Why choose this course?

The Technology (Maritime Operations) MSc was developed in partnership by the Royal Navy and Kingston University. The programme accredits the learning achieved during professional naval branch training.

It is open only to applications from people who have successfully completed at least one of the following courses:

UK Royal Navy principal warfare officer (PWO) training course.
Royal Australian Navy principal warfare officer (PWO) training course.

Kingston University is a recognised provider for the UK military Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme (ELC) and thus eligible candidates are welcome to partially fund their course in this way.

The Royal Australian Navy Education Branch provides financial support to some of its officers undertaking this award.

This course is undertaken in the workplace, with assignments based around your past and current work. There are no fixed dates for completing assignments, only a total time to complete the course. You will be supported by a supervisor who has extensive experience of working with the Royal Navy. Tutoring and advice may be provided face-to-face, via video conference, over the phone or by email. The majority of credits for your masters degree will come from your prior completion of the principle warfare officer (PWO) course. You will gain the remaining credits through this MSc course by completing work-based assignments, an academic paper and a final reflective summary. You will have full access to online library and literature database resources. Every effort is made to accommodate your working patterns, where possible.

The application process is ongoing throughout the year, with four start points – August November, February and May – to provide flexibility. The course is targeted for completion within two years, and must be completed within four years.

What you will study

Of the 180 credits at the required level required for a masters degree, the majority of these credits will come from successful completion of the PWO course (and the training leading up to this course). 120 credits is the maximum that can be gained as recognised prior learning (RPL) from completing the above naval course, and this is achieved by almost all UK Royal Navy PWO officer applicants. However, the level of credit awarded can be influenced by a number of factors, notably on how recently the course has been completed, and the level of relevant experience gained by an individual since completion. A short written assignment may be required from applicants in support of their request for RPL to gain credits towards this course. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) principal warfare officers, in general, need to undertake this extra assignment.

The remaining credits required to complete the masters degree are gained through work-based assignments whilst registered for this MSc at Kingston University. Such study is fully work based and attendance at the University is not required, except for a final presentation and oral examination (viva). In some cases the viva may be permitted by video link, for example, the vivas of RAN officers, but these are exceptions. Gaining the remaining credits requires the candidate to write an academic paper and a final reflective summary, and to undertake a presentation and oral examination (this will include critical reflection on their naval career to date). If the full 120 credits for prior learning are not awarded, the balance is made up by the completion of additional work-based assignments, agreed between the candidate and the University.