The exact nature of education and training courses leading to careers as ships' officers differs across countries, and advice should be sought from your relevant national authority.

International competence standards for seafarers are determined by the UN International Maritime Organization. To view skills in which qualified officers are competent.

Maritime education and training for ships' officers is usually conducted from the age of 18 and above, although in some countries there may also be opportunities for graduates with unrelated degrees to take maritime training courses after university.

Entry requirements are usually equivalent to A-level, baccalaureate or senior high school standard, i.e. qualifications achieved beyond age 17. Maths and science ability, especially physics for engineers, is also normally required, though not necessarily at an advanced level since appropriate training normally forms part of specialist maritime education. However, English proficiency is increasingly important, as it is the international language used throughout the global shipping industry.

In some countries students may study for a maritime degree at a specialist maritime institute, or a maritime faculty within a larger university. In other countries students may study for national technical qualifications, or there may be a choice of studying for either a degree or an alternative technical qualification.

Regardless of the type of national qualification, it must cover the competence standards required by the International Maritime Organization. Officers are normally only permitted to work on internationally trading ships if they have been issued with what are known as "STCW" certificates in either deck, engine or electrical departments.

To be issued with an STCW certificate, officers must normally complete a minimum of a year of on board training at sea, as well as education and training in a shore-based college. Depending on the national system, most newly qualified officers have typically had 3 to 4 years training including their on board training, which may occur at the end of a shore-based course or be taken at intervals between shore-based courses.

COURSES	ELIGIBILITY	DURATION	SCHEDULE	MEDICAL FITNESS	AGE LIMIT
DEP - DIRECT ENTRY PROGRAMME	10TH PASS WITH GOOD ENGLISH COMMUNICATION	1 MONTH	EVERY MONTH	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT 6/6 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(17.6 TO 35) YRS.
G.P. RATING	10TH PASS WITH 40% & 40% IN ENGLISH. GOOD ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS	6 MONTHS	JANUARY & JULY	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT 6/6 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(17.6 TO BELOW 25) YRS
DNS - DIPLOMA IN NAUTICAL SCIENCE	12TH PASS WITH 60% IN PCM & 50% IN ENGLISH. GOOD ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS & MUST CLEAR IMU CET	1 YEAR	JULY	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT 6/6 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(17 TO BELOW 25) YRS
OCCP-ORIENTATION COURSE FOR CATERING PERSONNEL	CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA/DEGREE IN HOTEL MANAGEMENT WITH GOVT. RECOGNIZED INSTITUTION WITH GOOD ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS.	20 DAYS	EVERY MONTH	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT 6/6 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(18 TO BELOW 25) YRS
ETO - ELECTRO TECHNICAL OFFICER	10TH & 12TH & DIPLOMA IN ANY ELECTRICAL OR ELECTRONICS BRANCH WITH 50% IN FINAL YEAR & 50% IN ENGLISH (OR) B.E/B.TECH IN ANY ELECTRICAL / ELECTRONIC STREAM WITH 50% IN FINAL YEAR & 50% IN ENGLISH. GOOD ENGLISH COMMUNICATION SKILLS	4 MONTHS	JANUARY/MAY/SEPTEMBER	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT 6/6 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(18 TO BELOW 35) YEARS
TME - TRAINEE MARINE ENGINEERING	DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL/EEE WITH 50% IN FINAL YEAR & 50% IN ENGLISH WITH GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS	2 YEARS	FEBRUARY / AUGUST	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT (+-) 2.25 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(16 TO BELOW 28) YRS
GME - GRADUATE MARINE ENGINEERING	B.E / B.TECH IN MECHANICAL WITH 50% IN FINAL YEAR & 50% IN ENGLISH	1 YEAR	APRIL / SEPTEMBER	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT (+-) 2.25 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(17 TO BELOW 28) YRS
B.Sc. NAUTICAL SCIENCE	12TH PASS WITH 60% IN PCM & 50% IN ENGLISH	3 YRS	JULY	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT 6/6 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(15 TO BELOW 25) YRS
MARINE ENGINEERING	12TH PASS WITH 60% IN PCM & 50% IN ENGLISH	4 YEARS	JULY	AS PER DGS. EYE SIGHT (+-) 2.25 IN BOTH THE EYES WITHOUT COLOR BLINDNESS	(14 TO BELOW 25) YRS