MSc Applied Petroleum Geoscience (incorporating PG Cert/PG Dip)

Start date: June

Course length: You'll study the PG cert for 12 weeks from June to September. If you are an International student you will take the entire MSc full time in one year, June to June. You will take the PG Cert stage from June to September. If you are an EU/UK student, you may choose to study the PG Dip stage over two years with two modules in the autumn semester of year one and two more in autumn of year two. Residential fieldwork is carried out in the autumn semester.  Normal starting times for MSc projects are October and January.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

The high degree of industry involvement means you will get the benefit of the latest thinking and techniques in the areas of petroleum geology, petroleum techniques and geological and commercial risk. Plus we include professional communication training throughout to bring your report writing and presentation skills to industry standard.

As one of the fastest up and coming universities we're able to offer you not only exciting teaching, course materials and facilities but support in finding accommodation. We have a limited number of rooms available in University halls and early booking is strongly recommended. Rental rates start at £73 per week plus a £65 booking fee for a private room with shared kitchen and toilet facilities. Book your accommodation through the admissions office after acceptance as there is a special form for you to fill out as a petroleum student.

You have the opportunity to take your education further by studying whilst in work. We offer you the chance, on successful completion of the initial 12-week Postgraduate Certificate stage, to go on to a Postgraduate Diploma. You have the flexibility of studying either with three to four week study breaks while you work or full time with us here at Derby. Again, you can progress to an independent project leading to your MSc with full time research over four months or part time research over a year.

What you’ll study
This MSc is made up of three semesters. EU students can take the Postgraduate Certificate during semester one, the Postgraduate Diploma during semesters one and two or the MSc over all three semesters.

Postgraduate Certificate
You’ll study these modules:

• Petroleum Geology: Exploration, Reservoirs
• Petroleum Techniques: Wellsite Geology and Basic
• Petrophysics and Introduction to Seismic Geological and Commercial Risk: Reserves, Appraisal to Production, HSE Data Management and Quality Control

Postgraduate Diploma
You’ll study these modules:

• Advanced Petroleum Geology: Reservoir Character, Reservoir Modelling, Fieldwork
• Subsurface Analysis: Geophysics, Formation Evaluation and Pressure Management
• Basin Analysis: Types, Analytical Techniques, Seismic Interpretation, Field Evaluation, Economic Implications

MSc
You’ll study this module:

Independent Scholarly Activity
During this triple module you will complete a written report and oral presentation about your project, which will focus on topics such as well correlation and reservoir modelling, seismic interpretation or basin modelling.

UK students

• PG Cert: (June - September 2012) £755 per single module (you usually take 3 of these modules in total)
• PG Dip: (September 2012 - January 2013) £755 per single module (you usually take 3 of these modules in total)
• MSc: (February 2013 - June 2013) £755 per single module (you usually take 3 of these modules in total)

International

• Full MSc incorporating PG Cert and PG Dip (June 2012 - June 2013) £13,950

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between June 2012 and May 2013. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year and there may be extra costs eg for exams, trips or special modules.

You'll attend lectures, workshops, field and lab based practical sessions and tutorials.

How you're assessed

Assessment will include written coursework, presentations and timed essays.

We prepare you for entry level jobs in the petroleum industry. Your first position could be in a service company supporting the oil industry in areas such as basic reservoir analysis, mudlogging, data management, data gathering and analysis.

Once you have gained this valuable experience and undertake the further study we offer, you are in a position to take advantage of all that the industry has to offer:

• challenging projects
• international travel
• good salaries.

"My geology and postgraduate degrees have prepared me really well for this role and I was really happy to take this opportunity to share my enthusiasm with current students."

Simon Greenfield, current student who works at Kirk Petrophysics as a core analyser.

Read Simon's story here.