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.
Mga Pamantayan sa Wika at Pagiging Naa-access
Lahat ng program materials ay isinulat ayon sa tinukoy na English language standards, na nakatugma sa audience at antas ng program, upang manatiling naa-access ang pagkatuto at kumpiyansa at konsistent ang pagtuturo.
MSPC, Modern Sport Pathways & Competition
Mga Paaralan
eCourse materials, Student Learning Guides, at in-class resources
Pinapanatiling naa-access ang pagkatuto para sa mga klaseng may iba-ibang kakayahan, English-language learners, at mga estudyanteng bago sa Esports education, nang hindi binabawasan ang kalidad o rigor ng itinuturo.
Teacher Delivery Guides, Lesson Plans, at delivery notes
Sumusuporta sa kumpiyansa at konsistent na pagtuturo ng mga non-specialist educators na hindi nangangailangan ng background sa Esports.
Nalalapat ang mga pamantayang ito sa lahat ng Essential-tier Game Modules at Role Stacks sa loob ng MSPC framework.
BOE, Business Of Esports
Mga Unibersidad
eCourse materials, Student Learning Guides, at in-class resources
Pinapanatiling naa-access ang pagkatuto sa mga cohort na may iba-ibang kakayahan at English-language learners habang tumutugma sa academic rigor na inaasahan sa antas ng degree, kung saan karamihan sa mga estudyante ay nag-eenroll mula sa labas ng Esports-specific backgrounds.
Lecturer Delivery Guides, Lesson Plans, at delivery notes
Sumusuporta sa kumpiyansa at konsistent na pagtuturo ng academic staff at industry practitioners, na nagpapahintulot sa mga non-specialist lecturers na epektibong magturo kahit walang background sa Esports.
Nalalapat ang mga pamantayang ito sa lahat ng modules at phases sa loob ng BOE degree pathway, mula Summer Elective hanggang Terms 1 to 3.
MYG, Mind Your Game
Mga Paaralan at Unibersidad
eCourse materials, Student Reflection Worksheets, Lesson Handouts, Student Glossaries, in-class resources
Pinapanatiling naa-access ang pagkatuto para sa mga klaseng may iba-ibang kakayahan, English-language learners, at mga estudyanteng bago sa gaming at wellbeing education, habang pinapayagan pa rin ng programa na ipakilala ang mga pangunahing konsepto tulad ng dopamine, flow, tilt, neuroplasticity, at emotional regulation nang tumpak at malalim.
Class Slides and Scripts, Teacher Workshop Guides, Module Overviews, Teacher Glossaries, delivery notes
Sumusuporta sa kumpiyansa at konsistent na pagtuturo ng mga non-specialist educators na hindi nangangailangan ng background sa gaming, esports, o psychology upang makapagturo nang epektibo. Ang bawat session ay idinisenyo upang basahin nang malakas at sundin nang hakbang-hakbang.
Nalalapat ang mga pamantayang ito sa lahat ng labintatlong modules sa loob ng MYG framework.
PTG, Play The Game
Esports Centers at Academies
eCourse materials, Student Learning Guides, in-class resources
Pinapanatiling naa-access ang pagkatuto para sa mga sesyong may iba-ibang kakayahan, English-language learners, at mga manlalarong bago sa structured esports training, nang hindi binabawasan ang kalidad o rigor ng itinuturo. Sumusuporta rin ito sa built-in age adjustment ng programa, kung saan ang parehong nilalaman ay inihahatid nang may mas simpleng wika para sa mga batang manlalaro at competitive framing para sa mga mas matanda.
Coach Navigation Index, session structures, delivery notes
Sumusuporta sa kumpiyansa at konsistent na paghahatid ng mga certified coaches na nagpapatakbo ng adaptive sessions, VOD reviews, at scrimmage debriefs sa mixed-skill groups.
Nalalapat ang mga pamantayang ito sa lahat ng Game Modules at program themes sa loob ng Play The Game framework, sakop ang Valorant, League of Legends, at Counter-Strike 2.
EEC, Esports Educator Certification
Mga Edukador
Module handbooks, scenario assessments, practical task briefs, rubrics, style guide
Sumusuporta sa kumpiyansa at konsistent na paggamit ng mga non-specialist educators na hindi nangangailangan ng background sa propesyonal na pagtuturo o esports upang makipag-ugnayan sa materyal. Bawat modyul ay nakaayos upang basahin, ilapat, at ituro nang hakbang-hakbang, gamit ang payak na wika sa buong proseso, kabilang ang pagpapakilala ng mga konsepto tulad ng backward design, gradual release, psychological safety, transferable skills, at facilitator stance.
Answer keys, facilitator notes, educator code of conduct, safeguarding guidance, program overview
Nagbibigay sa mga taong nagmamarka, nangangasiwa, at nagbibigay ng sertipikasyon ng katumpakan at linaw na hinihingi ng mga pamantayan, nang hindi ipinapalagay na sila ay may background sa pormal na edukasyon o accreditation.
Nalalapat ang mga pamantayang ito sa lahat ng labing-apat na modules sa loob ng EEC framework, at pinananatili sa pamamagitan ng quarterly update cycle upang ang na-refresh na nilalaman ay tumutugma sa parehong antas ng accessibility ng orihinal na materyal.
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.