The Deck Officer program is a field of study that mixes the ancient techniques in navigation with the latest technology in the Maritime industry. At Nautical Studies Department, each academic program emphasizes hands-on experiences that expand on your classroom learning. Our Diploma and Bachelor degrees will enable you to implement the knowledge you gain through your study into future jobs. As a Deck Officer, you can grow within a shipping company from Officer in Charge of the Navigation Watch to Captain on a large ocean-going vessel. This great responsibility requires a thorough education and training.
During your education and training as a Deck Officer, you will learn to navigate, manoeuvre and in more general terms, to operate a ship. This includes safety courses like firefighting and lifesaving, cargo handling and stability of the ship, but also environmental and quality issues. The program is based on international standards and regulations and fully comply with IMO and STCW requirements. The academic program can lead to obtaining the professional Certificates of Competency of Officer on Watch, Chief Mate and Master Mariner issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
The Nautical Studies programme aims to provide students with relevant and quality Maritime Education and equip them with the knowledge they will need when they join the workplace.
The minimum entry requirements are:
General Education Diploma (Grade 12 Certificate) or equivalent.
All applicants must have completed English and Mathematics
For Nautical Studies programme, the students must be medically fit and with height of at least 140cm.
Students must also successfully complete the General Foundation Programme or provide equivalent scores in the three areas of the programme. The requirements are:
After being admitted to the college either via applying directly to the college or through the Higher Education Admission Center (HEAC), the students enroll at the college. The following documents and material are required to complete the registration:
In addition, international students must provide:
Diploma in Nautical Studies (Deck Officer)
The duration of the Deck Officer (DO) Programme at diploma Level is three years, equal to six semesters. Four semesters will be at IMCO, with semesters three and six at sea for an apprenticeship. A combined total of 12 months’ sea- and workshop time is required for DO students of which a minimum of 6 months should be sea-time. Students will also receive a Certificate of Completion (CoC) at Diploma Level. The CoC will be issued by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, Information Technology (MTC) after the diploma graduate has passed an oral examination conducted by MTC.
Bachelor of Science in Nautical Studies (Deck Officer)
The duration of the Deck Officer (DO) Programme at Bachelor Level is one year, equal to two semesters. For those officers and students who only want to receive a certificate of nautical science (deck officer) course at the management level, the opportunity is provided that at the end of the semester 7, the certificate of completion at Bachelor Level will be given after finishing the graduation project at semester 8.
After obtaining the Diploma and/or bachelor in Nautical Studies you will be qualified to work onboard vessels and in shore positions such as:
During your study you will be trained on state-of-the-art, full mission bridge simulators, to prepare you for a professional career at sea in the best possible manner. On the simulator you will learn to operate all the different instruments. This training is an excellent preparation for safe watch-keeping when you start working for a shipping company.