Are you passionate about engineering? Do you want to use your skills in an exciting and varied environment? Training as an engineer officer cadet in the UK’s Merchant Navy will offer you the chance to travel the world while gaining valuable academic and practical engineering knowledge on a fully sponsored three-year marine engineer officer cadet programme at the world-renowned Warsash Maritime Academy.
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 Maritime Academy and seagoing periods to gain practical shipboard experience.
To enrol on an officer cadet training scheme, candidates apply directly to shipping companies, not through UCAS. This is because officer cadet training is fully sponsored by the shipping company, covering course fees and also providing the means for gaining the mandatory work-based learning on board ship. Cadets will often also receive a small salary or living allowance while they are training.
Marine engineer officers are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the ship’s main propulsion machinery and auxiliary plant, including deck machinery, air conditioning plants and domestic and electrical services. During their training at Warsash, engineer cadets are taught the necessary academic underpinning knowledge, as well as engineering workshop skills training, allowing them to develop a detailed understanding of the safe operation and maintenance of the engine room and auxiliary machinery of a modern merchant vessel.
What does this course lead to?
This programme will lead you to employment as a certified watchkeeping engineering officer on board a commercial (merchant) ship.
This foundation degree is also a progression route for the BEng (Hons) Marine Engineering and Management top-up course, providing the opportunity to further enhance your career prospects with a full honours degree.
Officer cadet training is fully sponsored by shipping companies and candidates should apply directly to shipping companies for sponsorship. The training scheme is accredited by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) and administered by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB).
Who is this course for?
This fully-sponsored training programme is a must for those who wish to become a marine engineer officer in the Merchant Navy. The course is suited to those who are looking for an interesting and varied career, and is ideal for those with strong engineering and analytical skills.
