Study a future-proof industry-focused MSc degree in Oil and Gas Engineering, with Brunel University London, TWI and NSIRC.
Learn More and Apply
The oil and gas industry is every changing, sometimes volatile, and ever more digital. To unlock the potential within new oil and gas energy resources, the energy sector of today and the future, will require highly skilled engineers that are training with the latest research knowledge and expertise.
This oil and gas degree focuses on the design of oil and natural gas structures, where students will gain a sound understanding and in-depth knowledge of oil and gas industry structural designs, fabrication, exploration and production, and installation technologies.
A key element of development for the modernisation of the oil and gas sector, will be highly skilled engineers, capable of practical and systems thinking, who can rapidly adapt to the latest circumstances (alternatively conditions) and threats oil and gas structures and their operating environment holistically.
This approach is supported with a fundamental knowledge in a wide range of engineering disciplines. It is these fundamental elements applied to the real engineering problems, which are at the core of this oil and gas programme.
Overview
The course focuses on oil and gas structure design, fabrication, and installation, and emphasizes learning outcomes that will make graduates highly sought-after in the industry. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of petroleum engineering, natural gas, and health and safety practices relevant to the energy industry.
NSIRC is an academia-industry collaboration located within the TWI headquarters, where students have access to £15 million worth of state-of-the-art equipment. They will also benefit from access to a range of leading and industry-relevant software packages, as well as an on-site high-performance computing facility to run complex numerical simulations to support their experimental work.
Delivered in intensive module blocks typically over two weeks, with 35 hours of contact time, students will study four modules in the first term, and four in the second. You will then work on your industry-driven dissertation which represents about four months of full-time effort. Your dissertation project will address a challenge or problem relevant to the oil and gas sector.
The course is accredited by both the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). The College of Engineering, Design, and Physical Sciences & TWI are offering the NSIRC scholarship for Home, EU and Overseas fee-paying students starting the full-time MSc in Oil and Gas Engineering in September.
If you're interested in an oil and gas course, this programme is an excellent choice. Located within an industrial environment near Cambridge, it offers ample networking opportunities and the chance to undertake applied research on real engineering projects. As a student, you'll have access to all the course-related facilities at Brunel University and will enjoy regular organised visits to the Brunel University London campus.
Whether you're looking for gas engineering courses near you, an international student or oversea drilling engineer, or in the UK and want to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry Aberdeen, the successful completion of this programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Don't miss out on this opportunity to become an expert in the field of oil and gas engineering!
Summary of Course Content
This programme can be pursued full-time for a year, commencing in September. Kindly be aware that all modules are liable to alterations. Our thrilling assortment of modules is presently being evaluated and might be revised for 2024.
The course provides participants with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the technical aspects of the oil and gas industry. It covers various topics such as fracture mechanics and fatigue for pipelines, offshore and onshore structures, the selection and testing of materials, degradation due to service conditions, corrosion and corrosion protection, fail-safety, and damage tolerance. The course also includes laboratory sessions that focus on material testing aspects. These sessions aim to provide a better understanding of material behavior under different conditions and equip participants with theoretical and working knowledge of fatigue, linear fracture mechanics, and damage accumulation.
In addition to a structural materials module, the course covers topics such as structural integrity and finite element analysis, multiphase flow fundamentals and flow assurance, petroleum production fundamentals, dynamics of petroleum structures, design and construction of installations and reliability engineering and risk management. Each module aims equip students with the knowledge and skills to predict and analyse the dynamic response of onshore and offshore structures under external dynamic loading conditions such as wave and wind forces. They will also learn about geotechnical and structural engineering approaches, codes of practice and standards for construction to prevent failure, and investment appraisal, testing and commissioning.
Practical sessions will provide hands-on experience in using a contemporary CAE package for structural and component design, including finite element analysis (FEA). You will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the oil and gas industry's technical aspects, including the modern techniques used in the industry, such as shale oil and gas extraction and fracking. By the end of the course, participants will have the necessary knowledge and skills to critically evaluate the petroleum and gas industry's practical and sustainability issues, making them well-equipped to succeed in the field.
Fees and Funding - 2024/25 entry
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase. To learn more about our tuition fees See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Fees
| UK |
International |
| £13,750 full-time |
£25,000 full-time |
| £6,875 part-time |
£12,500 part-time |
Scholarships and bursaries
Entry Requirements
UK
A UK Honours degree of 2:2 or higher, or an equivalent qualification recognised internationally in a relevant field of engineering or science is required.
Other qualifications and pertinent experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Admission to this programme necessitates all students who are not citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and have temporary immigration status in the UK to secure an ATAS certificate. If you receive an offer to enrol in this course and you are not an EEA citizen, obtaining an ATAS certificate will be a prerequisite of your offer.
Candidates requiring an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate: The course is no longer accepting new applications for September 2021 from visa-dependent candidates who require an ATAS certificate to pursue the course. This is due to the insufficient time to secure the ATAS certificate and apply for a student visa prior to the course commencement. If you're interested in this course, you should consider applying for the subsequent intake after September 2021.
EU and International
If you are planning to study in the UK and require a Tier 4 visa, you must demonstrate your English language proficiency to obtain a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To fulfil this requirement, you must pass an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test from a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved test centre that is included on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This test must have been taken and passed within the two years preceding the date on which the CAS is issued.
English Language Requirements
IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas) | Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores) | BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas) | TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review and may change.
FAQs
What is Oil and Gas Engineering?
Oil and gas engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on the exploration, extraction, production, and distribution of oil and gas resources. It involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to locate and extract oil and gas reserves from beneath the earth's surface.
What is the role of an Oil and Gas Engineer?
To design and develop efficient and safe methods for extracting these resources, and to ensure that they are transported and stored in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. Oil and gas engineers work on a variety of projects, ranging from drilling and exploration activities to designing and constructing pipelines and storage facilities. They use sophisticated software and equipment to analyse geological data and determine the location and size of oil and gas reserves. They also design drilling equipment and techniques that minimise environmental impact and ensure the safety of workers. In addition, oil and gas engineers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies for managing the production and distribution of these resources, including optimising production rates, monitoring supply and demand, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
What does an Oil and Gas Engineer do?
An oil and gas engineer designs and implements processes for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible extraction and production of oil and gas. They manage drilling operations, optimise production processes, and work on a range of projects from exploration to distribution. The job requires a deep understanding of the science and technology behind oil and gas extraction, as well as a commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and innovation.