(Also known as Chief Mate or Master)
Study towards your Chief Mate or Master certificate of competency
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Duration and study methods
Full-time for 1 year (36 teaching weeks), plus sea time.
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Start dates
February
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Qualification
Diploma in Foreign-going Master or Chief (Level 7)Programme code: MN3832 -
Credits
120 -
Locations
New Zealand Maritime School
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Domestic fees
$7,200 (approx.)
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International fees
NZD$25,000 (approx.)
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Free* study
Explore the free options available for this programme, and check your eligibility:
You may be able to start this programme during the year.
Contact our Ask Me! Student Services team for more information.
Programme highlights
Take charge as the Chief Mate or command of your ship as Master.
You'll develop specialist knowledge in the areas of safety of life at sea, safety of property at sea, and the integrity of the marine environment, crew, cargo and passengers. You will learn how to manage the cargo and the non-technical maintenance of the vessel. You will hold the position of responsibility of managing the ship’s records and administration. You will also learn the essential analytical and problem-solving skills to the level of command for either a foreign-going ship or managerial positions ashore.
Talented individuals can expect to progress quickly and receive good levels of pay, with the opportunity to explore the world’s most exotic locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to the programme is restricted to
- Those students holding a Watchkeeper deck Certificate of Competency issued by Maritime New Zealand or an overseas qualification recognised by MNZ as being equivalent; or
- Those students who have completed the academic components of the NZ2515 NZ Diploma in Nautical Science programme; or
- Those students holding a Marine Engineer Class 3 Certificate of Competency issued by Maritime New Zealand or an overseas qualification recognised by MNZ as being equivalent, and passes within the past five years in the Mathematics and Engineering Drawing courses of the revised Class 3 Certificate of Competency; or
- Those students who have completed the academic components of the NZ2514 New Zealand Diploma in Marine Engineering programme.
English language entry requirements
Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme, which is taught and assessed in English.
Any applicant whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of their English language competency.
International students: English language entry requirements
For the minimum English language requirements refer to the requirements set out in the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/
International students will generally be required to provide evidence of English language proficiency, for this programme an IELTS Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 is required. Equivalent acceptable evidence can be seen at the following NZQA link: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/the-table/
Regulatory and other entry requirements
Students intending to pursue a seagoing career must produce evidence of having met the medical and eyesight/hearing standards currently in force by Maritime New Zealand. These are statutory requirements for working on vessels. Applicants must be physically capable of completing the programme.
Provisional entry
Students who have attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme or training scheme may be eligible to be enrolled. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School. Students who have not attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the required minimum entry requirements may also be eligible to be enrolled in exceptional circumstances where they can demonstrate capability for study at the required level. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School.
Need IELTS?
Book your British Council IELTS test with us.
You will complete your test in one day, plus get free online tuition to help you succeed. We offer paper-based or computer-delivered IELTS. Choose computer-delivered IELTS and get your results in 3-5 days.
Programme structure
You will need to complete the below nine courses (120 credits):
Level 6
942.680 Vessel technical operations (10 credits)
To enable a student to determine, evaluate and respond to a vessels condition at management level.
942.681 Risk analysis and human factors (10 credits)
To enable students to analyse and manage risk on board a ship and manage people for the safe operation of the ship.
942.682 Maritime commercial practice and ship master’s business (15 credits)
To enable students to carry out responsibilities under international maritime law, embodied in national and international agreements and conventions that impact the commercial management of a ship.
942.683 Command meteorology (10 credits)
To enable students to evaluate, plan and execute the most effective, safe and efficient ocean and coastal voyage taking all climatological and meteorological elements into account.
Level 7
942.744 Manage maritime operations (15 credits)
To enable students to minimise cargo liability claims by creating, implementing and modifying voyage allocation plans, plan stowage and securing of cargo including ballast programmes, manage loading and discharging programmes and manage cargo security and care during voyage.
942.746 Navigation control and emergency response (15 credits)
To enable a student to manage navigational information derived from a range of sources in order to make and implement command decisions for safe navigation and for emergency response.
942.747 Manage safety and operations (Orals) (15 credits)
To enable students to operate ships safety under routine and emergency conditions.
942.748 Adjust compasses (15 credits)
To enable students to apply knowledge of magnetism to adjust the ships magnetic compasses and the theory of gyrocompasses to ensure safe passage.
942.749 Naval architecture (15 credits)
To enable students to evaluate and control the stability, trim and hull stresses of a vessel under all conditions and make management decisions regarding intact and damage stability conditions and ensure that the shear force and bending moments are within acceptable limits at all times.
Further training or study
Postgraduate programmes.
Career opportunities
The chief officer or master on foreign-going ships. Shore-based leadership positions in the maritime cluster and port management, such as maritime pilots, marine managers, harbour masters, ship planners, cargo planners, accident investigators, maritime trainers and educators. For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.
Ready to put your plans in place?
Free study for the first year of your Level 3 or above qualification may be available under the government’s fees-free study scheme. Visit feesfree.govt.nz for eligibility criteria and more information. Students must be eligible to study as a domestic student. All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status required. Entry criteria, and some costs, may also apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact StudyLink for more information.
Information is correct as at 29 March 2023. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2023 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2023 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2023 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2023 are based on the 2022 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2023. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Te Pukenga is accredited under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.