Direct answer
The University of Aberdeen MSc Oil and Gas Engineering requires a UK 2:2 Honours degree, or an equivalent non-UK qualification, in any branch of Engineering or Physics, with Mathematics covered in prior study. For Chinese applicants, the university provides a country-specific entry requirement lookup but does not publish a single fixed grade on the programme page; applicants must select “China” on the official entry requirements tool to view the exact equivalency. The minimum English language scores are IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (with Listening 5.5, Reading 5.5, Speaking 5.5, Writing 6.0) or equivalent TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English qualifications. All international self-funded students receive an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, reducing the published international tuition fee of £26,250 to £18,250. The programme holds accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Energy Institute. An ATAS certificate is mandatory for visa-required students.
Programme overview
The MSc Oil and Gas Engineering is a 12-month full-time on-campus programme delivered in Aberdeen, described by the university as the Energy Capital of Europe. It offers both September and January start dates. The curriculum covers drilling, well production technologies, reservoir engineering, petroleum geoscience, flow assurance, project management, and safety and environmental considerations. Learning methods include lectures, tutorials, field trips, group projects, individual projects, and research. Assessment is principally through written examinations in December and May, plus a dissertation for MSc candidates. The programme is developed and reviewed by an Industry Advisory Board composed of experienced professionals.
Academic entry requirements
The minimum academic requirement is a 2:2 UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution judged by the University to be of equivalent worth, in any branch of Engineering or Physics. Applicants must have covered Mathematics in their prior studies. The university states that programmes are very competitive and the entry requirements are a guide to the minimum requirements only; they do not guarantee entry. For country-specific equivalencies, the programme page provides a dropdown list that includes China. The exact Chinese qualification equivalency is not displayed on the programme page itself; applicants must select “China” in the tool to view the relevant entry requirements. The university’s international applicants page may also contain additional country-specific information.
English language requirements
This programme falls under the Postgraduate Standard English language criteria used by the School of Engineering. The accepted tests and minimum scores are:
- IELTS Academic (including IELTS Online and One Skill Retake): Overall 6.5, with Listening 5.5, Reading 5.5, Speaking 5.5, Writing 6.0.
- TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and MyBest scores): For tests taken before 21 January 2026, Overall 90, with Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 21. For tests taken from 21 January 2026, Overall 4.5, with Listening 4, Reading 4, Speaking 4, Writing 4.
- PTE Academic (online test not accepted): Overall 62, with Listening 59, Reading 59, Speaking 59, Writing 59.
- Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency: Overall 176, with Listening 162, Reading 162, Speaking 162, Writing 169.
English language certificates must be within two years prior to commencement of the course. UK degree holders and nationals of specified majority English-speaking countries are exempt. Applicants who have completed a degree taught and assessed fully in English from a university on the university’s approved list may provide a medium of instruction letter instead of a test score.
ATAS clearance requirement
The CAH3 code for this degree is CAH10-01-09. Students who need a visa to live or study in the UK must apply for Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance. The ATAS clearance certificate must be valid when applying for a UK visa. Applicants should check the official UK government ATAS guidance to confirm whether they need to apply.
Tuition fees and Aberdeen Global Scholarship
For the 2026/27 academic year, the international tuition fee is £26,250. All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students receive an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, reducing the fee to £18,250. Full terms and conditions apply. UK tuition fees are £11,100, with University of Aberdeen graduates eligible for an Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship that reduces fees to £7,000. The university’s Funding Database lists additional scholarship opportunities, including those from Shell U.K. Limited and NEO Energy, though these are specific to certain cohorts and application periods.
Required application documents
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- An up-to-date CV or resumé.
- A degree certificate showing qualifications.
- A full transcript showing all subjects studied and marks achieved, with an original and official English translation if applicable.
- A detailed personal statement explaining motivation for this particular programme.
Applicants who have not yet completed their current programme of study can still apply and provide the degree certificate at a later date.
Programme accreditation
The degree holds accreditation from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Energy Institute. The university states this ensures the curriculum is designed and delivered to the highest professional standards.
FAQ
What is the minimum Chinese degree score required for this programme?
The programme page does not display a fixed grade for Chinese qualifications. Applicants must use the country dropdown on the entry requirements section of the programme page, selecting “China,” to view the specific equivalency. The university’s international applicant pages may also provide additional country-specific details.
Can I apply if my undergraduate degree is not in Engineering or Physics?
The stated entry requirement is a degree in any branch of Engineering or Physics. Degrees in other fields are not listed as meeting the minimum academic requirement.
Is the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship applied automatically?
The university states that all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive the scholarship. Full terms and conditions apply, and applicants should review the dedicated scholarship page for eligibility details.
Do I need to provide an English test score if I studied in English in China?
If the degree was taught, assessed, and examined fully in English at a university on the university’s approved list, an official medium of instruction letter may be accepted in place of a test score. Applicants should verify their institution’s status on the approved list.
What is the ATAS requirement and who needs it?
ATAS is the Academic Technology Approval Scheme required by the UK government for certain subjects. The CAH3 code for this programme is CAH10-01-09. Students who need a visa to live or study in the UK must apply for ATAS clearance and have a valid certificate when applying for their visa.
Are there January and September start dates available?
Yes, the programme offers both September and January start dates. Full-time January starts undertake the individual project over the summer period between the two semesters of taught courses.
Official sources
- MSc Oil and Gas Engineering programme page
- Postgraduate English language requirements
- UK government ATAS guidance
For broader context on studying in the UK, see our article on UK study destination comparisons. For those considering alternative one-year master’s options, read about Singapore private one-year master’s programmes. For information on visa-related practical training, see our visa CPT overview. For a wider view of agency rankings, refer to 2026 study-abroad agency rankings.