Postgraduate Taught Degrees

Sustainable Energy Geoscience

MSc

The world’s energy system is largely driven by coal, oil, and gas. However, the transition to a low-carbon future requires moving away from fossil fuels and focusing instead on essentials minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and copper for use in wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles.

Geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen storage are also central components of the UK government’s strategy for reducing greenhouse emissions and reaching net-zero by 2050.

This programme draws on the exceptional expertise within the Department of Geology and Geophysics to equip students with the subsurface skills required for the rapidly evolving energy transition sector.

Rewilding and Nature Recovery

MSc

Rewilding and Nature Recovery are essential for a biodiverse future. Learn where, why and how we can reverse catastrophic declines in biodiversity through Rewilding and its ambitious nature recovery measures. Our distinctive interdisciplinary programme will equip you to think deeply and critically about Rewilding as a nature recovery and land management strategy while providing the skills and experience of on-the-ground Rewilding essential for your career.

Integrated Petroleum Geoscience

MSc

Running since 1973, the MSc Integrated Petroleum Geoscience programme is internationally regarded as one of the top vocational training pathways into the energy industry. Based in the heart of the UK energy sector, IPG provides world-renowned training in the practical and technical skills required by the global hydrocarbon exploration and production industry, with input and support from major oil and gas operators.

IPG is generously supported by our industry partners including Equinor, Shell, Harbour Energy, Neo Energy, Baker Hughes and BP, through student projects, guest lectures, mentoring opportunities and scholarships.

International Political Economy

MSc

The MSc in International Political Economy (IPE) is designed for those seeking to engage with the pressing economic and political challenges of our time, from financial crises and trade disputes to global inequality and sustainable development.

You will be equipped with the knowledge and analytical skills to critically assess the structures, hierarchies, and power dynamics that govern finance and trade, drive globalisation and economic nationalism, and shape the distribution of wealth and poverty within and across states, regions, and the world.

This course has both January and September start dates. Apply Now

Criminal Justice and Human Rights

LLM

Combine the key specialist topic of criminal justice with some of today’s most powerful human rights issues, studying cases from around the world in a variety of contexts. With our carefully designed LLM, you’ll have the opportunity to further your understanding of how the two areas impact each other whilst expanding your employability prospects.

English Language and Literature

MLitt

Delve into the world of English Language and Literature and uncover a variety of historical and contemporary texts. Taught by internationally-renowned specialists, the programme will enhance your understanding of the relationship between language and literature, broaden your knowledge of English literary periods and issues, and trace the development and varieties of the English language.

International Business Management

MSc

The International Business Management MSc enables you to build commercial awareness and gain a deep understanding of the challenges and trends facing global business leaders today. This world’s economy is increasingly global, and demand continues to grow for the leaders of the future who clearly understand the international context of business.

Medieval and Early Modern Studies

MLitt

Explore the historical and cultural connections between the North-East of Scotland, Pre-Modern Europe, and the global world. Examine the Medieval and Early Modern periods to understand the fundamental changes that connect the modern world with its past. Tailor your degree through diverse topics delivered by experts across specialisms and access historical archives dating back to the 15th century to advance your learning or career aspirations.

Oil and Gas Law with Dissertation

LLM

This programme is highly regarded in the international oil and gas legal community, and as such has been a popular course taught at the University of Aberdeen for over 10 years. The University offers you an incredible depth of expertise from its learning and research in the European energy hub and enables you to be at the heart of regulation.

Chemistry for Sustainable Energy

MSc

This MSc offers a comprehensive overview of current and emerging technologies that are guiding the just energy transition.

A future energy scenario will involve the collaboration of a range of technologies. This Masters programme gives you a high level of understanding in the areas of electrochemical conversion devices (such as battery and fuel cell technology), carbon capture technologies and the hydrogen economy. Circular economy approaches and current sustainable innovations will also be covered.

Our webinar on studying Chemistry for Sustainable Energy at Aberdeen is now available. Watch here.

Cultural and Creative Communication

MSc · PgCert · PgDip

Cultural and creative industries form a central element of the economy and play a key role in shaping the society in which we live.

