Boat Building (Advanced)

There is NO direct entry to this course for school leavers.

This course will provide you with an advanced level of knowledge and skills in traditional methods of boat building as well as modern engineering techniques, enabling you to enter employment as a boatbuilder or to progress your career in the marine industry. It covers marine joinery, construction of hulls and boat structures and the use of composites materials.

You will benefit from our industry expert teachers and fantastic training facilities at our specialist Marine Skills Centre in Woolston, Southampton.

On this course you will follow a full-time Study Programme made up of the following four compulsory elements to best prepare you for progression to employment, apprenticeships, further study or applying to university:

• The main subject qualification
• Work experience for a minimum of 37 hours or, on some courses, up to 50 days over an academic year. You will be expected to find placements by researching companies, contacting employers and speaking with college staff. 
• English and maths where students have not yet achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in these subjects
• Additional enhancing activities such as tutorials and work-related learning, including careers fairs, site visits and guest speakers, to help further develop the personal skills relevant to your progression goals

The Boat Building (Advanced) qualification

• Safe and effective working in the marine industry
• Business improvement techniques
• Principles of boat construction
• Construction and repair of hulls and boat structures
• Fibre reinforced plastics technology for marine construction

Trips, visits and activities

As part of the course you will also take part in industry trips and activities including networking events, industry visits and guest lectures. Previous events have included:

• Southampton Boat Show
• Guest speakers
• Opportunities to work on industry and community projects
• Work experience
• Industry week activities

Our Marine Skills Centre on the waterside in Woolston features some of the best marine training facilities on the South Coast including:

• Composites workshop
• Marine engineering workshop
• Marine electrical workshop
• Boat building and repair workshop
• IT and CAD suites

Course assessed by:

• 30% coursework / practical
• 70% exam

Relevant Level 2 qualification
AND
4 GCSEs grade 4 or above (including English, maths and science)

Mature students considered with experience and sound knowledge of wood working and composite construction techniques

You will be required to attend a College interview prior to enrolling onto this course.

Find out more about How to Apply

• Foundation Degree at university
• Work in marine construction, e.g. boat builder, boat fitter, composite engineer, marine joiner, naval architect

Trips, visits & activities

• Guest speakers
• Southampton Boat Show
• Opportunities to work on industry and community projects
• Industry week activities
• Work experience