Marine Engineering - Foundation Degree


  

Course Code: MH1HE81

  

Maritime and Nautical


Next course dates

Start DateLocationDuration / Fee
22/02/2024Fleetwood Nautical Campus3 Years/ £7,250 per yearApply   
10/09/2024Fleetwood Nautical Campus3 Years/ £7,250 per yearApply   
18/02/2025Fleetwood Nautical Campus3 Years/ £7,250 per yearApply   

Course Overview

The Foundation Degree in Marine Engineering develops the skills and underpinning knowledge needed for a rewarding career in the international maritime industry. Within world-class learning facilities, we offer an employer-focused programme of study fully aligned to the requirements of both the Maritime and Coastguard Agencies (MCA) and the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB). This will support your eligibility for a career as a Marine Engineering Officer.

This programme is only available to students sponsored by a shipping company or cadet training provider due to the work-based learning modules, which should be completed on board ship.

In addition to this programme providing a level 5 Foundation Degree academic qualification which integrates academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and Blackpool and the Fylde College, you will also undertake a cadet training programme that runs alongside the academic award. You will cover topics such as STCW basic training and workshop training skills, alongside courses in first aid, fire fighting, high voltage scenarios, and rescue boat experiences.

The programme is delivered across 3 years and broken down into five phases: phase 1, 3 and 5 will be delivered at College whilst phases 2 and 4 will be spent undertaking Work Based Learning at sea. Industrial experience will normally be achieved through sea time when sponsored by a shipping or training company, meeting the MCA requirements. However, other maritime related industries may meet the requirements of the programme. If you intend to utilise this programme for reduced sea time requirements, then you must have a sponsorship in place prior to enrolling onto the programme, which will be done on your behalf by a sponsoring shipping company.

You can download the Programme Specification document to find out more. 

Entry Requirements

To enrol on the foundation degree you need a minimum of 48 points under the UCAS tariff system. This must include subjects relevant to Engineering or Mathematics. GCSE Mathematics Grade B/6 or 5 or higher is also required.

Students who have completed a Level 3 Diploma in Shipping and Maritime Operations (marine Engineering) as part of a direct entry programme are also eligible to enrol onto the Foundation Degree Marine Engineering.

In order to complete this programme and gain a certificate of competency you will require sponsorship by a shipping company or training provider. This is to ensure you are able to accrue the necessary sea time for the purposes of certification. 

Qualification Obtained

FdEng Marine Engineering

Career Options and Progression

Successful cadets may be awarded the Engineer Officer of the Watch Unlimited Certificate of Competency, upon successful completion of the full cadetship, and normally will be able to take position of a fourth or third or engineer officer on board of a vessel. 

After gaining the required sea-going service and completing the appropriate additional training programmes and external exams, they will be able to qualify for a Marine Engineering Management Level Certificate of Competency. 

The Foundation Degree Marine Engineering will give successful candidates full academic exemptions for STCW95 Reg III/2 Management Level Engineer Unlimited Engineering Certification when a 50% overall pass mark is achieved. Students choosing to undertake the Foundation Degree Marine Engineering will find the path to Chief Engineer much smoother and will only be required to undertake the relevant industrial exams and short courses.

A variety of positions are also available in the maritime and engineering industries ashore, including ship management, fleet operation, ship broking, marine insurance, finance, ship repair and shipbuilding, equipment manufacturing, port operations, maritime education and training, surveying and inspecting as well as maritime administration. Within engineering, career opportunities exist in but are not limited to power generation, heavy engineering, production engineering and mechanical engineering.

Should you wish to continue in education, the successful completion of your Foundation Degree means you are eligible to enrol onto the BSc(Hons) Maritime Operations Management degree programme offered by B&FC and awarded by Lancaster University. This level 6 qualification will see you undertake a number of engineering specific modules and common modules. This programme will be delivered via a block and blend approach. This will give you the flexibility to study for 2 terms on Campus
and then complete your dissertation whilst you are at sea, ensuring that it has a relevant work-based approach. You will be supported during this period via online materials and email contact with your supervisor.

Assessment Methods

For information about modules and assessment, please see the Programme Specification. 

Teaching and Learning Methods

The programme is delivered through a wide range of teaching methodologies to suit every type of student whilst ensuring those most appropriate for each module and learning outcomes are implemented. Aligned outcomes ensure that you are given the opportunity to learn holistically to integrate modules, reflect and support further progression. A key element of all learning is your involvement in and ownership of your learning. It is essential for you, as a student, to engage with your learning to apply your knowledge to best prepare you for your industry.

Employers seek graduates who are flexible, innovative, problem solving and who can work co-operatively with good communication and management skills. These attributes will be developed, challenged and refined during the course to enhance your employability.

Module content will be delivered in a variety of ways in order for you to gain deeper understanding of the module content. This may be through face to face lectures, virtual learning, seminars, case studies, academic research, practical skills in our workshop/Marine Engineering Centre and simulation exercises in our state-of-the-art engine room simulator.

Industry Placement and Field Trips

Work placement must be agreed prior to enrolment onto the programme; this would typically be with a shipping company through a sponsored cadet programme in order to achieve the required reduced sea time. Alternatively other industrial placement must be in an engineering environment either as agreed by the programme team or the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in the cases of cadet programmes.


The Foundation Degree is delivered as a 3 year full time sandwich programme with 5 phases; phases 2 and 4 will give appropriate time to learn in the workplace, apply Foundation Degree theories gained during College phases and conduct analysis and reflection of learning throughout. These phases will typically be referred to as Sea Phases.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

You are expected to provide your own day-to-day stationary items, e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks, etc. Candidates will need a calculator - 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. Learning Resources are provided onsite 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 and are provided by the college.
 

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.

Tuition Fees

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: The University of Lancaster

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

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