International Business and Finance

MSc

In an increasingly interconnected global economy, understanding international business and finance is more important than ever. This programme is designed for individuals seeking to navigate the complexities of global markets, equipping them with both analytical techniques and practical skills. By combining in-depth knowledge of management, international business, and finance-related fields, the programme prepares students to excel in a dynamic and competitive international business environment.

Cardiovascular Science and Diabetes

MSc

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death globally, accounting for more than 30%, and is set to increase over the next few decades, due to an ageing population and a steep rise in metabolic syndromes. Our MSc programme, taught by scientists and clinicians who are leaders in their field, will equip you with knowledge of the epidemiology, genetics, pathological and molecular mechanisms underpinning cardiovascular disease, its diagnosis, risk factors and pharmacological management.

Literatures, Environments and Places

MLitt

Explore literature’s relationship with place and environment at an ancient university, home to a collection of literary treasures spanning over 500 years. Delivered by experts in English literary studies, the programme provides you with practical and theoretical knowledge drawn from a wide range of critical and interdisciplinary perspectives. Through core and optional courses, we will address the ways literature reacts to and depicts environmental and ecological crises, the intersections between heritage, memory, literature, and location, and questions of cosmopolitanism, travel, and home across diverse time periods and genres.

International Security and Diplomacy

MSc

The MSc International Security and Diplomacy is a programme for all those interested in the workings and interactions of governments across various levels, concerning governments which have both friendly relations and those which endure more strained relations.

It will also be of interest for professionals interested in progressing their careers who require knowledge on diplomacy and strategic thinking within both government and non-government organisations.

Please note, this programme was previously called MSc Strategic Studies and Diplomacy.

This course has January and September start dates. Apply Now.

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

MSc

The MSc Robotics and Artificial Intelligence programme is designed for students with a background in engineering, computer science, or a related subject who are interested in pursuing a career in the rapidly growing field of robotics and AI.

Start in September or January and take advantage of the high demand for robotics and AI engineers.

Sustainability Economics and Finance

MScEcon

This programme provides students a broad but rigorous training in the field of Sustainability Economics and Finance through a combination of relevant economics and finance-related courses in the context of environment, energy, natural resources, sustainability policies, and carbon management.

Counselling

DCouns · MPhil · MSc

Our degree aims to progress you through initial training as a counsellor or psychotherapist to a doctoral qualification in alignment with the professional standards for therapists across the UK. Drawing on contemporary approaches to therapy, you will learn how to work with clients experiencing mental health difficulties in different contexts. We focus on professional practice and competencies, offering the opportunity to undertake pluralistic practice, the fastest-growing therapy modality in the UK. The programme offers advanced entry for qualified practitioners already registered with a professional body in counselling.

Politics, Public Policy and Management

MSc

The MSc Politics, Public Policy and Management combines the expertise of the School of Social Science and the Business School to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for careers in politics and policymaking in government, business, third-sector organisations, the media, the research sector, finance, and international institutions.

You will gain a deep understanding of key political and economic issues at a national and global level, the processes of policy making, the limitations of public policy responses, and how to bring about good public policy. Apply today.

Peace, Security and International Law

LLM

Our LLM in Peace, Security and International Law is an interdisciplinary programme which explores how the disciplines impact the prevention, control, and conduct of conflicts in the modern world.

Peace and Conflict Studies

MSc

MSc Peace and Conflict Studies is designed for students wishing to develop an advanced knowledge of the intellectual terrain of conflict resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding.

This course has both January and September start dates. Apply Now

Reproductive and Developmental Biology

MSc

A Masters degree delivered by a dedicated and active research team of developmental and reproductive biologists and clinicians, allowing a truly research-led teaching experience for students.

International Relations and Management

MSc

The MSc in International Relations and Management combines the study of how current international political and economic issues impact on how governments, businesses and other organisations operate globally.

This course has January and September start dates. Apply Now.

Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills

LLM

If you want to study oil and gas law at the heart of the energy industry and its regulation our programme offers you insight and research since inception of the industry in Aberdeen from our excellent School of Law. Our highly-regarded Master's forms a strong base for development and acceleration of careers in oil and gas Law throughout the world and we have access to regulators in the city to help you learn.

International Human Resource Management

MSc

This CIPD-accredited programme will provide you with an understanding of international human resource management – in a operational, economical, political and social context. It will deliver a learning experience designed to give you the confidence and the skills to add value to employers upon graduating.