Officer of The Watch (Unlimited UK COC) - Advanced Certificate Nautical Science (Blended Learning)

Course Code: MD1EC79

Maritime and Nautical

Next course dates

Start Date	Location	Duration
Anytime	Fleetwood Nautical Campus	5 Years	Enquire

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Course Overview

The AdC in Nautical Science qualification leads to a UK Certificate of Competency (CoC).

Those issued by Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) must be completed in an MCA approved training centre if they are being used towards gaining a CoC.

Fleetwood Nautical Campus currently offers the Advanced Certificate (AdC) in Nautical Science by Blended Learning to students who are overseas, work full time or prefer to study in a flexible mode.

Blended Learning combines online learning with college based assessment.

Fee Information

Full course fee - £5,425 (for enrolments in 2022/23)
Fee payable at enrolment for Set One - £1,080 (2022/23) (including SQA registration)

Remaining units can be purchased throughout your 5 year enrolment allowing you some flexibility after the successful completion of Set One. Units within Sets Two, Three and Four can be purchased individually to best suit you and your learning plan. For a breakdown of units and pricing, see our course information sheet.

There are a range of potential funding options available to you:

Sponsorship from your employer
Scholarship opportunities, such as those found through the Marine Society: https://www.marine-society.org/

As an active student you can also become a student member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST). This offers benefits such as Awards, Funding, Sponsorship, Scholarships and bursaries: https://www.imarest.org/funding

Entry Requirements

36 months seagoing service with 6 months engaged in bridge watchkeeping duties (experienced seafarer route). However, students with less than 36 months seagoing service can also enrol onto the AdC at the discretion of Fleetwood Nautical Campus and accrue seagoing service whilst learning. These students will be required to complete a Sea Service Declaration form at enrolment.

Although we require notification/evidence of your sea time at time of booking, may we please remind you that it is the student's responsibility to validate sea time with the MCA before entering for an examination.

Unfortunately, the College can NOT advise on any issues concerning sea-time or certificate validity. You MUST contact the MCA.

Qualification Obtained

Advanced Certificate Nautical Science

Career Options and Progression

Officer of the Watch Unlimited Certificate of Competency.

As a Deck Officer you could be in charge of operating and managing commercial ships.

Shore-based jobs in ship management and other marine industries include, maritime law, surveying ships or training future seafarers.

Assessment Methods

Module	Level	Credits	Practical	Written Exam
HW6P 47- Chartwork and Tides	4	16		100%
HW6E 47 - Navigational Mathematics and Science	4	8		100%
HW6R 47 - Marine Meteorology: An Introduction	4	8	20%	80%
HW6G 47 - Bridge Watchkeeping	4	12		100%
HW6H 47 - Marine Cargo Operations	4	12		100%
HW6J 47 - Ship Stability: An Introduction	4	12		100%
HW6K 47 - Naval Architecture: Ship Construction	4	8		100%
HW6M 47 - Celestial Navigation	5	16	20%	80%
HW72 47 - Marine Emergency Response and Communications	4	8		100%*
HW73 47 - Marine Law and Management	4	8		100%
HW6N 47 - Nautical Science Graded Unit	4	8		100%

* MCA Signals exam required for Certificate of Competency.

Teaching and Learning Methods

There are no scheduled lessons for this course.

Students complete this qualification using the resources and guidance provided, receive feedback on formative assessments and complete the summative assessments at College.

The AdC programme is delivered using a blend of learning styles, with practical and formal assessments conducted in College and some assessments also occurring by distance learning.

To complete the underpinning knowledge for the Advanced Certificate (AdC), you are required to work through the learning material and submit work for marking on a regular basis.

Once the required standard has been met (i.e. all Formative Assessments have been passed) you will then need to attempt a pre-College test.

Your College assessments will not be arranged until you have received ‘Proceed to College’ feedback on your pre-College tests.

Students who do not submit work on a regular basis, attend College and complete summative assessments (exams) from the first set within the two-year enrolment period, cannot continue on to the remainder of the qualification.

Industry Placement and Field Trips

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

The cost of visas and travel incurred through taking the summative assessments at College must be met by the student.

There are no additional costs needed to complete this course. All relevant writing and drawing materials can be purchased from anywhere in the world and usually amount to around £50.

You will require access to a computer or laptop with internet access.

Tuition fees: how to pay

Payments may be made by the following methods:

Bankers draft – made payable to Blackpool and The Fylde College
Bank transfer (bank details provided on request)
Credit/debit card

The College does not accept cash for payment of deposits or tuition fees. Travellers cheques and personal cheques in foreign currencies are also not accepted.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of any courses within the College are approved to teach and/or assess the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering and/or assessing a given programme are appropriately qualified, with relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.