Education & Training Frameworks
The education and frameworks provide a range of entry routes for those wishing to become professional seafarers. As well as achieving statutory Certificates of Competency at Officer of the Watch (OOW) or Engineering Officer of the Watch (EOOW) level those on officer education and training programmes will undertake a degree, HNC and/or HND or vocational qualification. All programmes consist of alternating periods at college/university and sea and operate in effect as apprenticeship models.
From September 2009 it is intended that Electro-Technical Certificates of Competency will also be available, linked to degree programmes.
Please click on the following links for further information
- Click here to download the Foundation Degree Framework Document
- Click here to download the HNC and HND Framework Document
Merchant Navy Education and Training Programmes
The diagram below shows the entry requirements and qualifications leading to initial certification and junior officer status.
It also illustrates academic progression opportunities. At the moment the Maritime Studies route is under development, and is expected to be available as from April 2010.
Key features of officer education and training programmes have been defined to differentiate between the programmes. This should help shipping companies and sponsoring organisations identify the most appropriate programme to meet their needs and to enable them to best determine which programme is relevant for specific new entrants during their recruitment and selection processes.
Key features of officer education and training programmes
Programme Type: Degree (Hons)
| Academic requirements and ability |
Specified ‘A’ levels/Scottish Highers
Academically good, able to cope with a fast pace of learning, which is challenging and motivational; enjoys analytical and problem solving scenarios with a practical application |
| Programme aspects |
Requires independent learning, research and analytical capability.
Includes dissertation
Requires minimum %age achievement of specific subjects above degree pass marks
Includes TRB |
| Programme timescales, seafarer certification and professional aspirations |
3.5 to 4 years to EOOW/OOW
Certification and additional learning for highest level certification and wider areas of maritime study
Aspirations to achieve seafaring certification and academic qualifications at the highest levels in the shortest time
Seeks to progress to responsible positions at sea and/or ashore as rapidly as possible |
Programme Type: Degree FD/SPD
| Academic requirements and ability |
Unspecified ‘A’ levels/Scottish Highers – 120 UCAS points
At least 4 GCSE grades A-C/Scottish Standard Grades Level 1-3 including English, Maths and a Science-based subject
Academically inclined, practically minded, able to work independently and responsibly |
| Programme aspects |
Requires independent learning and research capability
Includes maths and science development/practice
Includes work-based learning
Requires minimum %age achievement of specific subjects above degree pass marks
Includes TRB and additional sea time in programme design |
| Programme timescales, seafarer certification and professional aspirations |
2.5 to 3 years to EOOW/OOW Certification and additional learning for highest level certification and leadership and management studies
Aspirations to achieve seafaring certification at the highest levels with opportunity for further learning to Hons degree
Seeks to progress to responsible positions at sea and/or ashore as rapidly as possible |
Programme Type: Non-Degree HND
| Academic requirements and ability |
At least 4 GCSE grades A-C/Scottish Standard Grades Level 1-3 including English, Maths and a Science-based subject
Practically minded, responds well to structured, detailed exposition, practical examples and practice |
| Programme aspects |
Requires little independent learning and includes targeted activities and tasks
Includes HE access course and specific maths and science development/practice
Includes relevant MCA/SQA exams
Includes TRB and additional sea time in programme design |
| Programme timescales, seafarer certification and professional aspirations |
3 to 3.5 years to EOOW/OOW Certification and additional learning for highest level certification
Aspirations to achieve seafaring certification at the highest levels with opportunity for further learning to degree
Seeks to progress to responsible positions at sea and/or ashore in appropriate timescales |
Programme Type: Non-Degree HNC
| Academic requirements and ability |
4 GCSE grades A-C/Scottish Standard Grades Level 1-3 in English, Maths, a Science-based subject and at least one other subject
Practically minded, responds well to structured, detailed exposition, practical examples and practice |
| Programme aspects |
Requires little independent learning and includes targeted activities and tasks
Includes HE access course and specific maths and science development/practice
Includes relevant MCA/SQA exams
Includes TRB and additional sea time in programme design |
| Programme timescales, seafarer certification and professional aspirations |
2.5 to 3 years to EOOW/OOW Certification and additional learning to the next level certification for engineers
Aspirations to achieve seafaring certification at the highest levels with opportunity for further learning to HND and degree
Seeks to progress to responsible positions at sea and/or ashore in appropriate timescales |
Programme Type: Non-Degree MSQ*
| Academic requirements and ability |
3 GCSE/ Scottish Standard Grades
Very practical, enjoys a ‘hands-on’ approach |
| Programme aspects |
| To be developed |
| Programme timescales, seafarer certification and professional aspirations |
| To be developed |
*NB – the Maritime Studies Qualification (MSQ) is currently under development and is expected to be available by April 2010.