Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Cadetship programme

KEY FACTS

• Faculty: School of Maritime Science
• Study Options: Full Time
• Start Date: Sept 2025
• Level: Undergraduate
• Course Length: 3 Years
• Qualification: BSc (Hons) & Cadetship
• Fees: All Students: £9,535* per annum
• Apply: Applications are now open.
• Placement Option: Yes

About this programme

The BSc (Hons) Maritime Science is an accelerated programme, meaning you can graduate with a degree and Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency (OOW CoC) in just over 3 years (obtaining these qualifications in the UK typically takes a minimum of 4+ years). Our accelerated timeframe is possible thanks to our guaranteed sea time placements.

During the first semester of your programme you can select your preferred route of study:

• i. BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Deck Cadetship
• ii. BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Engineering Cadetship
• iii. BSc (Hons) Maritime Science (graduate without an OOW CoC)

The University of Gibraltar offers the only degree and cadetship programme approved by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in mainland Europe. This unique programme provides the foundation and optimum training platform to start a rewarding career in the maritime industry.

The programme module content is currently under review and is subject to change in order to align with new professional body (MCA) requirements.

Key Features

1) Guaranteed Placements

We collaborate with the Gibraltar Port Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration to arrange placements with reputable and well-regulated organisations. This ensures that our students benefit from guaranteed cadetship placements with major operators.

2) MCA Approved

Our programme has obtained UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approval with reduced sea time of 12 months. This means that our qualification has met the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code (II/1 and II/2 – Deck and III/1 and III/2 – Engineering).

3) Fully Qualified in Just Over 3 Years

Become a qualified seafarer, and achieve your BSc and Officer of the Watch (OOW) qualifications in just over 3 years. This includes the required 12-month sea time for the Cadetship, available thanks to our guaranteed placements, and STCW training courses.

Guaranteed Cadetship Placements

The University of Gibraltar collaborates with the Gibraltar Port Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration to arrange placements with reputable and well-regulated organisations. This ensures that our students benefit from guaranteed cadetship placements with major operators.

Career Opportunities Through Placement

Our placement partners don’t just provide training, they are frequently on the lookout for future talent. Cadets who make a positive impact during their time on board are often offered jobs after they complete their studies.

Access to Higher Education Programme

Should you not meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Cadetship programme, our admissions team may recommend you complete the Access to Higher Education summer programme.

Choose your preferred route of study

You have until the end of your first semester to choose your preferred route of study. This gives you the opportunity to understand the maritime sector and decide which is your preferred option.

BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Deck Cadetship

Throughout your degree, you will spend 12 months on placement at sea. On successful completion of this route of study you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) qualification as well as a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Deck Officer’s Certificate of Competency (STCW’95 II/1 OOW).

BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Engineering Cadetship

Throughout your degree you will spend 9 months on placement at sea and 3 months on placement in a workshop. On successful completion of this route of study you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) qualification as well as a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Engineering Officer’s Certificate of Competency (STCW ’95 III/1 OOW).

BSc (Hons) Maritime Science

Throughout your degree you will spend 12 months on placement with shore side maritime entities (e.g. Port Operations, Ship Agency and Maritime administration). On successful completion of this route of study you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) qualification.

Typical modules* include:

The programme module content is currently under review and is subject to change in order to align with new professional body (MCA) requirements.

A unique feature of this programme is that engineering and nautical students can work together through the programme’s joint modules. Typical joint modules include:

• Navigation
• Ship Design & Architecture
• Bridge Management
• Ship Handling & Voyage Planning
• Engineering
• Mechanics & Propulsion

Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approval

The University of Gibraltar’s cadet programme has obtained Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approval with reduced sea time of 12 months. Our BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with cadetship programmes have obtained MCA approval. This means that the qualification BSc Maritime Science has been approved as meeting the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code (II/1 and II/2 – Deck and III/1 and III/2 – Engineering).

QAA Global Accreditation

The University is delighted to have achieved global accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the UK’s independent quality body and a global leader in quality assurance for higher education.

Entry Requirements

• Typically, all applicants should have:
  • BCC at ‘A level’, (104 UCAS) or international equivalent.
  • Relevant industry experience is also beneficial but not required.
• All applicants should have:
  • 5 GCSE’s A*– C (grade 4 or above post 2017) including English Language (min grade C or grade 4 ) and Mathematics (min grade B or grade 6 ) or international equivalent. Alternatively, evidence (i.e. accreditation/recognition) of relevant industry experience or prior Certificated and Experiential Learning.
  • Strong communications skills with the ability to communicate your ideas effectively in discussions, presentations and writing.
  • Basic IT skills, such as word-processing, email and Internet.

English Language Requirements:

• An overall IELTS test result of 6.0, including a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-tests. Equivalent awards will be considered (e.g. Pearson’s Test of English, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English, Duolingo English Test, City & Guilds International ESOL 8984, or the TOEFL- IBT test of English proficiency). If you do not meet our entry requirements, you can still apply as we will consider your application.

Fees

Region | FEE PER ANNUM ---|--- Home | £9,535* International and EU | £12,500* (For 2025, international and EU fees will be the same as Home fees)

*Additional costs: while most programme costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources such as Uniforms and PPE, or other optional extras may need to be paid for separately. Current costs associated with purchase of Uniforms and PPE are approximately £290.

*Final year project: As your final year includes a research project, there may be additional costs associated with your research activities (e.g. transport or accommodation). The amount will depend on the project you choose.

This programme will be run subject to minimum numbers being met.