Darren Coughlan
Oil and Gas Engineering, MSc
Introduction
Delivered from the centre of the Energy Capital of Europe, this programme provides students with a theoretical and practical grounding in the key technologies to pursue careers in the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry.
MSc Oil and Gas Engineering is also available to study part time online.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September or January
The MSc Oil and Gas Engineering programme is designed to create future leaders of the industry. The wide range of subjects taught, including engineering, geology and chemistry, ensures that you will have a strong appreciation of all key elements of the industry lifecycle and of the different areas of engineering required, as an understanding of how they work together to deliver projects safely and efficiently.
The interdisciplinary nature of the programme means it is suitable for students from different engineering backgrounds, including mechanical, civil, electrical, or chemical engineering, as well as other relevant engineering backgrounds.
This programme is designed to create future leaders of the industry so as well as learning the principles that underpin the drilling of oil and gas and well production technologies (including reservoir engineering, petroleum geoscience and flow assurance) you will learn about project management and the safety and environmental considerations involved in the oil and gas industry.
The programme is fully accredited by IMechE and Energy Institute which means you can be assured that your teaching is recognised by relevant bodies and that you are getting the best possible experience.
There are hundreds of energy companies in Aberdeen and the surrounding region, including world leaders such as Apace, Baker Hughes (a GE Company), BP, Chevron, CNOOC, Equinor, Haliburton, Harbour Energy, Maersk, NEO Energy, Petrofac, Repsol Sinopec Resources, Royal Dutch Shell, Schlumberger, TAQA and TotalEnergies. 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
NOTE: Full-time January starts will undertake the individual project over the summer period in between the two semesters of taught courses.
- MSc
-
Oil and Gas Engineering
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January MoreMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September MoreStage 1
Compulsory Courses
- Reservoir Engineering (EG501L)
-
15 Credit Points
The course provides an understanding of the flow of hydrocarbon fluids through reservoir rocks and the interplay between the fluid and rock properties and reservoir performance.
- Safety & Risk Management (EG50S2)
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15 Credit Points
The course serves as the entrance to the field of safety and reliability engineering with the introduction of the basic concepts and tools of safety and risk management. Legal frames related to engineering safety are also introduced.
Contents include: Fundamentals of safety engineering; natural and man-made hazards; safety measures; accident and failure statistics; fundamentals of risk management; risk assessment techniques; classical reliability theory; modelling of engineering systems as series and parallel systems; redundancy; fault trees and event trees; availability and maintainability; UK safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and its historical, offshore and other regulations.
- Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience (GL5033)
-
15 Credit Points
The course covers aspects of geology, geophysics and prospect evaluation to illustrate how geologists deal with uncertainty and risk during the exploration process. It will look at the place of the geoscientist during the productive life of an oilfield. Another key aspect of this course will be the issue of communication between geoscientists and engineers. By the end of this course students should understand how geologists explore for oil and gas, and the main tools at their disposal; the role of the geophysicist; how to make prospect maps; petroleum volumetrics; subsurface fluid flow; and the creation of static reservoir models.
- Project Management (EG5067)
-
15 Credit Points
The course provides an introduction to project management and is aimed at students who expect to be working in a project related environment or are considering a potential move into project management. The course covers a number of key aspects of project management from the project managers perspective and so whilst it does cover areas such as planning and estimating it is NOT intended to prepare students for such roles. Students are expected to apply their learning by completing a piece of group project work.
Stage 2
Compulsory Courses
- Facilities Engineering (EG5562)
-
15 Credit Points
Smooth petroleum production requires an understanding of all technical disciplines in facility design and their deliverables as well as of specific new technologies. Competent facilities engineering is needed from concept selection to commissioning and maintenance.
Facilities engineering course focuses on equipment and systems from the well head to the delivery point of the oil and gas industry. This includes not only the processing of the oil and gas but the support systems which might include water treatment, power generation and pollution abatement.
- Flow Assurance (EG55F8)
-
15 Credit Points
There are many challenges during transport of oil and gas through pipelines. These challenges require a real grasp of the fundamentals in fluid mechanics, heat transfer, phase changes, deposition and/or obstruction, erosion and new technologies to ensure a reliable and cost effective provision of oil and gas. Deep water production, heavy oils, high water production, severe slugging, hydrates, sour gases, asphaltenes and waxes make this task even harder. This course will provide a detailed explanation of the topics, a well-balanced set of tutorials with real examples, invited lectures from experienced engineers and flow assurance specific software training.
