BSc in Nautical Science Course- Eligibility, Admission, and Career Prospects

BSc in Nautical Science is an undergraduate program of 3-year that works to provide the fundamental academic knowledge and practical experiences to safely operate and navigate marine vessels. It emphasizes a solid foundation in seamanship, navigation, cargo works, and more. More so, the course imparts comprehensive study of every aspect of Nautical Sciences. In essence, the course has been designed to build in all competencies and skills required to efficiently deal with Cargo operations, navigation, and Ship Maintenance & Operations. The aspirants wishing to pursue B.Sc. in Nautical Science are first required to meet the basic eligibility criteria or requirements. Students must have completed their intermediate with science stream (PCM as compulsory subjects), medical fitness certificate, must have command over communication, leadership spirit, analytical skill, to name a few. 

Moreover, graduating with BSc. Nautical Science will help students make better career choices in numerous exciting opportunities. Graduates can find their compatible jobs in both government and private organizations such as the Indian Navy, ONGC, Sail, Hapag Lloyd, MOL, Synergy, to mention a few. They could be involved in several job profiles, including deck Cadet, Navigation Officer, Ship’s Captain, Radio officer, Pilot, Harbour Master, to name a few. There are many other essential aspects of the course you might be interested in. Let’s dive deeper into this blog.

What is B.Sc in Nautical Science?

A B.Sc in Nautical Science is a bachelor-level degree programme that trains students on the proper functioning and navigating of marine vessels such as ships. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has approved this undergraduate program, and it directly comes under the Ministry of Shipping. Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science program imparts basic knowledge on ship operation Technology, Cargo Handling, construction of marine ships, fundamental principles of navigation, and meteorology, to mention a few. The objective of the course is to build competent, innovative, and productive marine professionals who can efficiently complete their roles. The bachelor’s marine science covers numerous crucial subjects to help them attain proficiency in every aspect of shipboard and navigation operations. Some of the BSc in Science course subjects include applied physics &electricity, nautical mathematics, ship construction, Nautical Electrical & Electronics, Navigational Chart Work & Collision Prevention Regulations, and many more.

Moreover, the course also let the students develop several soft skills to better understand maritime aspects & principles. In essence, the B.Sc. in Nautical Science course provides enough dynamic & static academic knowledge and hands-on experiences to make better job profiles.

Short Details on BSc Nautical Science Course

Degree: Bachelor

Full Form- Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science

Course Fees- INR

Salary of the Graduates- INR 6-8 lakhs

Minimum Academic Qualifications- Students must Intermediate certificate with science stream (PCM)

BSc in Nautical Science Eligibility

Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science is a 3-year program that builds students into specialist mariners to engage in the Merchant Navy ships effectively. Students who are excited to take admission into B.Sc. Nautical Science Programme must equip themselves with the standard eligibility qualifications and some necessary skills demanded by respective colleges/universities. Therefore, the motivated students wanted to take admission in the renowned institutions and study bachelor maritime courses, students will have to take popular entrance exams. Some of the essential eligibility criteria for the bachelor nautical science course are as-

Eligibility Criteria for the course in India

The basic requirements to be eligible to get admission in the BSc Nautical Science program are written down-

(a) Must have done their Class XIIth examination from a recognized board with a science stream.

(b) Completed class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as the compulsory subjects and have obtained a minimum of 60% of aggregate marks.

(c) The students should be in between 17-25 years of age during the admission into BSc in Nautical Science program.

(d) It is really important for the aspirants to clear national level entrance exam or university level entrance exams like IMU CET to get entry into the reputed colleges /universities.

Eligibility Criteria for the Course in Abroad-

To enroll in a BSc in Nautical Science course abroad, the students must meet the eligibility criteria prescribed by the concerned authority. Some of the essential eligibility qualifications for bachelor nautical course to study overseas are as- aspirants should have completed their class XIIth examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as the compulsory subjects from a recognized board, need to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP), English language proficiency scores of TOEFL /IELTS /PTE, and optional Letters of Recommendation (LORs).

