Competency courses prepare officers for a certificate of competency examination. Typically 1 month.
Master (FG) Advanced Shipboard Management is the final course before command. It covers the master's responsibilities rather than the officer's — ship management, commercial and legal obligations, emergency command, crew and resource management, and accountability to owners, charterers and flag state.
Master (Foreign Going) certificate of competency — command of a merchant vessel.
Chief Mate (FG) certificate and the required sea service as Chief Mate.
Approvals and durations as published by DG Shipping, and the duration can differ between institutes. Fees and batch dates are set by the institute.