UK CoC | A Complete Guide
Table of contents
- 1. UK CoC Overview
- 2. GP Rating to Officer/Engineer
- 3. UK CoC Eligibility
- 4. UK CoC Syllabus
- 5. Best UK Colleges for GP Rating to Become an Officer or Engineer
- 6. UK CoC VS Indian CoC: Which is better?
- 7. UK CoC Courses Fees to Become 3rd Officer
- 8. UK CoC Courses Fees To Become 4th Engineer
- 9. Challenges Faced by GP Rating to Become an Officer or Engineer
- 10. What If you Fail 2nd Mate Exam in UK CoC?
- 11. Conclusion
1. UK CoC Overview
- UK Certificate of Competency (CoC) is a prestigious certificate of competency in the maritime industry, it is essential for career advancement in the merchant navy.
- UK CoC helps you open doors to higher-ranking positions like 3rd or 4th Engineer, marking a significant progression in one’s career in the merchant navy.
- GP-rating personnel have specialized knowledge and skills, enabling them to handle greater responsibilities at sea.
- Engineers enjoy higher salaries and better compensation packages with the UK CoC, becoming valuable assets to shipping companies.
- UK Coc is the stepping stone towards leadership roles like Chief Engineer/ Captain, overseeing the entire engineering department and the ship.
2. GP Rating to Officer/Engineer
Ready to become an Engineer / Officer from GP Rating? Check out the guide by Merchant Navy Decoded
Step 1: Research and Choose
Select a college offering the CoC program of your interest. Colleges such as the City of Glasgow College, South Shield Marine School, and Fleetwood Nautical Campus in the United Kingdom are the suggested colleges.
Step 2: Document Required
- Deposit Enrollment Form: Enrollment form will cost you around 1000 Great Britain Pound (GBP)
- Passport copy
- Continuous discharge certificate copy
- Bridge watchkeeping Certificate: 6-month bridge watchkeeping certificate of 12 months sea time (copy of bridge watchkeeping certificate)
- Certificate of Proficiency copy
- Course Certificate: PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR, Ship Security (STSDSD) certificate copy
- Sea testimonial onboard
- Company letter you had sailed with
Step 3: The College will check your eligibility
Step 4: After the eligibility criteria you will receive a formal Letter of Acceptance if admitted.
Step 5: Student Visa Application
Once you’ve received confirmation of your acceptance from the college, proceed to apply for a student visa if you’re an international student.
Step 6: Tuition and fees payment and seat confirmation
Step 7: Submitting your NOE application for UK CoC
Step 8: Application review by UK MCA
The government authority, such as the UK MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency), reviews your NOE application. UK government authorities will ensure that all required documents and information are in order.
Step 9: Approval and confirmation of NOE
After reviewing, the authorities may either approve your NOE application, If your application is approved, you will receive the NOE. NOE will officially confirm your eligibility to undertake the oral exam in the UK.
Step 10: Booking the oral exam
NOE will help you provide the link or follow the specified process to book your oral exam slot. This step allows you to schedule the examination at a suitable time.
Step 11: Oral Exam
Once you schedule a date for oral the examination assesses your understanding of maritime concepts, and regulations, and your ability to apply this knowledge in practical scenarios.
Step 12: Result
Successful candidates may proceed to the next phase of obtaining their Certificate of Competency (CoC), while others may receive guidance on areas for improvement.
3. UK CoC Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for GP Rating to become 3rd officer in the UK:
| 36 months at sea as deck ratings of OS, AB, Pump Man and Bosun. |
| You should be gaining sea time on a foreign going (FG) vessel that is at least 80 gross tons (80 Grt) and 24 meters long overall (LOA). |
| In the past 12 months, you should have at least 6 months of experience according to your navigational watchkeeping certificate. |
Eligibility criteria for GP Rating to become 4th engineer in the UK:
| 24-month sea time as engine rating with watch-keeping certificate (motorman, fitter and oiler) |
| Motorman and oiler watchkeeping certificate IV(B) |
| Fitter-watch keeping certificate (IV C) |
4. UK CoC Syllabus
4.1 Exam to Become 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)
4.2 Exam to Become 4th Engineer with UK CoC
- Semester 1: Science A and Science B
- Semester 2: Control Science, GK and workshop
5. Best UK Colleges for GP Rating to Become an Officer or Engineer
There are only a few colleges that provide a quality education and in which you can trust:
- City of Glasgow
- South Shield Marine School
- Fleetwood Nautical Campus
Complete information about these colleges is given in a separate ‘UK CoC Colleges blog‘ that will walk you through the complete information.
CLICK HERE to learn about the complete UK CoC Eligibility Criteria.
6. UK CoC VS Indian CoC: Which is better?
In the merchant navy, the UK CoC and Indian CoC stand out as preferred certificates from various nations because of the country’s standards of certifying seafarers. Previously, CoCs from Singapore, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom were all similarly priced. While historically, the UK CoC was considered relatively expensive, today its cost is comparable to others.
However, what truly distinguishes the UK CoC is its credibility. Companies now strongly prefer both UK and India CoCs for their reliability and trustworthiness. Interestingly, while the Indian CoC holds equal value, the global demand for UK-issued certificates remains higher.
