FdSc Navigation and Maritime Science

• Lay strong foundations for a successful career in the maritime sector. Join successful graduates who have gone on to work in a diverse range of maritime industries and professions such as professional navigator, marine manager and yacht racer.
• Distinguish yourself with a degree that’s accredited by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as well as the Merchant Navy Training Board.*
• Immerse yourself in the latest technology; we've equipped our Marine Navigation Centre with an advanced full mission ship simulator and the latest in electronic charts.
• Gain hands-on experience from the outset by learning to navigate our dedicated 13 metre sail and navigation training vessel 'Take The Helm' on Plymouth Sound. If qualified and approved, you'll be able to skipper her yourself.
• Ensure you have the practical, communication and problem-solving skills employers are looking for with a mixture of lectures, tutorials, and practical’s featuring group and individual problem-based learning; case studies; debate and critiques; oral and visual presentations; field work; and professional development planning.
• Gain sponsorship from shipping companies or training organisations, looking to train the next generation of professional seafarers. Sponsorship can become available to students already following our programme.  
• Study this accredited degree as a sponsored student and receive funding towards tuition fees and living expenses from the sponsoring company, while you study. 
• Experience life at sea first hand as trainee officers to gain practical experience from a seagoing placement year.
• If you are not sponsored you can still follow an accredited trajectory into a professional seafaring career. Many of our students wish to work as officers in the superyacht industry, where qualified officers are increasingly in demand.

• Year 1

• In your first year, you’ll engage with the foundations of marine operations, meteorology and navigation techniques, including use of our ship simulator and sail training vessel. You’ll also develop your navigation, leadership and management skills in a challenging field week, which is essential for future maritime leaders.

  Sponsored students will spend the summer of this year at sea.

  Core modules

  • Stage 1 Navigation Placement Preparation (BPIE116)

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • Coastal Navigation (NMS101)

    This module introduces and develops position determination methods, and the basics of safe navigation practice. This module will be delivered using a mixture of lecture practical and tutorial activities.

  • Marine Operations (NMS102)

    This module provides an introduction to the knowledge required to participate in all aspects of both cargo operations and operational procedures on a merchant vessel.

  • Voyage Planning and Meteorology (NMS103)

    This module provides an introduction to the factors affecting the planning of coastal and ocean passages. The external meteorological factors will be considered alongside the impact this will have on the planning of the passage.

  • Management and Leadership 1 (NMS106)

    This module enables the student to start developing their own learning agenda via a personal development plan. It will introduce the concept of management skills, in particular bridge team management, and how effective application improves the safety of ships. The regulatory framework which encourages same will also be introduced.

  • Accreditation 1 (NMS107)

    This module provides the means to record achievement of the standard set by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the issue of a certificate of competency in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) as periodically amended.

  • Marine Techniques (NMS109)

    This module will help equip the student with the essential skill for study in higher education. Effective library and internet use and basic investigation and research skills will be developed. Writing and presentation skills and methods will be developed in parallel to enable effective communication of concepts, ideas and research.

  • Introduction to Unmanned Maritime Systems (NMS110)

    To introduce the student to Maritime procedures, processes, and Unmanned Maritime Systems providing an overview of the history, industry applications, and future challenges. 

• Year 2

• In your final year, you’ll advance your navigation skills, learn about position determination, including celestial navigation, as well as ship construction, stability and cargo operations, and get to grips with the latest satellite position and timing systems. A sailing-based field week helps you put your navigation, leadership and management skills into practice, contextualising your theoretical work.
  
  Students following the accredited pathway now return to sea for another year of sea time on board working ships, gaining the experience and the skills required to be an effective ships officer, before returning to university for the final courses and preparations leading to the award of professional certificates of competency.

  Core modules

  • Stage 2 Navigation Placement Preparation (BPIE216)

    This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (BPIE116) and to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • Marine Operations and Construction (NMS202)

    This module will provide the student with an introduction to how ships and yachts are designed and constructed, including a study of propulsion (wind and power), steering systems and stability.

  • Law (NMS203)

    This module will provide the theory and practice relating to the responsibilities and liabilities associated with the management and operation of merchant ships and the carriage of goods by sea.

  • Management and Leadership 2 (NMS204)

    This module will develop the students' knowledge of management techniques, on a number of levels. These include mission critical management of search and rescue scenarios, contingency planning and emergency management, through to day to day management practice including budgetary planning.

  • Ocean Navigation (NMS207)

    To develop an appreciation of the navigation methods used in ocean passage-making.

  • Accreditation 2 (NMS208)

    This module provides the means to record achievement of the standard set by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for the issue of a certificate of competency in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) as periodically amended.

  • Voyage Planning and Collision Avoidance (NMS209)

    To develop an appreciation of the navigation methods used in ocean passage-making.

  • Unmanned Maritime Systems (NMS210)

    Provide the student with core knowledge in technical and regulatory domains for Unmanned Maritime Systems.

• Year at sea

• This year is a chance to go to sea. If you’re sponsored, you’ll follow a structured programme with your sponsoring company; alternatively, it’s an opportunity for yachtsmen or women to build miles and gain valuable industrial experience. Put your newly acquired skills to the test on a real ship or yacht, and benefit from the experience of those around you. This year is optional: if you’re already qualified or are progressing to a shore-based management career, you can go straight to the final year.

  Core modules

  • Navigation and Maritime Science-related Placement (BPIE337)

    This year is an opportunity to work in a maritime industry. It helps to build your knowledge, experience, CV and ultimately your employability.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

FdSc Navigation And Maritime Science ProgrammeSpecification September2022 4494

UCAS tariff

48

To include a grade E at a relevant science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Design Technology, Applied Science, Geography, Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology), excluding general studies.

BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: PPP in a relevant subject.

BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.

Pass science related Access course. Must have GCSE English and Maths grade C/4 or above or equivalent

International Baccalaureate: 24 points overall to include 4 at Higher Level science.

T level: Pass – D or E or above in Core. Science and Technology pathways accepted only.

Note: currently T-levels are not recognised by sponsoring companies, though this may change in the future.

GCSE: mathematics, English language, science and one other subject at grade C/4.

An interview may be required. Equivalent qualifications will be considered.

Non UK residents will need to obtain sponsorship from their own national fleet subject to Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) approval.

English language requirements

Note as this course is below RQF Level 6, a SELT is a mandatory requirement set by UKVI.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.