Dota 2 NSE Winter is split into 2 main stages: Stage 1 Qualification (Weeks 1-3) and Stage 2 Swiss/Playoffs (Weeks 4-7)
Stage 1
In Stage 1 teams will be initially seeded into 3 skill groups. In the first round teams will play another team in the same skill group and in the following rounds be matched versus teams with a similar record in the tournament.
Stage 2
In Stage 2 the top 16 teams will start in the Championship bracket (a double elimination bracket) and everyone else will continue playing in a Swiss tournament starting with points based on their finish in stage 1. Teams who do well in the Swiss can qualify for the Challenger bracket or Division 3.
Prizes
1st - £500
2nd - £300
3rd - £200
Top 8 - BUEC Championship Pins
In addition to other prizes this tournament awards British University Esports Championship Points.
RULES SUMMARY
| Dates | Tournament Stage |
| 15th Oct | Sign-ups Close |
| 17th Oct | Qualification |
| 24th Oct | Qualification |
| 31st Oct | Qualification |
| 7th Nov |
Week 1 Playoff Brackets |
| 14th Nov |
Week 2 Playoff Brackets |
| 21st Nov |
Week 3 Playoff Brackets |
| 28th Nov |
Week 4 Playoff Brackets |
| 11/12th Dec (Provisional) | Grand Finals at Live Event |
All games, with the exception of the Grand Finals, will be played on Sunday evening and cannot be rearranged. Games will have a normal start time of 7.15pm, however teams in the lower bracket of the Championship Bracket may be expected to start early (4:30pm) on the 21st of November and the 28th of November in order to play an extra match as required.
