Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

25th Aug 2025, 1 year

Location

Riverside Campus

Overview

The maritime industry includes anything related to the Oceans, Sea, Shipping, Ports and Harbours and everything in-between!   As an island nation, the UK has one of the most vibrant and competitive maritime sectors in the world; and is set to grow rapidly over the next few decades.

The Merchant Navy is the collective term for commercial shipping and includes a variety of vessels from cruise ships to tankers and cargo ships of all descriptions.  In order to train as an officer in the merchant navy, you will first need to pick a specialism - Deck, Electro-technical or Marine Engineering.

This course has been designed to allow access to people who want to succeed in the maritime industry who have the drive and determination to succeed but have missed out on the entry requirement for a sponsored cadetship.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Four National 4 qualifications including English, Mathematics (Application of Maths is not accepted) and a Science subject; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

Please be aware that in order to progress onto a full cadetship, an ENG1 medical certificate is required.

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

The Access to Nautical & STEM course will focus on a number of key STEM subjects including:

• Maths.
• Physics.
• Engineering Science.

You will also focus on your development, communication, teamwork and employability skills.

The course will give you a taste of all three Merchant Navy career streams giving you a real insight into what each department onboard a ship does. Throughout the year we will organise industry speakers and experience days to give you a real flavour of what a career in the Maritime Industry is all about.

After the course

Careers

This course has been designed to provide an access route into the Merchant Navy through a fully sponsored HNC/D Cadetship with a renowned shipping company. These cadetships are all sponsored three-year programmes, which will give you training at a world-class college and a guaranteed work placement onboard a ship that can be anywhere in the world.

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods

Additional Information

Dress code