Oil and Gas Engineering MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
With a broad-ranging Oil and Gas Engineering MSc, you could work across the world in the oil and gas industry.
Year of entry
2023-24
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Sandwich
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
2 years sandwich
Course code
EECT058
Start date
September 2023
January 2024
May 2024
Course overview
This comprehensive course has been designed and delivered in collaboration with highly experienced oil and gas professionals.
- This course aims to equip you with the advanced sector-specific knowledge and skills required to succeed in the competitive, ever-evolving energy industry.
- You will study the engineering theory, technology, systems and practice associated with the full oil and gas life cycle, examining upstream, midstream and downstream operations from exploration and production, right through to refining and marketing.
- Upon successful completion, this course will prepare you for a global career as a graduate engineer in the oil and gas industry, furnishing you with a solid foundation in fluid flow systems, oil and gas production engineering and process control, based on international environmental operational frameworks.
- You will have the option to apply for a ‘work placement’ opportunity2, designed to further develop your skills and knowledge with the aim of maximising your employability prospects. See modules for more information.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
- Encouraging advanced problem-solving skills, you will explore how to tackle complex engineering problems with shifting baselines and varying degrees of resources and information.
- You will be provided the opportunity to gain practical experience in a wide range of engineering and technology disciplines, and you should learn how to design appropriate components, systems or processes to improve the quality and functionality of equipment and plant within individual and complex environments.
- You could also further your understanding of the concepts surrounding corrosion, life cycle, mechanical principles, control, fluid flow and its combined importance in the continuation of an operational facility.
- Our currently extensive industry links can enable you to benefit from technical site visits2 which have previously included the National Engineering Laboratory, as well as a range of expert guest lectures, such as the former Vice President of British Petroleum.
- You will have free access to sector-leading software (subject to availability) used by over 500 international oil and gas companies across the world, such as standard PETREL and ECLIPSE reservoir simulation software worth US$12.5million (donated by Schlumberger), Petex Integrated Product Modelling (IPM) software worth over £1million (donated by Petex), Weatherford’s PanSystem and WellFlo, Honeywell’s UniSims Design Suite, NSI Technologies’ StimPlan and IHS Kingdom GeoSyn.
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
As part of this course you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited1 by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) for the 2023-24 intake. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Further details can be found under the modules and on the Professional Development module page.
Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules and is regularly reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.
Memberships
This course enables you to become student members1 of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) at no extra cost, and the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), which is currently free for students under 29 years old (additional fees apply for those above this age).
What you'll study
Our broad range of module subjects aim to develop your practical and technical knowledge of drilling and well engineering, multiphase flow systems, production and reservoir engineering, crude processing, gas technologies, engineering materials durability and sustainability, as well as health, safety and environmental management.
With work placement pathway
The ‘With work placement’ opportunity2 enables you to apply in semester 1 for an optional work placement of up to 12 months, extending the duration of your master’s to 24 months. The placement provides an opportunity for you to develop expertise and experience in your chosen field with the aim of enhancing your employability upon graduation. The work placement would take place in semesters 3, 4 and 5.
Please note that the optional placement modules incur an additional tuition fee of £4,000. Placement opportunities may also be subject to additional costs, visa requirements being met, subject to availability and/or competitive application. Work placements are not guaranteed but you will benefit from the support of our Talent Team in trying to find and secure an opportunity. Find out more about the work placement option.
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
How you'll learn
The course has been developed in collaboration with industry and leading professional bodies; there are also several elements which are currently delivered by petroleum processing engineering experts, who will lead discussion and debate on current oilfield processing case studies.
Teaching and learning methods may include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Presentations
- Group projects
- Workshops
- Practical laboratory and simulation sessions
This course can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. While we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Please request information about studying this course part-time.
Teaching contact hours
The number of contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week in the taught semesters. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 35 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
Your project-based semester will be supervisor supported, self-directed study in the region of 20 hours per week.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Tests
- Essays
- Presentations
- Coursework
The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
International experience opportunities
Our current strong relationship with industrial collaborators may provide you with access to a wide range of national and international workshops and conferences run by the many professional bodies2.
We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities to try and build your technical capacity, establish networks and meet potential collaborators and employers.
In the past, our students have attended the International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition in the United Arab Emirates, the Artificial Lift Conference and Exhibition in North America, the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Intelligent Energy Conference here in the UK and the SPE International Conference and Exhibition on Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Social Responsibility in Norway.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £11,200 | £4,000 (Work placement option additional fee) | Request fee information |
International | £20,050 | £4,000 (Work placement option additional fee) | Not available |
For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4.

The Library
The Lanchester Library is open 24/7, 364 days a year and has 1,400 study spaces, including group and silent areas. It also currently offers more than 550 computers and an additional 120 free-to-loan laptops within the library.

Jaguar Centre
Our refurbished Jaguar Centre has been specifically designed to provide facilities and services to support our postgraduate students including: social spaces, computer suites and separate areas for small group study.

The Hub
The Hub is the centre of student campus life. It's also home to: The Health and Wellbeing Centre, The Spirituality and Faith Centre, The Tank Studio, The Careers and the Enterprise Hub.
Careers and opportunities
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of appropriate technology selection, process engagement and the relationship between engineering responses and project needs in an oil and gas engineering context.
- Appreciate relevant global constraints, such as health and safety, assessing the impact of current engineering forces and technological change upon the effectiveness and efficiency of equipment and plant within the oil and gas industry.
- Identify and provide innovative design solutions to complex oil and gas engineering problems.
- Implement appropriate engineering and design solutions relevant to materials, drilling, production, processing, fluid flow, control systems, instrumentation, durability and reliability in relation to real-world oil and gas engineering situations, and reservoir simulation.
- Conceptualise, devise and critically appraise detailed engineering and technological solutions to oil and gas problems utilising materials and processes available in a sustainable manner.
- Synthesise developments around new technologies, processes and advanced systems from a broad range of engineering disciplines and to adapt and apply them to oil and gas problems.
- Critically review engineering imperfections, preconditions and technical elements, evaluating engineering and technological solutions.
- Integrate a detailed and rational manufacturing, technological and IT perspective into a cross-functional system when faced with an oil and gas problem.
This course has been developed with industry experts, and is aimed at providing you with technical capability, alongside analytical and creative skills to have a successful career in the oil and gas industry.
Throughout the course, you could find yourself working on current oilfield and industry-based problems, providing you with the opportunity to gain additional skills and experience. The course aims to keep you up to date with current events and the latest, leading-edge industry innovations through opportunities to visit facilities and hear from leading industry figures2. These visits are a great way to interact with oilfield experts and network with potential employers.
This master’s degree provides just one route into many possible careers with the global oil and gas industry, where demand for qualified staff is high. Roles may include engineers and drill crew, experienced geoscientists and exploration engineers, exploration and appraisal specialists, senior planners and contract managers, HSE advisors, subsea engineers, subsea filters and flow assurance engineers, operators, technicians, reservoir engineers and senior drilling engineers, as well as senior commercial roles, such as head of business development managers, country managers and sales managers.
Where our graduates work
Many of our previous graduates have gone on to work in international oil and gas companies in roles such as petroleum engineers, process or facilities engineers and energy analysts, in companies such as Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil/Service companies, as well as a range of national and other international oil companies.
How to apply
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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Disclaimers
Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.