About this course
This course has been designed to support candidates who have already achieved their Engineer Officer of the Watch licence and who wish to apply for a management level licence (Second/Chief Engineer) and perform the senior engineering roles on board Merchant Navy vessels.
This online course will support you in preparing for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Management Level Engineering Knowledge (General and Motor) external examination, administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
What you'll study
This online course consists of a six-week study programme following which you may apply to take the external written exams, covering 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 online using the University's Solent Online Learning (SOL) platform.
Participating candidates will benefit from the combined expertise of a team of experienced marine engineering and electrical lecturers as well as subject matter experts. Together, they will use a variety of teaching and learning techniques including presentations, group discussions, professional dialogue, and past paper dissection to ensure full engagement with the topics.
Throughout the course you will have digital access to course materials including notes and presentations. The examples presented during the course will reference the latest developments and technologies including equipment designed and developed by reputable manufacturers such as MAN B&W and Wärtsilä.
On concluding the course with a minimum of 80% attendance (a requirement of the MCA to sit the management engineering examinations), each participant will receive a certificate of completion. This certificate will be provided in both digital and physical formats.
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:
Note, 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 15 September - Friday 24 October 2025 - apply direct here.
Monday 5 January - Friday 13 February 2026 - apply direct here.
Monday 13 April - Friday 29 May 2026 - apply direct here.
Course fee
£2,400
Please note that this does not include the external examination fee. Examinations may be booked here.
