All You Need To Know About The UK CoC Examination

uk coc

The UK CoC, or the UK Certificate of Competency, holds remarkable value in the maritime industry. Seafarers with a UK CoC are more likely to be promoted and receive a high salary package.

Companies seek out talented seafarers, and having the UK CoC can be a significant advantage in today’s highly competitive job market.

Many seafarers seek UK CoC since it is the route to handling greater responsibility on the ship, managing either the Engineering or deck departments.

Companies prefer UK and India CoCs as they are reliable and trustworthy certificates of competency. Additionally, though Indian CoC is of equal value, the worldwide demand for UK-issued certificates is usually believed to be higher.

UK CoCs are also a preferred choice over certificates from other countries. Although the UK CoC was considered expensive earlier, its price today is comparable to that of other countries’ CoCs.

After submitting an application and clearing the oral exam, one attains the UK CoC issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The UK CoC meets the standards training certification and watchkeeping (STCW)  requirements.

NOTE—An agreement for mutual recognition of COCs was signed between India and the UK for 5 years, effective 21 July 2022. Hence, the COEs of all management-level officers having UK COCs to work on Indian Vessels were extended until 20 July 2027.

TRB UK COC

About Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

MCA is an executive agency of the UK’s Department of Transport responsible for implementing the country’s maritime safety policy. MCA was founded in 2002 and works to save lives on the coast and at sea. 

MCA inspects and surveys ships to ensure they meet UK and international safety rules. It also provides various certifications to sailors and registration to ships and responds to maritime emergencies and pollution from ships and offshore structures.

MCA issues CoCs for Marine Engineers, Deck officers in the Merchant Navy, fishing vessels, yacht engineer officers, and Certificates of Equivalent Competency or CEC for UK Merchant and Fishing Vessels.

How do you get a UK Certificate of Competency?

Seafarers working on Merchant Navy Ships, commercial and private yachts, sail training vessels, tugs and workboats can apply for CoC by applying to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and provide: 

  • Sea service testimonials
  • Certified copy of passport
  • Proof of completion of MCA-approved training and education courses
  • Applicable ancillary course certificates
  • Discharge book or certificates of discharge
  • Valid medical fitness certificate

Requirements for MEO Class IV UK CoC

Sea Service: You must complete at least 9 months of approved sea service in the engine room of ships of 750 kW or more. This would include 6 months as the 1st Assistant to the Engineer Officer in charge of the watch while performing watchkeeping or Unattended Machinery Space or UMS duties.

Total Sea Service: Another requirement is total sea service of a minimum of 33 months ( 24 plus 9 months) and complete the MNTB TRB ( MNTB: Merchant Navy Training Board ) (TRB: Training Record Books) over a period of 6 Months during this 9 month sailing time.

Training Record Book (TRB): Under this training scheme, one needs to complete the MNTB TRB during sea service.

Certification: You must have a Watch Rating Certificate (STCW III/4) from Panama if you do not have one from the Indian MMD.

For Fitters: Sea Service of up to 24 Months or 2 Years before getting a Watch Rating Certificate would be accepted, per new rules. But before applying for MNTB TRB, you must obtain a Watch Rating Certificate and complete another 9 months of sailing while completing MNTB TRB.

Documents needed to apply for college for MEO Class 4 in UK

  • University Application Form
  • Passport – 1st and last page
  • CC – 1st page and sea service stamped pages
  • STCW basic courses (PST + PSSR + FPFF + EFA)
  • Chief Engineer testimonials of at least 24 months 
  • Watch Rating Certificate (STCW III/4)
  • Valid medical fitness certificate from a doctor recognised by DG Shipping in ANNEXURE IV format
  • Payment of 200 GBP in favour of the University (E-payment procedure)

Eligibility Criteria for 2nd Mates UK CoC

Sea Service: At least 36 Months on merchant vessels in an acceptable deck capacity, such as trainee OS, OS, Deck Cadet, Junior Officer, AB, Bosun with a medical certificate recognised by the MCA, UK.

Bridge-Watch Keeping: 6 Months of recorded bridge-watchkeeping duties.

Minimum 36 months of sea service: A must for taking the 2nd Mate’s exam in the UK.

