BSc (Hons) Maritime Science (Engineering) with Cadetship Programme
KEY FACTS
Faculty:
School of Maritime Science
Study Options:
Full Time
Start Date:
TBC
Level:
Undergraduate
Course Length:
3 Years
Qualification:
BSc (Hons) & Cadetship
Fees:
All Students: £9,535* per annum
*Additional fees will apply for your Cadetship, please contact us for more information.
*Fees are for the academic year 2025/26 and are subject to indexation.
Apply:
Applications are closed.
Placement Option:
Yes
The BSc (Hons) Maritime Science – Engineering with Cadetship at the University of Gibraltar combines academic study, sea placement, and professional preparation for a career as a marine engineer. Based in one of the world’s most strategic maritime hubs, the programme benefits from Gibraltar’s thriving shipping industry, access to Gibdock shipyard for hands-on experience, and direct exposure to real maritime operations. Students graduate with both a Level 6 degree and eligibility (subject to sea time and external examinations) for the Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) Certificate of Competency, approved by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Marine engineers are at the heart of global trade, ensuring ships operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From maintaining propulsion and electrical systems to driving environmental performance, their expertise keeps 80% of the world’s goods moving across oceans. At Gibraltar, you will not only gain technical and operational knowledge but also learn leadership and problem-solving skills that prepare you for both shipboard responsibilities and diverse onshore roles.
To support this, the University integrates innovative 3D modelling and simulation-based teaching, giving students a unique opportunity to visualise and understand the workings of complex marine machinery before experiencing them at sea. Combined with hands-on training at Gibdock and structured sea placement, this strong foundation enables cadets to transition more confidently into the engine room and prepares graduates to excel both offshore as engineers on vessels and onshore in technical management, ship repair, or maritime services.
Key Programme Takeaways
Gain In-Demand Expertise
Unlock Global Opportunities
Command High Earning Potential
Unlock The Path to Chief Engineer
Key Features
1) Guaranteed Placements
We collaborate with the Gibraltar Port Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration to arrange placements with reputable and well-regulated organisations. This ensures that our students benefit from guaranteed cadetship placements with major operators.
2) MCA Approved
Our programme has obtained UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approval with reduced sea time of 12 months. This means that our qualification has met the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code (II/1 and II/2 – Deck and III/1 and III/2 – Engineering).
3) Fully Qualified in Just Over 3 Years
Become a qualified seafarer, and achieve your BSc and Officer of the Watch (OOW) qualifications in just over 3 years. This includes the required 9-month sea time and 3-month shore based for the Cadetship, available thanks to our guaranteed placements, and STCW training courses.
Placements at Gibdock
“All the people I meet here, with the knowledge I got from the university works as a bridge, so I am able to connect the knowledge to the practical.”
Jose, Maritime Engineering Student
Guaranteed Cadetship Sea Placements
The University of Gibraltar collaborates with the Gibraltar Port Authority and the Gibraltar Maritime Administration to arrange placements with reputable and well-regulated organisations. This ensures that our students benefit from guaranteed cadetship placements with major operators.
Jacob McGowan-Griffin
Placement provider: Peninsula 360
Jose Alves Monteiro and Alexander Romanov Zelikov
Placement provider: Virgin Voyages
Leo Panayotti
Placement provider: Peninsula 360
Learn more about some of our Maritime placement providers:
Career Pathways
A career in maritime engineering begins with cadetship and progresses through a series of engineering officer ranks. Each stage builds technical expertise and hands-on experience in maintaining and managing ship systems. This pathway leads to the role of Chief Engineer, the senior technical authority on board, responsible for the safe and efficient operation of all machinery
Engine Cadet
Training, learning, maintenance support, watchkeeping, safety awareness.
4th Engineer
Machinery operations, auxiliary systems, maintenance, watchkeeping, safety checks.
3rd Engineer
Boilers, fuel systems, lubricants, engine performance, daily operations.
2nd Engineer
Supervision, main engine, maintenance planning, crew management, safety compliance.
Chief Engineer
Leadership, technical management, engine room operations, budgets, compliance, safety.
Shore-Based Career Opportunities
Graduates of Marine Engineering enjoy the freedom to chart versatile and exciting careers, whether navigating the seas or leading from shore. Many choose to pursue senior certifications, such as Second or Chief Engineer Officer, before transitioning to shore-based roles, while others move directly into land-based positions after graduation. With a combination of strong technical knowledge and real-world sea experience, our graduates are in high demand in the maritime industry. They can build exciting careers in various fields, with numerous opportunities for growth and success. These opportunities are not limited to, but can be as follows:
Marine Surveyor
Inspections, compliance, classification, flag state, safety, certification.
Technical Manager
Fleet management, maintenance, dry-dock, repairs, budgets, safety, environment.
Marine Consultant
Expertise, risk assessment, investigations, technical advice, legal/insurance.
Chartered Engineer
Professional recognition, competence, leadership, innovation, global standards.
Port Engineer
Port operations, maintenance, ship repairs, technical support.
