The MCA examination-only route to a Chief Mate or Master Certificate of Competency under STCW Regulation II/2 — for experienced officers who can demonstrate management-level competence without returning to full-time college study.
The Master and Chief Mate Examination Route is the MCA's pathway for experienced deck officers to obtain a UK Certificate of Competency (CoC) as Chief Mate Unlimited or Master Unlimited under STCW Convention Regulation II/2, without completing a full college-based programme of study. Candidates sit SQA written examinations in Navigation and Ship Stability and Structure, then an MCA oral examination, with the CoC issued by the MCA — not the training provider — upon passing. The route is governed by MSN 1856 (M+F) Amendment 1 and, from 2026 onwards, candidates should confirm which syllabus applies to their Notice of Eligibility (NOE) in light of the modernised qualifications framework set out in MIN 720 (M) (MCA, 2025).
Providers such as Warsash Maritime School (Solent University) offer preparatory programmes that bundle HND Nautical Science study, NAEST (Management Level), HELM (Management Level), SQA written examination preparation, and MCA oral preparation into an integrated course. Seafarers who already hold some written exam passes may be eligible for a shorter oral-preparation-only programme. The course is a statutory requirement under SOLAS and STCW — no seafarer may serve as Chief Mate or Master on a seagoing vessel of 500 GT or more without holding the appropriate CoC or a valid equivalent endorsement.
The resulting certificate is a UK Merchant Navy CoC, recognised globally under STCW and accepted by port state control authorities in all STCW signatory states. It is the internationally standard management-level deck qualification for officers progressing to senior command on commercial, superyacht, or offshore vessels.
The full deck officer progression is: Cadet → Officer of the Watch (STCW II/1) → Chief Mate (STCW II/2) → Master (STCW II/2). Holding a Master Unlimited CoC opens senior command positions across commercial shipping, superyacht, passenger vessel, offshore, and government maritime sectors worldwide. Many officers also transition into shore-based maritime management, port operations, flag state administration, maritime education, and marine insurance or surveying roles, where the Master CoC is a recognised benchmark of professional competence.
Cost shown (from £9,025) is indicative of Warsash Maritime's published full programme fee and excludes SQA written examination fees, MCA oral examination fees, and ancillary course fees (e.g. NAEST(M), HELM(M), Medical Care). Total out-of-pocket costs will therefore be higher. Always confirm current pricing directly with the provider.
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