Blackpool and The Fylde College

Fleetwood Nautical Campus,

Broadwater
Fleetwood
FY7 8JZ
United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)1253 504800
Email: maritime@blackpool.ac.uk
COURSE DETAILS
Course title SQA HNC Nautical Science / SQA Exam Route
Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited Certificate of Competency (CoC)

Accredited by This is an Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) qualification

Award to be received SQA Level 4 HNC in Nautical Science

Regulated by Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)

Duration of Course
Location of Study
The HNC NSc is nominally 25 weeks; however Deck Officer of the Watch programme
is 36 weeks to include all short course requirements from MCA. This may vary
marginally to meet SQA examination dates. Please note the duration of this course
does not include term breaks.
The HNC in Nautical Science will be delivered at
Blackpool & the Fylde College,
Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Broadwater, Fleetwood,
Lancashire, FY7 8JZ United Kingdom

COURSE UNIT DETAILS:

The HNC in Nautical Science accredited by the SQA incorporates the following modules.

MODULE CODE TITLE

HT6L 34 Chart work and Tides

HR02 34 Navigational Mathematics and Science

HT6M 34 Marine Meteorology: An Introduction

HR03 34 Bridge Watch-keeping

HR04 34 Marine Cargo Operations

HR06 34 Ship Stability: An Introduction

HR07 34 Naval Architecture: Ship Construction

HR09 35 Celestial Navigation

HT0K 34 Nautical Science Graded Unit 1

ADDITIONAL UNITS
The following additional Units will be required for students who require an Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency,

Marine Emergency Response and

HR0C 34
Communications

HR0D 34 Marine Law and Management

SCQF level 7 is broadly equivalent to QCF level 4.

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1

 UNIT COMPOSITION
Below are the details of each Unit, the hours of teaching delivered and expected hours of self-study.
Chart work And Tides Credits: 16 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 80 (hours)

Independent Learning 80 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

160 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

Navigational Mathematics And Science Credits: 12 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 36 (hours)

Independent Learning 84 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

120 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

Marine Meteorology: An Introduction Credits: 8 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 40 (hours)

Independent Learning 40 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

80 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

Bridge Watch-keeping Credits: 8 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 40 (hours)

Independent Learning 40 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

80 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

Marine Cargo Operations Credits: 12 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 60 (hours)

Independent Learning 60 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

120 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1

Ship Stability: An Introduction Credits: 12 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 60 (hours)

Independent Learning 60 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

120 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

Naval Architecture: Ship Construction Credits: 8 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 40 (hours)

Independent Learning 40 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

80 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

Nautical Science: Graded Unit 1 Credits: 8 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 0 (hours)

Independent Learning 80 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

80 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

Marine Emergency Response And Communication Credits: 8 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 40 (hours)

Independent Learning 40 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

80 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 50%

Assessment 2 Standard Signals Examination Pass/fail

Marine Law And Management: An Introduction Credits: 8 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 40 (hours)

Independent Learning 40 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

80 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 EXAM 100%

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1

 Celestial Navigation Credits: 16 ACTUAL (module has run previously)

Scheduled Teaching & Learning 80 (hours)

Independent Learning 80 (hours)

Placement Learning 0 (hours)

Total Learning Expected: Recorded: (hours)

160 0
Description Assessment Type (KIS) Weighting Confirm

Assessment 1 PRACTICAL PASS/FAIL

Assessment 2 EXAM 100%

EXAMINATIONS (Methods of Assessment)

UNIT METHODS/TIME OF ASSESSMENT

HT6L 34 - Chart-work and Tides 2 Hour Exam

HR02 34 - Navigational Mathematics and Science 2 Hour Exam

HT6M 34 Marine Meteorology: An Introduction 2 Hour Exam

HR03 34 Bridge Watch keeping 2 Hour Exam

HR04 34 Marine Cargo Operations 2 Hour Exam

HR06 34 Ship Stability: An Introduction 2 Hour Exam

HR07 34 Naval Architecture: Ship Construction 2 Hour Exam

HR09 35 Celestial Navigation 1 Practical + 2 Hour Exam

HR0C 34 Marine Emergency Response and Communications 2 Hour Exam + MCA Signals Exam

HR0D 34 Marine Law and Management 2 Hour Exam

HT0K 34 Nautical Science Graded Unit 3 Hour Exam

 MCA Navigation Exam (MCA External Exam Conducted by SQA)

 MCA Stability & Operations Exam (MCA External Exam Conducted by SQA)
 External MCA Orals Exam (to be taken at the MCA)

PROGRAMME AIMS

To achieve HNC in Nautical Science and obtain the Officer of the Watch Unlimited Certificate of Competency (CoC)
The HNC Nautical Science aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and key skills required to
allow further study at HND. Students will achieve an understanding of basic Navigation, Shipboard Operations,
and Shipboard Management and solve problems from an operational perspective. Students will also develop
practice skills through on board training.

