Introduction
The MSc Oil and Gas Enterprise Management provides the essential commercial, legal and scientific skills needed to progress to senior management level positions in the international hydrocarbons industry.
This programme is studied on campus.
This long-established interdisciplinary programme develops your business, legal and technological skills to provide a thorough understanding of the entire oil and gas lifecycle, from exploration & production (E&P) through to commercialisation, within the broad economic and legal context of the oil and gas industry.
The MSc Oil and Gas Enterprise Management is taught by industry-based experts, who bring with them the latest industry trends and techniques to ensure that what you learn on this programme is relevant to the needs of the upstream oil and gas industry today. Industry-led teaching is further supported by input from researchers and academic experts from across the University of Aberdeen, including from the School of Geosciences, Business School, and School of Law.
The University’s location at the heart of the oil and gas industry means students benefit from direct access to industry, not only through lectures from industry experts, but also through field trips, site visits, industry-supported projects as well as numerous other networking and careers events that take place in Aberdeen.
A key feature of this programme is the residential field course, where students visit a number of industry locations across the North East of Scotland, including for example, manufacturing installations for offshore exploration, oil terminals, and various supply chain companies that provide key services for the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen.
For the final project, you can choose to focus on any element of the programme, from the commercial, legal, scientific or technical aspects of the oil and gas industry, depending on their particular interests and career ambitions.
Every year, the programme attracts students from around the world and from a variety of academic backgrounds, including geology, business, law, engineering, and economics as well as graduates of other disciplines who have relevant industry experience.
Key Programme Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- January or September
Study Options
- MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January
-
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
- Portfolio Optimisation - Decision Making and Investment Appraisal in Petroleum Economics (GL5500) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course covers some basic economics and then focuses on valuation of assets, how to deal with risk in making investment decisions, and the various systems by which petroleum revenue is taxed.
- Commercial Law and Regulatory Frameworks (GL5525) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course introduces financial laws attached to petroleum exploration and exploitation with respect to the UK, alongside an introduction to international law and regulatory frameworks.
- Remediation Technology for Geosciences (EV5514) - 15 Credit Points
-
Provides students with a technical working knowledge of the environmental legislation, management and mitigation in a global context;
Evolution of technical skills in defining incidents through quantitative risk assessment;
Ability to use qualitative and quantitative data in understanding the fate and potential harm of environmental pollutants with specific reference to oil and gas;
Use of evidence based lines of evidence in developing critical thinking and interpretation;
Encourages presentation of quantitative data and extrapolation to genuine scenarios.
- Research Skills, Professional Development and Field Study (GL5524) - 15 Credit Points
-
The aim of this course is to provide a structured method for researching various forms of materials and sources with a critical approach for evaluation and appraisal. This course will allow the development of the necessary research skills required to undertake the independent project. Other skills developed include CV preparation, interview practice and group working techniques.
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Project in Oil & Gas Enterprise Management (GL5923) - 60 Credit Points
-
The project is an extended, independent, self-directed, piece of practical work integrating and reinforcing the material taught on the course, and giving a detailed insight into the demands of, and ways of working in the oil and gas industry.
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Geoscience in Oil Exploration (GL5034) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course aims to cover many important aspects of geology, geophysics and prospect evaluation whilst illustrating how geologists deal with uncertainty and risk during exploration stages. An understanding will be gained about how geologists go about exploring for oil and gas, and the main tools at their disposal.
- Introduction to Energy Economics (BU5053) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course introduces key techniques from economics and finance to allowing understanding of the basics of business decision making within the energy industries and the economic implications of key energy policies. We consider basic financial concepts such as: present value, the opportunity cost of capital and their role in business decision making in energy industries. We also consider key economic elements of markets and how the economic environment structures the way in which businesses make decisions and energy market outcomes.
- Drilling and Well Engineering (GL5035) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course aims to cover the main aspects of drilling and well engineering in the petroleum industry. This will include an in-depth look at drilling techniques and technologies. Another key aspect of this course will be the issue of communication between geoscientists and engineers.
- Management in Engineering: Production, Risk Management and Psychology (GL5205) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course will provide an understanding of the management aspects of reservoir, facilities, pipeline and safety engineering in the hydrocarbon industry. It will also give an understanding of approaches to risk management and psychology that will enhance management decision-making.
- MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September
-
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1
Compulsory Courses
- Geoscience in Oil Exploration (GL5034) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course aims to cover many important aspects of geology, geophysics and prospect evaluation whilst illustrating how geologists deal with uncertainty and risk during exploration stages. An understanding will be gained about how geologists go about exploring for oil and gas, and the main tools at their disposal.
- Introduction to Energy Economics (BU5053) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course introduces key techniques from economics and finance to allowing understanding of the basics of business decision making within the energy industries and the economic implications of key energy policies. We consider basic financial concepts such as: present value, the opportunity cost of capital and their role in business decision making in energy industries. We also consider key economic elements of markets and how the economic environment structures the way in which businesses make decisions and energy market outcomes.
- Drilling and Well Engineering (GL5035) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course aims to cover the main aspects of drilling and well engineering in the petroleum industry. This will include an in-depth look at drilling techniques and technologies. Another key aspect of this course will be the issue of communication between geoscientists and engineers.
- Management in Engineering: Production, Risk Management and Psychology (GL5205) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course will provide an understanding of the management aspects of reservoir, facilities, pipeline and safety engineering in the hydrocarbon industry. It will also give an understanding of approaches to risk management and psychology that will enhance management decision-making.
