Computer Gaming
From weekend gaming to professional esports — discover gaming programmes, esports academies, and game design courses for young people.
Your Computer Gaming Journey
British Esports Association, gaming colleges, and university esports scholarships provide pathways from casual play to career.
Casual Play
Ages 6-10
Age-appropriate games, screen time balance, and first introduction to different game genres.
The Yorkshire Gaming Club — Summer Holiday Club (Ilkley)
The Yorkshire Gaming Club
computer-gamingPlayer Ready — Roblox Game Design Club (Portsmouth)
Player Ready
computer-gamingPlayer Ready — Roblox Game Design Club (Truro)
Player Ready
computer-gamingCompetitive Interest
Ages 10-13
School esports clubs, multiplayer teamwork, and developing a focus on specific games.
Essex Youth Service — Young Carers Video Gaming Club (Online)
Essex Youth Service
computer-gamingThe Yorkshire Gaming Club — Summer Holiday Club (Ilkley)
The Yorkshire Gaming Club
computer-gamingSpectrum Gaming — Online Gaming Community (Ages 13–17)
Spectrum Gaming
computer-gamingEsports Development
Ages 13-16
British Esports Schools Championships, team play, and structured competitive gaming.
Essex Youth Service — Young Carers Video Gaming Club (Online)
Essex Youth Service
computer-gamingSpectrum Gaming — Online Gaming Community (Ages 13–17)
Spectrum Gaming
computer-gamingPlayer Ready — Roblox Game Design Club (Portsmouth)
Player Ready
computer-gamingSemi-Professional
Ages 16-18
College esports teams, regional leagues, and streaming/content creation alongside competition.
Essex Youth Service — Young Carers Video Gaming Club (Online)
Essex Youth Service
computer-gamingSpectrum Gaming — Online Gaming Community (Ages 13–17)
Spectrum Gaming
computer-gamingPlayer Ready — Roblox Game Design Club (Portsmouth)
Player Ready
computer-gamingProfessional / Career
Ages 18-21
Professional team tryouts, gaming degree pathways, or game development/industry careers.
Essex Youth Service — Young Carers Video Gaming Club (Online)
Essex Youth Service
computer-gamingCommunity Gaming Initiative — Tollesbury (2nd & 4th Wednesday)
Maldon Community Gaming Initiative
computer-gamingCommunity Gaming Initiative — Burnham-on-Crouch (1st & 3rd Tuesday)
Maldon Community Gaming Initiative
computer-gamingWhere Computer Gaming Can Take You
The skills developed transfer to many careers in and around the field.
Game Developer
Programming and creating video games
Range: £38.7k - £70k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Self-taught/Degree → Junior dev → Developer → Lead programmer
Game Designer
Designing gameplay, levels, and game systems
Range: £24.1k - £35.6k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
QA/Junior designer → Designer → Senior designer → Creative director
QA Tester
Testing games to find and report bugs
Range: £36.5k - £70k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Junior QA → QA → Lead QA → QA manager
Esports Manager
Managing esports teams and organisations
Range: £23.8k - £44.2k
Source: ONS ASHE 2024
Key Skills
Typical Route
Team volunteer → Manager → Organisation management
Salary data from Office for National Statistics, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) 2024
Computer Gaming Heroes
These stars started at local clubs just like yours. Their journeys show what's possible.
Ninja (Tyler Blevins)
Esports
Most followed Twitch streamer, Fortnite legend
“Streaming is not just gaming. It is content creation, branding, and community building.”
Tom Cannon
Esports
EVO Fighting Game Tournament founder
“We started a tournament in our living room. Now EVO is the biggest fighting game event in the world.”
Oli Davies
Esports
British Esports Association CEO, UK esports pioneer
“British esports is growing rapidly. Schools need to treat it as the legitimate sporting pathway it is.”
Hannah Drown
Esports
Professional esports broadcaster, UK women in gaming champion
“I fell into esports broadcasting from gaming. The industry needs diverse voices and talents.”
Featured Computer Gaming Providers
These organisations offer structured programmes for young people across the UK.
Find Computer Gaming Near You
Search by location, age, or programme type to find clubs and courses in your area.