Sea Service Stamps on CDC: Your CDC should have at least 36 months of sea service stamps, and non-Indian CDCs, such as Thai, Liberia, Bahamas, Panama, etc., are also accepted.

Company Sea-time Letter or Masters Testimonials: Needed for a minimum of 36 months of sea service.

Multiple Shipping Companies: If you sailed with different companies, you require sea-time letters from each company to total a minimum of 36 months.

The Bridge Watch-keeping Certificate: It must be mentioned that you fulfilled at least 8 Hours of Bridge watchkeeping duties each day as an Assistant to the main watchkeeper when the ship was at sea.

2nd mate uk coc

Eligibility for GP Rating to become 3rd officer in the UK

Months At Sea: A minimum of 36 months at sea as deck ratings of AB, OS, Bosun and Pump Man.

Sea Time: You need to gain sea time on a foreign going (FG) vessel that is at least 80 gross tonnes and has an LOA of at least 24 m.

Experience: In the past 12 months, you must have a minimum of 6 months of experience, per your navigational watchkeeping certificate.

Eligibility criteria for GP Rating to become 4th engineer in the UK

Sea Time: Atleast 24 Month Sea Time as Engine Rating with Watch-Keeping Certificate ( Motorman, Fitter and Oiler)

Certificate Requirements: Motorman and oiler watchkeeping certificate IV(B) and Fitter-watchkeeping certificate (IV C)

Becoming an Officer or Engineer from a GP Rating

1. The first step is to choose a college offering the CoC program of your choice. 

City of Glasgow College, South Shield Marine School, Gamma Marine Training Institute, and Fleetwood Nautical Campus are some of the best colleges in the UK for these programs.

2. The next step is to make sure you possess the required documents, including:

  • Deposit Enrollment form, which is around 1000 GBP
  • Passport Copy
  • Copy of Certificate of Proficiency
  • Sea testimonial onboard
  • Letter from the company you sailed with
  • Continuous discharge certificate copy 
  • Course Certificate: PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR, Ship Security (STSDSD) certificate copy 
  • Bridge watchkeeping Certificate copy

3. After the college makes sure you meet the eligibility criteria, you will get a formal letter of Acceptance from the college if you are admitted. 

4. Once you receive the confirmation of acceptance from the college, you can apply for a student visa if you are an international student. 

5. Then, you must pay tuition and fees following seat confirmation.

6. The next step is to submit your NOE Application for UK CoC.

7. Once your application is reviewed by UK MCA, which ensures that all the documents and information are present. If approved, you will receive NOE, which officially confirms your eligibility to take the oral exam in the UK.

8. After obtaining the NOE, you can follow the process to book a slot for the oral exam.

9. The oral exam assesses your understanding of maritime regulations and concepts and your ability and presence of mind to apply this knowledge to real-life practical scenarios.

10. After taking the exam, those who pass will receive their CoC.

Exam Preparation tips

UK CoC Syllabus

Examination to be 3rd Officer with UK CoC

  • Higher National Certification (100 Marks including MCQ, Long and Short answers)
  • Signal Exam ( Navigation, Stability, and Cargo work)
  • Oral Exam ( Part A and Part B)

Examination to Be 4th Engineer with UK CoC

  • Semester 1: Science A and Science B
  • Semester 2: Control Science, GK and workshop

UK CoC Courses Fees to Become 3rd Officer

UK CoC course fees (Directly from the UK)

UK CoC Courses fees (Integrated Program UK + India)

UK CoC Course Fees To Become 4th Engineer

UK CoC course fees (Directly from the UK)

UK CoC Courses fees (Blended Program UK + India)

Some Important Preparation Tips 

  • You can take additional classes to improve your English speaking skills.
  • You can also opt for accent training classes if grasping the accent is difficult.
  • You can improve your knowledge and communication skills by watching YouTube videos, taking courses, etc.
  • While in college, focus on studying instead of working too many part-time jobs. 
  • Be financially prepared and have enough savings to cover your living expenses and an emergency. 
  • Plan your budget judiciously and avoid additional expenses if you have a tight budget.
  • Be familiar with the syllabus and focus on critical areas and your weaknesses.
  • Devise a study plan or timetable that is manageable for you.
  • Look at past exams to see the question types and question structure.
  • Remain up to date with changes in rules and regulations in the maritime industry.
  • Give lots of mock tests so you can check your performance and growth.
  • Revise regularly to brush up on your knowledge.

