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FdEngMarine Engineering

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Starting in: 2025
Campus: St Mary'sView on Google Maps

Why study a marine engineering cadetship degree at Solent University

Prepare for the exciting prospect of travelling the world in the Merchant Navy to become a marine engineer officer, delivered from the world-renowned Warsash Maritime School.

  • 0st
    in the UK for teaching satisfaction in mechanical engineering (out of 67 institutions) (Guardian Uni Guide 2025)
  • 0years
    of providing maritime training to seafarers
  • £0m
    investment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
  • 89% of employed graduates who responded to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (from 2021 to 2024) were in high-skilled employment.
  • Seafaring experience included, with time at sea built into the course, offering real-world experience.
  • Graduates have gone on to roles with companies including: Bibby, Aberdeen; Lloyd’s Register, London; Odjfjell Tankers, Bergen; Cargill, Geneva; Carnival UK; and the International Maritime Organization.
  • Cadetships are fully sponsored by shipping or maritime companies.
  • Warsash Maritime School has a full range of industry-leading training facilities including an engineering workshop with facilities for bench/hand fitting, use of machine tools, welding, marine power plant and electrical maintenance.
  • Engineer officer cadets spend around 450 hours in the workshop, where they can learn and develop their practical workshop skills, such as use and care of hand tools, drilling machines, lathes and welding.
  • A world-class hub of maritime excellence, our Warsash Maritime School has over 70 years' history of maritime education, and an international reputation for quality.
  • Study in the heart of Southampton - a major hub in the UK and European maritime and shipping industry.

Course overview

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 School 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, 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.

This course is part of the South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT), a partnership of colleges, universities and industry-leading employers to create new career opportunities in the technology sector. IoT courses like this one are precisely tailored to the needs of employers in the maritime, engineering and digital industries – industries which are hungry for talented new engineers, technologists, technicians and creatives like you.

Any questions?

Contact UK admissions

Email: admissions@solent.ac.ukCall: 023 8201 5066

Contact international admissions

Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066

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Course features

  • Professional accreditation

    This course has been accredited by a professional body

  • Specialist facilities

    This course has access to specialist facilities

  • Apply direct

    You can apply direct to Solent University for this course

  • Further studies

    After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent

Who is this course is 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.

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.

Meet the team

Warsash Maritime School is a world leader in maritime education and training, with close links to the marine industry. The extensive professional experience of academic staff ensures that the course draws on real-world case studies and equips you with practical, readily applicable knowledge and skills.

The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

Warsash Maritime School has a full range of industry-leading training facilities including an engineering workshop with facilities for bench/hand fitting, use of machine tools, welding, marine power plant and electrical maintenance.

Engineer officer cadets spend around 450 hours in the workshop, where they can learn and develop their practical workshop skills, such as use and care of hand tools, drilling machines, lathes and welding.

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