Nautical Science (BSc) (Level 7)

at Cork Institute Technology

Semester Schedules
 

Admission Requirements:
 

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

• score the necessary CAO points and
• meet the minimum entry requirements
   

Leaving Certificate in five subjects i.e. Grade O6 or H7 in five subjects. The five subjects must include Mathematics, and either English or Irish, and note the following:
 

• Note 1: The programme is normally available only to Irish citizens and EU citizens who are ordinarily resident in Ireland.
   

• Note 2: Applicants must pass the approved medical fitness and eyesight tests as specified by the Irish Maritime Administration of the Department of Transport, and are strongly advised to attend a career advisory session. Offer of a place on the course will be subject to passing the medical and eyesight tests at the time of offer
   

• Note 3: Applicants, other than those indicated in Note 1, will need to be sponsored by an approved internationally trading shipping company, provide an IELTS score of 6.5, and also meet the medical and eyesight requirements for a sea going career.
   

• Note 4: Applicants should note that in order to qualify for an Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency (CoC), the Department of Transport has set additional criteria with respect to minimum pass marks, academic progression, and students with dyslexia. 
   

• Note 5: Applicants who are non-Irish citizens should ensure that they qualify for the issuance of a Seafarer's Discharge Book in their home country.

The fees for Nautical Science (BSc) (Level 7) may vary from €10,000 to €25,000 anually for tuition fees. The fee's prices may get higher for international students.

Graduates first become Officer of the Watch on a vessel after graduating and passing relevant examinations. They can advance to Chief Mate or Ship's Captain with further study, examinations and sea time. Career opportunities exist on a range of different types of ocean going vessels:  bulk carriers, oil tankers, container ships, cruise and ferry vessels. There are also careers on specialist vessels, such as seismic and exploration ships, pilot vessels, tugs and mega yachts.

Potential Areas of Employment

• Ship’s Officer (from Junior Ranks to Captain)
• Harbour Master/Pilot
• Marine Surveyor
• Maritime Studies Lecturer
   

A career at sea does not mean a lifetime at sea. Positions ashore include harbour masters, pilots in the major ports of the world, marine equipment producers/suppliers, marine law and insurance, ship classification societies, marine and ship surveying with the Department of Transport (and its equivalent in other countries) who monitor shipping using its ports and territorial waters, management, cargo handling, training and education.
 

While many of the career opportunities mentioned above are usually dependant on the applicant having a Master Mariner Certificate of Competency, those with an Honours degree, in addition, will have more attractive employment prospects in these areas.