Nautical Science

The Certificate of Higher Education in Nautical Science (CertHE) at our Lowestoft campus is centred on professional competency development and is designed to provide you with the skills and academic knowledge necessary to understand the complex interactions between the marine environment, human factors, and technology.

This development is facilitated by our staff's blend of academic and professional expertise, often gained from previous careers in ship command or as deck officers in the Merchant Navy.

This combination of scholarly knowledge and first-hand maritime insight enables you to benefit from a curriculum that is both academically rigorous and grounded in real-world practice. Through their mentorship, you will gain a nuanced understanding of the marine industry, human factors, and the role of technology in modern shipping operations.

The certificate comprises 120 mandatory credits at FHEQ Level 4 and offers the foundational knowledge required for officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships, as specified in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) (Section A-II/1) and is Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved.

The nautical science course enhances practical, interpersonal, and social skills essential for a maritime career and fosters complex, vocationally-specific reading and report-writing abilities. This comprehensive training ensures that graduates are well-rounded professionals, capable of navigating the challenges of the maritime sector both on and off the water.

By equipping you with these skills, the CertHE in nautical science opens up a wide range of career opportunities within the maritime industry.
We also offer the DipHE Nautical Science course at Level 5 study.

What you'll study

The CertHE Nautical Science course serves as a comprehensive introduction for cadets aspiring to embark on careers within the maritime industry. Taught by experienced instructors, the course content is underpinned by real-world expertise and practical insight, covering a range of modules from operational maritime law and project management to marine meteorology.

This blend of learning ensures that you are not only well-versed in the technical aspects of nautical science but also adept at tackling challenges unique to the marine sector.

To progress toward professional qualification, you must successfully complete all mandatory ancillary courses and pass the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Written and Oral examinations. Achieving this milestone awards graduates a certificate of competency, enabling you to serve as a deck officer aboard merchant vessels.

The CertHE extends its value beyond seafaring, equipping you with skills applicable to a wide array of roles within the UK and international maritime industries, including shore-based opportunities in management, operations, logistics, and maritime safety.

In addition to technical proficiency, the nautical science course is dedicated to nurturing practical, interpersonal, and social skills which are vital for effective teamwork, leadership, and communication in the maritime environment. You will also refine complex, vocationally specific reading and report-writing abilities, preparing you to produce high-quality documentation and analysis required at management levels within the industry.

The CertHE’s holistic approach ensures that graduates emerge as versatile professionals, capable of adapting to diverse challenges and responsibilities both at sea and on land.

It's not too late to study at London’s 2nd highest-rated university for student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2026).

UWL's world-class facilities and outstanding teaching will give you all the tools you need to succeed. Musicians can rehearse in performance rooms, audio recording spaces and a 200 seat black box studio. Pilots can brave the storm in the Boeing 737 flight simulator. Lawyers can perfect their argument in the mock courtrooms, and chefs can whip up delicious creations in industry-standard kitchens and serve real customers at Pillars, the student-run fine-dining restaurant located on campus.

You'll also be learning in one of the world's best student cities (2026 QS Best Student Cities) - think Saturday afternoons in Covent Garden, study sessions in the British Library and live concerts in the O2 arena. With scholarships and bursaries reserved for Clearing applicants, no ambition is out of reach!