College of the Sea

Want to study for a Masters degree, but don’t have a first degree?

Frustrated that your Class 1 Certificate of Competency and considerable operational experience has little academic equivalence?

Can’t afford to take time off work to study?

Coming ashore, but not sure which area to specialise in? Here’s a solution…

Work Based Learning and Professional Studies programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels provide a generic framework that enables individuals to bring the specific content of their own work and/or other life experience to life, in programmes that are at a level suitable for them.

All programmes offer the opportunity to customise your own programme of study, thus placing you firmly in charge of your own learning experience. You can tailor the content of your programme to your own work and career needs, in partnership with the University and your employer (where applicable).

Most candidates are part-time mature people, who undertake Work Based Learning and Professional Studies programmes alongside paid employment for continuing professional development purposes. This is excellent news for seafarers. It means they don’t need to come ashore to study and can instead continue their careers at sea – and, not surprisingly, there’s a huge cost-saving!

This route to a Masters degree has been made available by Middlesex University recognising the worth of the Class 1 CoC professional qualification - granting equivalence to 60 credits at the UK Higher Education level 4, and a further 20 credits at UK Higher Education level 3 if a seafarer holds an HND as part of his Class 1 CoC (as most UK-qualified seafarers post 1988 do).

That’s at least a third of the way to a Masters degree!

As it’s delivered by distance learning, students don’t need to attend a college and they can commence the course at a date convenient to them.

The course programme has two objectives: to improve the professional practice of the students and to enhance their analytical and evaluative skills.

A typical programme for a seafarer who’s Class 1 Certificate of Competency also includes an HND comprises two semesters:

• Semester 1. Programme Planning. This provides an opportunity for the student to negotiate the title of their degree based on the chosen project and its associated required research. It also includes a review of a student’s prior training and professional achievement.

• Semester 2. The Project. This is work based, and must generate significant new knowledge from data gathered in the work place. Data and conclusions are compared with academic and professional sources to identify means of individual and corporate performance improvement.

Assessment is through coursework that includes essays and project work, and a portfolio of your professional practice.

Successful completion of the programme bestows the award of an MSc or MA in Professional Practice (“project title”) from Middlesex University. The words in the brackets will be aligned with the title of the project which may be in any area of professional maritime practice, enabling the student to draw on his/her experience as a seafarer.

To be eligible for this programme the student must have held a Class 1 CoC for a minimum of five years. There’s no need to have passed any specific level of any examination, but proficiency in the English language is a requirement.

Internet access isn’t necessary: a fully featured DVD is made available to seafarers that contains the most salient information they might otherwise have gleaned elsewhere. Full tutor support is offered via email, fax, phone or post.

With underpinning practical support provided by The Marine Society, learners can be assured that the programme is seafarer-friendly and as such can be tailored to suit lifestyle constraints and external factors that may cause study interruptions.

This programme offers a truly outstanding opportunity for senior seafarers who wish to study for a higher degree.

It’s the only degree of its type on offer from the UK that gives academic credit for a seafarers’ professional achievement, and compared to other higher degree programmes, it’s highly affordable.

The cost to the UK/EU learner is £4,080 (this is the current 2008/09 fee rate). The corresponding international (non-EU) fee is £6,130.

Please note the above indication of fees is just a guide: they are set by the IWBL, and an accurate projection is available from IWBL upon application.

Financial support may be available for UK domiciled seafarers from The Marine Society.

This may take the form of an interest free loan or (funds permitting) a scholarship. For more information visit scholarships and loans or contact us

The Marine Society can also supply a recommended reading list and books - at a discounted price.

Interested? Like to find out a bit more?

We'll happily arrange to send you more information with absolutely no commitment. We can do this sending hard copy or electronic mail.

Please use the form here to request more information. Be sure to state your interest in Work Based Learning degrees for seafarers.

We look forward to being of service.

Interested? Like to find out a bit more?

We'll happily arrange to send you more information with absolutely no commitment. We can do this sending hard copy or electronic mail.

Please use the form here to request more information. Be sure to state your interest in Work Based Learning degrees for seafarers.

We look forward to being of service.