Officer of the Watch (HNC/Exam Route) for Experienced Seafarers

All modules have had their pass marks aligned to the MCA’s safety standards and you must achieve these to be awarded the HNC Nautical Science award.

Competency Assessment Preparation

The competency assessment preparation course has been designed to support candidates to prepare for the new MCA Ship Stability and Structure, and Navigation assessments administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in addition to preparing you for your MCA oral examination.

Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)

This short course takes place in the WMS Simulation Centre. It has been designed to equip you with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to keep a safe navigational watch using Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), interfaced with other onboard equipment to maintain safety and navigation.

Navigational Aids and Equipment Simulator Training (Operational Level) - NAEST(O)

This short course takes place in the WMS Simulation Centre. It has been designed to equip you with the essential education and training in the skills needed to keep a safe navigational watch and to use radar, Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA), Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), echo sounders, Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS), voyage data recorders (VDRs) and other electronic aids to maintain safe navigation.

Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)

This short course takes place in the specialised Deck Skills Workshop part of the newly opened South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT) facility located at our East Park Terrace campus. The course has been designed to provide seafarers who work in the deck department the essential education and training in seamanship to contribute to the safe and effective operation of a vessel.

Prerequisites

To enrol on this programme, international students must hold an appropriate English language qualification at IELTS 4.0 or equivalent. 

Additionally, before taking your MCA oral exam, you must hold STCW 95 certificates in Medical First Aid, Advanced Fire Fighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats, and a GMDSS General Operators Certificate  If you do not already hold these certificates, you can undertake the courses with us outside of the main certification course. 

You must also have a valid personal medical fitness certification recognised by the MCA. 

The additional prerequisites for achieving an Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency (CoC) can be found in MSN 1856 (M+F) - Amendment 1.

Course dates

Monday 13 April 2026 – Friday 18 December 2026 - apply direct here.

Course fee

£9,000

This package fee, which is designed to support self-sponsoring candidates, includes the HNC Nautical Science, competency assessment preparation, ECDIS, NAEST(O) and EDH courses. Please note that it does not include external examination fees.  Examinations may be booked here.