Petroleum Data Management, MSc

Petroleum Data Management, MSc

Introduction

The MSc Petroleum Data Management has been designed in partnership with industry to meet the growing demand within the oil industry for professional petroleum data managers, possessing expertise seen as critical to maximising economic recovery.

The MSc Petroleum Data Management is also available to study part-time online.

Study Information

Study Options

Learning Mode
On Campus Learning or Online Learning
Degree Qualification
MSc
Duration
12 months or 27 months
Study Mode
Full Time or Part Time
Start Month
September

The aim of the MSc Petroleum Data Management programme is to provide education and training at postgraduate level for data managers both working in the petroleum sector or for those aspiring to work in the sector.

The MSc programme was set up through a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and Common Data Access Ltd (CDA), a not-for-profit subsidiary of OEUK, the representative body for the UK offshore energy industry. The programme is also supported by leading multinational companies including Shell, TotalEnergies and Chevron and its content has been developed with input from our industry partners, to ensure that it is tailored to the needs of industry.

The content reflects the overall key data management activities of relevance to petroleum data managers, to provide individuals with job-ready expertise to move into the advanced data management roles that will meet the growing demand and expectations of the global oil and gas industry.

In particular, this programme is tailored to deal specifically with managing the physical and digital data that are used across the oil and gas industry, to understand and evaluate the subsurface and the petroleum reserves located there.

Flexible study options mean that the MSc Petroleum Data Management can be studied full time on campus or part-time online.

Available Programmes of Study

The programme is made of up 180 credits - 15 from each individual course and 60 from the final project.

MSc

Petroleum Data Management

Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month  
MSc 27 months Online Learning Part Time September More
MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September More

Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programme(s) above.

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.

Fee Information

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.

Funding Opportunities

Visit our Funding Database to find out more and see our full range of scholarships.

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.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

  • Group Projects
  • Individual Projects
  • Lectures
  • Research
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials

Why Study Petroleum Data Management?

  • The programme is delivered by our departments of Law, Engineering, Business, Geography, Geology, and Computing Science and covers subjects such areas as data governance, data quality management, information security management, legal aspects related to data entitlements and obligations, service and project management, and much more. 
  • The MSc has been designed with leading industry organisations to ensure that the content and teaching deliver graduates who can make a real difference in the industry. 
  • At the heart of Europe's oil and gas capital city, the University of Aberdeen has decades experience of working closely with the energy industry. We have a strong track record of delivering industry-focused degree programmes across all the relevant disciplines, including law, business, engineering, geology and science.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

A 2:1 (upper second class or above) UK Honours degree in a science discipline, or a science-based Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth.

Those with a 2:2 may be considered if they can demonstrate they have at least 2 years of professional experience judged by the University to be of direct relevance to the programme. Please include an employer reference letter in this case.

Applicants with other qualifications may also be considered if they can demonstrate 3+ years' experience in the area of data management in the petroleum industry.

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.

CV
an up-to-date CV/Resumé
Degree Certificate
a degree certificate showing your qualifications
Degree Transcript
a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
Personal Statement
a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Careers

"Good data management is key to unlocking the real value of technical and analytical applications. As an industry we are experiencing a tremendous growth in data and to manage it successfully we will need a pipeline of talent with strong earth science and engineering skills. The Master's programme at Aberdeen University, as well as other strategically located programs, will enable the next generation of skilled data managers to advance their careers in the oil and gas industry," - Danny Bush, Unit Manager Subsurface Workflows, Chevron Energy Technology Company

“We are delighted to support the development of the Petroleum Data Management MSc from Aberdeen University. Shell recognises technical information and data as a discipline within our company, and we play an active role in promoting the professionalisation of these skills across the industry. Courses such as this provide a strong academic foundation for the data management professionals that we need today and in the future.” - George Rorie, Operational Lead for Technical Data Management, Shell

"The exponential growth of data volumes and available information has made data management, data architecture, data analysis and geomatics cornerstones in the exploration and production industry. Total has recognised geoinformation as a key discipline to support these trends and skilled and talented people are necessary to fulfil these challenging tasks." - Olivier Mairal, Senior Data Management Advisor, Total E&P UK

Our Experts

Programme Coordinator
Dr Iraklis Giannakis

Information About Staff Changes

You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.

Get in Touch

Contact Details

Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX