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HNDMarine Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps

Why study a marine electro-technical officer cadetship at Solent University

Build the foundations of a career as a marine electro-technical officer in the dynamic maritime industry - supported by a sponsoring company to become a certified ETO officer.

  • 0years
    of providing maritime training to seafarers
  • Top0
    for teaching quality, out of 131 institutions (Times Good University Guide, 2025)
  • £0m
    investment in our campus and industry-standard facilities
  • Seafaring experience included - time at sea is built into the course, offering real-world experience.
  • Gain academic and professional qualifications while studying for your higher national diploma (HND), you will also be working towards your electro-technical officer MCA Certificate of Competency. 
  • Cadetships, for eligible UK students, are fully sponsored by shipping or maritime companies.
  • Warsash Maritime School has a full range of industry-leading training facilities, including an ETO lab for electronic navigational systems operations and maintenance of items such as radars, navigational aids and control systems. Our electrical workshop facilities also enable you to practice electrical maintenance, operational and fault-finding procedures. 
  • A world-class hub of maritime excellence, our Warsash Maritime School has over 80 years' history of maritime education, and an international reputation for quality. 
  • Study in the heart of Southampton, a major hub in the UK and European maritime and shipping industry. 

Course overview

You will learn to maintain on-board control engineering and electronic systems, including propulsion control, radio communications and electronic navigation aids, as well as the confidence and know-how to maintain a wide range of electrical and electronic equipment to maximise the operational safety and efficiency of a seagoing vessel.

Shipping out as an ETO cadet on a range of vessels owned or operated by your sponsoring company, you will develop the essential skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to become a marine electro-technical officer in the Merchant Navy – acquiring a range of practical skills appropriate to operating and problem solving for ships’ electrical, electronic machinery and systems in a safe and efficient manner.

As part of your cadetship, you will gain your first qualification as an Engineer Officer of the Watch – and be equipped with all the knowledge and understanding to you need to undertake tasks as detailed in the industry-based onboard training – and with academic exemptions for further professional qualifications under the internationally recognised Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations.

This programme is aligned to the new UK-wide maritime officer cadetship syllabus developed by the Cadet Training and Modernisation (CT&M) Programme, led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Effective from September 2025, the new syllabus reflects the current practices and technology used aboard modern vessels and supports the development of 'human element' skills - essential learning for today’s aspiring officers.

This course is part of the South Coast Institute of Technology (IoT), a partnership of colleges, universities and industry-leading employers to create new career opportunities in the technology sector. IoT courses like this one are precisely tailored to the needs of employers in the maritime, engineering and digital industries – industries which are hungry for talented new engineers, technologists, technicians and creatives like you.

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Course features

  • Professional accreditation

    This course has been accredited by a professional body

  • Additional qualifications

    This course offers additional professional qualifications which you will obtain in addition to your academic qualification

  • Specialist facilities

    This course has access to specialist facilities

  • April and September starts available

    This course has an option to start in April and September

  • Further studies

    After successfully completing your programme, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent

Who is this course for?

This course is ideally suited for students wanting to enter the Merchant Navy, who have a passion for electrical and electronic engineering. 

What does this course lead to?

This exciting course will allow you to gain your first qualification as an ETO, opening up a wide range of opportunities within maritime electrical and electronic engineering.  With further study and sailing experience you could progress to Chief Technical Officer or Electrical Superintendent, depending on the company you work for.

Meet the team

Warsash Maritime School is a world leader in maritime education and training, with close links to the marine industry. The extensive professional experience of academic staff ensures that the course draws on real-world case studies and equips you with practical, readily applicable knowledge and skills.

The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.

Facilities

Warsash Maritime School has a full range of industry-leading training facilities, including an ETO lab for electronic navigational systems operations and maintenance of items such as radars, navigational aids and control systems. Our electrical workshop facilities also enable you to practice electrical maintenance, operational and fault-finding procedures.

Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.

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