Successful completion of this programme will enable you to:

 Progress towards you obtaining a Certificate of Competency as an Officer of the Watch.

 Take responsibility of keeping a watch at sea and in port.
 Effectively navigate a vessel by traditional and modern means.
 Operate a vessel in a safe and effective manner.
 Work with others in a safe and effective manner.
 Develop skills to deal with emergency situations.
 Develop awareness of current maritime legislation.
 Prepare for the MCA written and oral examinations at Officer of the Watch level.

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1

 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS / ELIGIBILITY
• Experienced seafarer route candidates must hold 36 months sea-time on sea going vessels of >24m length, <80GT
with minimum of 6 months of Bridge Watch-keeping; minimum 6 months of this 36 months sea time must be within the
last 5 years.

You are required to produce a statement from your employer(s), or the Master(s) under whom you have served, that at
least 6 of the last 12 months of their sea service have been spent on navigational watch keeping duties under the
supervision of a certified officer. These duties may include keeping a lookout on the bridge or acting as helmsman but
should not generally exceed 2 months out of the required 6 months. Where watch keeping service is required for other
certificates, candidates must provide proof of having served as watch keeping officer for not less than 8 hours out of
every 24 hours service claimed.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS (International learners only)

The Secure English Language (SELT) now available to students is the International English Language Testing System
certificate IELTS for UKVI. Students must score a minimum grade of 4.0 in each of the following elements, Listening,
Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Due to the waiting time for IELTS for UKVI appointments we strongly recommend that you have your test
appointment arranged in advance.

For further information regarding test dates and your local test centre, please go to the IELTS website
http://www.ielts.org/default.aspx

BREAKDOWN OF FEES IN (£):

The following fees relate to courses which commence from 1st August 2019 to 31st July 2020
Bookings made for courses that start after this date will be subject to a price increase.

Module 1 Officer of The Watch (HNC) EU & Non EU Students( £)

The cost of the MCA Orals examination is not included in the course fees

Module 1 Tuition 6500

Signals – 3 year validity (MCA requirement) 175
SQA Examination Fee 250
Orals preparation 670
Awarding body Registration 165
Efficient Deck Hand 580
NAEST (O) includes 1 week BWP 1870
Human Element Leadership and Management [HELM (O)] Included
TOTAL 10,210
You will appreciate that some of the costs (Exam/Registration fees) are set externally and the College has no control over them.
Regrettably if they should be increased before starting your course we will pass the increase to you.

You will be entered for your SQA examination on the 5th week of your course. Any requested transfers after this time will be charged
a £45 transfer fee. Late exam entries will be charged an external SQA fee of £25. These charges are set externally and out of
college control.

All students
Module 2 Officer of The Watch (STCW Short Courses) (If required)
Fee (£)
PSC&RB 720
Medical First Aid 500
GMDSS (GOC) 1105
GMDSS (GOC) examination fee 180
Advanced Fire Fighting 1000
If you require any additional short courses eg TASCO, please email maritimeshortcourses@blackpool.ac.uk

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1

 ADDITIONAL COSTS
Mandatory requirements - writing materials and drawing instruments for taking notes and Chart-work which can be
purchased from college or any other supplier; when purchasing standard items, the cost will not normally exceed £100.
You will be required to purchase these at the start of the course.

PAYMENT OF FEES

Methods of payment;
The College does not accept cash for payment of deposits or tuition fees. Travellers cheque and individual’s
foreign cheques are also not accepted. Payments may be made by the following methods only;

 Bankers draft – made payable to Blackpool and The Fylde College

 Bank transfer (bank details provided on request)
 Invoice (if company sponsored – EU learners & EU companies only and by prior agreement)
 Credit / Debit Card

Payment schedule; Overseas Learners

 A deposit of £1,000 is required at the time of booking.
 Students booked on a course that commence in September and May are required to pay the FULL
balance including short courses no later than 4 working weeks before the start date of the course.
The latest we can accept a booking for this course is 6 weeks prior to the course start date and
Full payment will be required at this late stage.

 Students booked on a course that commence in January are required to pay the FULL balance
including short courses no later than 6 working weeks before the start date of the course. (please note
the College will be closed for 2 weeks for the Christmas break)
The latest we can accept a booking for this course is 8 weeks prior to the course start date and
Full payment will be required at this late stage

Deposits/payments may be carried forward for a maximum period of 2 years which commences at the start date of
your initial course booked
Any additional short course requirements identified on arrival at College must be paid for in full at the time
of booking.

