Diploma in Nautical Studies (DNS) aims to provide you the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills to serve on merchant navy vessels of more than 500 gross tonnages. This programme also helps to develop students to be certified watchkeeping officers on an unlimited voyages.

The course will take a total of three (3) years, spread over three (3) phases. Students who enroll will need to complete all the mandatory phases required by the Director General of Marine, under the Malaysia Marine Department.

• Year 1: Academic and Professional Studies in the Academy
• Year 2: Professional Studies in the Academy
• Year 3: Shipboard Training

Upon successful completion of the training and passing all the qualifying pre-requisites, you will be awarded a Diploma in Nautical Studies and a Certificate of Competency as Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch.

General Requirements

• Single, aged between 18 and 25 years of age
• Must be physically and mentally fit as certified by medical practitioner approved by Malaysia Marine Department
• Minimum height of 158cm and weight of 48kg for male applicants (BMI: 18.5 -24.9)
• Minimum height of 155cm and weight of 42kg for female applicants (BMI: 18.5-24.9)
• Good eyesight

• Not colour blind
• For Diploma In Nautical Studies (visual acuity of 6/6)
• For Marine Engineering (if with optical aid power should not exceed 200)

• Good command of Bahasa Malaysia and English in both written and spoken.

For Malaysian applicants

• Passed SPM with at least
  • Credit in Bahasa Melayu; AND
  • Pass in English; AND
  • Credit – Science (non-STEM); OR Physics (STEM); OR Chemistry (STEM); OR Biology (STEM); AND
  • Credit – Mathematics (STEM/Non-STEM); OR Additional Mathematics (STEM); AND
  • Credit – Any of two (2) (STEM/Non-STEM) Core or elective subjects

                                or

• SPM AND SKM L3 in engineering and technologist (mechanical, mechatronic, electrical, automotive, marine, maritime)

                              or

• SVM in engineering and technologist (mechanical, mechatronic, electrical, automotive, marine, maritime)
  • Credit in Bahasa Melayu; AND
  • CGPA Academic 2.00; AND
  • CGPA Vocational 2.67; AND
  • Pass English; AND
  • Pass ILM’s entry examination on mathematics and science                        

For foreign applicants and/or holder of UK GCE O’ Level

• School exam certificate equivalent to UK GCE O’ Level with strong credits in Mathematics, Science/Technical, 3 other subjects and strong credits in English language.

For International students, it is compulsory to fulfil minimum score at least ONE of the following:

As of Financing Aid – on PTPTN loan on tuition fee, maximum RM20,000 is available subjects to total family income.

Your career prospects don’t stop at watchkeeping officer or watchkeeping engineer officer. In fact, this is just the beginning. Candidates can work their way up to becoming Master or Chief Engineer on board a vessel and earn a very competitive salary at each stage.