MSc in Technology (Maritime Operations)
Kingston University
Key Information
Campus location
Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 4,000 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* home part-time: £4,000 | international part-time: £6,000
Introduction
Why choose this course?
The Technology (Maritime Operations) MSc was developed in partnership with the Royal Navy and Kingston University. The programme accredits the learning achieved during professional naval branch training.
It is open only to applications from people who have successfully completed at least one of the following courses:
- UK Royal Navy principal warfare officer (PWO) training course.
- Royal Australian Navy principal warfare officer (PWO) training course.
Kingston University is a recognised provider of the UK military Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme (ELC) and thus eligible candidates are welcome to partially fund their course in this way.
The Royal Australian Navy Education Branch provides financial support to some of its officers undertaking this award.
This course is undertaken in the workplace, with assignments based on 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 working with the Royal Navy. Tutoring and advice may be provided face-to-face, via video conference, over the telephone or via email exchange. The majority of credits for your master's degree will come from your prior completion of the principle 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 the online library and literature database resources. Every effort is made to accommodate your working patterns, where possible.
The application process is ongoing throughout the year, with four start points – August November, February and May – to provide flexibility. The course is targeted for completion within two years and must be completed within four years.
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- This course is supported by the Royal Navy (RN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
- Kingston University is a recognised provider of the UK military Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme and eligible candidates are welcome to partially fund their course in this way.
- The RAN provides financial support to some of their officers undertaking this award.
Admissions
Curriculum
What you will study
Of the 180 credits at the required level required for a master's 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 are the maximum that can be gained as recognised prior learning (RPL) from completing the above naval course, and this is achieved by almost all UK Royal Navy PWO officer applicants. However, the level of credit awarded can be influenced by a number of factors, notably 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. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) principal warfare officers, in general, need to undertake this extra assignment.
The remaining credits required to complete the master's 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, except for a final presentation and oral examination (viva). 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 upon 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 working with the Royal Navy, provide support by tutoring and advising you throughout your programme. This may be provided face to face, via Skype or FaceTime, 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)
For a student to go on placement they are required to pass every module the first time with no reassessments.
How this course is delivered
A master's 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 an allocated points score 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 point 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 the master's 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, enabling each of them to have their own unique programme content.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Where this course will take you
The Maritime Operations course helps to prepare you for roles such as:
- More senior positions in the RN (RAN)
- Civilian posts when retiring from the RN (RAN)