Esports Education Accreditation & Recognised Learning
Internationally recognised. Independently validated.
Squid Academy develops structured esports education programmes for schools, universities, educators and youth organisations.
Our educational framework combines two complementary forms of external recognition:
Education Alliance Finland (EAF)
Independently evaluates the pedagogical quality and learning design behind Squid Academy programmes.
AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS)
Provides recognised certification for specific knowledge and skills successfully demonstrated by learners.
Together, these provide institutions with independent evidence of educational quality while creating opportunities for students to have their achievements formally recognised.
AQA-recognised achievement through esports education
Squid Academy is a registered centre with the AQA Unit Award Scheme, allowing eligible learners to receive official AQA recognition for successfully completing approved units delivered through our programmes.
AQA is one of the UK's largest awarding organisations. Its Unit Award Scheme provides a flexible way to recognise individual learner achievement through clearly defined outcomes and evidence requirements.
Squid Academy's first 16 esports education units have been validated by AQA and incorporated into our Modern Sport Pathways & Competition (MSPC) framework.
Explore Modern Sport Pathways & Competition16 AQA esports education units already validated
The approved units recognise learning across both competitive esports and wider transferable skills, including:
- esports fundamentals and game awareness
- mechanical skills and structured practice
- communication and teamwork
- competitive conduct and sportsmanship
- shoutcasting and broadcasting
- social media and team branding
- esports team management
- community management and fan engagement
- esports journalism
- portfolio development and career pathways
Each unit defines specific learning outcomes and evidence that a learner must successfully demonstrate.
This means recognition is based on demonstrated achievement, not simply participation.
Learners who successfully complete an approved unit can receive an official AQA Unit Award Scheme certificate recording what they have achieved.
Explore our school esports curriculumExpanding AQA Recognition Across Squid Academy
The first 16 validated units form the beginning of a broader recognised learning pathway.
Additional units are being developed and submitted as Squid Academy expands AQA recognition across further MSPC learning and other areas of the Squid Academy curriculum.
This work includes pathways connected to:
Business of Esports
Our applied university esports programme covering the business, management, marketing, production and operation of esports.
Explore Business of EsportsMind Your Game
Our structured wellbeing programme helping young gamers develop healthier gaming habits, emotional resilience and greater self-management.
Explore Mind Your GameEsports Educator Certificate Program
Our 14-module professional certification preparing educators to deliver esports education safely, confidently and effectively.
Explore the Esports Educator CertificateSquid Academy esports education and certification pathways
16 validated AQA units currently sit within MSPC. Other programme areas are being developed and submitted.
Our long-term objective is straightforward: wherever appropriate, students and educators should be able to turn meaningful learning through esports into evidence of achievement they can carry forward.
Independently evaluated educational quality
Squid Academy has been awarded the Education Alliance Finland Certificate of Quality following independent evaluation of our educational approach.
Education Alliance Finland evaluates educational products using an evidence-based methodology developed with Finnish educational researchers.
Its evaluation examines areas including learning goals, pedagogical approach, learning design, engagement and the credibility of the educational experience.
Squid Academy received an Excellent classification in its independent evaluation.
Verify our accreditationOur independent evaluation results
These results provide independent validation of the educational foundations behind Squid Academy's approach to esports education.
Our educational quality is being independently reviewed again
Squid Academy's Education Alliance Finland certification is currently undergoing its scheduled 2026 renewal review.
This is a renewal of our existing educational quality certification, not an initial application.
Since the original evaluation, Squid Academy has substantially expanded its educational ecosystem. New programmes, assessments, educator resources, accessibility standards and learning-platform capabilities have been introduced.
Our updated platform and educational materials have therefore been submitted for review so that the renewed evaluation reflects Squid Academy as it exists today.
What Our Accreditation and External Recognition Mean for Institutions
Independent educational quality assurance
Schools and universities do not have to rely solely on Squid Academy's own claims about its curriculum. Our educational approach has undergone independent pedagogical evaluation through Education Alliance Finland.
Recognised learner achievement
Through the AQA Unit Award Scheme, eligible learners can receive externally issued recognition for specific knowledge and skills they successfully demonstrate.
