Goal
Upgrade your Watchkeeping deck officer degree (A-II/1) to a Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Management, Captain (A-II/2). The programme can be completed as a full-time or part-time student in 1-2 years.
The objective of the education is to train competent and versatile captains for the national, European and international traffic.
The main tasks of a sea captain include being responsible for and maneuvering a vessel, and transporting cargo in such a way which is safe for both people and the environment.
The education also offers bases for functioning in leading positions in land-based organizations within the maritime field.
The training fulfils the requirements set in the international Convention on the Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).
Eligibility to apply is conferred by a Watchkeeping Deck Officer degree or another comparable STCW approved Watchkeeping Deck Officer degree (i.e. Navy, Coast Guard). You need also Certificate of Competency , atleast watch officer level (STCW A/ll-1) if you don't have Finnish deck officer exam.
Content
The core studies cover the duties of deck officers.
Content of studies:
- navigation
- seamanship
- ship technology
- cargo handling
- radio communication
A large part of the education is realized through on-board training and the school’s simulator bridges.
The education leads to a master mariner competency. The training fulfils the requirements set in the international Convention on the Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention).
Area of Specialisation and Research Focus
Simulation and Automation
In shipping, some major trends can be distinguished. Maritime traffic is increasing and ships are getting faster while energy consumption has to be minimized. Global climate change, among other things, leads to the opening of new shipping lanes in the polar regions.
The cognitive burden is increasing and the demands in command bridge work are tightened. The crews often become multicultural and smaller.
In order for them to work safely and meet the new expectations, new working routines, new technologies and better tools must be developed.
Particularly important is the knowledge of ice navigation, safe navigation and flexibility at work.
All of these areas can be built up and tested using ship simulators.
MasterSIM: Developing of Remote Operation Simulator & Training Programme for Remote Operators
Bachelor of Maritime Management, Maritime Management, Captain, blended studies
- Field of study: Technology and Seafaring
- Extent: 4,5 years 270 Credits
- Form: Bachelor's Degree - blended studies
- Location: Turku
- Application period: 8-22.1.2025
Previous Knowledge
You can apply for Bachelor of Maritime Management, Maritime Management, Captain, part-time if you have completed
- Watchkeeping Deck Officer degree or another comparable STCW approved Watchkeeping Deck Officer degree (i.e. Navy, Coast Guard)
You also need a Certificate of Competency , at least watch officer level (STCW A/ll-1) if you don't have Finnish deck officer exam.
Structure of Studies
The studies consist of:
- Basic studies
- Professional studies
- Elective studies
- Onboard training
- Thesis
The studies include 270 credits containing 108 credits of supervised onboard training. Depending on your background, you can apply for validation for your earlier studies, competencies, and sea time, in which case the realistic study time might be two years (four semesters) when studying full time and in some special cases even shorter. The credit validation for earlier studies takes place during a personal study guidance discussion after arriving on campus.
The study time also depends on the stage of your study year when arriving on campus and how we can optimize your study plan.
You should also take in consideration that the studies are bachelor level, and we have certain academic standards. This requirement may come up closest in our thesis work.
The studies are divided into three levels:
Support Level (Watchman Deck)
Will be accredited against your certificate, sea days and previous exam.
Operational Level (Watch Officer Deck)
Will be accredited against your certificate, sea days and previous exam
Management Level (Captain)
To be able to apply for your certificate of competence as Master Mariner a student must complete their degree (Bachelor of Maritime Management) and gain work experience as Deck Officer on international trade ships. The certificate of competence (Masters/Chief Officers License) is issued by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).
News and Events
Scholarships and Tuition Fees
The studies are free for EU/EEA citizens. Tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students is set to 10 000 euro for the academic year 2025-2026.
Tuition fee-paying (non EU/EEA) students can apply for a scholarship. Read more about tuition fees and scholarships on the Admissions Services pages.
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Degree Project
The Bachelor’s thesis comprises 15 credits. It often acts as a link between studies and career and provides students with an opportunity to apply theoretical models to practical problems. The thesis becomes part of the student’s competence profile. The thesis can consist of internal and /or external commissions, joint projects or other projects related to working life.
These can be, for example:
- reports (e.g. investigations, surveys, analyses and/or evaluations)
- development work (e.g. development of working methods or activities)
- product development (e.g. a prototype or a model)
- a plan, a product or an artistic work (e.g. an event, a collection, an artistic production, a course, design of material such as guides/manuals or handbooks)
- a portfolio
Continuing Education Opportunities
After completing the Bachelor’s Degree it is possible to continue to Masters level studies at Universities or Universities of Applied Sciences.