- Oil and Gas Chemistry (EG551Y)
-
15 Credit Points
This course includes three key components where chemistry is fundamental to upstream and downstream oil and gas transport and processing. In this course, you will learn about general pipeline flow assurance, and risks related to the chemistries of waxes, resins, asphaltenes, gas hydrates and scales. Chemical strategies for managing flow assurance are discussed. Processes involved in converting oil to valuable fuels and chemicals are investigated. These include: distillation, coking, cracking, hydrotreatment and reforming. Natural gas utilisation including transport, processing and conversion to upgraded products is also covered, to give an overview of chemistry in the oil and gas industry.
- Well and Production Engineering (EG551W)
-
15 Credit Points
This course provides students with an understanding of the engineering science and principles that underpin the drilling of oil and gas well, production technologies, design methodologies, as well as associated safety and environmental considerations.
Stage 3
Previous examples of projects:
- Modelling of down hole drilling fluid temperature profiles during drilling operations - Nemein Ltd
- Evolution of Hydraulic Fracturing Technologies for Horizontal Wells - AGR
- Corrosion Resistant Alloy Tubing Equipment and Running Recommendations - Tenaris Global Services
- Creating an Integrated Asset Model for the Greater Stella Area (GSA) - Petrofac
- Well Test Analysis and Numerical Modelling for an HPHT Gas Field - Chevron
Compulsory Courses
"The project gave me a good knowledge of what it entails to work in a team, the ability to manage my time and develop good interpersonal skills. In industry, every individual must be willing to learn something new, irrespective of their background."
- MSc Individual Project (EG59F1)
-
60 Credit Points
The MSc Individual Project is an independent piece of research based on a topic related to a student’s degree programme. Students are encouraged to focus on a problem confronting industry or a related area. The individual project provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how the in-depth skills and knowledge they have gained during the taught courses can be used to provide solutions to practical problems. The individual project should contain a degree of original research.
Programme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £27,000 Tuition Fees for 2023/24 Academic Year Home / RUK £11,077 Tuition Fees for 2023/24 Academic Year
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
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.
Funding Opportunities
Shell UK Limited is offering 5 scholarships for Home/RUK students commencing a Master's programme aligned to the Centre for Energy Transition commencing in the 2023/24 academic year. Find out more.
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
- Field Trips
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The principal method of student assessment is through written examinations. Examinations for the first term courses are in December and those for the second term are in May. MSc candidates must submit a dissertation on their project.
Why Study Oil and Gas Engineering?
- This programme is designed to create future leaders of the industry and the range of subjects taught ensures that you will have a strong appreciation of all key elements of the industry lifecycle and of the different areas of engineering required, as well as how they work together to deliver projects safely and efficiently.
- You will gain crucial technological skills as well as knowledge in safety and risk management, time management, planning and communication.
- The programme is fully accredited by IMechE and Energy Institute which means you can be assured that your teaching is recognised by relevant bodies and that you are getting the best possible experience.
- Our location at the heart of Aberdeen, Europe's energy capital, and leading "World Energy City", brings you closer to the industry. Aberdeen is an inspiring place for future energy industry leaders.
- Our location and industry links also put us in a unique position of offering a curriculum that is highly relevant to the needs of employers and means you develop crucial industry links while studying the programme.
- 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 programmes attract students from around the world, all sharing a common interest and passion for the future of oil and gas exploration and production, and the engineering skills required to make it a continued success.
- Our graduates move into very successful careers with a large proportion working in senior roles in the industry.
- The Centre for Energy Transition (CET) at the University of Aberdeen is undertaking technical research to find energy solutions compatible with the UN Sustainability Goals and to provide the relevant skills training to support people and communities who seek to deliver the energy transition.
Entry Requirements
It is important to note that the programmes of postgraduate study at the University of Aberdeen are very competitive and the entry requirements stated are a guide to the minimum requirements, but do not guarantee entry.
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 Physics.
- Those with a High 2:2 Honours degree in Engineering may also be considered if they can demonstrate 2+ years of relevant Oil & Gas Industry experience and keen motivation.
- Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics.
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 www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
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
International Applicants
Careers
An understanding of all aspects of the industry means that students have a well-rounded knowledge which will support them in their careers, regardless of their chosen career path. The programme is internationally relevant, with careers available around the world and graduates of the Oil & Gas Engineering Programme have pursued the following careers.
Career Opportunities
- Directional Driller
- Drilling Engineer
- Drilling Operations Support Engineer
- Field Engineer
- Graduate Design Verification Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Safety Engineer
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
- Institute of Mechanical Engineers
- Energy Institute
What our Alumni Say
Nikoletta Achilleos
Amir Bayat
Fayankin Olumide
Patricia Calzadilla
Ziqi Ma
Hyun Kim
Our Experts
- Other Experts
- Dr Henry Tan
- Dr Lateef Akanji
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Roozbeh Rafati
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