About this course
This four-week, in-person course provides enhanced preparation for the management engineering examinations conducted by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), eventually leading to a management level engineer certificate of competency (CoC). It is the ideal complement to our six-week online Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) Preparation course.
The course is designed for Engineer Officers of the Watch (EOOWs) who wish to proceed to a management level licence (Second/Chief Engineer) and perform the senior engineering roles on board Merchant Navy vessels.
Successful participants will develop improved confidence and master good exam technique, boosting the chances of exam success and progression.
What you'll study
This classroom-based course consists of a four-week study programme structured around group review of past exam questions and markers’ feedback.
In a typical session, facilitated group discussions and professional dialogue will be used to brainstorm relevant answers to exam questions. This approach draws upon the shared knowledge and experience of the participants working as a high-performance team. Good exam techniques will be demonstrated and participants supported to structure individual answers that meet the examiners’ requirements.
The course covers the MCA Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) examination syllabus, including:
- Motor engineering knowledge
- General engineering knowledge
- Legislation
- Electrical knowledge
- Ship construction
- Boilers
- Control and instrumentation
Course delivery
The course is delivered in-person at the University's East Park Terrace campus in the centre of Southampton.
Participating students will benefit from the combined expertise of a team of experienced marine engineering and electrical lecturers as well as subject experts.
The questions and answers presented during the course are based on detailed analysis of recent exams. The course materials feature examples of machinery and equipment designed and developed by reputable manufacturers (such as MAN B&W and Wärtsilä) and installed aboard modern merchant vessels.
Candidates will have access to online books and reference materials through the University's Solent Online Learning (SOL) platform.
On concluding the course, participants will have developed confidence in a variety of techniques to successfully sit the MCA Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) examinations.
Additional prerequisites
It is beneficial for candidates undertaking the Engineering Knowledge (EK) examinations, to have completed 12 months’ seagoing service, while holding an EOOW III/1 Certificate of Competency (CoC) on vessels of at least 750 kW in engine power.
The additional prerequisites for achieving a management level CoC can be found in MSN 1857 (M+F) - Amendment 1.
To support your application for a CoC you may also wish to consider the below courses:
Please note that completion of the Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) Preparation: Online delivery course is a requirement to be entered for the EK Management exam. This Question-and-Answer course is optional and designed to supplement your knowledge and exam technique.
Please also note that to be issued with a management level CoC, in addition to the management engineering examinations this course will prepare you for, you will also be required to undertake an MCA oral exam at either second or chief engineer level. These examinations are arranged and funded by candidates independently.
Course dates and applications
Monday 10 November - Friday 5 December 2025 - apply direct here.
Monday 23 February - Friday 20 March 2026 - apply direct here.
Monday 15 June - Friday 10 July 2026 - apply direct here.
Course fee
£1,100
Please note that this does not include the external examination fee. Examinations may be booked here.