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2
Compulsory Courses
- Portfolio Optimisation - Decision Making and Investment Appraisal in Petroleum Economics (GL5500) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course covers some basic economics and then focuses on valuation of assets, how to deal with risk in making investment decisions, and the various systems by which petroleum revenue is taxed.
- Commercial Law and Regulatory Frameworks (GL5525) - 15 Credit Points
-
This course introduces financial laws attached to petroleum exploration and exploitation with respect to the UK, alongside an introduction to international law and regulatory frameworks.
- Remediation Technology for Geosciences (EV5514) - 15 Credit Points
-
Provides students with a technical working knowledge of the environmental legislation, management and mitigation in a global context;
Evolution of technical skills in defining incidents through quantitative risk assessment;
Ability to use qualitative and quantitative data in understanding the fate and potential harm of environmental pollutants with specific reference to oil and gas;
Use of evidence based lines of evidence in developing critical thinking and interpretation;
Encourages presentation of quantitative data and extrapolation to genuine scenarios.
- Research Skills, Professional Development and Field Study (GL5524) - 15 Credit Points
-
The aim of this course is to provide a structured method for researching various forms of materials and sources with a critical approach for evaluation and appraisal. This course will allow the development of the necessary research skills required to undertake the independent project. Other skills developed include CV preparation, interview practice and group working techniques.
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3
Compulsory Courses
- Project in Oil & Gas Enterprise Management (GL5923) - 60 Credit Points
-
The project is an extended, independent, self-directed, piece of practical work integrating and reinforcing the material taught on the course, and giving a detailed insight into the demands of, and ways of working in the oil and gas industry.
Course Availability
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.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Field Trips
- Field Work
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Assessment comprises of practical exercises and research papers and essays, where students can access information from a wide array of sources, including Oil Industry journals, periodicals and other papers which are available to them. Many of the courses include ‘games’ spread over several days, which require team and negotiating skills, as well as a knowledge of technology and economics, which draw the various courses together.
Why Study Oil and Gas Enterprise Management?
- We have the right experts teaching in each of the areas that the programme covers - geology, business, economics, science, engineering and law.
- This programme is open to you if you are from a geoscience, engineering, law, economics, commerce or various other backgrounds.
- The industry works to projects. Project teams are made up of all key disciplines. You will experience a similar feel to the way we teach this programme and the fact you will be studying alongside individuals from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities will enhance your experience further.
- The combination of academic expertise across a number of disciplines and course input from industry professionals ensures that you get the very best learning experience.
- You will undertake what many students identify as the highlight of the programme, a one-week field trip to view exploration and production facilities in an area of the UK.
- You will develop the experience and confidence required to talk to specialists across the science, engineering and commercial value chain in the upstream oil industry and be given the chance to develop your transferable skills in report-writing, team-work, creative thinking, and problem-solving.
- We have created a world-class learning environment and we pride ourselves on being a close community of staff and students, working together and sharing experiences.
- Research in the department focuses on subsurface earth science and its deeper time record. To the department’s traditional strengths in petroleum geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, geochemistry we have recently added significant expertise in geophysics, tectonics, structural geology to form a major research team with the goal to elucidate geological processes in sedimentary basins and their underpinning tectonics.
- Organisations that we work with across a number of areas include – Apache, Statoil, Baker Hughes, BP, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Dana Petroleum, Halliburton, BP, Shell, Pemex and SaudiAramco, to name a few. These links, and more, help us deliver world-class teaching and research.
- We deliver our programmes from world-class facilities with a number of our MSc programmes having dedicated study and teaching space available.
- In the 2014 REF results, we were 1st in Scotland - Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Geology and Geosciences) and 1st in Scotland for Impact Geosciences.
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 Geology, Geophysics, Engineering, Law, Economics, Commerce, Business or Finance. Joint Business and Computing degrees may also be considered.
Applicants with a good degree and relevant work experience will also be considered.
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 - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 51; Reading - 54; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54
Cambridge English Advanced & Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; 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
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
- MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January
-
Fee Information
Fee information Fee category Cost Home / EU / RUK Students £8,200 Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year International Students £19,800 Tuition Fees for 2019/20 Academic Year Home / EU / RUK Students £9,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year International Students £21,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year - MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September
-
Fee Information
Fee information Fee category Cost International Students £21,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year Home / EU / RUK Students £9,000 Tuition Fees for 2020/21 Academic Year
International non-EU Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fees
- 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.
Our Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Each year, on average, over 90% of our graduates move into employment or further research, with the vast majority moving into the oil and gas industry. As you are covering such a broad range of courses on the programme and you are being exposed to the industry during the 12 months, you are graduating with a set of skills that are in high demand across a number of different job roles.
If you have worked hard during the degree and pushed yourself to achieve good results then a number of career opportunities are open to you.
Career Opportunities
- Business Development Coordinator
- Commercial Adviser
- Field Services Coordinator
- Junior Drilling Consultant
- Process Engineer
- Project Manager
What our Alumni Say
Aftab Zafar
Richard Ash
Lucky Ogutu Okudo
Konstantin Nazaruk
Kheri Abdul Mahimbali
Farida Bayari
Our Experts
- Other Experts
- Dr David Muirhead
- Professor Andrew Hurst
- Professor David Macdonald
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr David Kemp
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 Service
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX