Difference Between Sponsored and Non-Sponsored Colleges in Merchant Navy
Sponsorship in the Merchant Navy means that you have been promised by a company that upon completion of your pre-sea course you will be trained on-board their ship and provided placement where you are also entitled to receive a stipend during your training period.
For example, In India, if you are undergoing 1 Year D.N.S (Diploma in Nautical Science), then it is mandatory to complete 18 months of training onboard ship to be eligible for some courses and to appear for 2nd Mate C.O.C examinations conducted by M.M.D, D.G Shipping, Govt. of India. So, for that 18 months of training, you need to find a company and for the D.N.S course it has to be done before the course starts.
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Non-sponsorship in Merchant Navy means candidates will pursuing their course from a college or institute. That doesn’t guarantee placement and only deals with providing educational training. However, some colleges do conduct campus placement drives.
In this article, we will walk you through the difference between sponsorship and non-sponsorship. And also have a look at how you can pursue your Merchant Navy course from a sponsored college in India.
What is Sponsorship in Merchant Navy?
The term “Sponsorship” is used a bit differently in the field of Merchant Navy. It is not like other educational fields where sponsorship leads to a waiver in fees. The most common myth about this is that companies or colleges will pay your academic or joining fees.
So what exactly is the meaning of sponsorship in Merchant Navy?
In short, “Sponsorship means a “GUARANTEE OF PROVIDING JOB” by the company to the candidate after finish their pre-sea training.”
Well, when you clear the exams and obtain a sponsorship, it means that your job (on-board training) is guaranteed once you finish your pre-sea training. It means that the fees of your on-board training is included in the academic fees itself and you won’t have to pay anything extra after completing your course.
You can appear for sponsorship exams in 2 cases:
- Before beginning your pre-sea training (academic course), you can appear for sponsorship exams. And, then apply for admission in a sponsored college like Anglo eastern.
- If you have already done your course from a non-sponsored college, you can appear for sponsorship exams held by shipping companies afterward too. However, it is advisable to pursue your course from a sponsored college. It increases your chances of getting your dream job.
What are Sponsored Colleges in Merchant Navy?
Sponsored colleges are the ones where you can get admission only after obtaining a sponsorship letter from a shipping company. These colleges generally have their own shipping company, where they send their students for on-board training. If not, they are tied up with other shipping companies to offer on-board training.
The academic fees of sponsored colleges include the fees of on-board training, which is the reason why it is higher as compared to the fees of non-sponsored colleges. The process of getting admission in a sponsored college ensures that you will get guaranteed placement after completing your pre-sea training.
What are Non-Sponsored Colleges in Merchant Navy?
As opposed to sponsored colleges, you won’t be required to appear for any examination to get admission in a majority of the non-sponsored colleges. Some colleges may conduct their written tests. Non-sponsored colleges only provide pre-sea training and they don’t guarantee onboard training. Some colleges have the facility of campus placements, the reliability of which is usually low.
The academic fees of non-sponsored colleges is much lesser than sponsored colleges as it only includes the pre-sea training amount. When you go for on-board training afterward, you will have to pay for it separately, which is usually a higher amount as compared to sponsored colleges.
How to get Admission in Sponsored Merchant Navy Colleges?
If you are a 12th PCM student and looking to get admission in a sponsored college for a course like DNS, BSc in Nautical Science, or B.Tech in Marine Engineering, then the first step is to appear for IMU-CET exams. After clearing it, you need to appear for the sponsorship exams of the selected college. Clearing it will secure both your admission and placement.
If you are joining G.P. rating or any other course, you need to appear for the sponsorship exams of the selected college. IMU-CET is not required for G.P. Rating, CCMC, ETO, and GME courses.
How to get Sponsorship after Completing a Course in Merchant Navy?
As discussed above, if you have already done your course from a non-sponsored college. You can appear for sponsorship exams held by shipping companies afterward too. A lot of shipping companies held sponsorship exams throughout the year. You can apply for these exams and join the company upon clearing them.
Major shipping companies including ESM, Maersk, Great Eastern Shipping Company, MSC, Synergy, Scorspio, etc. conduct sponsorship examinations for which you can apply for from their websites. To have a look at the shipping companies conducting sponsorship exams in India, check out this blog.
Which is Better? Sponsored or Non-Sponsored Colleges?
As discussed above, getting admission in a sponsored college guarantees that you get on-board training after you complete your pre-sea training. In a way, it opens doors for you to get placement right after completing your course. It ensures that you set the right foot forward in making your career in the Merchant Navy.
It also eliminates the need to search for jobs after completing your course, as the shipping company guarantees to provide you with one. Clearing your sponsorship exams also increases your credibility as a candidate. As you will have to appear for exams that test your ability to work in the industry.
Thus, it is always a good option to go for sponsored colleges so that you don’t have to worry about getting a job. Securing placement is a rather difficult and time-consuming process.
It is highly recommended to always join the college after getting sponsorship from a reputed company as due to recession candidates. Who are not sponsored are struggling very hard to get a job or are cheated by agents.
How to prepare for Sponsorship Exams?
The sponsorship exams for Merchant Navy consist of 4 parts: Written test, Psychometric test, Interview, and Medical test. Each of these sections needs to be cleared in order to get a sponsorship.
We, at Rife Consultancy, run online classes, where you will be prepared to appear for sponsorship exams. There will be detailed classes for each subject covering Marine Knowledge, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, English, General Aptitude, and Psychometric tests. We also prepare you to clear your Interview and assist with your medicals.
These video classes are pre-recorded which makes them easy for you to refer at any time and anywhere. The topics are explained by expert marine officers having years of experience in the marine field. The topics are broken down into small sub-topics, so that you can learn and grasp them easily.
To know more, contact us at +91 8160370087 or learn more here.
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