Specialist MCA orals preparation and STCW training for deck and engineering officers, delivered in Glasgow every month.
Book direct →Glasgow Maritime Academy (GMA) is a specialist maritime training provider based in Glasgow, Scotland, focused entirely on preparing seafarers for MCA oral examinations at every level of the career ladder — from Officer of the Watch through to Master and Chief Engineer (Unlimited). Courses run monthly and combine expert-led tuition, directed study, mock examinations, and access to online resources, giving candidates the best possible preparation for their MCA examiner interview.
Alongside its orals preparation programmes, GMA delivers the full suite of STCW mandatory safety training — including Basic Safety Training, refresher weeks, and mandatory HELM courses at both operational and management level. Whether you are a new entrant completing your first certificate or an experienced officer stepping up to command, GMA offers a focused, structured route to the next qualification.
GMA holds MCA approval for its programmes, is recognised by the Department for Transport (DfT), and is a member of the Nautical Institute — giving candidates and employers confidence that training meets the highest regulatory standards.
Four-week course enabling candidates to achieve Officer of the Watch (Unlimited) certification by the MCA oral examination route, with tuition and guided study focused on answering the MCA examiner's questions.
Book on GMA →Four-week course enabling candidates to achieve Chief Mate (Unlimited) certification by the MCA oral examination route, with tuition, guided study, mock exams and examiner-led sessions.
Book on GMA →Four-week course (with the oral exam in week five) enabling candidates to achieve Master (Unlimited) certification by the MCA oral examination route. A valid STCW Medical Care certificate and MCA-recognised medical fitness certificate are required before the exam.
Book on GMA →Two-week tuition and guided-study course preparing candidates for the MCA EOOW oral examination, delivered as expert-led live or Zoom classes with tutorial lectures, directed study, online resources and a final mock exam.
Book on GMA →Two-week Class 2 engineering orals course preparing candidates for the MCA management-level oral examination (STCW Reg III/2), covering operation, maintenance and management of marine machinery plus emergency procedures for ship safety and protection of the environment.
Book on GMA →Two-week course enabling candidates to achieve STCW Reg III/2 Chief Engineer (Unlimited) certification by the MCA oral examination route, covering operation, maintenance and management of marine machinery, analysis of monitoring-equipment information and emergency procedures.
Book on GMA →MCA orals preparation for candidates seeking Officer of the Watch certification on yachts under 3000 GT. Contact GMA directly for current course dates and full details.
Book on GMA →Four-week course (exam in week five) enabling candidates to achieve Master Yacht 3000 GT or 500 GT certification by the MCA oral examination route, with tuition and guided study. A valid STCW Medical Care certificate and MCA-recognised medical fitness certificate are required.
Book on GMA →Four-week full-time orals course for the MCA Masters 500 GT / Chief Mate 3000 oral examination, designed to the ORALS D syllabus of MGN 369 and covering navigation, meteorology, radar and plotting, passage planning, M notices, IRPCS and emergency procedures.
Book on GMA →Basic Safety Training Package meeting STCW Code section A-VI/1 requirements, split into five parts: PSSR, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Survival Techniques, Elementary First Aid, and Proficiency in Security Awareness.
Book on GMA →Basic Safety Training refresher week covering the five-yearly STCW 2010 updating requirements: PST refresher, updating proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Advanced Fire Fighting, PSCRB and FRC refreshers, PDSD, PSA and a three-day Medical Care refresher as required.
Book on GMA →Mandatory STCW human element, leadership and management training at operational level, developing situation and risk assessment and resource-management skills. A prerequisite for a first MCA Certificate of Competency under Regulations II/1, III/1 and others.
Book on GMA →Management-level HELM course for officers on approved programmes leading to MCA certification as chief mate or master (ships of 500 GT or more) or second/chief engineer (750 kW or more), covering bridge and engine-room resource management and leadership and teamworking skills.
Book on GMA →Prices and dates are indicative — confirm directly with Glasgow Maritime Academy before booking.
Well-located 3-star chain hotel on George Square, steps from Glasgow Queen Street Station and within easy reach of the city's main attractions and transport links.
View options →Comfortable B&B on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow's West End, close to Kelvingrove Museum and Glasgow University, offering en-suite rooms with breakfast.
View options →4-star serviced apartments in the Merchant City district offering spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens, ideal for longer stays, within walking distance of both main rail stations.
View options →Glasgow Airport (GLA) — approximately 8 miles west of Glasgow city centre. Airport Express bus (Service 500) runs to the city centre in 25–35 minutes; cost around £8–£10. Taxi takes approximately 20 minutes in normal traffic. No direct rail link from the terminal — nearest station is Paisley Gilmour Street, reachable by bus, with trains into Glasgow Central.
Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street stations — both in the city centre. Glasgow Central handles services to/from England and the south; Queen Street handles services to Edinburgh and the north. Operators include ScotRail, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express and the Caledonian Sleeper. London Euston to Glasgow Central takes approximately 4.5 hours; Edinburgh to Glasgow takes around 50 minutes.
Gourock Ferry Terminal (for Dunoon) and Ardrossan Harbour (for Arran) — both connected to Glasgow by ScotRail from Glasgow Central. CalMac operates ferries from Gourock (approx. 30 miles from Glasgow) to Dunoon and from Ardrossan (approx. 30 miles south-west) to Arran. Glasgow itself does not have a direct CalMac terminal.
CalMac timetables →Glasgow is accessed via the M8 (east-west corridor through the city), M74 from the south (connecting to the M6 from England), and the A82 from the north. Junction signs are well signposted into the city centre. Ample multi-storey car parks throughout the city centre including at Buchanan Galleries, Sauchiehall Street and the SECC. On-street parking is limited and subject to charges and restrictions.
Open in Maps →Glasgow has two main rail terminals — Central and Queen Street — a short walk apart. Glasgow Airport has no direct rail link; the Airport Express bus is the most straightforward transfer. Ferry connections to the islands and west coast operate from out-of-town ports reachable by train from Glasgow Central.