New Merchant Navy
Fully-Sponsored Degree Programmes
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New courses are available for Merchant Navy officer training which offer a fully sponsored Foundation degree (Professional diploma in Scotland) and internationally recognised professional seafaring certification.
The courses combine both theoretical college/university training with practical, "on the job", training at sea. This is the stepping stone to a challenging and rewarding career at sea which can lead to a myriad of career development opportunities both at sea and ashore. The courses are sponsored by shipping companies or through maritime trusts/scholarships.
What are the possibilities?
Courses are available covering either Navigating (Deck) Officers or Engineer Officers.
Navigating Officers look after the navigation of the ship and its communications and are responsible for the loading and safe delivery of the cargo. They also look after the overall management of the ship and the people on board.
Engineer Officers have a thorough knowledge of the engines and other complex systems which keep the ship "alive". Everything needed to support these 'floating cities' is to be found on board ship, as is specialist equipment required for the
handling and care of the cargo.
What is involved?
The entry requirements for the Foundation Degrees/ Scottish Professional Diplomas are 120 UCAS points in unspecified A Levels / Scottish Highers, and good grades in GCSE or standard grade English, Maths and Physics (or Dual / Combined Science). This will generally mean grades A/B or credit grades in Scotland. Individual sponsoring companies may have their own requirements.
The course begins at a maritime college or university where the initial period includes basic safety training courses required before going to sea, plus certain initial theoretical aspects. This is followed by a sea "phase" where the theoretical knowledge is put into practice under the guidance of the ships' officers. Two further academic phases and one further sea phase is the usual course pattern, which lasts approximately three years.
Depending on the sponsoring organisation, the officer trainee can find themselves on a variety of ships from sophisticated smaller vessels around the UK coast to the latest and largest passenger, cargo and tanker ships sailing worldwide. Ships are highly automated, full of complex systems and technology which demand the highest level of skill and professionalism to ensure that they are operated safely.
Where are the qualifications available?
Officer trainees will study at one of the following nautical colleges or universities.
Navigating officers:
- Fleetwood Nautical Campus, in conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University
- Glasgow College of Nautical Studies
- Lairdside Maritime Centre, in conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University .
- Maritime Training (Plymouth), in conjunction with Plymouth University
- South Tyneside College, in conjunction with Sunderland University
- Warsash Maritime Academy, in conjunction with Southampton Solent University
Engineering Officers
- Glasgow College of Nautical Studies
- Greenwich University
- South Tyneside College, in conjunction with Northumbria University
- Warsash Maritime Academy, in conjunction with Southampton Solent University
Each of the Foundation Degrees/Professional Diplomas can progress to Honours level. In addition the course leads to the seafarer's professional 1icence to operate", which is recognised internationally and is called the Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency, awarded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The application process is straight forward, and ideally should be made direct to a shipping company or other organisation for sponsorship. The list of over 20 companies is available on www.careersatsea.org . The sponsoring organisation will make all the arrangements for college/university admission. Applications can also be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), although not all the above courses are listed. Those who secure an offer will be put in touch with the sponsoring companies by the college/university involved.
What happens once the course is complete?
On completion of the course, a newly qualified junior navigating or engineering officer can expect to earn around £22,000 per year. Leave is generous and after working at sea for a three/four month period, leave could be in the order of two months or more - depending on the type of trading in which the ship is employed. Further study and experience will enable progression through the officer ranks to the ultimate positions of Captain or Chief Engineer, depending on the chosen discipline.
Seafaring experience and maritime skills are highly transferable and in great demand ashore in specialist jobs within the Shipping and maritime industries and in a wide range of other industries.
Are schemes available for those without A Levels?
HND-based programmes are in place for those without A levels/Highers. These follow a similar pattern of alternate shore and sea based training and provide a HND and NVO Level 3 in Marine Operations or Marine Engineering plus the Officer the Watch certificate.
For more information visit :www.careersatsea.org
or call 0800 085 0973
| Why not work here: | ||
| The Ship Safe Training Group - find out more Maersk - Careers at Sea - find out more The Royal Fleet Auxiliary - find out more |
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