The Marine Society offers a few scholarships to undergraduates at a number of universities. Each specialization has different criteria, but generally training takes approximately three years with a combination of time at both sea and college. There are no formal educational qualifications required to join as a rating, but in practice most entrants have at least GCSEs at grade E in maths and English, or their equivalent. Normal age limits are between 16 and 18. The Centre can supply a list of possible sponsors.
Training continues at sea.
After four or five years at sea, there are various routes for both deck and engineer ratings to qualify as officers. Catering ratings can expect promotion to ship's cook and perhaps catering officer on a larger vessel.