The MSc in Oil and Gas Innovation equips students with the skills and competences to generate and commercialise innovations for the oil and gas industry, covering exploration, production and decommissioning.
Postgraduate; leading to a Master of Science (MSc)
If you started this programme in 2017, you can find information about 2017 entry on the 2017 Oil and Gas Innovation page. Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
One year full time or two years part time
A good 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in Engineering, Chemistry or a geology-related degree. Applicants with degrees in other subjects or with relevant work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.
The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.
2018 fees have not yet been set for this course. For the 2017 fees, please check the fees webpage.
Applications are accepted until shortly before teaching starts in September. Applicants should apply as early as possible due to limited spaces, and to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.
For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.
The MSc in Oil and Gas Innovation is a collaborative programme coordinated by the University of Aberdeen and involving Heriot Watt, Robert Gordon University, Strathclyde, and St Andrews. The degree is hosted by the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at St Andrews. Students who apply for the course at St Andrews will take three of their modules at partner institutions.
The course is aimed at technical innovators, business developers, managers or technical staff, and engineering or science graduates interested in learning how to identify and commercialise innovation opportunities for the oil and gas industry.
The MSc degree requires one semester of full-time (or two semesters part-time) coursework equivalent to five compulsory modules and one optional module. The final component for the MSc is the completion of a project in oil and gas innovation.
The taught portion of the programme focuses on the innovation and commercialisation processes in the oil and gas sector and provides knowledge and understanding of a specific technical area of your choice.
Some taught modules are delivered at other university campuses or at independent work sites. Modules which are taught by partner institutions (i.e. Commercialising Innovation, Business Essentials for Innovators and Product Development) will be delivered partially via Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and partially via face-to-face teaching. Students will need to arrange their own travel and accommodation for attending modules at partner universities.
The compulsory Oil and Gas project can be carried out at the employer’s site.
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, one-to-one discussion and independent learning. Assessment for the taught portion is based on reports, project proposals, oral presentations and written examinations.
The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2017–2018 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2018 entry.
There are five compulsory modules. Three of these modules are delivered by partner institutions; for modules held by other universities, students are taught by a mixture of VLE (virtual learning environment) distance learning and short-term face-to-face teaching (for which you will need to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements).
Students take one optional module at the University of St Andrews from the following choices:
Throughout the year, but with particular focus in the final months of the course, students will conduct a research project in oil and gas innovation in which they further an innovative concept from one technology readiness level to commercialisation.
Students work closely with an academic supervisor and, in most cases, an industry expert.
Students present the results of their project as an oral presentation and in a report of no more than 25,000 words. Students will also be examined on their project results through a vive examination.
If students choose not to complete the project requirement for the MSc, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.
The modules listed here are indicative, and there is no guarantee they will run for 2018 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.
The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences holds monthly SEES Seminars with expert guest speakers from the UK and abroad.
Recent Graduate Discount
The University of St Andrews offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees to students who are eligible to graduate or who have graduated from St Andrews within the last three academic years and are starting a postgraduate programme with the University of St Andrews.
Many of our graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) often provides funding for PhD programmes in Earth and Environmental Science through the IAPETUS Doctoral Training Programme.
The MSc in Oil and Gas Innovation prepares students for careers in the oil and gas sector. Students are enabled to:
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of St Andrews
Irvine Building
St Andrews
KY16 9AL
Scotland, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3940
Email: earthsci@st-andrews.ac.uk
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).
St Andrews has two postgraduate prospectuses - one for taught courses and one for research programmes. Both prospectuses are available for you to view and download.