About this course
This programme is for candidates who have successfully completed a UK deck officer cadetship (to the required Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) standard) via the Higher National Diploma (HND) or Foundation Degree (FdSc) routes and who hold a valid Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited certificate accepted by the MCA.
The course enables candidates to achieve Chief Mate (Unlimited) and Master (limited to <3000 GT) certification via the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) route.
Once candidates have achieved the Chief Mate Certificate of Competency (CoC), they must complete 36 months' watchkeeping service while holding an OOW Unlimited II/1 CoC before taking the exam for Master certification. This period may be reduced to 24 months if at least 12 months of such seagoing service has been served as Chief Mate while holding a Chief Mate Unlimited II/2 CoC.
What you'll study
During the programme, you will receive tuition to support your preparation for the SQA exams in Navigation and Ship Stability, and the MCA oral exams. Additionally, the package of study includes the NAEST(M) and HELM(M) courses, offering a generously discounted rate while enabling you to complete your studies as a package within WMS rather than booking these courses individually.
Competency Assessment Preparation
The competency assessment preparation course has been designed to support candidates who have already completed an MCA approved cadetship which covered the underpinning knowledge requirements for a management level CoC (HND, FdSc, SPD or BSc).
The course will support you to prepare for the new MCA Ship Stability and Structure, and Navigation external assessments, administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in addition to preparing you for your MCA oral examination.
Navigation Aids and Equipment Simulator Training (Management Level) - NAEST(M)
The aim of the NAEST (M) course is to give you the essential education and training to maintain safe navigation using radar, Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA), Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and modern navigation systems to assist command decision making and the application of effective bridge resource management principles and procedures.
To be eligible to attend this course you must:
- Have at least 12 months watchkeeping service while holding a Certificate of Competency issued under regulation II/1 of the STCW Convention 1978 as amended.
- Have documentary evidence of successfully completing an MCA approved NAEST(O) course completed on or after 01 January 2005 or an MCA approved ECDIS course completed on or after 1 January 2005.
Human Element Leadership and Management - HELM(M)
The aim of the HELM(M) course is to provide you with the education and training to meet the MCA requirements for senior shipboard officers. During the course you will explore:
- Key principles of the Human Element, Leadership and Management
- Managing and mitigating impact leading to safety accidents
- Managing performance influencing factors (PIFs)
- Positive team-working
- Human Element within Safety Culture: Policies and Procedures
- Organisational culture
- Shipboard resource
- Leadership and management
Additional prerequisites
In addition to a personal medical fitness certificate recognised by the MCA, candidates must also hold a Proficiency in Medical Care on Board Ship STCW certificate before taking their MCA orals and applying for a Certificate of Competency.
The additional prerequisites for achieving a Chief Mate Certificate of Competency can be found in MSN 1856 (M+F) - Amendment 1.
Course start dates
Monday January 2026 – Friday 24 April 2026 - apply direct here.
Monday 20 April 2026 – Friday 14 August 2026 - apply direct here.
Course fee
£5,950
This package fee, which is designed to support self-sponsoring candidates, includes the competency assessment preparation, NAEST(M) and HELM(M) courses.
Delegates who wish to complete the competency assessment preparation course only (without NAEST(M) or HELM(M) will be charged £4,750.
Please note that external examination fees are not included. Examinations may be booked here.