BSc Nautical Science Entrance Exam

(a) CUSAT CAT: Cochin University of Science and Technology Entrance Exam (CUSAT CAT) is a university-level combined entrance examination conducted by the Cochin University of Science and Technology to provide admission to the UG and PG courses in the university.

(b) TMISAT: Tolani Maritime Institute Science Aptitude Test is an entrance exam conducted by Tolani Maritime Institute for aspirants seeking admission in several UG and PG marine courses. Candidates who wish to pursue B.Sc. in Nautical Science and Diploma in Nautical Science can take TMISAT 2022 entrance exam.

(e) GME: Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) conducted an entrance test to provide undergraduate maritime courses.

(f) ETO CET: An entrance exam conducted to provide the Bachelor Nautical Science programme seats.

(c) IMU CET: Indian Maritime University Common Entrance Test is a gateway to various merchant navy courses. The students who have completed their intermediate examination and are excited to pursue a career in maritime can appear in this entrance test.

Medical Fitness Requirements for Marine Courses-

Students interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science programme need to meet the medical fitness requirements.

(a) Hearing & Eyesight: Aspirants must have expected hearing and eyesight.

(b) Vision: Students must have a normal vision (6/6) in each eye separately.

(c) Certificate for medical Fitness: The students are required to submit the certificate of medical fitness given by an authorized authority.

Admission Process for the BSc in Nautical Science Course

BSc Nautical Science is a professional course brought to make the proficient marine officer and other lower staff so that they can function and navigate the maritime ships with the minimum challenges. The students having a keen interest in pursuing a career in this field can opt for a bachelor’s nautical science course. But to get admitted into the most renowned universities, the students need to obtain good ranks or scores in the entrance exam. However, other universities/colleges also offer admission to the course only through the marks secured in the intermediate examination. Before applicants advance their step for admission in the course, they must first check the essential eligibility qualifications for the colleges they decided to go into. Students must meet the minimum standard qualifications prescribed by the institutions or colleges they are applying for. The minimum eligibility criteria or requirements include a higher secondary certificate with at least 60% aggregate marks (PCM as compulsory subjects), analytical skills, good command over communication, judgment & Decision Making, etc. Students get entry to the course either (a) Merit-Based Entry or (b) Entrance-Based Entry. Let’s dive deeper into the admission Processes:

Merit-Based Entry to the Course-

(a) If students have made their mind to go into the marine field, they can apply for BSc in Nautical Science through a merit-based entry process. Students must visit the official portal of the institutes and lookout carefully at every admission entity like eligibility criteria, medical fitness requirements, and other essential skills.

(b) Then, register your name by making an application ID. Fill out the application form carefully by putting the required details and uploading the documents in an appropriate format and sizes like JPEG, NPEG format under 25-50 KBs sizes, etc.

(c) Students at the end will have to pay application charges

(d)  If students get shortlisted on the list, they can be admitted into the course by visiting a college with prescribed documents. Some colleges/universities also entail counseling rounds before providing a seat to the programme. 

Entrance Based Entry to the Course

Entrance Based entry is the most opted gateway to get admitted into the reputed colleges/universities. If aspirants have an expansive vision and see their career at some top-level after a few years, they should choose the entrance-based entry for the bachelor nautical science courses. Aspirants can be admitted to the course when they make good scores or rank in the entrance exams. I have listed down some steps of entrance-based admission:

(a) Students first apply for the national or college level entrance exams they are interested in. Following, the students would have to obtain good marks in the entrance exams (must cross the cut-off marks set up by the respective universities and institutes).

(b) Once the entrance exam results are declared and have scored above the cut-off, they will be called for a counseling round or personal interview. Even in this, they will have to perform well.

(c) Aspirants also need to produce a medical fitness certificate during the admission process.

(d) In the last phase of the admission process, the colleges/universities will consider entrance exam score, medical fitness requirements, and performance in PI to allocate seats into BSc in Nautical Science course.