Evidence-led assessment
Learning outcomes are connected to structured assessment, defined evidence requirements and clear completion criteria. This creates a direct connection between what a learner is taught, what they demonstrate and what can ultimately be recognised.
Accessible international delivery
Our programmes also use defined CEFR English-language standards for learner-facing and educator-facing materials. These standards help make Squid Academy programmes accessible to mixed-ability cohorts and international learners while maintaining appropriate academic and instructional rigour.
Language & Accessibility Standards
All program materials are written to defined English language standards, calibrated by audience and program level, so that learning stays accessible while delivery remains confident and consistent.
eCourse materials, Student Learning Guides, in-class resources
Keeps learning accessible for mixed-ability classrooms, English-language learners, and students new to esports education, without compromising the quality or rigour of what is being taught.
Teacher Delivery Guides, Lesson Plans, delivery notes
Supports confident, consistent delivery by non-specialist educators who do not need a background in esports to teach effectively.
These standards apply across all Essential-tier Game Modules and Role Stacks within the MSPC framework.
BOE, Business Of Esports
Universities
eCourse materials, Student Learning Guides, in-class resources
Keeps learning accessible across mixed-ability cohorts and English-language learners while matching the academic rigour expected at degree level, where the majority of students enrol from outside esports-specific backgrounds.
Lecturer Delivery Guides, Lesson Plans, delivery notes
Supports confident, consistent delivery by academic staff and industry practitioners, enabling non-specialist lecturers to teach effectively without a background in esports.
These standards apply across all modules and phases within the BOE degree pathway, from the Summer Elective through Terms 1 to 3.
MYG, Mind Your Game
Schools & Universities
eCourse materials, Student Reflection Worksheets, Lesson Handouts, Student Glossaries, in-class resources
Keeps learning accessible for mixed-ability classrooms, English-language learners, and students new to gaming and wellbeing education, while still allowing the programme to introduce core concepts such as dopamine, flow, tilt, neuroplasticity, and emotional regulation with accuracy and depth.
Class Slides and Scripts, Teacher Workshop Guides, Module Overviews, Teacher Glossaries, delivery notes
Supports confident, consistent delivery by non-specialist educators who do not need a background in gaming, esports, or psychology to teach effectively. Every session is built to be read aloud and followed step by step.
These standards apply across all thirteen modules within the MYG framework.
PTG, Play The Game
Esports Centers & Academies
eCourse materials, Student Learning Guides, in-class resources
Keeps learning accessible for mixed-ability sessions, English-language learners, and players new to structured esports training, without compromising the quality or rigour of what is being taught. It also supports the program's built-in age adjustment, where the same content is delivered with simpler language for younger players and competitive framing for older ones.
Coach Navigation Index, session structures, delivery notes
Supports confident, consistent delivery by certified coaches running adaptive sessions, VOD reviews, and scrimmage debriefs across mixed-skill groups.
These standards apply across all Game Modules and program themes within the Play The Game framework, covering Valorant, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike 2.
EEC, Esports Educator Certification
Educators
Module handbooks, scenario assessments, practical task briefs, rubrics, style guide
Supports confident, consistent delivery by non-specialist educators who do not need a background in professional teaching or esports to engage with the material. Every module is structured to be read, applied, and taught step by step, with plain language used throughout, including when introducing concepts such as backward design, gradual release, psychological safety, transferable skills, and the facilitator stance.
Answer keys, facilitator notes, educator code of conduct, safeguarding guidance, program overview
Equips the people marking, overseeing, and issuing the certification with the precision and clarity the standards require, without assuming a background in formal education or accreditation.
These standards apply across all fourteen modules within the EEC framework, and are maintained through the quarterly update cycle so that refreshed content meets the same accessibility level as the original material.
Building Credible Esports Education
Esports can engage students. Engagement alone does not make something education.
Squid Academy is building the structure around that engagement: defined learning outcomes, educator resources, assessment, accessibility standards, independent pedagogical evaluation and recognised achievement.
The result is esports education designed for real institutional adoption, from secondary schools and universities to educator development and student wellbeing.
Explore Squid Academy Programmes
- Explore all curriculum and programmes
- Modern Sport Pathways & Competition
- Business of Esports
- Mind Your Game
- Esports Educator Certificate Program
Talk to Squid Academy about bringing esports education to your institution.