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Oil and Gas Engineering MSc

2023-24 (also available for 2024-25)

This course is eligible for Master's loan funding. Find out more.

Start date

18 September 2023

8 January 2024

Duration

1 year full-time

Places available (subject to change)

30

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Knowledge – You'll be taught by professional engineers, and supported by our technicians, many of whom have worked in industry, meaning you'll learn the very latest knowledge and practice.  
  2. Boosted Career Prospects – This course will help you to prepare you for careers with a wide range of potential employers, including national and multinational energy companies, consultancies and international agencies. 
  3. Support – You'll be supported by staff with specialist subject expertise to help you as you develop your knowledge and skills in your subject area. 

The UK’s offshore oil and gas industry remains a central pillar of the UK economy. Providing energy, jobs and actively driving low carbon innovation the length and breadth of the country, its footprint extends into every sector, community, and home across the UK.*

It is widely reported that Oil and Gas engineering industries suffer from a lack of graduates with the further learning at an advanced level. In order to address these issues the Oil and Gas Engineering seeks to provide a sound education in areas of Oil and Gas engineering through an integrated and coordinated programme.

We recognise that entrants to the course will come from a range of undergraduate courses and industry disciplines. Therefore, modules covering Enhanced Oil Recovery, Development of Dimensional Measurement and Virtual Instrumentation are covered to ensure that you are equipped to effectively study the more advanced analytical elements of the course.

Building on this to a more advanced level and you will additionally studying non-technical modules, expanding your managerial skills and knowledge by studying Project Management and Finance Management and Professional Development.

This course will help you to prepare you for careers with a wide range of potential employers, which could include national and multinational energy companies, consultancies and international agencies.

*OGUK Economic Report, 2021.

Course detail

Core Modules

Advanced Production System

In this module you will gain an understanding of the systems analysis approach to model the transport of oil from upstream reservoir to downstream stock tank. You will explore Darcy’s law, inflow performance predictions, single-phase flow and multi-phase flow in pipes and restrictions, and the use of total system analysis to calculate the pressure drops versus flow rates.

Advanced CAD

This module introduces you to the principles and applications of computer aided design (CAD) within industry. It considers an advanced 3D design package to allow mechanical and visual design to be carried out. You will also look at modern approaches to automation of the design process and topology optimisation for parts manufactured using additive manufacturing. The module provides hands-on experience of a high-level 3-D CAD system from part design to assembly, drawings and design automation. It also provides you with an understanding of the role, concepts and application of 3-D CAD systems in industry.

Project and Finance Management

This module aims to develop your understanding of the strategic aspects of programme and project management and its role in adding competitive advantage to an organisation. The module enables you to gain a firm grounding in the principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin programme and project management. It also aids you to develop a systematic understanding of the purposes and uses of financial information, together with the ability to use quantitative skills to improve performance management and decision making within an organisation. Emphasis is placed upon the need for competence in project planning and control. Team-working, communication and risk management skills are developed by means of group activity. Extensive use is made of project management and simulation software.

Advanced Thermofluids

Fluid dynamic forces acting on a fluid handling system affect the performance effectiveness of the system. This module considers an advanced study of fluid flows relevant to industrial fluid handling systems such as vehicles, turbomachines and pipeline systems. Modern vehicles will be studied to highlight the subtle design features being employed to reduce drag, provide deliberate vortices, or create a predictable down-force on the vehicles. The design features related to turbomachines and the pipelines are also discussed in detail. Additionally, the module considers an optimised design for various systems considered including engine cooling systems, in-car air conditioning, turbo-machines and piping systems. We will introduce you to an appropriate commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software package and its use for design of an optimised system.

Enhanced Oil Recovery

The module is concerned with the understanding of reservoir fluids, reservoir rock properties, enhanced oil recoveries (EORs). You will have understanding of how production can be enhanced using these technologies and which technology/ies to be employed for a given oil field.

Professional Development and Research Methods

This is an innovative module which delegates will find not only challenging but also very rewarding as it will extend the way they think about management excellence and research application. Through interactive module content, based upon the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence, you will be guided through the theory and practice of professional development and research. Through the use of a number of diagnostic instruments and application tools, you will be able to benchmark your leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills, thereby providing a firm foundation for reflective career planning through portfolio development. On completion, you will be equipped to manage your career through to professional registration and have the ability to lead complex research projects. This activity will be supported by seminars led by experts in the field of research and development from academia and industry, prior to the delivery of equally weighted group and individual project assessments.

Individual Project

The project provides you with the opportunity required within an MSc to undertake a major programme of advanced independent work. Where possible your project is carried out in collaboration with an industrial company and takes place at the company.

Option modules:

Choose from a list which may include:

Virtual Instrumentation

This module has been designed to build on your skills in modelling, designing, processing and simulating a range of analogue and digital systems. To support you in this the module reviews the hardware and software aspects of virtual instrumentation (VI). You’ll have the opportunity to use graphical and C/C++ programming languages using PC’s and interface cards as the hardware platform. Industry standard software tools (such as LabVIEW) will also be explored to help design and simulate real systems.

Advanced Static Analysis

This module aims to extend your knowledge of the scientific principles used in more advanced static analysis of mechanical components and systems and to understand the role that mathematical and computer based modelling plays in this type of analysis. The module allows you the opportunity to gain experience in the use of commercial analysis software to solve non-linear structural problems.

Advanced Dynamic Analysis

The module uses selected topics to give the student an advanced understanding of the analytical tools applied to dynamic mechanical systems. The student will develop the ability to analyse complex systems using commercial software packages. The module further provides, through theory and practical examples, the means to quantify and solve realistic problems. 

Quality Systems and Measurement

This module has been designed to be offered to those students who have a basic understanding of Operations Management and Quality Assurance and Control, together with the statistical techniques employed in probability theory. The module builds on this knowledge, giving the students the ability to implement and operate Quality Systems, Maintenance Regimes and Reliability Trials and support New Product Introductions.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

  • An Honours degree (2:1 or above) in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Systems, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering or a closely related science subject area or an equivalent professional qualification.
  • Other qualifications or experience which demonstrate that a candidate possesses knowledge and skills at honours degree standard may be acceptable and will be considered on an individual basis.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Why study with us?


Hear from our academic staff and students to discover what it's like to study as a Postgraduate Student at the University of Huddersfield.

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Computing and Engineering, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Support Office: a one stop shop for students studying within the School. The team deal with every aspect of student life from enrolment, module queries, timetabling, exams, assessments, course-related committees and graduation. They are the first place to go with any query, and they can also signpost to other support networks.

Student Guidance Office: provides guidance about how students can develop their academic study skills and learning development. The team provide support with academic skills including research and project planning, referencing and paraphrasing, essay writing, critical thinking, understanding assessments and the presentation of academic work. Common learning development topics include, developing effective study habits, time management, how to manage deadlines, plan, structure and organise work and understanding the University regulations and systems.

Technical Support: technicians support our students across each department. Based in our labs with different specialisms and knowledge they are on hand to advise and guide, students can access our technician’s expertise during lectures and seminars as well as during self-study. A technical Helpdesk is also available to all students within the School of Computing and Engineering to help troubleshoot any computer issues or to borrow hardware and software.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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