Ready student one? Universities launch degrees in esports

In this photo taken on Sept. 17, 2019, Students starting a university degree course in esports at Staffordshire University attend a welcome session at the schoolâs new London outpost. A number of U.K. and U.S. universities are launching degrees in esports, or competitive multiplayer videogaming, to capitalize on the booming industryâs growing demand for skilled professionals. Associated Press

In this photo taken on Sept. 17, 2019, Ellis Celia and other students starting Staffordshire Universityâs esports degree course play âCounter-Strikeâ in the schoolâs new London digital studio. A number of U.K. and U.S. universities are launching degrees in esports, or competitive multiplayer videogaming, to capitalize on the booming industryâs growing demand for skilled professionals. Associated Press

In this photo taken on Sept. 17, 2019, Ryan Chapman and other students starting Staffordshire Universityâs esports degree course play âCounter-Strikeâ in the schoolâs new London digital studio. A number of U.K. and U.S. universities are launching degrees in esports, or competitive multiplayer videogaming, to capitalize on the booming industryâs growing demand for skilled professionals. Associated Press

In this photo taken on Sept. 17, 2019, Ryan Chapman and other students starting Staffordshire Universityâs esports degree course play âCounter-Strikeâ in the schoolâs new London digital studio. A number of U.K. and U.S. universities are launching degrees in esports, or competitive multiplayer videogaming, to capitalize on the booming industryâs growing demand for skilled professionals. Associated Press

LONDON -- On their first week in class, a group of students is playing a first-person shooter video game in a sleek new digital studio. It's their introduction to the degree in esports they've all enrolled in.

The group clicking away on their mice are at the University of Staffordshire, one of several U.K. and U.S. schools launching programs aimed at capitalizing on the booming industry's need for skilled professionals.

The University of Staffordshire last year launched its bachelor's and master's esports programs, in which students mainly learn marketing and management skills. It's expanding this fall to London. Other schools also debuting esports degree courses include Britain's Chichester University, Shenandoah University in Virginia, Becker College in Massachusetts and Ohio State University. In Asia schools in Singapore and China offer courses.