Engineer Cadet - Higher National Diploma Route
About this course
This fully-sponsored cadet training programme leads to a HND Marine Engineering, as well as the award of a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Certificate of Competency (STCW’95 III/I OOW).
Officer cadet training schemes typically last for around three years and are split into five phases which alternate between academic studies, practical experience and safety training at Warsash, and seagoing periods to gain practical shipboard experience.
The training consists of five distinct but complementary elements:
- A higher education entry course, designed to prepare new entrants for study at HND level.
- Engineering workshop skills training at our St Mary's campus to MNTB-approved standard.
- Academic education to attain the HND in marine engineering and satisfy the underpinning knowledge (UPK) requirements for the IAMI written exams.
- Practical training on board ship, including completion of an MNTB Training Record Book. This enables cadets to develop the professional competency needed for initial certification by the 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.
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
- 27 weeks
- Maritime Electrical Machines
- Maritime Mathematics for Engineers
- Maritime Thermodynamics and Mechanics
- MNTB Workshop Skills and Technology
- STCW Basic Safety Training Week
Phase 2
- 28 weeks
Phase 3
- 32 weeks
- Operational Electrical and Electronic Control Systems
- Operational Marine Engineering Knowledge
- Operational Maritime Law and Project Management
- Operational Naval Architecture and Stability (Engineering)
- MNTB Workshop Skills; IAMI EK and MCA oral examination preparation
- STCW short courses: Human Element Leadership and Management(Operational) and Medical First Aid
Phase 4
- 30 weeks
What you'll study
Where you'll study
The classroom teaching and workshop instruction 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 the Warsash campus.
Facilities
Marine engineering workshops
Purpose-built and fully-equipped for teaching the use of machine tools, welding and electrical maintenance for marine engineers.
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Fire school
Our purpose built fire school provides a realistic but safe environment in which seafarers can learn the vital techniques of fighting fires at sea.
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How to apply
Entry requirements
Four GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C), including:
- Mathematics (preferably Higher Tier)
- Science (with significant Physical Science content)
- English or a subject using English (for example, history, geography, RE)
or
- Passes in four subjects in the Scottish Certificate of Education (as above)
or
- Passes in four subjects in the Northern Ireland Grammar School Senior Certificate Exam (as above)The qualifications detailed above are the industry minimum, but individual companies may require a higher standard.
Medical requirements
Officer cadets must be in good health and capable of passing the Merchant Navy Medical Examination (ENG1).
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, the 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 technical English is required to commence the programme.
