Nautical Science - Diploma of Higher Education
Course Code: MH1HE0002
Maritime & Nautical
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Course Overview
If you want to obtain an MCA issued Certificate of Competency (CoC) as a Chief Mate, this course key to achieving your career goal. The Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) Nautical Science programme develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a career as a senior deck officer in the maritime industry. This qualification fully aligns to the MCA requirements regarding education and training of management level deck officers (Chief Mate and Master), when combined with the short courses set out in MSN 1856.
Depending on your career path or career goals, you may be eligible to study face-to-face onsite over a period of around 6 months, or you may be able to study by Blended Learning, which utilises a block-and-blend approach with a mix of distance learning and block attendance. Find out more about blended learning.
The programme welcomes you, especially if you are:
- undertaking a deck cadetship
- an experienced Officer of the Watch, looking to upskill to Chief Mate
- a holder of a non-UK CoC and wish to convert to an MCA issued Chief Mate Unlimited CoC
If you already possess an Education and Training letter confirming that you have successfully studied all the required subjects Chief Mate criteria, you do not need this course.
This list is not exhaustive, so if you are unsure if this is the course for you, our team will be able to give you the initial advice and guidance you need to have confidence that you are on the right programme for you.
Entry Requirements
To study on this programme, you must meet at least one of the criteria below:
- Successful completion of CertHE Nautical Science
- Hold an MCA-approved level 4 or higher qualification that meets the criteria for STCW II/1 OOW Unlimited CoC, or…
- Hold an appropriate STCW II/1 OOW Unlimited CoC may be admitted directly onto the DipHE
International students may require an overall band score of 5.5 and a minimum of 4 in each element of IELTS.
Note: Whilst the programme team will provide IAG for applicants to the qualifications, in all cases where sea service or an existing CoC are used as entry criteria for the course, it remains the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that these will be accepted by the MCA as counting towards their CoC and if necessary, liaise with the MCA directly.
Qualification Obtained
DipHE Nautical Science
Assessment Methods
Please see the course information sheet for details of the modules and assessment strategy for this course.
| Assessment | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 0% | 79% | 0% |
| Exam | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Practical | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Teaching and Learning Methods
N/A
| Learning Method | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled (Hours) | 0 | 960 | 0 |
| Independent (Hours) | 0 | 1440 | 0 |
| Placement (Hours) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total (Hours) | 0 | 2400 | 0 |
Industry Placement and Field Trips
This course does not include industry placements. Applicants would be expected to already be working in a relevant capacity in industry or on an MCA approved training programme (e.g. cadetship).
Other Costs and Equipment Needed
For applicants studying this programme as part of obtaining a Certificate of Competency, short course costs are not included in the course fees for this programme. Sponsored cadets' sponsors also typically fund all associated short courses that form part of the eligibility for a Certificate of Competency.
Sponsored cadets are expected to wear Merchant Navy uniform and general personal protective equipment, such as safety shoes and boiler suits are required for some of the associated short courses.
What you will learn
At Level 5
| Module Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Passage Planning and Meteorology | 20 | MH5MD0001 |
| Management of Bridge Operations | 15 | MH5MD0002 |
| Ship Theory and Practical Applications | 15 | MH5MD0003 |
| Management of Vessel Operations | 20 | MH5MD0004 |
| Marine Engineering and Vessel Maintenance | 15 | MH5MD0005 |
| Shipboard Management | 15 | MH5MD0006 |
| Shipmasters Law and Business | 20 | MH5MD0007 |
| Management of Passage Planning and Meteorology | 20 | MH5MD0008 |
| Management of Bridge Operations | 15 | MH5MD0009 |
| Ship Theory and Practical Applications | 15 | MH5MD0010 |
| Management of Vessel Operations | 20 | MH5MD0011 |
| Marine Engineering and Vessel Maintenance | 15 | MH5MD0012 |
| Shipboard Management | 15 | MH5MD0013 |
| Shipmasters Law and Business | 20 | MH5MD0014 |
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.
Regulation and Accreditation
Accrediting Institution: N/A
