Course summary
This unique Masters programme combines the core disciplines of Economics and Law to equip you with the essential skills required to pursue a successful career such as in the global oil and gas industry, legal, financial or in related governmental organisations. The global oil and gas sector operates in a complex environment characterised by various influential factors such as government-controlled hydrocarbons, financial markets, the global crude oil market, economic uncertainty, licensing, taxation and contracts. These factors have a significant influence on both investment decision-making and government policy-making, so a comprehensive knowledge of related economics and law is essential. On this programme, you will gain the real-world knowledge you need to enhance your career opportunities in legal and financial oil and gas contexts. The University of Aberdeen is a global leader in teaching and research in the field of energy and this programme builds on our considerable strengths in these areas. Our University is home to two relevant and internationally recognised research centres: the Aberdeen Centre for Research in Energy Economics and Finance and the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law. Studying here, you will benefit from interacting with leading researchers in the field of energy economics and law – including one of the world’s best recognised energy experts, Professor Alex Kemp OBE – and with a broad network of national and multi-national employers through our visiting speaker programme. Taught courses are the same on both the MSc and LLM programmes and are delivered with an interdisciplinary approach. Prospective students with a background in finance or business may feel that the MSc is a better fit for their experience as they will undertake a 60-credit business dissertation in the Business School on a business (i.e. economics, finance, etc.) related topic. Applicants with some professional legal experience or previous study in law may wish to choose the LLM degree option which concludes with a 60-credit dissertation on a legal topic under the Law School.
Modules
You will have the opportunity to explore a range of themes to sharpen your critical analysis of key current global challenges and issues. These include Licensing and Upstream Taxation; Investment Appraisal Techniques and Risk Analysis; Health, Safety and Environmental Regulation; Crude Oil Market; Principles of Accounting; and Oil and Gas Contracts. You will take part in a broad range of stimulating lectures, seminars and tutorials with both lecturers and visiting industry practitioners. Taught courses are the same on both the MSc and LLM programmes and are delivered with an interdisciplinary approach. Prospective students with a background in finance or business may feel that the MSc is a better fit for their experience as they will undertake a 60-credit business dissertation in the Business School on a business (i.e. economics, finance, etc.) related topic. Applicants with some professional legal experience or previous study in law may wish to choose the LLM degree option which concludes with a 60-credit dissertation on a legal topic under the Law School.
Assessment method
Assessment is by course work, written examination or through a combination of those, as prescribed for each module.
How to apply
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. 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.
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirements for this programme is a degree at 2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours level (or a degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth). Open to people with a degree in any discipline, a business degree is not a requirement for the MSc. Likewise a law degree is not a requirement for the LLM.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Overall - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 6.0 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 iBT Home Edition: Overall - 90 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 21 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 1 year). Academic English Preparation Programme undertaken at other UK HEI - accredited by BALEAP and within 1 year of start of course. | |
| Cambridge English Advanced | C | Overall - 176 with: Listening - 162 or above; Reading - 162 or above; Speaking - 162 or above; Writing - 169 or above. |
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 Higher requirements are used by the Schools of Business; Divinity, History and Philosophy; Education; Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture; Law; and Social Sciences. The MSc in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management and the MSc in Integrated Petroleum Geoscience also make use of the Postgraduate Higher requirements. 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/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