Course Duration

The course is offered in three batches each year, starting in January, April, and September. If holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and summer are excluded, the course lasts seven months.

Students who join the January or September batch can get their CoC in around 8 months if they clear all the exams on time. Those who join the April batch will get their CoC in 9 months, as there is a 2 month summer break and a month-long Christmas break. 

Visa granted to students is for 10 to 11 months and ends 2 months after the completion date of the course. Students can begin their visas a maximum of two weeks before the course commencement date.

The 36-Month Path to Become OOW ( 2nd Mate)

If you have 36 months of sea experience in the UK, you don’t need to take the 2nd Mate’s exams, provided you have educational qualifications like Class XII Science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths or Class X.

The only requirement for MCA and UK OOW Certification is a document that can verify 36 months of sea experience. Passing written exams in the UK demands a solid grasp of maths and physics concepts.

Also, you do not need to complete an MNTB Training Record Book on board the vessel if you follow the 36-month path to become an OOW (2nd Mate).

What If you do not pass the UK CoC Exam?

If you do not pass an exam in the U.K. to become a 3rd officer or 4th engineer, you must stay another month. Failing each test would cost an extra £100-£270. 

Re-taking tests require additional time and money. Although it might initially feel difficult or even impossible, you will improve with each attempt. 

To Sum up

Getting a UK Certificate of Competency is an excellent achievement for progressing in the Merchant Navy, as it opens doors to higher salary packages and increased status and reputation. After taking this exam, one can become a third or fourth engineer, so despite communication barriers and other issues one might encounter, preparing for the UK CoC is worth it. 

Determined and disciplined aspirants can progress from GP grade to officer rank or engineer and secure a better future for themselves in this competitive industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the UK CoC course?

Those who join the January or September batch can get their CoC in around 8 months if they pass the exams on time without any retakes. Those in the April batch will get the CoC in 9 months due to the 2-month summer and 1-month winter holidays within the course duration.

2. Is the UK CoC better than the Indian CoC?

Indian CoC is powerful and reliable; however, the worldwide demand for UK-issued certifications is much higher than that of other countries’ CoCs.

3. What is the UK CoC exam?

A UK Certificate of Competency (CoC) meets the applicable standards of training certification and watchkeeping (STCW) requirements. Application forms and guidance notes are available for deck and engineer officers working on yachts, merchant ships and sail training vessels.

4. Is the UK CoC exam difficult?

One needs to have a solid foundation in physics and mathematics to clear the UK CoC exam. It might seem difficult at first, but it seems easy once you practice more and more. 

5. Is UK COC valid in India?

After the agreement for mutual recognition of CoCs was signed between India and the UK for 5 Years, w.e.f. 21 July 2022, the COEs of all management-level officers holding UK COCs to work on Indian ships were extended until 20 July 2027.

6. How do I get a UK CoC rating?

This would require you to complete 33 months of sea-going service, maintain a comprehensive Training Record Book (TRB), and complete various short courses. Fulfilling these requirements will make you eligible to apply for the EOOW UK Certificate of Competency (COC).

7. How to convert UK CoC to Canadian CoC?

Canada does not automatically recognise a foreign Certificate of Competency (CoC). One has to apply and become a Permanent Resident in Canada under the Immigration Act and then, on arrival in Canada, take the Immigration papers and original records of sea service, etc.

8. How can I join the Merchant Navy in the UK?

You can get into this job through a sponsored university course, an apprenticeship, a direct application, or pre-cadetship courses.

9. What is the importance of UK CoC?

Getting a UK Certificate of Competency is a great achievement for progressing in the Merchant Navy. One can become a third or fourth engineer after taking this exam, so despite communication barriers and other issues one might encounter, preparing for the UK CoC is worth it. 

10. Who issues the UK CoC?

After submitting an application and clearing the oral exam, one attains the UK CoC issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or the MCA.

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About Author

Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid writer, possessing immaculate research and editing skills. Author of several academic papers, she has also worked as a freelance writer, producing many technical, creative and marketing pieces. A true aesthete at heart, she loves books a little more than anything else.

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The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.


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