Petroleum Economics and Project Management
Postgraduate
MSc/PgDip
Petroleum and Gas Engineering
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Course
One year
Two year
Next enrolment
September 2021
In a nutshell
The oil and gas industry continues to power everyday life - and meet the growing appetite for energy. Develop the skills to engineer and manage these precious resources with a Petroleum and Gas Engineering postgraduate degree.
Delivered by an expert academic team, this highly-focused course will enable you to explore the lifecycle of oil and gas engineering from both practical and theoretical viewpoints. With a focus on your future career, the course content blends technical engineering knowledge with transferable skill development areas of problem-solving and project management.
Available with full-time and part-time study pathways, the course is recommended for either engineering graduates seeking to open up career prospects in the oil or natural gas industry, or for experienced professional who want to formalise knowledge and skills with a postgraduate qualification.
This programme is designed to meet the requirements of the Engineering Councils Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP).
You will:
- Develop a solid understanding of engineering processes involved in gas and oil supply as you explore exploration, drilling, production and delivery
- Gain commercially-focused skills as you examine management systems, financial appraisal, legal framework and trading pattern economics
- Complete computer simulation exercises and build competences in advanced measurement techniques and experimental investigations
International
students accepted
This is for you if...
1.
You are an engineering or science-based graduate discipline looking to advance your skills for a career in the oil and gas industry
2.
You are an engineer or industry practitioner keen to open up career progression by formalising your knowledge with a postgraduate qualification
3.
You are engineering graduate looking to develop scientific and technical understanding of how natural resources are sourced and managed
All about the course
Grounded in subject expertise and industry-focused research, the Petroleum and Gas Engineering postgraduate course at Salford is designed to provide specialist knowledge and skill development that can support future career success in the oil and natural gas industry.
Course delivery
The course is delivered through a range of highly-focused modules. The 180-credit MSc award comprises four taught modules, plus a research dissertation. The 120-credit PgDip comprises four taught modules.
Flexibility is at the heart of our learning approach. You can choose to study this postgraduate course full-time or part-time on campus, with start dates in January and September:
- Full-time students will complete taught modules in each of the first two trimesters on campus. The 60-credit research project is completed during the final trimester
- Part-time students will complete modules in trimesters across two years of study. The 60-credit research project is completed during the second year of study
Course content
The course provides practical and theoretical viewpoints, as it covers the geological, operational and commercially-focused elements of the supply of oil and gas. We regularly review module content to ensure your acquired knowledge and skillset reflects trends and industry needs.
Current course topics include petroleum economics, exploration, drilling, production, distribution, gas flow and network analysis, and operational measurement and investigation. The dissertation module is an opportunity to plan, manage and implement a project that could focus on an element of petroleum and gas engineering.
Learn more about the current course modules in the section below.
Modules
This module is to prepare you for the workplace by teaching you skills in project management as it relates to the modern oil and gas engineering industry. Some of the topics you will cover include quality management systems, how to appraise the financial position of a business, the variables which influence demand for products, the legal framework and economics of trading patterns for businesses in the gas and petroleum sector.
Geology, Exploration, Drilling and Production
This module explores the principles of exploration, drilling, production and development system in terms of the geology, the reservoir, acquisition, production and operations relating to oil and gas engineering.
Fundamentals of Natural Gas and Production Systems and Design
This module will give you specialist knowledge in gas science technology and gas processing covering subjects such as the liquefied natural gas industry, planning of gas supply systems, LPG technology and treatments of crude natural gas to reach accepted specifications.
Distribution, Transmission Systems and Design
You will learn how to apply your knowledge to gas distribution systems and gain a thorough understanding of the design and operation of gas transmission systems including the economics of supply, safety and storage. Much of the learning of these systems will be carried out through the use of computer simulation exercises.
Gas Flow and Network Analysis
You will study the operational principles of instruments available so that you will be able to monitor parameters such as pressure, temperature and flow. This also includes advanced measurement techniques and experimental investigations relating to oil and natural gas engineering.
Experimental and Measurement Methods
You will study the operational principles of instruments available so that you will be able to monitor parameters such as pressure, temperature and flow. This also includes advanced measurement techniques and experimental investigations relating to oil and natural gas engineering.
Dissertation
This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to undertake high-level academic and practical work on researching an application, developing, evaluating or designing and critically assessing work relating to Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Gas Utilisation, Alternative Fuels (i.e. hydrogen), Energy, Carbon Capturing and Sustainability.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
School of Science, Engineering and Environment
Rising to the challenge of a changing world, our postgraduate courses are designed to shape the next generation of urbanists, scientists, engineers, consultants and industry leaders.
Driven by industry, and delivered by supportive programme teams, you can develop the knowledge and skills to take your career potential further.
Facilities
You will experience a modern learning environment, enriched with accessible lecture theatres and AV-equipped classrooms, computing suites and multimedia libraries, with access to industry journals, databases, and simulation software.
As a petroleum and gas engineering student, you will learn in our gas and petroleum laboratories. These facilities include high-tech laser equipment and well-equipped computer simulation software used for the analysis of petroleum and gas scenarios
Programme Team
The Petroleum and Gas Engineering postgraduate programme is delivered by an academic team with exceptional research experience and extensive professional connections.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
The oil and gas industry is a major global employer. There are strong career prospects for postgraduates, and well-qualified engineers can command high salaries. Due to the relative uniqueness of this course in the UK, together with the high demand for postgraduates with oil and gas-focused skills and knowledge, the course can open up exciting career opportunities.
Graduates can expect to secure roles working in the energy sector, the oil and gas industry, process engineering or chemicals. Typically, engineering-based roles will focus on exploration, drilling and reservoir modelling. Alternative career routes in the sector can include commercial management, distribution and supply.
FURTHER STUDY
Some graduates choose to further their subject interest through postgraduate research. Learn more about postgraduate research opportunities available at Salford through our Doctoral School.
The Spray Research Group at Salford has collaborated with over 120 multi-national companies on fundamental, applied research, innovation management and enterprise. The Group won the 2014 Times Higher Education (THE) Award for “Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology” for its domestic aerosol valve spray which used inert gases to reduce the harmful emissions.
Career Links
The University of Salford has strong industry links that span petroleum and gas engineering. Developed through collaborative research and development projects, or via the commercial testing of products/components, the knowledge gained through these engagements drives our teaching approach, and helps to connect student learning to real-world scenarios.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
This course is recommended for engineering-based graduates and industry professionals, seeking career development or progression opportunities in energy management or the oil and gas industry.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY APPROVAL SCHEME (ATAS)
International students are required by the Home Office and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate before they begin their studies. You will need to obtain an ATAS Certificate before you come to the UK to comply with Home Office regulations. Please refer to your offer conditions.
If you have a query relating to ATAS, please contact: Salford-ATAS@salford.ac.uk
Standard entry requirements
Undergraduate degree
A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in engineering or science.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2021/22 | £8,640per year |
| Full-time international | 2021/22 | £18,990per year |
| Part-time | 2021/22 | £1,440 per 30 credits |
Additional costs
You should consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships.
We have a range of scholarships available for students applying for courses in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. This includes our Energy Industries International Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
See the full range of our International Scholarships.