Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science)

Domestic students:

(Year 1 Entry)

Schools Recommendation Program

Australian year 12 students can apply for this course via our Schools Recommendation Program (SRP). Rather than an ATAR, your application is based on a recommendation by your school teachers. This can factor in your year 11 results, an assessment of your capabilities, and other considerations.

Through the SRP, you can receive and accept an offer prior to completing year 12. You will still need to finish your year 12 studies – including any exams – to commence your studies. In addition, this course requires you to pass specific pre-requisite subjects in Year 12 (or equivalent), see below for details.

If you don’t receive an offer for this course through the Schools Recommendation Program, you will be re-assessed for a higher preference offer once your ATAR is released.

Applicants who have recently completed secondary education (Year 12)

Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers are made based on the number of places available. In 2026, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 60.1. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.

Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.

Applicants with higher education study

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:

• Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 University of Tasmania credit points). If an applicant has failed any units, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; OR

• Completed the University of Tasmania University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian university).

Applicants with VET/TAFE study

To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate IV (or equivalent) in any discipline.

Applications on the basis of work or life experience

This course does not accept applications based on work or life experience.

Subject Prerequisites

These prerequisites apply to students from all educational backgrounds.

To be an eligible for an offer, you must have completed studies or have experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subjects:

• General Mathematics (MTG315123) or equivalent; and

• Physical Sciences (PSC315118) or equivalent (equivalency includes CHM415115 Chemistry OR PHY415115 Physics)

• Plus Australian Year 10 pass in English (or equivalent) or higher is required.

You can enquire online for information on interstate and international equivalents to the Tasmanian senior secondary subject above. If you have not met this prerequisite, you will need to complete a UTAS foundation unit before you start your course.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION

We believe university education should be an option for everyone, no matter your background. If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition, or disability.

We can only approve applications for special consideration if we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the University admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.

Alternate Pathway 1 (Year 2 Entry)

Completion of AMSA approved Pre-Sea Deck training

• evidence of minimum of 6 months sea- time on vessels greater than or equal to 500 GT on company letterhead AND

• evidence of completion of an AMSA approved monitored on board training program. (Task and Guided Study workbooks)

Or

Completion of approved Pre-Sea Deck training (Year 2 Entry)

• evidence of 24 months sea- time on vessels greater than or equal to 500 GT on company letterhead AND

• evidence of completion of AMSA approved monitored on board training program. (Task and Guided Study workbooks)

OR

Holding a Certificate of Proficiency as Integrated Rating (Year 2 Entry)

• completion of 24 m sea- time as per Marine Order 71 AND

• completion of an AMSA approved monitored on board training program for Integrated Rating. (Task and Guided Study workbooks**)**

OR

Completion of 36 months sea-Time as per Marine Order 71 (Year 2 Entry)

Or

Holding any of the following qualifications (Year 2 Entry)

• Unrestricted Master Class 5

• Unrestricted Master <24m NC (Near Coastal) COC (Certificate of Competency)

• Unrestricted Master Class 4

• Unrestricted Master <35m NC (Near Coastal) COC (Certificate of Competency)

Or

Holders with alternate AMSA Qualifications (Year 2 Entry)

Holders with Alternate AMSA Domestic Qualifications as per Mo 71 and 74. All applicants to alternative entry points and pathways will be reviewed by admissions on an individual basis.

Or

Alternate Pathway 2 (Year 2 and Entry Domestic Only)

RAN officers holding a Bridge Warfare Certificate.

Alternate Pathway 3 (Year 3 Entry)

Holders of Watchkeeper Deck Certificate of Competency

• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Deck Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency OR

• Diploma of Applied Science (Mate/Master <500GT) OR

• Equivalent qualification

Alternate Pathway 4(Conversion Degree Pathway)

Students must have completed STCW Management level (Master Class 1 / STCW A-II/2) studies and:

hold a Master Class 1, Chief Mate or Watchkeeper Deck Certificate of Competency

COURSE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

This course includes compulsory Work Integrated Learning (professional experience placements). In order to participate in placements, all students must:

• Complete a Safe to Practice Agreement declaring they have the medical, physical or psychological capacity to safely participate in professional experience practice.

International students:

English Language Requirements

This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0, with no individual band less than 5.5, or a PTE Academic score of 50, with no score lower than 42 or equivalent.

For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided.

See the English Language Requirements page for more information.

General Entry Requirements

Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a year 12 education in Australia.

Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the “For Domestic Students” section of the entry requirements on this page.

You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:

• Completion of an equivalent AQF Certificate IV or above

• Complete or incomplete (minimum 25 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Diploma level or higher

Course Specific Requirements

These prerequisites apply to students from all educational backgrounds.

To be an eligible for an offer, you must have completed studies or have experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subjects:

• General Mathematics (MTG315123) or equivalent; and

• Physical Sciences (PSC315118) or equivalent (equivalency includes CHM415115 Chemistry OR PHY415115 Physics)

• Plus Australian Year 10 pass in English (or equivalent) or higher is required.

