Course summary
Petroleum Engineers are at the forefront of ensuring that we have an abundant supply of oil and gas, in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner. With continued worldwide demand for energy, there is no better time to be a Petroleum Engineer. We are the only University in Scotland that offers an undergraduate Petroleum Engineering degree and also a general engineering curriculum. Petroleum Engineering is concerned with the exploration for and extraction of hydrocarbons, e.g. crude oil and natural gas. Petroleum Engineers use creative and imaginative knowledge of petroleum geology, reservoir behaviour as well as fundamental engineering principles to develop effective and safe solutions for the exploration, recovery and transportation of hydrocarbon products trapped underground, onshore or offshore, and in very challenging environments. Located in the heart of the energy industry in Europe, Aberdeen is an International Centre of Excellence for exploration and production of oil and gas, providing services for not only the North Sea but also many provinces worldwide. The distinctiveness of the Petroleum Engineering degree programme is provided by its combination of excellence in both engineering and in petroleum geoscience. With engineering at its heart, the programme draws upon well-established expertise in petroleum exploration and geoscience within the University, and the local oil and gas industry, to provide students with a multidisciplinary approach to addressing the challenges faced by petroleum engineers and the petroleum energy industry sector. The first two years cover general Engineering, with elements of Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum and Electrical/Electronics, as well as Civil. In the later years you specialise, following your chosen discipline in greater depth. You do not need to finalise your choice of specialisation until you begin third year. It is possible to move between MEng and BEng and this can be accomplished at any point until the second half session of fourth year. Successful BEng candidates will be offered the chance to change to the MEng and there is no quota, meaning that if grade requirements are met that transfer is guaranteed. **Ranked 12th UK, 1st in Scotland for General Engineering (Complete University Guide 2022) Ranked 12th UK, 2nd in Scotland for General Engineering (Guardian 2022) Ranked 9th for Student Satisfaction in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering (National Student Survey 2021)**
Modules
View all modules on the programme page to find out more about what you will be studying and when. University of Aberdeen modules are designed to give you breadth and depth to your degree. The range of modules you study will allow you to become proficient in all subjects which are directly relevant to your degree giving you greater career options.
Assessment method
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods: coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses. Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Engineering Council
- European Federation of National Engineering Associations
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- H851
- Institution code:
- A20
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
For entry to Year 2: Satisfactory completion of HNC Chemical Process Technology (120 SCQF credit points). A in all Graded Units. Curriculum to include: Inorganic Chemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H92Y 34), Physical Chemistry: Theory and Laboratory Skills (H936 34). For entry to Year 2: Satisfactory completion of HNC Engineering Systems (120 SCQF credit points). A in all Graded Units. Curriculum to include: Engineering Maths 1, 2 and 3 (or equivalent). Contact Selector to discuss exact unit requirements. For entry to Year 2: Satisfactory completion of HNC Petroleum Engineering (120 SCQF credit points). A in all Graded Units. Curriculum to include: Engineering Maths 1, 2 and 3 (or equivalent), Fundamental Chemistry: An Introduction (DX2933) or equivalent, and Fundamental Concepts of Organic Chemistry (DP2P33) or equivalent. For entry to Year 3: Satisfactory completion of HND Petroleum Engineering (240 SCQF credit points). A in all Graded Units. Curriculum to include: Engineering Maths 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (or equivalent), Fundamental Chemistry: An Introduction (DX2933) or equivalent, Fundamental Concepts of Organic Chemistry (DP2P33) or equivalent, and Petroleum Geology and Geophysics: An Introduction (F53034). For entry to Year 3: Satisfactory completion of HND Engineering Systems (240 SCQF credit points). A in all Graded Units. Curriculum to include: Engineering Maths 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (or equivalent). Contact Selector to discuss exact unit requirements.
International applicants
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.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Scottish Higher - ABBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 32 points
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H3, H3
Scottish HNC
Scottish HND
Please note: For Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering, an SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to Year 1, in addition to the general engineering requirements.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/find-a-degree.php
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Overall - 6.0 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) | 78 | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above. |
| PTE Academic | 59 | Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above. Online Test is not accepted. |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Pass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills. |
| Institution's Own Test | Academic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year) | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169. |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | C | Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169. |
To study for an undergraduate 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, or through a recognised English language test. Please note certification must be within the two years prior to commencement of your degree programme, 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/undergraduate-degrees-english-requirements-268.php
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £24800 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £24800 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
EU/International Applicants: 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 arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.
Sponsorship information
View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be able to apply for.
Provider information
University of Aberdeen
Directorate of External Relations
King's College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX