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Professional Practice in Maritime Operations PGCert

Learn about the course below
Code
034X911
Start
September 2023
Duration
12 months
Attendance
Distance Learning
Fees
See fees and funding tab
Course leader
Keith Buckland

The Professional Practice in Maritime Operations is a flexible postgraduate course, especially designed for seafarers and shore based maritime professionals who are looking to use their existing industry qualifications (such as the Class 1 Certificate of Competence) towards a Masters degree.

Why study PGCert Professional Practice in Maritime Operations at Middlesex University?

This maritime course enables you to integrate your current experience and qualifications into a programme of study that is carried out alongside your normal work. Our adaptable approach allows you to tailor its contents around the needs of your present working role. You can study remotely while developing your career in the maritime industry, whether that be in a seafaring or a shore based role. Those who will benefit most highly are seafarers seeking a qualification that will allow them to transfer into different industries.

As this is a blended learning course, your costs will be kept to a minimum. Contact with your tutors can be arranged via the phone, email or through the internet. The Marine Society is responsible for all of the administration on your behalf making your work/study experience as seamless as possible and offering you more study time to reach your goal of a future maritime qualification.

Course highlights

  • Flexible time frames mean you can complete the course in as little as twelve months. This is perfect for those experiencing restrictive time frames or if you are eager to reach your goal
  • Work Based Learning is a favourable option of study for those with family commitments and students with minimal study time outside of their working week
  • Choose to modify the course around your needs, choose when you wish to engage with your tutors and, all by your own preferred methods such as phone or email
  • The Marine Society may provide financial support for UK domiciled students
  • As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

Find out more

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What will you study on PGCert Professional Practice in Maritime Operations at Middlesex University?

In order to join this course you must have held a Class 1 Certificate of Competency for three years or hold an equivalent qualification in a related subject and be currently working in the maritime sector.

If you have been working in a management role within the sector for five or more years but don’t hold a Class 1 Certificate of Competency, it may be possible to join by taking an additional Review of Learning module.

This programme can be undertaken by following one of two routes:

Route 1: Class 1 Certificate of Competence route

If a you have a Class 1 Certificate of Competence, Middlesex University will formally recognise this towards the achievement of the Postgraduate Certificate), you will then undertake the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module.

  • Class 1 Certificate of Competence
  • Continuing Professional Development module
  • Negotiated Work Based Learning Project module

Route 2: Recognition of professional experience route

If you do not have a Class 1 Certificate of Competence, Middlesex University can formally recognise learning from your professional experience (normally at least 5 years). To do this you will undertake the Review of Learning module and develop a portfolio that describes one or more areas of your professional learning.

  • Review of Learning Portfolio module
  • Continuing Professional Development module
  • Negotiated Work Based Learning Project module
  • Modules

    • Review of Learning

      This module gives the opportunity for you to closely examine your professional development to date. In addition, you will be guided in the development of a portfolio that you will use as a claim for university credit.

    • Continuing Professional Development

      This module is designed to assist you in the development of your thinking about your own professional development. You will create a professional development plan to assist in your continuing development. You will also be able to formulate ideas for the final work based project.

    • Negotiated Work Based Learning Project

      This module requires you to develop and execute a work based project. You will negotiate the content and scope of the project with your tutor, however, the topic must be closely related to work in the maritime sector or maritime operations.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

How is the PGCert Professional Practice in Maritime Operations taught?

These programmes are taught and facilitated by staff from Middlesex University. The blended approach to teaching and learning is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment which allows you to have a high degree of flexibility in self-managing your studies.

  1. Standard entry requirements
  2. International (inc. EU)
  3. How to apply
  1. UK
  2. EU/International
  3. Additional costs

How can an PGCert Professional Practice in Maritime Operations support your career?

This course provides an excellent opportunity for practitioners to use their existing expertise, professional qualifications or work experience to gain a Postgraduate Certificate. It is particularly suitable for those who wish to develop their leadership potential whilst continuing to develop their professional practice. This qualification will be directly relevant to your field of work and the work based project that you complete will provide a positive contribution to your organisation’s work intentions.

Candidates that successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate Professional Practice in Maritime Operations may be eligible for entry into a suitable Master’s Degree at Middlesex University.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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Code: MA Professional Practice - 005B99X, MSc Professional Practice - 011B99X, MA Work Based Learning Studies- 005X904, MSc Work Based Learning Studies - 011X902

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