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.
语言与可及性标准
所有项目材料均按照既定的英语语言标准撰写,根据受众与项目层级进行校准,以确保学习易于理解,同时教学交付保持自信与一致。
eCourse 教材、Student Learning Guides 与课堂资源
让能力不一的课堂、英语学习者以及初次接触 Esports 教育的学生都能轻松学习,同时不降低教学的质量或严谨度。
Teacher Delivery Guides、Lesson Plans 与教学说明
支持非 Esports 专业背景的教师自信且一致地进行教学。
上述标准适用于 MSPC 框架下所有 Essential-tier Game Modules 与 Role Stacks。
eCourse 教材、Student Learning Guides 与课堂资源
确保不同能力水平的学生与英语学习者都能学习,同时达到学位课程所需的学术严谨度,因为大多数学生并非来自 Esports 相关背景。
Lecturer Delivery Guides、Lesson Plans 与教学说明
支持学术人员与行业从业者自信且一致地授课,使非 Esports 专业背景的讲师也能有效教学。
上述标准适用于 BOE 学位路径中的所有模块与阶段,从 Summer Elective 到 Term 1 至 3。
MYG, Mind Your Game
学校与大学
eCourse 教材、Student Reflection Worksheets、Lesson Handouts、Student Glossaries 与课堂资源
让能力不一的课堂、英语学习者,以及初次接触游戏与身心健康教育的学生都能轻松学习,同时仍能准确而有深度地引入 dopamine、flow、tilt、neuroplasticity 与情绪调节等核心概念。
Class Slides and Scripts、Teacher Workshop Guides、Module Overviews、Teacher Glossaries 与教学说明
支持无需具备游戏、Esports 或心理学背景的非专业教师,自信且一致地进行教学。每堂课都设计为可朗读并按步骤进行。
上述标准适用于 MYG 框架下全部十三个模块。
PTG, Play The Game
Esports 中心与学院
eCourse 教材、Student Learning Guides 与课堂资源
让能力不一的训练、英语学习者,以及初次接触系统化 Esports 训练的选手都能轻松学习,同时不降低教学的质量或严谨度。也支持课程内建的年龄适配,对年幼选手使用更简单的语言,对年长选手则采用更具竞技氛围的表述。
Coach Navigation Index、训练结构与教学说明
支持持证教练自信且一致地开展适配性训练、VOD 复盘以及在混合水平队伍中的 scrimmage 复盘。
上述标准适用于 Play The Game 框架下的所有 Game Modules 与课程主题,涵盖 Valorant、League of Legends 与 Counter-Strike 2。
模块手册、scenario assessments、practical task briefs、rubrics 与 style guide
支持无需具备专业教学或 Esports 背景的非专业教师顺利使用相关材料。每个模块都按步骤构建,可读、可应用、可教学,全程采用浅白的语言,包括介绍 backward design、gradual release、psychological safety、transferable skills 与 facilitator stance 等概念。
Answer keys、facilitator notes、educator code of conduct、safeguarding guidance 与 program overview
为负责评分、监督与颁发认证的人员提供标准所要求的精确与清晰,且不预设其具备正规教育或认证背景。
上述标准适用于 EEC 框架下全部十四个模块,并通过季度更新周期持续维护,确保更新后的内容达到与原始材料相同的可及性水平。
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.

