Deck Cadet - Foundation Degree Route
About this course
This fully-sponsored cadet training programme leads to an FdSc Nautical Science, as well as the award of a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) certificate of Competency as an Officer of the Watch (STCW'95 II/I OOW). The course also provides you with a direct pathway to enrol on the BSc (Hons) Maritime Management Top-up degree.
Officer cadet training schemes typically last for around three years and are split into five phases which alternate between academic studies and practical and safety training, and seagoing periods to gain shipboard experience.
You'll complete your academic and mandatory safety training with us. This training is complemented with work-based learning on board ship. You'll also do some practical training during your sea phases, which includes completing a MNTB Training Record Book. This will enable you to develop the professional competency needed for the initial MCA certification as an Officer of the Watch.
The scheme consists of five phases - three spent with us for academic delivery and two at sea gaining practical experience. The education and training programme consists of three distinct but complementary elements:
- Academic education in conjunction with work-based learning on board ship to attain the Foundation Degree in Nautical Science, which provides a pathway to the BSc (Hons) Maritime Sciences (Top-Up).
- Practical training on board ship, including completion of an MNTB Training Record Book. This enables candidates to develop the professional competency needed for initial certification by the UK’s MCA.
- In addition to the academic studies, the MCA requires officer cadets to take a number of safety and survival courses during their cadetship.
This programme is aligned to the new UK-wide maritime officer cadetship syllabus developed by the Cadet Training and Modernisation (CT&M) Programme, led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Effective from September 2025, the new syllabus reflects the current practices and technology used aboard modern vessels and supports the development of 'human element' skills - essential learning for today’s aspiring officers.
Award-winning cadets
Two cadets on the FdSc Nautical Science programme have recently won prestigious maritime awards in recognition of their achievements during their cadetship. Daisy Jarvis won the MCA Officer Trainee of the Year 2022 Award and Molvipa Takhiansok won the UK Maritime 2023 Bevis Minter Award. Read Daisy's and Molvipa's stories to find out about their cadetship journey and what winning the awards meant to them.
Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence
Every student at Solent University will also have the option to study an additional Certificate in Practical Artificial Intelligence qualification alongside their course. Free of charge, the course ensures you'll be prepared for a fantastic and varied career after graduation.
What you'll study
Phase 1
- 22 weeks (this is approximate and subject to change)
- Celestial Navigation, Maths and Science
- Marine Cargo Operations
- Marine Meteorology
- Operational Bridge Watchkeeping
- Operational Maritime Law and Project Management
- Operational Naval Architecture and Stability
- Operational Passage Planning and Electronic Charts
- Work-based Learning (Operations)
- Basic Safety Training Week (BSTW) (STCW short course)
- Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (STCW short course)
Phase 2
- 30 weeks at sea (sea phase lengths are approximate and are subject to change)
Phase 3
- 21 weeks (this is approximate and subject to change)
- Applied Marine Meteorology
- Management of Bridge Operations
- Management of Passage Planning
- Management of Vessel Operations
- Marine Engineering and Vessel Management
What you'll study
Where you'll study
The main classroom teaching for this course is delivered from Solent University's East Park Terrace campus, located in Southampton city centre. All mandatory STCW maritime safety training courses are delivered from our Warsash campus.
We have a full range of industry-leading training facilities including bridge simulators and ECDIS suites where deck cadets can learn and develop their passage planning skills and navigate ships in an environment that closely resembles the equipment and layouts found on a modern ship's bridge.
Facilities
Simulation centre
As part of Solent's £43 million investment in maritime training facilities, the maritime simulation centre delivers the best in maritime training.
Find out more
Radio communications centre
The centre provides mandatory radio operations training for deck officers on large ships and superyachts.
Find out more
How to apply
Entry requirements
A minimum of 48 UCAS tariff points. Plus GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C) in the following subjects:
- Mathematics
- English
- Science (with significant Physical Science content)
Medical requirements
Officer cadets must be in good health and capable of passing the Merchant Navy Medical Examination (ENG1). Navigation officer cadets must also have normal colour vision and be able to pass the MCA sight test, although corrective lenses may be acceptable in certain cases.
Anyone contemplating a career as a ship’s officer would be well advised to take a medical examination and sight test as soon as possible to find out if there are any physical bars to their career aspirations.
The MCA holds a list of approved doctors throughout the UK who are able to provide ENG1 seafarer medical examinations. This list can be found here.
Nationality
British shipping companies will normally only recruit UK or European Union nationals. However, MCA certificates of competency may be awarded to people of any nationality and the training programmes are open to all.
A potential international candidate from outside the UK and EU should secure sponsorship from a suitable shipping company that will be able to provide appropriate sea service as part of the cadetship programme.
International students should also hold a formal international English Language Testing System (IELTS) certificate of at least 5.5, as a good knowledge of written and spoken English is required to commence the programme.
