Introduction
The MSc Petroleum Data Management has been designed in partnership with industry to meet the growing demand for professional petroleum data managers possessing expertise seen as critical to maximising economic recovery.
The MSc Petroleum Data Management is also available to study part-time online.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning or Online Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 27 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
The aim of the MSc Petroleum Data Management programme is to provide education and training at postgraduate level for data managers both working in the petroleum sector or for those aspiring to work in the sector.
The MSc programme was set up through a partnership between the University of Aberdeen and Common Data Access Ltd (CDA), a not-for-profit subsidiary of OEUK, the representative body for the UK offshore energy industry. The programme is also supported by leading multinational companies including Shell, TotalEnergies and Chevron and its content has been developed with input from our industry partners, to ensure that it is tailored to the needs of industry.
The content reflects the overall key data management activities of relevance to petroleum data managers, to provide individuals with job-ready expertise to move into the advanced data management roles that will meet the growing demand and expectations of the global oil and gas industry.
In particular, this programme is tailored to deal specifically with managing the physical and digital data that are used across the oil and gas industry, to understand and evaluate the subsurface and the petroleum reserves located there.
Flexible study options mean that the MSc Petroleum Data Management can be studied full time on campus or part-time online.
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
-
Petroleum Data Management
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start MonthMSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time September MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £22,000 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year UK £10,000 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Stage 1
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Database Systems and Big Data (CS5097)
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15 Credit Points
This course will be of interest to anyone who wishes to learn to design and query databases. The course aims to teach the material using case studies from real-world applications. You will develop a critical understanding of the principal theories, principles and concepts, such as modelling techniques used in the design, administration and security of database systems. You will also learn core theoretical concepts such as relational algebra, file organisation and indexing. At the end of this course you will be able to design and build Web and cloud-based databases and have a critical understanding of how database-driven applications operate.
- Fundamentals of Petroleum Geoscience (GL5033)
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15 Credit Points
The course covers aspects of geology, geophysics and prospect evaluation to illustrate how geologists deal with uncertainty and risk during the exploration process. It will look at the place of the geoscientist during the productive life of an oilfield. Another key aspect of this course will be the issue of communication between geoscientists and engineers. By the end of this course students should understand how geologists explore for oil and gas, and the main tools at their disposal; the role of the geophysicist; how to make prospect maps; petroleum volumetrics; subsurface fluid flow; and the creation of static reservoir models.
- The Nature of Geological and Geographical Data (GL5206)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to the fundamental types of geographical, geological, offshore survey, and geophysical data used within the Oil and Gas and related industries, with special emphasis on those types of data where the spatial position is crucial to the significance of the measurements. Attention will be given to the common sources of data, acquisition and capture, storage, processing, quality control, and analysis, and representation through mapping and visualisation.
- Petroleum Data Governance (GL5310)
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15 Credit Points
The course will provide an understanding of: data governance issues and how they impact on business workflows; data management organisation models and structures, data roles and responsibilities; legal issues relating to data governance, and a more detailed exploration of data protection law; data policies, strategies, standards and procedures; the relation between data governance and data quality, security, entitlements and obligations; and data management maturity and impact.
Stage 2
Compulsory Courses
- Data Science: from Data to Insight (CS5703)
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15 Credit Points
Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to identify and understand phenomena captured in structured or unstructured data, extract insights, and add value by generating predictions that aid optimization of processes and equipment. These techniques show considerable promise for bringing about a revolution, increasing the significance and value of owning and collecting data of all types. This course introduces the common techniques and considers the implications for data managers.
- Service and Project Management for Petroleum Data Managers (GL5542)
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15 Credit Points
This course covers basic areas of service operations management and project management applied to the context of managing petroleum data. It examines service design, service quality and improvement processes, capacity management in service operations, and service projects. It also covers the main areas of project management (scope, quality, cost, time, and risk) and standard planning techniques with particular emphasis on the importance of quality, scope and risk within data management projects.
- Petroleum Data Quality Management (GL5544)
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15 Credit Points
The course will provide an understanding of: the value of data quality, the importance of data quality management and the consequences of poor data quality management. It will cover common data quality issues, and inherent uncertainty in data values, and demonstrate the need for data quality standards, business rules, policies and procedures, and how these are used to lead compliance activities. It will also show the relation between data governance and data quality.
- Law, Business, Security: Petroleum Data Management (LS5811)
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15 Credit Points
The course will provide an understanding for petroleum data managers from legal, commercial and security standpoints of contemporary legal challenges involving data protection and privacy from commercial, state and activist perspectives such as big data and data mining; intellectual property; regulatory frameworks; competition law.
Stage 3
Compulsory Courses
Assessment: By written examination and course work as prescribed for each course. In addition, MSc candidates must submit a dissertation on their project.
- Individual Project In Petroleum Data Management (GL5911)
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60 Credit Points
This project is an extended, independent, self-directed, piece of practical work integrating and reinforcing the material taught on the rest of the Petroleum Data Management MSc programme, and giving a detailed insight into the demands of, and ways of carrying out, data management in the oil and gas industry. Under guidance, the student will be responsible for the project design and execution.
MSc 27 months Online Learning Part Time September More
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Funding Opportunities
Aberdeen Global Scholarship: Eligible self-funded international Masters students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
Why Study Petroleum Data Management?
- The programme is delivered by our departments of Law, Engineering, Business, Geography, Geology, and Computing Science and covers subjects such areas as data governance, data quality management, information security management, legal aspects related to data entitlements and obligations, service and project management, and much more.
- The MSc has been designed with leading industry organisations to ensure that the content and teaching deliver graduates who can make a real difference in the industry.
- At the heart of Europe's oil and gas capital city, the University of Aberdeen has decades experience of working closely with the energy industry. We have a strong track record of delivering industry-focused degree programmes across all the relevant disciplines, including law, business, engineering, geology and science.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
A 2:1 (upper second class or above) UK Honours degree in a science discipline, or a science-based Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth.
Those with a 2:2 may be considered if they can demonstrate they have at least 2 years of professional experience judged by the University to be of direct relevance to the programme. Please include an employer reference letter in this case.
Applicants with other qualifications may also be considered if they can demonstrate 3+ years' experience in the area of data management in the petroleum industry.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded postgraduate taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
"Good data management is key to unlocking the real value of technical and analytical applications. As an industry we are experiencing a tremendous growth in data and to manage it successfully we will need a pipeline of talent with strong earth science and engineering skills. The Master's programme at Aberdeen University, as well as other strategically located programs, will enable the next generation of skilled data managers to advance their careers in the oil and gas industry," - Danny Bush, Unit Manager Subsurface Workflows, Chevron Energy Technology Company
“We are delighted to support the development of the Petroleum Data Management MSc from Aberdeen University. Shell recognises technical information and data as a discipline within our company, and we play an active role in promoting the professionalisation of these skills across the industry. Courses such as this provide a strong academic foundation for the data management professionals that we need today and in the future.” - George Rorie, Operational Lead for Technical Data Management, Shell
"The exponential growth of data volumes and available information has made data management, data architecture, data analysis and geomatics cornerstones in the exploration and production industry. Total has recognised geoinformation as a key discipline to support these trends and skilled and talented people are necessary to fulfil these challenging tasks." - Olivier Mairal, Senior Data Management Advisor, Total E&P UK
Career Opportunities
- Commercial Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Data Consultant
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Data Coordinator
- Project Manager
Our Experts
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Iraklis Giannakis
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX