collageThe MSc Petroleum Engineering programme is designed with industry support and also includes the study of petroleum geology to produce world-class petroleum engineers, who are fully prepared to take up roles in the upstream oil and gas industry.
Available as a September or January start.
MSc Petroleum Engineering is also available to study part time online.
Study Information
Study Options
Learning ModeOn Campus Learning Degree QualificationMSc Duration12 months Study ModeFull Time Start MonthSeptember or Januaryhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/WQ7RWZAoapk?rel=0
This programme delivers the necessary knowledge and skills required for an integrated study and evaluation of a prospect, leading to a viable oil and gas field development plan.
Drawing upon a long established track record of excellence in teaching and research, the MSc Petroleum Engineering is delivered jointly by the School of Engineering and the Department of Geology and Geophysics along with industry-based tutors covering a broad range of courses including the fundamentals of petroleum geoscience, enhanced oil recovery, reservoir simulation and well and production engineering. There is also a particular focus on formation evaluation and reservoir engineering and simulation.
The MSc Petroleum Engineering develops your skills so you are able to appraise and select the appropriate technologies for safe production recovery of hydrocarbon oil and gas and includes hands-on experience of using industry standard simulation software in all aspects of petroleum engineering.
Aberdeen is known as the Energy Capital of Europe. The city and surrounding area is a major international centre of research and innovation in every aspect of the offshore oil and gas industry. Approximately 900 energy-related companies are located in Aberdeen, including world leaders such as Baker Hughes (a GE Company), BP, Chevron, Haliburton, Maersk, Petrofac, Repsol Sinopec Resources. Royal Dutch Shell, Schlumberger, Total and Wood.
The University’s location at the heart of the oil and gas industry means that our degree programmes benefit from direct industry involvement, including industry advisory panels, guest lectures, field trips, site visits, networking and careers events, and industry supported student projects.
Available Programmes of Study
Petroleum Engineering
QualificationDurationLearning ModeStudy ModeStart MonthLocation MSc12 monthsOn Campus LearningFull TimeJanuaryViewMSc12 monthsOn Campus LearningFull TimeSeptemberView
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Related Programmes
You may also be interested in the following related postgraduate degree programmes.
- Oil and Gas Engineering
- Process Safety
- Project Management
- Safety and Reliability Engineering
- Safety and Reliability Engineering for Oil and Gas
- Subsea Engineering
Related Information
How You’ll Study
Learning Methods
- FIELD TRIPS
- GROUP PROJECTS
- INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
- LECTURES
- TUTORIALS
Assessment Methods
The principal method of assessment is through end of course written examinations and continuous assessment. Examinations for the first semester courses are in December and those for the second semester are in May. Candidates are normally expected to pass all examinations and all projects submissions. As an MSc student, you must submit a dissertation on your project, and may be required to undergo an oral examination.
Why Study Petroleum Engineering?
- The programme will enable you to develop skills and understanding in the fundamental aspects of Petroleum Engineering, in particular, formation evaluation, well drilling and production, reservoir engineering and simulation.
- You will also be able to appraise and select the appropriate technologies for safe production and enhancing the recovery of hydrocarbon oil and gas.
- The programme aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills required for an integrated study and evaluation of a prospect, leading to a viable oil and gas field development plan.
- Hands-on experience of using industry standard simulation software in all aspects of petroleum engineering is developed within the taught courses.
- Field trips and visits to industry organisations are a key part of the programme.
- We also have a strong industry involvement in software training and technical presentation on the programme.
- Our location at the heart of Aberdeen, Europe’s energy capital, and leading “World Energy City”, brings you closer to the industry. The city is an inspiring place for any future oil and gas and wider energy industry leader.
- Our geographic location puts us in a unique position of being able to offer a curriculum that is highly relevant to the needs of employers, alongside cutting-edge research. A degree from the University of Aberdeen puts you in a unique position to develop crucial business links alongside your learning.
- To ensure that the degree programmes remain current and connected to industry, the programme is developed and reviewed by an Industry Advisory Board, made up of experienced professionals from a range of backgrounds.
- Our close links with industry ensures that you experience lectures taught by industry professionals, get the chance to visit relevant organisations, attend industry events, and undertake MSc projects with leading firms.
- Our engineering graduates move into very successful careers with a large proportion working in senior roles in the industry, even as high as CEO and MD level. It doesn’t matter where in the world you end up working, you are likely to have a fellow Aberdeen graduate engineer working with you. Our School of Engineering truly is a global family network.
- All programmes within the department are accredited by relevant organisations, ensuring your learning experience is as relevant and as professional as it can be.
Interested in this programme?
EMAILstudy@abdn.ac.uk ENQUIRE NOWUsing an online form NEXT STEPSFind out how to apply
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
- 2:1 (upper second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in any branch of Engineering or Applied Mathematics.
- Those with a High 2:2 Honours degree in Engineering or Applied Mathematics may also be considered if they can demonstrate 2+ years of relevant experience.
- Students with Geology, Physics or Chemistry degrees may be considered if they have a 2:1 degree AND 2+ years relevant work experience.
- Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics and Physics.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate
The CAH3 code for this degree is CAH10-01-09. Students who need a visa to live or study in the UK must to apply for ATAS clearance. The ATAS clearance certificate must be valid when you apply for a visa to enter the UK. To find out if you need to apply for ATAS clearance, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-schemeEntry requirements for applicants from
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL – 6.5 with: Listening – 5.5; Reading – 5.5; Speaking – 5.5; Writing – 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL – 90 with: Listening – 17; Reading – 18; Speaking – 20; Writing – 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL – 62 with: Listening – 59; Reading – 59; Speaking – 59; Writing – 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL – 176 with: Listening – 162; Reading – 162; Speaking – 162; Writing – 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date. CVan up-to-date CV/Resumé Degree Certificatea degree certificate showing your qualifications Degree Transcripta full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation) Personal Statementa detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
International Applicants
Fee Information
International Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship (EU)
The Aberdeen Global Scholarship is open to European Union (EU) students.
This is a £2,000 tuition fee discount available to eligible self-funded Postgraduate Masters students who are classed as International fee status and are domiciled in the EU, plus another £3,000 discount for eligible Postgraduate Masters students who would have previously been eligible for Home fees (Scottish/EU) fee status.View Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Careers
Petroleum Engineering is an over-arching discipline which contains a number of more specialised elements, including Reservoir Engineering and Drilling. Our programme is fast becoming one of the most respected of its kind in the UK and recognised by industry employers around the globe. Graduating from our MSc Petroleum Engineering degree will open up a number of career opportunities for you.
Career Opportunities
- Drilling Engineer
- Operations Engineer
- Piping Specification Engineer
- Production Engineering
- Reservoir Engineer
- Reservoir Simulation Engineer
- Subsurface Engineer
- Wellhead Engineer
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