Typical modules* include:
*The programme module content is currently under review and is subject to change in order to align with new professional body (MCA) requirements.*
A unique feature of this programme is that engineering and nautical students can work together through the programme’s joint modules. Module outline includes:
• Marine Propulsion and Auxiliary System
• Marine Electrical System
• Mechanics and Thermodynamics
• Material Science
• Marine Environment (Joint)
• Marine System Surveying (Joint)
• Ship Design & Construction (Joint)
• Naval Architecture and Stability (Joint)
• Leadership and Management (Joint)
• Business and Project Management (Joint)
Students are able to opt not to complete the final dissertation and /or the cadetship and exit with either a BSc (Ordinary) degree or a BSc (Hons) degree at an earlier stage in their final year of their studies. Speak to a member of our team to find out more.
“The maritime science course is helping me broaden my knowledge within this ever expanding industry, having no previous experience at sea I certainly feel that I’m in the right hands of an excellent team to succeed and accomplish my dream of career at sea.”
Ivan Viñales, BSc (Hons) Maritime Science student
Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approval
The University of Gibraltar’s cadet programme has obtained Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) Approval with reduced sea time of 12 months.
Our BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with cadetship programmes have obtained MCA approval. This means that the qualification BSc Maritime Science has been approved as meeting the requirements of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code (II/1 and II/2 – Deck and III/1 and III/2 – Engineering).
In addition, the University of Gibraltar has also been approved as an Examination Centre for MCA Safety (Deck) and Professional Exams Engineering, which are currently administered by the Scottish Quality Authority (SQA) and International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI).
Access to Higher Education Programme
Should you not meet the entry requirements for our BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Cadetship programme, our admissions team may recommend you complete the Access to Higher Education summer programme.
Speak to our Student Services Team
Have a question about student life in Gibraltar, or want to find out more about the BSc (Hons) Maritime Science with Cadetship programme?
Schedule a video call to speak to a member of our Student Services Team! Christian, Michelle and Vanessa are on-hand to talk to you about all things University of Gibraltar!
QAA Global Accreditation
The University is delighted to have achieved global accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the UK’s independent quality body and a global leader in quality assurance for higher education.
“In achieving QAA’s global accreditation, the University has displayed its compatibility with international best practice.”
Vicki Stott, UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Chief Executive.
WHY UNIGIB?
Entry Requirements
Typically, all applicants should have:
- BCC at ‘A level’, (104 UCAS) or international equivalent e.g. international baccalaureate at a score 16 or above.
- Relevant industry experience is also beneficial but not required.
All applicants should have:
- 5 GCSE’s A*– C (grade 4 or above post 2017) including English Language (min grade C or grade 4 ) and Mathematics (min grade B or grade 6 ) or international equivalent. Alternatively, evidence (i.e. accreditation/recognition) of relevant industry experience or prior Certificated and Experiential Learning.
- Strong communications skills with the ability to communicate your ideas effectively in discussions, presentations and writing.
- Basic IT skills, such as word-processing, email and Internet.
English Language Requirements:
- An overall IELTS test result of 6.0, including a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-tests. Equivalent awards will be considered (e.g. Pearson’s Test of English, Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English, Duolingo English Test, City & Guilds International ESOL 8984, or the TOEFL- IBT test of English proficiency). If you do not meet our entry requirements, you can still apply as we will consider your application.
Offers are based on a combination of qualifications or predicted grades, the applicant’s personal statement and references. For guidelines on personal statements and references please click here.
Fees
| Region | FEE PER ANNUM |
| Home | £9,535* |
| International and EU | £12,500* (For 2025, international and EU fees will be the same as Home fees) |
*Additional costs: while most programme costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources such as Uniforms and PPE, or other optional extras may need to be paid for separately. Current costs associated with purchase of Uniforms and PPE are approximately £290. There are additional fees for the cadetship, further details can be obtained from the students services team.
*Final year project: As your final year includes a research project, there may be additional costs associated with your research activities (e.g. transport or accommodation). The amount will depend on the project you choose.
This programme will be run subject to minimum numbers being met.
Note: the above fees are for the Academic year 2025/26 and are subject to indexation.
Apply
Applications are currently closed.
If you are unsure of which route you would like to study, you have up until the end of your first semester of study to decide on which route you would like to commit to.
Please note that regardless of your decision to specialise in either Engineering or Nautical, candidates will be given the option to swap specialities after the first semester from Engineering to Nautical or vice versa.
Contact us via the enquire button for more information.
Bursaries and Scholarships
The University of Gibraltar hosts or directly offers a limited number of scholarship programmes to support your studies. These scholarships are highly competitive; they are available to support undergraduate, Master’s degree and PhD programmes and are made available to students based on certain criteria.
Enquire
Contact UsYou can also call us and speak to one of our team on +350 200 71000.
Student Accommodation
Accommodation for University of Gibraltar students is available at the purpose built Europa Suites, located just a two-minute walk from our Europa Point Campus.
Face to face teaching
We are committed to providing an excellent learning experience that is personal and participative. That’s why we have decided to continue the face-to-face delivery of our programmes.
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