BSc Nautical Science Colleges in Kerala
As a state bordering the Gulf of Mannar (a coastal region also known for its ports and shipbuilding industry), Kerala has a close relationship with the maritime sector. Anyone willing to start a career on the deck side of the Merchant Navy can choose from any of the undergraduate courses in Kerala—a BSc Nautical Science.
The course comprises navigation, ship handling, seamanship, cargo work, maritime safety, and other subjects relevant to work as a deck officer. You typically complete a 3-year pre-sea degree course, followed by on-board training and competency examinations.
Looking for BSc Nautical Science admissions in Kerala? Kerala has very few colleges where you can get admission to BSc Nautical Science. For the academic year 2026-27, the only options for BSc Nautical Science are the affiliated colleges listed in the IMU prospectus for the academic year 2026-27 (for BSc Nautical Science) at Indian Maritime University (IMU), Kochi Campus, and Euro Tech Maritime Academy, Kochi/Aluva.
BSc Nautical Science Colleges in Kerala
Here is a quick look at the main options:
College/Institute | Location | Course | 2026–27 Intake |
Indian Maritime University, Kochi Campus | Kochi | BSc Nautical Science | As per IMU campus intake |
Euro Tech Maritime Academy | Kochi/Aluva | BSc Nautical Science | 40 seats |
The 2026–27 IMU prospectus specifically lists Euro Tech Maritime Academy, Kochi, with an approved intake of 40 students for the August batch for BSc Nautical Science. IMU’s own Kochi Campus also conducts BSc Nautical Science.
It is important not to confuse BSc Nautical Science with other maritime degrees available in Kerala. For example, the College of Ship Technology, Palakkad, is associated with BSc Ship Building and Repair rather than BSc Nautical Science.
1. Indian Maritime University – Kochi Campus
BSc in Nautical Science in Kerala: Indian Maritime University (IMU), Kochi Campus, is one of the most straightforward choices for students looking for a BSc in Nautical Science in Kerala.
The campus is located at Willingdon Island at Kochi and has a separate School of Nautical Science. IMU’s academic system includes BSc Nautical Science at its Kochi Campus, and its official learning platform also lists BSc Nautical Science under Kochi.
Course
The campus is located on Willingdon Island, Kochi, and has a separate School of Nautical Sciences. IMU’s academic system includes BSc Nautical Science at its Kochi Campus, and its official learning platform also lists BSc Nautical Science under Kochi.
The course is normally completed over three years.
After completing the academic and pre-sea requirements, students proceed toward the required sea service and competency pathway for becoming a deck officer.
Eligibility
The general eligibility requirements for BSc Nautical Science include:
- Pass in Class 12 or an equivalent examination.
- Physics, chemistry, and mathematics should be studied as subjects.
- A minimum of 60% aggregate in PCM is generally required.
- A minimum of 50% marks in English in Class 10 or Class 12.
- The candidate must satisfy the applicable age requirements.
- The candidate must meet the medical and eyesight standards prescribed for seafarers.
- Color blindness is not accepted under the applicable medical standards.
The eligibility criteria may be revised by the college, so ensure it by checking the official website.
Admission through IMU
For the regular IMU admission route, candidates are generally required to sit for IMU-CET (where applicable) and participate in the university admission and counseling process.
The university offered UG programs, including BSc and DNS, in IMU admission 2026. The university announced the IMU-CET 2026 results with the cutoff details and counseling notification in the admission cycle.
The IMU Kochi aspirants should be aware of the registration, examination, counseling, and seat confirmation deadlines, as the official admission schedule has to be followed.
2. Euro Tech Maritime Academy, Kochi/Aluva
In Kerala, Euro Tech Maritime Academy is another option for BSc Nautical Science.
The academy has its head office at Kochi and a campus at Kizhakkambalam in the Ernakulam district. The current course listing states that BSc Nautical Science is a three-year residential undergraduate program intended to prepare students for a career as a deck officer in the Merchant Navy.
More significantly, the IMU 2026-27 prospectus mentions Euro Tech Maritime Academy, Kochi, as an affiliated institute for BSc Nautical Science with an approved intake of 40 students for the August batch for students seeking current admission options.
Euro Tech Maritime Academy is also an approved training institute by DG Shipping for BSc Nautical Science.
Course duration
The BSc Nautical Science course at Euro Tech is listed as a three-year residential program.
The course is focused on the deck side of shipping and prepares students for the knowledge and practical skills required for working onboard merchant vessels.
Eligibility
Students applying for BSc in Nautical Science should generally meet the maritime eligibility requirements, including the academic and medical standards applicable to the course.
The commonly applicable academic requirements are
- 10+2 or equivalent qualification.
- Physics, chemistry, and mathematics as subjects.
- Minimum 60% aggregate in PCM.
- Minimum 50% in English in Class 10 or Class 12.
- Required medical fitness for sea service.
- Compliance with applicable eyesight and color-vision standards.
Students should still check the admission notification for the particular batch before applying because an institute can have additional admission requirements or procedures.
IMU Kochi vs. Euro Tech: What is the Difference?
Both options can lead a student toward the deck side of the Merchant Navy, but the admission structure and institutional setup are different.
IMU Kochi is an Indian Maritime University campus. Students are admitted through the university’s admission system, subject to the applicable rules for the particular academic year.
Euro Tech Maritime Academy is an IMU-affiliated institute. The 2026–27 IMU prospectus lists 40 approved seats for BSc Nautical Science at the institute for the August batch.
If you’re a student weighing the two, it’s better to look beyond just the college name. Before taking admission, please check the present fee structure, hostel arrangements, medical requirements, admission process, academic facilities, training arrangements, and present approvals of the institute.
BSc Nautical Science Eligibility in Kerala
The basic eligibility requirements are broadly similar because this is a regulated maritime education pathway.
Academic requirements
A candidate should generally have:
- Passed 10+2 or equivalent.
- Physics, chemistry, and mathematics as required subjects.
- At least 60% aggregate marks in PCM.
- At least 50% marks in English in Class 10 or Class 12.
The Directorate General of Shipping’s entry guidance lists the 60% PCM and 50% English requirements for the BSc Nautical Science route.
Age
You must refer to the admission notification of the year you are applying for the age requirements. Age will be reckoned as on the date prescribed in the relevant admission rules.
The Merchant Navy Decoded eligibility guide also outlines the usual age bracket for BSc Nautical Science and mentions that some categories may have relaxations.
Medical fitness
One of the parts of Merchant Navy admission is medical fitness, which students should not leave for the last moment.
Candidates must meet the medical standards required of seafarers. Vision requirements and color-vision standards are particularly important for careers on the deck.
Before you confirm your admission plans, a medical examination will be carried out by a DG Shipping-approved medical doctor.
This can help you avoid a situation where you are successful in the academic admission process but then find that you do not meet the required medical standards.
How to Get Admission to BSc Nautical Science in Kerala
The exact admission process depends on the institute, but the general process looks like this:
Step 1: Check your eligibility.
First, calculate your PCM percentage and check your English marks.
Do not simply check your overall Class 12 percentage. Maritime colleges usually look specifically at the required subjects.
Eligibility Calculator: Quickly check whether your academic marks and basic qualifications match the eligibility requirements for a course.
Step 2: Prepare for IMU-CET
For students targeting IMU and institutes where IMU-CET is part of the admission route, preparing for IMU-CET is important.
The exam covers subjects connected with the PCM background, along with other areas specified in the current examination pattern.
A good IMU-CET rank can be useful when you are competing for limited seats.
Step 3: Apply for the college.
After checking the admission notification, complete the required application process.
Keep your Class 10 and Class 12 documents, photographs, identification documents, and other required certificates ready.
Step 4: Complete the medical examination.
Get the required medical examination from a DG Shipping-approved doctor.
Do this early rather than waiting until the final admission stage.
Step 5: Complete counseling or institute-level selection
Depending on the institute and the route of admission, the candidates may have to participate in counseling, document verification, interviews, or other selection procedures.
Always follow the admission instructions issued for the academic year.
Fees for BSc Nautical Science in Kerala
Fees can change from one academic year to the next, so students should not use an old fee figure to budget against.