Jobs for BSc in Nautical Science Graduates

A Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science is a professional and skilled program that imparts several skills and experiences required to excel in a prosperous career opportunity. Under the course, students are helped to attain proficiency in all aspects of marine navigation and shipboard operations. More so, developing problem-solving skills and abilities in different complex situations while on shipboard also has high significance. The participants are prepared competent enough to carry out their responsibilities efficiently. Consequently, it helps the students get desirable jobs in the merchant navy sector. The course has also included several significant subjects to develop the required competencies in the candidates.

The course offers numerous career opportunities to graduates with having BSc in Nautical Science degree. More so, it opens the door for various career avenues, including Private Navy Organizations, Indian Navy, Educational Institutes, Private Marine Research centres, to name a few. After finishing your B.Sc. in Nautical Science degree, there are multiple job openings available in private and government organizations and land into exciting job profiles. Some of the job profiles for the Nautical science graduates are as-

(a) Ship’s Captain

(b) Harbour Master

(c) Scuba Diver

(d Navigation Officer

(e) Deck Officer

(f) Marine Engineer

(g) Nautical Surveyor

(h) Marine Superintendent

Besides, there are top-notch organizations that offer the most acceptable job profiles to the students who graduated with B.Sc. in Nautical Science. Some of the recruiting companies are as-

(a) Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC)

(b) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

(c) Government-operated Quarries

(d) GSI (Geological Survey of India)

(e) Essar Ship Management

(f) Coal India

(g) Fleet Management Limited

(h) Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)

(i) APM-MAERSK

(j) NYK Line

(k) MOL

(l) Hapag Lloyd

(m) Synergy

BSc in Nautical Science Syllabus

B.Sc. Nautical Science is a course that imparts lessons on several important topics, including Ship operation Technology, Naval Architecture, Cargo work, Ship Construction, Navigation, Voyage Planning & Collision Prevention, Maritime Law, Marine Engineering & Control Systems, to name a few. The students are also provided hands-on experience in the course frame. It is a mix of academic knowledge, skills, and practical experience. A bachelor of science in Nautical Science is a course that can be obtained after completing 12th with science stream (physics, chemistry as the compulsory subjects). Developing skills to effectively operate and navigate the merchant navy ships are the common aspects of the course. B.Sc. in Nautical Science is a 3-year program, divided into six semesters. It covers numerous vital subjects that are required to enhance the capability of marine professionals. B.Sc. in Nautical Science subjects may vary from college to college. Some of the important bachelor nautical science subjects are listed down:

Particulars of B.Sc. Nautical Science

Fees Structure of BSc Nautical Science Program

In India, there are numerous universities or colleges that select candidates to provide seats to study the BSc Nautical Programme. Most of the renowned colleges are concerned about offering admission through an entrance-based method. But several others just provide access through intermediate marks. It can be understood that since different colleges have set up different criteria to offer admission to the BSc in Nautical Science course, they will definitely have different fee structures. Apart from this, several other factors are also considered on the fees being applied to the programme. Some of them are the infrastructure of the institutions, location of the institutions, faculty provided by the universities/colleges, to mention a few. So, the candidates will pay the fee for the course according to the demand of the respective colleges. Although, the average fees structure of the Nautical Science Diploma course ranges from Rs. 30k to 3Lacs for the entire course.

Salary of BSc in Nautical Science Graduates

The salaries offered to the graduates are different depending on their job roles, skills, abilities, and proficiency. Although they could get attractive salary packages like fresh graduates can earn 3-4 lakh per annum, medium experienced can upto 5-6 lakh per annum, and highly experienced graduates can earn upto 8 lakh or more. 

BSc in Nautical Science Best Colleges in India

(a) IMU – IMU Kochi Indian Maritime University

(b) IMU – IMU Navi Mumbai Indian Maritime University

(c) Tolani Maritime Institute- TMI

(d) Chitkara University, Chandigarh

(e) Coimbatore Marine College

(f) Training Ship Chanakya

Most Valuable Reads Beyond BSc Nautical Science

• Pursuing Career as a Nurse
• Master of Science in Biotechnology
• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Degree
• Bachelor of Technology in Marine Engineering

Questions Mostly Asked About BSc Nautical Science