If you have a passion for the marine environment or dream of a career on the water, South Devon College Marine Academy is the perfect place to start your journey.
Located on the banks of the River Dart, within the stunning South Hams, our Academy offers an unparalleled learning experience. With access to both a tidal river and open sea, you’ll gain hands-on experience in an environment that mirrors real industry conditions whilst studying at South Devon College.
Our marine courses cover a wide range of marine disciplines, preparing you for employment both on and off the water. You’ll be supported by highly experienced industry professionals and benefit from our specialist facilities, including a fully operational boatyard. This unique setting gives you direct insight into the many career pathways within the diverse maritime sector.
As a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre and full members of British Marine and The Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), we ensure our marine courses remain at the forefront of regional, national, and international industry trends. We are also an accredited centre for City & Guilds, EAL Awards, and the University of Plymouth, giving you the qualifications and skills that employers value.
Set on the banks of the River Dart, the South Devon College Marine Academy offers a truly immersive maritime training environment, combining breathtaking natural surroundings with some of the most technologically advanced marine facilities in the UK.
Officially opened in 2022, our purpose-built Marine Academy is a centre of excellence, providing state-of-the-art resources for students pursuing careers across the marine and maritime sectors. Located within a fully operational boatyard in Kingswear, students benefit from direct access to tidal waters and the open sea – perfect for gaining experience in real-world marine conditions.
At the heart of the Academy is our industry-leading Bridge Simulator, a cutting-edge training tool funded by the LSIF project. This dynamic system allows students and apprentices to practise navigation, vessel manoeuvring and safety procedures in a realistic yet controlled environment. From challenging sea states to emergency scenarios, you’ll experience life at sea without ever leaving shore, building critical skills safely and efficiently.
The simulator is also a powerful resource for marine engineering students, enabling vessel stability testing, load configuration analysis and virtual design trials. These hands-on, technical experiences give you a head start in one of the UK’s fastest-evolving industries.
As a recognised Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre, full members of British Marine and the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL), and an accredited provider for City & Guilds, EAL Awards, and the University of Plymouth, the Marine Academy offers industry-aligned, employer-informed programmes that prepare you for both national and international careers. The Roc + Dock project, in partnership with Hydrosurv and backed by Innovate UK, has developed advanced, automated docking stations for the wireless deployment, recovery and charging of zero emission Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) – training a future-ready maritime sector through state-of-the-art technology and real-world training capabilities.
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The boatbuilding workshops at South Devon College’s Marine Academy are purpose-built to meet the demands of one of the South West’s most skilled and prestigious industries. Situated within our specialist campus on the banks of the River Dart, these workshops offer a professional-standard environment for training in all aspects of vessel construction, refit and repair.
Spacious, well-ventilated, and fully equipped, the facilities support work on a wide range of vessels, from leisure craft and workboats to superyachts. Our workshops are designed to accommodate modern and traditional techniques, with dedicated areas for composite work, metal fabrication, woodwork, and GRP lamination.
You’ll find an extensive selection of industrial machinery, precision engineering tools, and surface finishing stations, allowing for every stage of boat construction and repair to be carried out on-site. From hull shaping to detailed joinery and interior fit-outs, the facilities replicate the standards found in leading commercial yards.
Our workshops also include designated spaces for technical drawing, mould-making, and templating, alongside secure material storage and preparation zones. Surface treatment bays support the application of gel coats, varnishes, and marine-grade paints, ensuring students can train to the highest finish quality.
Supported by expert staff and strong industry links, the boatbuilding facilities at South Devon College provide a professional and immersive environment, bridging the gap between education and the marine industry with hands-on realism.
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The Marine Engineering workshops at South Devon College’s Marine Academy are state-of-the-art spaces designed to replicate the professional standards of today’s maritime engineering industry. Situated within our specialist training hub on the River Dart, these workshops are equipped to support hands-on learning in the maintenance, installation, and commissioning of complex marine systems.
Purpose-built and industry-informed, the facilities offer dedicated bays for mechanical engineering, diagnostics, system testing and electrical maintenance, supporting work on a wide range of vessels including motorboats, yachts, commercial workboats and superyachts. The space has been designed to accommodate both individual and team-based projects, with access to the latest marine engines, drive systems, and fuel and cooling technologies.
Inside the workshops, you’ll find:
Each workspace is supported by robust health and safety infrastructure, allowing for safe handling of heavy components and high-voltage systems. These facilities are also used to carry out commissioning and testing processes, preparing learners for the standards expected during live sea trials.
As boats become increasingly complex, the Marine Engineering workshops provide the physical and technological environment needed to train the next generation of maritime professionals, equipping them to meet the evolving demands of a modern, sustainable industry.
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Set on the banks of the River Dart, the South Devon College Marine Academy offers a truly immersive maritime training environment, combining breathtaking natural surroundings with some of the most technologically advanced marine facilities in the UK.
Officially opened in 2022, our purpose-built Marine Academy is a centre of excellence, providing state-of-the-art resources for students pursuing careers across the marine and maritime sectors, including our ground-breaking Fisher Apprenticeship. Located within a fully operational boatyard in Kingswear, students benefit from direct access to tidal waters and the open sea – perfect for gaining experience in real-world marine conditions.
At the heart of the Academy is our industry-leading Bridge Simulator, a cutting-edge training tool funded by the LSIF project. This dynamic system allows students and apprentices to practise navigation, vessel manoeuvring and safety procedures in a realistic yet controlled environment. From challenging sea states to emergency scenarios, you’ll experience life at sea without ever leaving shore, building critical skills safely and efficiently.
The simulator is also a powerful resource for marine engineering students, enabling vessel stability testing, load configuration analysis and virtual design trials. These hands-on, technical experiences give you a head start in one of the UK’s fastest-evolving industries.
View 360 TourExplore and compare careers information, learn about different occupations and identify potential future career paths. Scroll through the cards to see career options, indicative salaries, future employment prospects, study routes and more. You might also want to try searching by your interests and passions.
At South Devon College, our priority is to help you achieve your goals and begin a successful career in your chosen sector, no matter what your age. We have a dedicated team of professional, qualified staff, who attend to your individual needs and provide you with the best possible experience.
Funded incentives are available for employers to recruit apprentices through South Devon College, whether you want to upskill existing staff or bring in new talent - now is the right time to invest in apprenticeships.
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“I am opening their eyes to the future of the industry, even though they don’t actually need it yet. I like to teach beyond the curriculum so they finish their course with more knowledge than they actually need – they are the future.
“The students bring up the future of the marine industry themselves, as they are inquisitive. It’s my responsibility to learn more myself so I can pass it on to my students. They are passionate, aware and conscious of the environment.”
“The marine industry is changing at a rapid pace and we’re teaching everything from the basic terminology to the technical mechanical skills on how different boats work, from electric boats to autonomous vessels.
“Electronics and computers are much more at the forefront of the maritime industry these days, including engine management, and gathering routing and weather data.
“We’re educating our students by opening their eyes to the future of the industry and the technology that’s coming into play”
“My favourite part of the course was working on the engines. More vessels are turning to hybrid or electric power, including ferries, which is better for the environment.
“We are at a turning point in the industry and I know there will be a lot more to learn, but I am prepared and equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills.”
“A couple of years ago I was on holiday on a cruise and, after talking to some of the deck crew, they really inspired me to work towards being a ship’s captain, as that’s my end goal.
“We’ve been learning about electric boats, as they’re the future of the marine industry. We’re also learning about how boats are being powered by a range of new fuels.
“Studying marine gives you a lot of opportunities to get out and see the world.”