The Merchant Navy Decoded BSc Nautical Science guide says the IMU Kochi fee for the full program is around ₹8.25 lakh, but students are advised to check the current 2026–27 fee notice for financial planning.
Apart from tuition and academic charges, students should also consider:
- Hostel charges
- Mess expenses
- Uniform
- Books and study material
- Medical examination
- Passport-related expenses
- Travel expenses
- Training-related charges
- Other institutional or examination fees
The actual amount can vary depending on the institute and academic year.
Table of Contents
What Do You Study in BSc Nautical Science?
BSc Nautical Science is not simply a general science degree with a maritime name. A large part of the course is connected to ship operations and navigation.
Students can expect subjects and practical training related to areas such as
- Navigation
- Nautical mathematics
- Nautical physics
- Seamanship
- Ship construction
- Ship operations
- Cargo handling
- Marine communication
- Maritime safety
- Navigation equipment
- Ship stability
- Meteorology
- Maritime regulations
- Computer applications
The objective is to build the technical and practical foundation required for working in the deck department.
What Happens After BSc in Nautical Science?
The three-year degree pathway is not the end of the Merchant Navy training pathway. The BSc Nautical Science graduate has to undergo the mandatory shipboard training/sea time and then follow the competency examination route laid down for deck officers.
The usual path after BSc in Nautical Science is to do about 12 months of onboard training, then do the required exams and get certification to move toward the Second Mate Certificate of Competency.
The career progression can then move through ranks such as
Deck Cadet → Third Officer → Second Officer → Chief Officer → Master
Actual progression depends on sea time, examinations, competency certification, company requirements, and individual performance.
Things to Check Before Taking Admission
A maritime course is a significant investment, so do not rush into admission just because an institute promises a job or a high salary.
Before paying any fee, check:
- Whether the institute and specific course are currently approved.
- Whether the institute is affiliated with IMU where required.
- The current batch intake.
- The complete fee structure.
- Hostel and mess charges.
- Medical requirements.
- The exact admission procedure.
- Whether sponsorship is required or not.
- Details of onboard training.
- The documents required for joining.
Also be careful with claims of guaranteed placement or guaranteed salary. A Merchant Navy career involves academic study, medical fitness, sea training, competency examinations, and employment with shipping companies.
Track BSc Nautical Science Admissions with Merchant Navy Decoded App
Finding the right maritime college is only one part of the process. Students also have to keep track of entrance exams, admission forms, eligibility requirements, and preparation.
The Merchant Navy Decoded app can help students keep these things organized in one place.
You can use it for:
- Test Series: Practice for entrance exams and improve your preparation with regular tests.
- Latest Form Tracking: Keep track of newly released Merchant Navy and maritime course application forms instead of checking multiple websites every day.
The Crack IMUCET book is another useful preparation resource for students targeting IMU-CET. It can help you practice important concepts and questions and strengthen your preparation with focused revision.
FAQ’s (Frequently asked Questions)
No. BSc Nautical Science generally requires Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at the 10+2 level. Mathematics is an important eligibility requirement for the deck-officer pathway.
The passport requirements may differ by institutes and admission stages. As a career in the Merchant Navy involves traveling to international locations, students should plan to obtain a passport early and check the current admission requirements of the particular institute.
It is an undergraduate degree program, but it is very different from a conventional classroom-based BSc. The course has maritime subjects and practical/pre-sea training for a career at sea.
Yes. Women can study and work in maritime education and professions under the relevant academic, medical, age, and admission requirements.
No course should be considered as a free pass to a job. After the academic course, candidates still need to complete the required training, meet competency requirements, and secure employment opportunities.
BSc Nautical Science and BSc Marine Engineering are different career paths. BSc Nautical Science is for students who want to work in the deck department, and Marine Engineering is for those who want to work in the engine department. It’s not usually a simple course transfer, a change between the two.
Yes. Kerala is the only place where the course is offered. Students can also apply to the eligible institutes from other parts of India. The correct decision is based on eligibility, the route of admission, the fees, the training arrangements, and the present approvals of the institute.