Course summary
This programme is designed and delivered by industry experts to provide the necessary knowledge and skills required for an integrated study and evaluation of a prospect, leading to a viable oil and gas field development plan. Drawing upon a long-established track record of excellence in teaching and research, the MSc Petroleum Engineering is delivered jointly by the School of Engineering and the Department of Geology and Geophysics along with industry-based tutors covering a broad range of courses including the fundamentals of petroleum geoscience, enhanced oil recovery, reservoir simulation and well and production engineering. There is also a particular focus on formation evaluation and reservoir engineering and simulation. The MSc Petroleum Engineering develops your skills so you are able to appraise and select the appropriate technologies for safe production recovery of hydrocarbon oil and gas and includes hands-on experience of using industry-standard simulation software in all aspects of petroleum engineering. Aberdeen is known as the Energy Capital of Europe and with hundreds of energy operators and supply chain companies based in the city and surrounding region and numerous industry conferences, networking and career events taking place every year, there is simply nowhere better to gain industry exposure while studying for your energy degree. Our industry advisory panels help ensure that the content and learning outcomes of our programmes reflect the needs of the industry while guest lectures from energy sector experts and industry-supported projects also help ensure our students’ learning is in line with industry's standards. This degree holds accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Energy Institute, ensuring that the curriculum is designed and delivered to the highest professional standards.
Modules
The programme will enable you to develop skills and understanding in the fundamental aspects of Petroleum Engineering, in particular, formation evaluation, well drilling and production, reservoir engineering and simulation. You will also be able to appraise and select the appropriate technologies for safe production and enhancing the recovery of hydrocarbon oil and gas. The programme aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills required for an integrated study and evaluation of a prospect, leading to a viable oil and gas field development plan.
Assessment method
The principal method of assessment is through end of course written examinations and continuous assessment. Examinations for the first semester courses are in December and those for the second semester are in May. Candidates are normally expected to pass all examinations and all projects submissions. As an MSc student, you must submit a dissertation on your project, and may be required to undergo an oral examination.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Mechanical Engineers, Institution of
- Energy Institute, The
How to apply
International applicants
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 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme. When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs. In addition, it is important to check all immigration requirements regularly and before travelling, as they can change. Students without the necessary visa will be refused entry to the UK. You should allow plenty of time to organise your visa and ensure you are aware of all your responsibilities under the terms and conditions of your visa. Please note that the advice provided via the University is the Student Visa category of the UK's Points Based Immigration Scheme. For further information, please visit the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration.
This course has a subject classification which requires students whose nationality is outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to have an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application.
Further information can be found on the UK Government's website: www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Entry requirements
A UK Honours degree at 2:1 (upper second class), 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 Applied Mathematics. Those with a High 2:2 Honours degree in Engineering or Applied Mathematics may also be considered if they can demonstrate 2+ years of relevant experience. Students with Geology, Physics or Chemistry degrees may be considered if they have a 2:1 degree AND 2+ years relevant work experience. Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics and Physics.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above. IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 90 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. DI code is 0818 |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Overall - 62 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE) - Pass (valid for one year) Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course |
To study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write academic English fluently. These skills will allow you to understand lectures, produce high standards of written work, and perform well in examinations. We can assess your English language proficiency through a variety of means: through your nationality, through the qualifications you gained in high school, through the degree you undertook or are undertaking at university, or through a recognised English language test. Postgraduate Standard requirements are used by the Schools of Biological Sciences; Engineering; Geosciences; Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition; Natural and Computing Sciences; and Psychology. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your course, unless otherwise stated.
Please use the checklist at the following webpage to determine how you can meet our English language requirements:
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/requirements-pg-266.php
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Fee information is not yet published for entry in Academic Year 2025/2026. For guidance, the fees on the University Online Prospectus website are for 2024/25.
Sponsorship information
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: www.abdn.ac.uk/study/funding/. The University of Aberdeen provides an Alumni Discount Scheme: The University of Aberdeen is very pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX