OOW SQA Exam Support


  

Course Code: MX1EC231

  

Maritime & Nautical


Next course dates

Start DateLocationDuration / Fee
03/03/2025Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £1,080Apply   
28/04/2025Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £1,080Apply   
16/06/2025Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £1,080Apply   
05/01/2026Fleetwood Nautical Campus5 Weeks/ £1,080Apply   
02/03/2026Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £1,080Apply   
15/06/2026Fleetwood Nautical Campus4 Weeks/ £1,080Apply   

Course Overview

This course prepares you for your Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) external examinations administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for Deck Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency.

The course is designed to support both Navigation and Stability examinations. 

You will have already gained the academic knowledge required by completing an Advanced Certificate (AdC), previously called Higher National Certificate (HNC), in Nautical Science.

The SQA preparation course is available within a 3 year cadetship, either level 3 to AdC or a 3 year AdD programme. (FD students are not required to sit OOW SQA external assessments unless MCA exemptions are lost). This course is also available for those students who are undertaking the experienced seafarer route to obtain Deck OOW CoC.

This course is suitable for students who have previously attempted SQA in either Stability and/or Navigation (in the last 12 months) and require support to achieve a Pass. 

These courses run subject to meeting minimum numbers and should there be insufficient numbers, you will be able to transfer your booking at no additional cost or obtain a full refund.

Fees

The course fee shown does not include the exam fee of £295, which will be charged separately when booking the course.  The total cost for the course and the exam fee is £1,375.

Course duration

The course duration shown above includes the exam week, which is usually following the exam prep course. The durations vary as they are worked around SQA exam schedules. All students will receive the same amount of taught hours, however this will be timetabled around the exam dates. As a result, courses will run over three to five weeks, depending on exam date proximity. Some courses will therefore be more intensively delivered than others.

Students can have two re-sits of the SQA examinations following their initial SQA examination (first attempt). If the student has not passed the exam after their second re-sit/third attempt, they will then be required to complete a preparation course before they are permitted to sit the examinations again (fourth attempt/third re-sit).

If the student is taking their second resit (third attempt) and is unsuccessful, before the next attempt the student will need to take a full SQA preparation course. As a result, it might be wise to consider SQA prep courses dates before making the final decision on the dates.

Entry Requirements

An Advanced Certificate/HNC in Nautical Science (or equivalent) is required prior to undertaking the preparation course in order to obtain the underpinning knowledge required for the exams.

Career Options and Progression

A successful completion of the exams will enable you to progress towards obtaining a UK OOW Unlimited Certificate of Competency. 

Achieving an Unlimited OOW CoC will enable you to work on a Merchant Vessel as a Junior Officer, undertaking watch keeping and maintenance roles on-board.

After you have obtained your OOW CoC, you will then be working towards seatime accruement to complete the next level of competency which is a Chief Mate CoC. 

There are a range of shore based options available to you once you have obtained an OOW CoC in areas such as maritime law, ship surveying, and maritime education and training.

Assessment Methods

This course prepares you to sit the MCA/SQA exams for: 

  • Navigation 
  • Stability and Operations 

These assessments will be conducted at the end of the course. 

Teaching and Learning Methods

Classroom based teaching and learning supported by online resources will prepare you for the external exams.

Evening support is also available from Monday to Thursday. 

Industry Placement and Field Trips

There is no requirement for industry placements or field trips to complete this course.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

You are required to bring stationary equipment, a non-programmable scientific calculator and also chartwork plotting equipment.

Plotting equipment can be hired from our Learning Resource Centre if required. 

SQA examination fee to be paid at the time of booking the examination. The fee for company sponsored students will be invoiced to the respective company.

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

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

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