the skills developed through the course would extend beyond the industry itself, covering communication, collaboration, innovation and leadership – attributes seen as essential in many modern careers.
Supporting Dubai’s digital ambitions
The initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader strategy to develop its gaming and Esports ecosystem. The Dubai Future Foundation has projected the creation of more than 30,000 jobs in the sector by 2033, highlighting the city’s ambition to become a global hub for digital industries.
Mags Byrne, Founder and CEO of EStars, said the collaboration would offer students “an innovative qualification to transform how they are prepared for the fast-growing global industry.”
Balancing technology and wellbeing
SISD also emphasises that while it is pioneering digital education, it is equally focused on managing the use of technology responsibly. The school enforces restrictions on mobile phones and personal devices during the school day, while lessons begin with a 10-minute tech-free period to encourage positive digital habits.
Teachers are trained in the SAMR model of technology integration, which prioritises meaningful use of digital tools to transform learning experiences.
Expanding student pathways
The Esports qualification is part of a wider set of elective options within the school’s International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Other electives launching in 2025 include music in partnership with The Juilliard School, entrepreneurial thinking, and additional languages such as French, German and Spanish.
By offering the BTEC, SISD aims to broaden career pathways for students, particularly those in the graduating classes of 2031 and 2032. The qualification opens doors to roles in content production, analysis, journalism, community management and beyond.
A global-first for education
Founded in 2015, SISD is now the largest Swiss school outside Switzerland, educating more than 2,600 students from over 100 nationalities. As part of Nord Anglia Education, it has a track record of offering innovative programmes.
The addition of Esports to its curriculum underlines its commitment to preparing students for a rapidly changing world, combining academic rigour with forward-looking opportunities.
