The Australian Maritime College鈥檚 Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science) degree will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to safely manage and operate any type of vessel in the merchant fleet. Our program integrates professional short courses and training at sea so that you will not only obtain a Bachelor鈥檚 degree, but also a Certificate of Competency issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
You will learn about navigation, vessel handling, cargo and passenger transport, vessel management, marine legislation and shipboard safety. Our program is also fully compliant with the training and educational requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.
Course objectives
Our degree is built to prepare you for your career at sea, with unmatched training and experience, you will have the flexibility to choose your own path as a Navigating Deck Officer. In addition to developing broad and coherent nautical knowledge required to work in any position as a Navigation Officer aboard a vessel, you will acquire core skills in operational aspects, control precision, and spatial orientation.
You will also develop professional soft skills such as critical thinking, decision making, time management and effective communication. This core knowledge is designed so that you are fully equipped to work in diverse positions around the world.
Our degree is also focused on delivering genuine practical experience, with a built-in sea-time phase of your AMC seafaring qualification. Through our integrated learning structure, you will have the opportunity to directly link academic learning with its practical application in the workplace.
We prepare you for your career in the maritime industry by giving you a study experience that directly relates to where you may find a career. This is why the Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science) is one of the most sought-after degrees by employers鈥攐ur graduates are industry ready and prepared to overcome any career-challenges.
Learning Outcomes
Manage ship navigation, cargo handling and storage using nautical concepts and principles to ensure ship safety
Assess and solve nautical problems in standard operational and emergency scenarios, by analysing and interpreting a range of data sources and meeting stakeholder requirements.
Ensure the safe operation of a ship and care for its people by applying management theories and leaderships skills required as a ship Master.
Execute Professional stewardship through the use of ethical codes and regulatory frameworks to maintain the safety of persons and the protection of the environment.
Career outcomes
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science) is the recognised pathway to becoming an AMSA certified deck officer. This degree provides additional knowledge and skills that will be of benefit to students seeking a career ashore. The degree will also equip professional deck officers with the additional knowledge and skills that they are likely to require to take up senior shore-based professional positions such as:
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
July 2025
Launceston Campus
Newnham Drive,
Newnham,
Tasmania,
7250, LAUNCESTON, Australia
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
February 2025
Launceston Campus
Newnham Drive,
Newnham,
Tasmania,
7250, LAUNCESTON, Australia
Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.
Most of our undergraduate programs have the following English language requirements.
IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5)
TOEFL (iBT) 72 (no skill below: Reading 10; Listening 9; Speaking 16; Writing 19)
PTE Academic 50 with no score lower than 42
UTAS Access-English Level 6 - 60% (no individual score less than 55%)
Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) - B Grade
Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) - C Grade
Cambridge BEC (Business English Certificate) Higher - C Grade
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Tasmania is an island of creative and curious minds. No matter where students join from, they鈥檒l become part of a welcoming, collaborative community.