Marine Engineering - Certificate of Higher Education

Start Date	Location	Duration / Fee
5 Jan 2027	Fleetwood Nautical Campus	26 Weeks/ £7,145	Enquire

Course Overview

The Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) in Marine Engineering is specifically tailored to provide you with the foundational skills and expertise required to embark on a successful career within the maritime industry. This programme is closely aligned with industry standards and professional bodies, ensuring you meet the essential outcomes for a career at sea. With additional vocational training, this qualification will help prepare you for roles such as an Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW).

For those aiming to advance further in their career and pursue the position of Chief Engineer, progression to the Diploma in Higher Education (Dip HE) in Marine Engineering is required. This programme is designed not only to develop your technical knowledge but also to support your career progression through structured learning at the appropriate academic level, as outlined by the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) regulations. It aligns with the requirements of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and has been approved by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB).

Entry Requirements

To enrol onto the Cert HE, the entry requirements are 4 GCSEs or equivalent Grade 4 -9 including English, Maths and Science and 48 UCAS at level 3 with at least one science based subject. Typically, you will have completed a level 3 Diploma in Shipping and Maritime Operations or a level 3 engineering and science qualification as part of a wider cadetship.

Experienced seafarers with a minimum of 36 months sea-time will be exempt from requiring 48 UCAS Tariff points, as per MCA requirements. Additionally International students require an overall band score of 5.5 and minimum score of 4 in each element of IELTS.

Qualification Obtained

CertHE Marine Engineering

Career Options and Progression

This programme offers a route to certification and provides all students with the knowledge, understanding, and proficiency (KUP) required for an operational position in the maritime industry. Alongside the Certificate in HE programme, students must also achieve the required amount of sea service to qualify for a Certificate of Competency, provided by shipping companies that ensure each student gains the appropriate amount of sea time on board vessels engaged in shipping operations. This requirement ensures that students graduate with the AC award and field-specific experience. The programme is designed to prepare students for a career at sea with ultimate progression routes to management roles. Upon successful completion, students will have acquired the skills and knowledge to progress in various directions within the maritime sector or related industries.

Assessment Methods

At Stage 1 of the programme, students work toward the B&FC Certificate of Higher Education, awarded by Blackpool and The Fylde College. The curriculum
comprises a series of mandatory modules designed to build foundational knowledge and practical skills. These include Maritime Mathematics for
Engineers (ETC/MO403), which carries 15 credits and is assessed entirely through examination.

Electrical and Electronic Principles and Devices (ETC/MO402) is a 20-credit module assessed through 25% coursework and 75% written examination. Operational Management (MO404), worth 20 credits, is assessed entirely through coursework.

Fundamentals of Control Systems and Transducers (ETC/MEC405) is a 15-credit module with a balanced assessment of 50% coursework and 50% written exam.

Operational Marine Engineering Knowledge (ETC/MO406) and Maritime Thermodynamics and Mechanics (ETC/MO407) are both 15-credit modules assessed entirely through coursework.

Lastly, Operational Stability and Naval Architecture (MO401) is a 20-credit module assessed through 50% practical and 50 % written examination. This structured approach ensures a balanced evaluation of theoretical understanding and practical application across all core areas of study.

Assessment	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6
Coursework	40%	0%	0%
Exam	53%	0%	0%
Practical	0%	0%	0%

Teaching and Learning Methods

Not required for FNC

Learning Method	Level 4	Level 5	Level 6
Scheduled (Hours)	1086	0	0
Independent (Hours)	1414	0	0
Placement (Hours)	0	0	0
Total (Hours)	2500	0	0

Industry Placement and Field Trips

There is no work placement included in this course. You will however likely progress to industry settings on completion, and prior to your next career steps. This will include activities such as shipboard inductions, familiarisation with marine operations and will the undertaking of tasks forming part of your continuous professional development.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

You are expected to provide your own day-to-day stationery items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Any specialist stationery items will be specified under the Additional Costs section. Candidates will need calculators as specified by the individual unit and as permitted by the college. The College approved models are Casio FX-570 and Casio FX- 85GT Plus. These may be purchased from any source.

You will require access to a computer or laptop with internet access and will be required to purchase Thermodynamic property tables.

Learning Resources are provided on-site and free for students to use Monday to Friday. Other equipment during your programme will include personal protective equipment for workshops, such as boots, gloves and overalls are provided by the college.

What you will learn

At Level 4

Module Title	Credits	Code
Maritime Mathematics for Engineers	15	MH4MD0021
Electrical and Electronic Principles and Devices	20	MH4MD0022
Operational Management	20	MH4MD0023
Operational Marine Engineering Knowledge	20	MH4MD0024
Fundamentals of Control Systems and Transducers	15	MH4MD0025
Maritime Thermodynamics and Mechanics	15	MH4MD0026
Operational Stability and Naval Architecture	15	MH4MD0027
Maritime Mathematics for Engineers	15	MH4MD0036
Electrical and Electronic Principles and Devices	20	MH4MD0037
Operational Management	20	MH4MD0038
Operational Marine Engineering Knowledge	20	MH4MD0039
Fundamentals of Control Systems and Transducers	15	MH4MD0040
Maritime Thermodynamics and Mechanics	15	MH4MD0041
Operational Stability and Naval Architecture	15	MH4MD0042

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