Technology (Maritime Operations) MSc
- Postgraduate
- Online/distance learning
Have you successfully completed a PWO officer training course with a developed nation navy and want to qualify for more senior positions in your navy? You could enrol on the Technology (Maritime Operations) MSc with Kingston University.
Gain the knowledge and skills to apply for more senior positions in the RN or other developed nation navy
Kickstart your career in maritime operations
This course:
- is designed and developed for warfare officers from developed nation navies
- is undertaken entirely in the workplace
- includes assignments based around your past and current work experience
- includes supervisor support from a tutor with long experience of working with the RN
- has no fixed dates for completing assignments, only a total time to undertake the course.
Kingston University is a recognised provider for the UK military Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme and eligible candidates are welcome to partially fund their course in this way. This course is supported by the RN, RAN, RNoN and RNzN. Some navies provide financial support to some of their officers undertaking this award.
Why choose this course
The Technology (Maritime Operations) MSc was developed in partnership by the RN and Kingston University. The programme accredits the learning achieved during professional naval branch training.
This course is undertaken in the workplace, with assignments based around your past and current work. There are no fixed dates for completing assignments, only a total time to complete the course.
You will be supported by a supervisor who has extensive experience of working with the Royal Navy. Tutoring and advice may be provided face-to-face, via a VOIP system (e.g. Teams), WhatsApp or email exchange.
The majority of credits for your masters degree will come from your prior completion of the principal warfare officer (PWO) course. You will gain the remaining credits through this MSc course by completing work-based assignments, an academic paper and a final reflective summary.
You will have full access to online library and literature database resources. Every effort will be made to accommodate your working patterns, where possible.
The application process is ongoing throughout the year, with two start points – August and February – to provide flexibility. The course is targeted for completion within two years and must normally be completed within four years.
Course content
Of the 180 credits at the required level required for a masters degree, the majority of these credits will come from successful completion of the PWO course (and the training leading up to this course). 120 credits is the maximum that can be gained as recognised prior learning (RPL) from completing the above naval course, and this is achieved by almost all developed nation PWO officer applicants. However, the level of credit awarded can be influenced by a number of factors, notably on how recently the course has been completed, and the level of relevant experience gained by an individual since completion. A short written assignment may be required from applicants in support of their request for RPL to gain credits towards this course.
The remaining credits required to complete the masters degree are gained through work-based assignments whilst registered for this MSc at Kingston University. Such study is fully work based and attendance at the University is not required. The final presentation and oral examination (viva) are conducted via a VOIP system (Teams, for example). In some cases the viva may be permitted by video link, for example, the vivas of RAN officers, but these are exceptions. Gaining the remaining credits requires the candidate to write an academic paper and a final reflective summary, and to undertake a presentation and oral examination (this will include critical reflection on their naval career to date). If the full 120 credits for prior learning are not awarded, the balance is made up by the completion of additional work-based assignments, agreed between the candidate and the University.
Full access to online library and literature database resources is available to all students remotely. University supervisors, with experience of working with the Royal Navy, provide support by tutoring and advising you throughout your programme. This may be provided face to face, via a VOIP system (Teams, for example), over the telephone or via email exchanges. Every effort is made to accommodate your working patterns, where possible.
Course structure
There are three stages to this programme:
- Stage one: assessment of prior learning
- Stage two: an academic paper on a topic related to maritime operations
- Stage three: a reflective summary, presentation and oral examination (viva voce).
Career opportunities
This course can help to prepare you for more senior positions in your navy and for civilian posts when retiring from the RN or RAN.
This course is supported by both the RN and RAN. This award has now been in place for more than 15 years and has been supported throughout that time by the RN.
Teaching and assessment
This course is fully work-based, with no campus-based contact with the students. There are no typical modes of teaching on this course, such as lectures, seminars or workshops. Teaching is done using a VOIP system (Teams or similar) and feedback is provided through email.
How this course is delivered
A masters degree by learning agreement recognises the learning involved in completing work-based projects and awards learning that takes place at work. This allows you to be credited for what you are already learning and the contribution you are making to your organisation's success.
Each learning goal will have allocated point scores associated with it. Successful completion of each learning goal will result in these points being awarded to you. A master’s degree will be awarded when 180 points are accumulated. Of the 180 credits at the required level required for a master's degree, the majority of these credits (usually 120) will come from successful completion of the PWO course (and the training leading up to this course).
This points-based method of evaluating the value of student work is standard across the academic sector, and so provides a clear indication that work-based learning meets the criteria of a national standard.
Experience has shown that a large proportion of learning undertaken by working professionals holding a PWO qualification is at masters level. The majority of a Technology (Maritime Operations) MSc programme can therefore be constructed from a set of goals linked to the work activities of officers enrolling on the course. This means each officer can have their own unique programme content.
Fees and funding
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Technology (Maritime Operations) MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
How to pay via a sponsor / ELCAS
Sponsorship
If your employer or another organisation agrees to pay all, or part, of your tuition fees, they will be referred to as your sponsor.
To arrange payment via sponsorship, you must submit a Tuition Fees Sponsorship Agreement Form or Sponsor Letter.
Sponsorship agreement form
If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees, the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount. A family member cannot be considered as a sponsor.
Before you enrol, we must receive notification of sponsorship, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees. You will need to have a Kingston Student ID Number to complete this form. This will be provided once an offer of a place has been issued.
If you are sponsored by a company or organisation, we will require notification of this to be provided via a completed Tuition fees sponsorship agreement form (PDF).
Completed forms should be emailed to [email protected] and [email protected].
How to apply
Before you apply
Before you submit your application, please read through our entry criteria carefully to ensure you meet our requirements. All communications after your application should include your full name and your Kingston University ID number, which can be found in your offer letter.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
How to apply online
We will require the following pieces of information to allow us to confirm your place on the course. Supporting documents can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application:
- Evidence of successful completion of your PWO officer training qualification, if not already submitted with your application.
- In addition you must complete and provide an HI Assessment Form (word). This form will be used to assess your eligibility for credit exemption. The volume of credit awarded will depend on how recently the course was completed and the level of relevant experience gained since completion. The maximum credit available for completion of the PWO course is 120 credits.
After you have applied
If the postgraduate admissions tutor needs any additional information, we will contact you directly. Once your application has been reviewed, we will inform you of the outcome.
Contact
If you have any queries about applying to the course, please email [email protected].
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
