HND to Degree

[supertramp]

How hard and how long does it take to top up the HND to a full degree in nautical science? Will companies sponsor you to do this or is it something you have to pay for?

[Ducki52]

Some companies will sponsor you and give you study leave, and some won't. I know my company does provide for paid study leave for higher tickets etc.

[ETwhat?]

Most likely it will take 2 years, although that will depend on which university your looking at, and most FD should allow it in 1.

On what DUcki is saying its unlikely that a company will pay for the degree, its not a part of a higher ticket, and if they have a training scheme for your development it will be aimed around gaining tickets.

[HolyNougat]

I did this degree top up with Middlesex University, I can recommend it (its a full BSc (Hons))- I then used it to top up the degree to a Law Degree (a GDL Actually, but its the same thing as far as access onto the LPC goes) - it only takes 18 months or so and is worth just as much as the Nautical Science top up, which I have heard bad things about - and is fully distance learning. And you get sponsorship from the Marine Society for up to 500Pounds. And no, I'm not getting a kick back :-)

http://www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/maritime

[supertramp]

I did this degree top up with Middlesex University, I can recommend it (its a full BSc (Hons))- I then used it to top up the degree to a Law Degree (a GDL Actually, but its the same thing as far as access onto the LPC goes) - it only takes 18 months or so and is worth just as much as the Nautical Science top up, which I have heard bad things about - and is fully distance learning. And you get sponsorship from the Marine Society for up to 500Pounds. And no, I'm not getting a kick back :-)
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/maritime

Thanks for the info. How did you top it up to a law degree? I thought it had to be in the same subject. What are the bad things about the nautical science top up?

[HolyNougat]

You can convert any honors degree that was awarded at 2:1 or above into a GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law) in two years by distance learning or one year full time. The GDL has exactly the same value as a law degree (LLB) as far as access onto the professional aspect of the legal practice course is concerned because the law society recognize the GDL as a 'qualifying degree' in the same way as they recognize the full LLB - of course holding either a law degree or a GDL does not makes you a solicitor or barrister, it is simply the first stage towards that qualification.

I found that Huddersfield were excellent for the GDL, but Middlesex also offer the course (as do many other institutions).

I cannot really see much value in the Nautical Science top up, Southampton Solent (if that is where you are planning on doing it) are nearly always voted in the bottom 5 universities in the country and talking to a friend who started it, they seem to always be putting up barriers rather than being flexible to the seafarers who the course should be tailored for. The above is just my opinion obviously, there are probably others who feel quite differently about it.

There are lots of qualification for seafarers, the marine society are great at helping out, I have used them extensively - they also helped me fund a Diploma in Ship Superintendency with Lloyds Maritime Academy (although I cannot really recommend that course).

[GuinnessMan]

Most likely it will take 2 years, although that will depend on which university your looking at, and most FD should allow it in 1.

On what DUcki is saying its unlikely that a company will pay for the degree, its not a part of a higher ticket, and if they have a training scheme for your development it will be aimed around gaining tickets.

No, some companies will, but there will always be a catch and they won't pay 100% towards it.

For instance, I know of one that will pay 50-75% towards a degree and tie you to them financially for the three years...

[mak]

Is it any different for getting a degree in marine engineering? I heard wild rumours that my company will indeed pay towards it as they like to have qualified folk about...then heard onboard from the chief that they then like those people to take desk jobs. Strings for bows and all that I guess and I think a few years financial tie may even be a good thing, depending on the nature of the tie obviously.

[GuinnessMan]

Well I'm currently tied to mine and what it says is that so long as I don't leave/be sacked I am to remain in their employ for three years with the costs being reduced by about 25% each year until I hit year 4 and then I dont have to repay nowt...

[Lewis]

can it be done through the OU or some other sort of distance learning?

[GuinnessMan]

can it be done through the OU or some other sort of distance learning?

Yes. Your HND can be crossed over and will count towards your degree..

[Lewis]

I know it would count to go towards a degree I ment more do they offer a degree in marine operations or nautical science or something similar

[GuinnessMan]

I know it would count to go towards a degree I ment more do they offer a degree in marine operations or nautical science or something similar

Why not go on their website and take a look?

[Lewis]

Because am lazy :P

[GuinnessMan]

Because am lazy :P

That much is obvious.

If OU don't do it, then Portsmouth Uni do whats called a "Work Partnership Program" through distance learning in Maritime Studies.