Course summary

Overview Petroleum engineering is central to safe, efficient and sustainable development of oil and gas assets to meet global energy and resource demands. Since its establishment in 1975, the GeoEnergy Engineering (IGE) at Heriot-Watt University has delivered its internationally renowned Petroleum Engineering MSc degree, providing thousands of graduates with the knowledge and skills to tackle the oil and gas industry's most challenging problems across the globe. The degree offers an interdisciplinary approach to exploration and extraction of petroleum resources. The degree encompasses a wide range of applied petroleum engineering fundamentals, leading to development of a technically well-prepared graduate with a sound knowledge of the industry - through eight taught courses and two projects. During the field development project, students work on real field data, considering the technical, economic and environmental aspects involved. For the individual research project, students select a specialist topic, for example related to geosciences, enhanced oil recovery, production chemistry or advanced drilling and completions, offered both by the Institute and by the industry. Programme content The programme encompasses a wide range of applied petroleum engineering fundamentals, leading to development of a technically well-prepared graduate with a sound knowledge of the industry – through eight taught courses and two projects. During the field development project, students work together on real field data, considering the technical, economic and environmental aspects involved. For the individual research project, students select a specialist topic, for example related to geosciences, enhanced oil recovery, production chemistry or advanced drilling and completions, offered both by the Institute and by the industry. Our students The large student population is a multi-cultural mix of numerate science and engineering graduates, some from industry, some straight from their first degrees, coming from well over 100 countries. This blend provides the opportunity to discuss, reflect and consider more than just the academic side of learning, thus promoting a range of transferable skills. Industry links Students will benefit from the excellent links with industry and research activities by staff at the Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering. The extensive alumni network supports the programme by offering professional talks, workshops and recruitment events, highlighting the relevance of this education to the oil and gas industry. The Institute also has an industry-based strategic advisory board, which monitors activities in the wider context of the needs of the industry and offer guidance on the programme ensuring content is up to date and relevant to current industry needs. Many of our international students are sponsored by major oil companies. There are a number of industry-based sponsorship opportunities for Edinburgh-based students primarily from the UK or EU countries. For more details, see our website. Flexible study options The programme is offered at the Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia campuses, in several approved learning partner centres and online. The programme can be studied full-time, part-time (Dubai and Malaysia) or via the flexible study mode of Heriot-Watt Online, ideal for those in employment or with other commitments. Online learning Delivered only by Online Learning this course is ideal for those in employment or with other commitments, providing flexible study options that fit around you and your life. Students will have a maximum of two years from registering for each taught course until they have to complete the online assessment. Students receive comprehensive materials for each course through an online Virtual Learning Environment.