Maritime Skills NQ

What is special about this course?

This course will allow you to explore the many different specialities and career paths open to you in the maritime sector. 

We mix practical and theoretical activities to help you get the skills employers value in most entry level jobs.   

You will learn about the make-up of the modern maritime industry, about how the industry as a whole works and how individual vessels work.  

You will learn about what keeps boats and ships stable, even when they are loaded or busy working. We’ll teach you the practicalities of boat handling, including the vital skill of keeping a ‘watch’, i.e. keeping alert to what’s going on all around you all the time.  

Different parts of the maritime industries have their own requirements: working on a ferry is different from using a small boat in a fish farm, or helping to run a marina. But they all have certain things in common, like working safely on board, safe and reliable ways of casting-off and mooring again, and understanding the basic rules about how boats and ships behave.  

This course will help you understand where your future career may be and give you the basic skills to get you started. 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course however we recommend that you have an interest in maritime activities and enjoy a challenge.  

You should have a good level of general fitness and be able to swim as you will be training aboard the College RHIBs and taking part in Sea Survival training in a swimming pool.   

• Basic Navigational Watchkeeping

• Securing a Vessel for Passage

• Vessel Construction and Stability

• Boat Handling Skills 1

• RYA Powerboat 1

• RYA Powerboat 2

• RYA Essential Navigation

• RYA Day Skipper Theory

• Weather 1 

• RYA VHF

• RYA First Aid

• RYA Professional Practice and Responsibilities

• RYA Diesel Engine

• SQA Coastal Navigation

• Prep for STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR)

• Prep for STCW Proficiency in Maritime Security Awareness (MSA)

• Guidance / Metaskills

Equipment

Your bursary (for full time students) will cover the costs of personal protective clothing and lifejackets with be provided for you. 

Fees

Most full-time students will automatically have their course fees paid for this course.   

If you have recently moved to, or do not normally live in Scotland, you may need to pay £5,970 in course fees, these can be paid in instalments. Families of Armed Services personnel are subject to different fees regulations and may also have to pay course fees. If you think this may apply to you, please contact us and we can advise you. 

This course is not available to students who require a Tier 4 Home Office visa to study in Scotland (international or EU). 

Part-time FE students who are on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits may also have their course fees paid for them. Please refer to page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide to see if you are eligible.  

Each single SQA unit costs £90. You may be able to apply for an Individual Training Account (ITA) to cover up to £200 of part time fees. 

Funding

Bursary for Living Costs 

If you are 18 years of age or over on the start date of your course, and will be studying full-time you may be eligible for bursary funding, depending on your household income. Our bursary fund is finite and is allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis so it’s important to make your application for bursary as soon as the application process opens in July. You will need to have accepted our offer before you apply. 

If you are under 18 you may be eligible for EMA. EMA is paid at a rate of £30 per week dependent on your total household income.  

Please see page 2 of our Fees and Funding Guide for full details of Bursary and EMA.  

You may also be eligible for assistance with travel and childcare, and we have discretionary funds for those students in need. You can find all the information you need in our funding pages.