The College will not issue a CAS or Student Visitor Visa letter unless full payment has been received in
the timescale detailed above.

Payment schedule; EU Learners

Payment in full for the balance of all course fees including any short courses required must be paid at
enrolment/arrival at College.
Payment can be made using one of the following methods:

 Cheque, bankers draft, BACS payment payable to Blackpool and The Fylde College
 Credit or debit card

Deposits/payments may be carried forward for a maximum period of 2 years which commences at the start date of
your initial course booked

Company Sponsored Students (EU) ONLY

 All Companies who require an invoice facility must already hold a College account.
 Invoice facilities are not available for international students unless for specific courses and by strict prior
arrangement

Payment terms are strictly 45 days

 New Companies requiring an account / invoice facility must pay for their first student at booking stage, after which
an account may be requested / arranged. Please note credit checks will be carried out.
 All invoice addresses and contacts must be within the UK/EU
 Companies remain responsible for the payment of the invoice in the event of the student leaving the Company.

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1

Off-Premises and Distance Contracts Only:
Your contract with the College is formed on the date of your booking. You have a statutory right to cancel or withdraw
your booking. Under Regulation 30 of the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges)
Regulations 2013 this statutory termination right ends 14 days after the day on which the contract is entered into.
If you wish to cancel this contract, this must be received in writing by sending an email, making a clear statement
setting out your decision of your intention to cancel to Maritime@blackpool.ac.uk
If the course is to commence within 14 days or less you are making an express request for us to the provide you with
the course/service within the statutory cancellation period. If the course/service is provided within the statutory
cancellation period and you notify the College of your decision to cancel the contract in accordance with Regulation 32,
you are liable to pay the College fees in accordance with Regulation 36(4).
Under Regulation 36(4), you must pay the College an amount: For supply of the service for the period for which it is
supplied ending with the time when the College is informed of the decision to terminate the contract; and which is in
proportion to what has been supplied in comparison to the full coverage of the contract.

Student Loan Company (EU STUDENTS ONLY)

If you are applying to the Student Loan Company for tuition fee loan/grant we advise you do this before the start
date of your course. Please note tuition fee loans/grants are paid direct to the College and may be used for
statutory HE fees only, i.e. cannot be used to fund any short courses. Please refer to the SLC website where full
information is available on fee loans/grants and maintenance awards www.slc.co.uk

HE SLC - important information

 Any learner who leaves with in the first two weeks of their course will not be subject to any fees and will be entitled
to a refund of any fees that have already been paid.
 Any learner who withdraws from their course in the 1st term will be liable for 25 % of the fees as per SLC loans.
 Any Learner who leaves in the 2nd term will be liable for 50% of the fees as per SLC loans.
 Any Learner leaving in the 3rd term of their course will be liable for the full fee as per SLC loans. Only in exceptional
circumstances will we consider reviewing individuals’ situations, for example in cases such as serious illness (etc)

STAFF LEVEL
All staff teaching on higher education programmes within the college are approved in respect of the subjects and
modules that they deliver. Staff Approval is controlled by the Code of Staffing for HE Staffing Approval procedure and
is governed by the following regulations:

Chapter B3 of the UK Quality Code

Awarding body partners guidance.

All HE Staff hold the following to meet Staffing approval:

Approved in respect of specific modules on named courses

Formal qualifications at the level above and in the subject areas
An appropriate teaching qualification(or working towards one)
Relevant and current industrial experience and/or professional practice.
Experience of teaching at the level and in the subject area applied for
Evidence engagement with scholarship, research, consultancy or professional activity appropriate to the level
and subject area applied for.
Evidence of successful, imaginative or innovative teaching development

PREPARATION (While on the ship, familiarise yourself with):

 ROR, buoyage systems, MSNs and MGNs, LSA and FFA, safety management system, basic maths (algebra
and trigonometry), basic navigation and stability.

 Keep a record of your last ship certificates (particularly Safety Equipment Certificate), LSA and FFA
arrangements, cargo carried and preparations and precautions for the carriage of cargo.

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1

 COURSE START DATES

Fleetwood Nautical Campus offers Three (3) courses per year.

19/20 dates (Including NAEST O, EDH & Orals Preparation)

02nd September 2019 to 26 June 2020

06th January 2020 for 36 weeks (including short courses)
26th May 2020 for 36 weeks (including short courses)

The duration of the Officer of the Watch course, including short courses is nominally 36 weeks, however,
this may vary marginally to meet SQA examination dates. All short courses are taken after the completion
of the 26 week HNC.

TERMS and CONDITIONS

Refer to booking form

OOW Course info sheet 19.20 V1