7. UK CoC Courses Fees to Become 3rd Officer
7.1 UK CoC course fees (Directly from the UK)
| Expense Categories | Cost in GBP | Cost in INR |
| IELTS | 363 GBP | ₹36,351.58 |
| Enrollment Fee (1000 GBP+ 8145 GBP) | 9145 GBP | ₹9,145,000 |
| Maintenance Funds for Visa (1023*9) GBP | 9207 GBP | ₹9,20,700 |
| Living Expenses (Monthly) | 200-300 GBP | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Chest Report | 25 GBP | ₹2,500.00 |
| Flight Ticket | 250- 500 GBP | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 |
| UK Student Visa | 1100 GBP | ₹1,10,000 |
| Total | 20290-20640 GBP | ₹20,29,000- ₹20,64,000 |
***Price can fluctuate based on the conversion rate.
7.2 UK CoC Courses fees (Blended Program UK + India)
| Expense Categories | Cost in GBP | Cost in INR |
| IELTS | Not Required | Not Required |
| Enrollment Fee | 8025 GBP | ₹8,02,500 |
| Maintenance Funds for Visa (1023*9) GBP | 9207 GBP | ₹9,20,700 |
| Living Expenses (Monthly) | 200-300 GBP | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Chest Report | Not Required | Not Required |
| Flight Ticket | 250- 500 GBP | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 |
| UK Visitor u Visa | 130- 400GBP | ₹13,000- ₹40,000 |
| Total | 17,812- 18,432 GBP | ₹17,81,200- ₹18,43,200 |
***Price can fluctuate based on the conversion rate.
8. UK CoC Courses Fees To Become 4th Engineer
8.1 UK CoC course fees (Directly from the UK)
| Expense Categories | Cost in GBP | Cost in INR |
| LOA and MNTB TAR book | 150 GBP | ₹15,000 |
| Course Fees ( Science A & Science B) | 2895 GBP | ₹2,89,500 |
| Course Fees (Control ) | 495 GBP | ₹49,500 |
| Workshop | 2895 GBP | ₹2,89,500 |
| Maintenance Funds for Visa (1023*6) GBP | 6138 GBP | ₹6,13,800 |
| Living Expenses (Monthly) | 200-300 GBP | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Chest Report (Tuberculosis report ) | 25 GBP | ₹2,500 |
| Flight Ticket | 250- 500 GBP | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 |
| UK Student Visa | 1100 GBP | ₹1,10,000 |
| Total | 15,500-15,853 GBP | ₹15,50,000- ₹15,85,300 |
***Price can fluctuate based on the conversion rate.
8.2 UK CoC Courses fees (Blended Program UK + India)
| Expense Categories | Cost in GBP | Cost in INR |
| LOA and MNTB TAR book | 207 GBP | ₹20,700 |
| Course Fees ( Science A & Science B) | 1200 GBP | ₹1,20,000 |
| Course Fees (Control ) | 150 GBP | ₹15,000 |
| Workshop 1 + coaching | 2629 GBP | ₹2,62,900 |
| Workshop 2 (UK) | 1000 GBP | ₹1,00,000 |
| Maintenance Funds for Visa (1023*3) GBP | 6138 GBP | ₹6,13,800 |
| Chest Report (Tuberculosis report ) | 25 GBP | ₹2,500 |
| Flight Ticket | 250- 500 GBP | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 |
| UK Visa | 130-400 GBP | ₹13,000- ₹40,000 |
| Total | 11,729-12,249 GBP | ₹11,72,900- ₹12,24,900 |
***Price can fluctuate based on the conversion rate.
9. Challenges Faced by GP Rating to Become an Officer or Engineer
It can be not easy when trying to become an officer in the UK while you live far away from home. But these are the obstacles you must overcome to succeed as an officer or engineer. It takes more than just putting in a lot of effort and dedication.
You have to show discipline and respect. Because, as you may be aware, you are representing India, not just yourself.
Become an officer in the UK by working hard, remaining committed, maintaining discipline, and treating people with respect—all of which Merchant Navy Decoded will help you overcome.
| Problem | Solution |
| Communication Barrier | Take extra classes to improve your English skills, both in spoken and written forms. Practice conversing with colleagues and locals to get accustomed to the accent and language nuances. |
| Difficulty in Understanding Accent | Attend additional accent training sessions to familiarize yourself with different accents. Utilize online resources, audiobooks, and movies to expose yourself to diverse accents and improve your comprehension over time. |
| Cooking Challenge | Learn cooking skills before heading to the UK to save money on food expenses. |
| No Work Permit During College | Focus on your studies and utilize this time to build a strong foundation for your career. |
| Financial Preparedness | Carry sufficient funds to cover living expenses. Plan your budget wisely, considering accommodation, food, transportation, and other essentials. |
For more information click on this blog:
10. What If you Fail 2nd Mate Exam in UK CoC?
If you do not pass an examination in the UK to become a third officer or fourth engineer, you will be required to stay for an additional month. Failing each test can cost you an additional £100-£270. Retaking tests is critically important but it requires extra time and money. It may feel difficult at first, but with each attempt, you learn and improve. So, even if it’s difficult, each retake is like investing in yourself and your future as an engineer in the UK. You’re almost there—just keep going!
11. Conclusion
- In conclusion, obtaining a UK Certificate of Competency (CoC) has significance for progression in the merchant navy, providing access to higher-level positions such as 3rd or 4th Engineer.
- Despite challenges such as communication barriers and financial readiness, the UK CoC offers wealthy job opportunities and a global reputation. Along the way, Merchant Navy Decoded offers priceless advice.
- Every step forward, especially in the face of setbacks, represents progress toward professional development.
- Individuals with determination and resilience can progress from GP grade to officer or engineer, securing a bright future in the competitive world of maritime affairs.
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