Structured revision to help serving OOW officers pass the SQA written examinations in Navigation and Stability required for the MCA Chief Mate Certificate of Competency.
Chief Mate SQA Revision is a preparatory course designed to help candidates pass the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) written examinations that form part of the MCA Chief Mate Certificate of Competency (CoC) pathway. The SQA administers these written exams on behalf of the MCA, which sets the syllabus and examination standards. The underpinning regulatory framework is STCW Convention Regulation II/2, covering Chief Mates and Masters on vessels of 500 GT or more trading worldwide. The revision course itself does not award a certificate — it prepares candidates to sit and pass the SQA papers.
The two SQA written exam subjects covered are Navigation — passage planning, position fixing, bridge watchkeeping procedures, statutory and international navigation requirements, and emergency situations — and Stability and Structure, covering hydrostatic calculations, stability curves, cargo loading and trim effects, damage stability, IMO Grain Rules, Load Line assignment, and specialised vessel stability codes. South Shields Marine School offers the programme in a 4-week intensive and a 10-week format of approximately 200 hours of tuition, the latter including weekly academic tutorials. An optional 2-week MCA oral examination preparation module is available at additional cost immediately following either format.
Fleetwood Nautical Campus positions the revision course specifically as remedial support, making it the minimum requirement for any candidate making a third or further attempt at the SQA exams. It is open to officers who have sat Navigation or Stability and Structure within the preceding 12 months and need further structured preparation before re-sitting. Passing both SQA written papers, combined with the MCA oral Exam D, a valid ENG1, and satisfying sea service requirements, completes the academic and examination requirements for the Chief Mate (Unlimited) CoC application under MSN 1856 (M+F). All exam passes must be obtained within 3 years prior to the date of CoC issue.
Holding the Chief Mate (Unlimited) CoC authorises service as First Officer and second-in-command on merchant vessels of any gross tonnage trading worldwide. This is a management-level role under STCW, carrying full responsibility for cargo operations, ship stability calculations, safety management, and navigational watch organisation. Most Chief Mates serving in this rank are actively accumulating the sea service required to progress to the Master (Unlimited) CoC, making the Chief Mate CoC both a significant professional milestone and a direct stepping stone to command.
Cost notes: South Tyneside College (South Shields Marine School) charges approximately £370 for the 4-week SQA revision for returning students and £740 for new students. The 10-week programme requires a deposit of £500 (UK applicants) or £1,000 (international applicants) to reserve a place. SQA written examination fees are additional and paid directly to the SQA/MCA — approximately £280 per examination subject (roughly £560 if sitting both Navigation and Stability on a single attempt). The optional 2-week MCA oral preparation module carries a further separate fee. Always confirm current fees directly with the provider before making any commitment.
Only verified providers known to offer this specific revision programme are listed. Fleetwood Nautical Campus (Blackpool and The Fylde College) also offers a Chief Mate SQA revision programme — contact them directly on 01253 504800 or at maritime@blackpool.ac.uk as their fees are not published online. Other UK maritime colleges including London Maritime School offer Chief Mate preparation as part of broader integrated programmes — confirm whether standalone SQA revision is available directly with the provider before enrolling.