You can enquire online for information on interstate and international equivalents to the Tasmanian senior secondary subject above. If you have not met this prerequisite, you will need to complete a UTAS foundation unit before you start your course.

COURSE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

This course includes compulsory Work Integrated Learning (professional experience placements). In order to participate in placements, all students must:

• Complete a Safe to Practice Agreement declaring they have the medical, physical or psychological capacity to safely participate in professional experience practice.

Alternative entry pathways:

If you meet the minimum ATAR but haven't completed the required pre-requisite unit(s), we offer foundation units to help you bridge the gap. Many run in spring and summer school so you can meet a prerequisite and not delay the start of your Bachelor level studies. HECS scholarships may also be available for domestic students.

• Visit Foundation Unit to find out more.

If you do not meet the minimum ATAR you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies (Science Specialisation), which includes the mathematics and chemistry foundation units, as a pathway to this degree:

• Diploma of University Studies

If you do not meet the University General Entry Requirements, you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies or the University Preparation Program.

• Diploma of University Studies

• University Preparation Program

Students meeting the specified entry requirements may be admitted to the course according to one of the pathways listed below: Watchkeeper Deck

• Completion of AMSA approved Pre Sea Deck training (or equivalent) including evidence of minimum of 6 months sea-time on vessels greater than or equal to 500GT on company letterhead AND evidence of completion of approved monitored on board training program. (Task and Guided Study workbooks) OR

• Certificate of Proficiency as Integrated Rating and completion of 24 months sea-time as per Marine Order 71, and completion of an approved monitored on board training program for Integrated Rating. (Task and Guided Study workbooks) OR

• Completion of 36 months sea-time as per Marine Order 71.

Watchkeeper Deck - RAN Bridging (domestic students only)

• RAN Bridge Watchkeeping / Warfare Certificate (BWC)

Mate / Master < 500GT

• Unrestricted Master Class 5 OR

• Unrestricted Master <24m NC (Near Coastal) COC (Certificate of Competency) OR

• Unrestricted Master Class 4 OR

• Hold or have held an Unrestricted Master <35m NC (Near Coastal) COC (Certificate of Competency)

Chief Mate / Master

• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Deck Watchkeeper Certificate of Competency OR

• Diploma of Applied Science (Mate/Master <500GT) OR

• Equivalent qualification

Conversion Pathway

• Master Class 1 OR

Students must have completed STCW Management level (Master Class 1 / STCW A-II/2) studies and: hold a Master Class 1, Chief Mate or Watchkeeper Deck Certificate of Competency

• Note: must have studied up to STCW Management level prior to commencement of the conversion pathway

OR

Western Australia’s South Metropolitan TAFE (SM TAFE) Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations to Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science)

The conversion pathway provides an opportunity for Australian and International Ship Officers to convert their existing professional and academic qualifications to a Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science).

To be eligible students must have completed: STCW Management level (Master Class 1/ STCW A-II/2) studies; and MAR60315 Advanced Diploma of Maritime Operations (Master Unlimited).

The following additional AMSA pathways are now also offered within the 22Q Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science) / 23Q Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science).

AMSA Pathway Entry Requirement* Marine Order

DWK <3000 GT (Yachts) As per WKD (see entry requirements above) 74

Chief Mate <3000 GT (Yachts) As per WKD with complete WKD - Y studies (see entry requirements above) 74

Master <500 GT (Yachts) WKD <300 GT CoC 74

Master <3000 GT (Yachts) Master <500GT CoC 74

DWK <500 GT As per WKD (see entry requirements above) 71

Master <24m FG As per MM <500 GT 71

*An Qualifyng Seagong Service (QSS) letter from AMSA may also be accepted.

In all cases, contact us to discuss an option best suited to your needs.

Ocean Seafarers work on large vessels in Australian and international waters, as well as offshore vessels in the oil and gas industries.

The Bachelor of Applied Science (Nautical Science) is the recognised pathway to becoming an AMSA certified deck officer. Whether you are seeking a career ashore or senior shore-based positions, your studies at the Australian Maritime College will prepare you with a sought-after skill set and a defined understanding of the maritime industry.

Additionally, you will gain the skills and knowledge which will prepare you for diverse and rewarding careers such as:

• Governmental or intergovernmental regulators and organisations such as AMSA, EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency), IMO (International Maritime Organisation)
• Senior position in a shipyard
• Fleet manager in a shipping company
• Crew manager / shipping agent
• Marine superintendent or safety manager in a shipping company
• Product, R&D, sales and service managers in companies supplying maritime equipment
• Surveyor in a classification society
• Marine Surveyor with a port state control authority such as AMSA
• Work in marine insurance companies
• Mediators / Arbitrators
• Maritime education and training, research and teaching positions