Fully Sponsored Merchant Navy Degree Programmes
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.
What are the possibilities?
Training is available as either a Navigating (Deck) Officer or Engineer Officer.
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 overall management of the ship and people onboard.
Engineer Officers have a through knowledge of the engines and other complex systems that keep the ship ‘alive’. Everything needed to support these ‘floating cities’ is to be found onboard 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 English, Maths and Physics (or Duel/Combined Science. This will generally mean grades A/B. Individual sponsoring companies may have their own requirements.
Training begins at a maritime college, where the initial period includes basic safety training courses required before going to sea, plus 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. This alternating pattern of shore-based training followed by practical training at sea is followed for the remainder of the course, which lasts for about three years.
Depending on the sponsoring organisation, trainees 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.
What happens once training is completed?
On completion of training, a newly qualified junior navigating officer can expect to earn around £23,000 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 engaged. Further study and experience will enable progression through the officer ranks to the ultimate positions of Captain and Chief Engineer.
Seafaring experience and maritime skills are highly transferable and in great demand ashore in specialist jobs within the shipping and maritime sectors, and in a range of other industries.
Are schemes available for a trainee 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 an HND and NVQ Level 3 in Marine Operations or Marine Engineering, plus the Officer of the Watch certificate.