At Novia University of Applied Sciences we offer Master’s Degree studies in Autonomous Maritime Operations and in Maritime Management.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the degree programme in Maritime Management are professional and versatile master mariners, qualified for Finnish, European, and International careers. The first self-evident career which is at sea can be as officers on board any type of vessel. Shore-based careers within the maritime industry are underpinned by a sufficient career at sea. The maritime industry offers land based positions within authorities, shipping companies, brokers, insurance companies, yards, logistics, and so on.
Internationalisation
Students can participate in international activity by:
- studying as an exchange student for a semester or an academic year at one of our partner schools around the world
- completing an internship abroad
- participating in intensive courses and projects with international students
We aim at strengthening our international profile in the EU primarily in the Nordic and Baltic Sea region. Novia UAS is actively involved in various programs and builds a network of strategic partner institutions and other stakeholders in Europe.
Erasmus Partner Schools
- Belgium: Antwerp Maritime Academy
- Croatia: University of Split
- Latvia: Liepaja Maritime College
- Lithuania: Lithuanian Maritime Academy
- Netherlands: Maritiem Instituut Willem Barentsz
- Spain: University of Cadiz
- Turkey: Dokuz Eylül Universitetsi
- Germany: Hochschule Emden/Leer, Jade Hochschule, Bremen City UAS
Nordplus Network Partners
- Åland: Högskolan på Åland
- Sweden: Chalmers tekniska högskola
- Norway: Högskolen i Vestfold
Other Partners
Philippines: GigaMare Training Center
Novia UAS takes active part of the development of continuing education at GigaMare, where Novia UAS is a partner.
Language of Instruction
The programme is offered in English.
Collaboration With Other Actors
The simulation resources of Aboa Mare (Novia) consist of ten simulator bridges, engine room simulators, VTS (Vessel Traffic System) simulator, DP (Dynamic Positioning) –simulator and radio simulator. Aboa Mare can offer training on CONSILIUM, FURUNO, SAM Electronics Wärtsilä NACOS Platinum, SPERRY and TRANSAS Wärtsilä Voyage bridges in its simulator. With Aboa Mares own developed simulator interface Aboa Mare can generate technical faults to the real navigational instruments on the bridges. Aboa Mares staff consists of 40 simulator instructors with a wide range of experience in shipping.
Major shipping companies (for example Viking Line, Tallink Silja and Neste Oil) are training their officers in Aboa Mare's simulators. Aboa Mare also have extensive co-operation with companies in research and other projects, for example ABB, Wärtsilä, Elomatic and Eniram.
Aboa Mare have a long tradition of pilotage training and examination, simulator training in critical situations and today a big effort is put into ice navigation and energy-efficient ship operations.
Aboa Mare is authorized by the Finnish Maritime Administration to deliver STCW maritime education and to arrange pilot exemption exams for the Finnish fairways. We are also audited by IALA to arrange VTS operator training according to the IALA standard and by Nautical Institute to arrange DP training. The quality of our training is guaranteed by the DNV ISO 9001 standard.
Continuing Education Opportunities
After completing the Bachelor’s Degree it is possible to continue to Masters level studies at Universities or Universities of Applied Sciences.
At Novia University of Applied Sciences we offer Master’s Degree studies in Autonomous Maritime Operations and in Maritime Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
Apply online at www.studyinfo.fi
Read more about the application process.
Student Story
"[T]he teachers match their surroundings; a majority are former officers with decades of experience behind them. I’m assured the ground truth of the industry from professional sources."
Career Opportunities
Graduates from the degree programme in Maritime Management are professional and versatile master mariners, qualified for Finnish, European and International careers. The first self-evident career is at sea can be as officers on board any type of vessel. Shore based careers within the maritime industry are underpinned by a sufficient career at sea. The maritime industry offers land based positions within authorities, shipping companies, brokers, insurance companies, yards, logistics, and so on.
Alumni Story
"I have two degrees from Novia UAS: Bachelor of Maritime Management (Sea Captain); and Master of Engineering in Autonomous Maritime Operations. The first degree was a sort of induction to the maritime world, and the latter degree focused more on a specific aspect of the maritime field, providing a deeper dive into the trends of future autonomous maritime ecosystems. "
Petteri Niittymäki
Senior Lecturer
Apply to Become a Captain!
Apply for Maritime Management, Captain (part-time) at studyinfo.fi.
Related News
Read more related newsMeet Us
Novia University of Applied Sciences participates in several different student fairs and events. Our own students who are trained PR tutors visit secondary education schools across Finland. If you want to book a visit to your school or high school please contact Julia Mård, julia.mard@novia.fi and we will help you!
Novia UAS quality management is certified according to the ISO 9001 quality standard. This means that every year our entire business is audited by DNV. This is to ensure the best quality and constant development of Novia UAS.