Prepare yourself for career success in the subsea sector.
Join our accredited online Subsea Engineering degree and become a world-class subsea engineer.
- Train in the development and operation of subsea technologies and systems, from wellhead to topside structure interconnections.
- Learn to use analysis tools and techniques, specialist design software, standards for design improvements and performance optimisation.
- Learn to apply engineering principles and analysis methods to the design and installation of subsea systems.
You’ll leave ready to take on technical leadership roles within the subsea industry. You’ll build your skills in project management, communication, report writing and problem-solving.
Graduate with the same accredited Masters qualification as you would on campus. Your degree will be recognised by industry employers around the world.
You can also study this degree full-time on campus.
Accredited online degree
This online MSc is accredited by the:
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online MSc Subsea Engineering
Fits around full-time work
This degree fits around full-time work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.
You’re in expert hands
We’ve been training world-class engineers for over 100 years and delivering online learning for decades.
Earn a respected Masters degree
You’ll earn the same globally recognised Masters degree online as you would on campus.
Industry links
Study with a university that’s worked with the global energy sector since North Sea oil began flowing in 1975.
40% of all the world’s subsea installations are located in the North Sea. Aberdeen is Europe’s leading centre for subsea development and operation. We play a central role in researching and developing new technology to maximise recovery of oil and gas, working with international subsea companies.
The world’s leading subsea technology companies are based here, including:
- TechnipFMC
- Aker Solutions
- Baker Hughes (GE Oil & Gas)
- Subsea 7
- Bibby Offshore.
Join us online, wherever you are in the world, and get closer to our global energy city.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for a:
- Masters (180 credits)
- exit early with a Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- exit early with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits), or
- start with one of the short courses that make up this degree (15 credits).
You can build your way to a qualification one short course at a time.
Try our degree scheduler
Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.
Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.
Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance learning MSc in Subsea Engineering is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere in the world, no student visa required, and set your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources available, including online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
This degree is delivered by our School of Engineering.
You’ll learn from an internationally experienced team of subsea engineers, academics and industry professionals.
Industry input
Your degree is designed with and supported by an Industry Advisory Board. This panel of experts from across the subsea sector ensures your degree content is always current and informed by the very latest industry needs and developments.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.
Dr Dominic Van der A
Dominic is the degree coordinator. He’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.
Lyn Magee
Lyn is part of the School’s administration team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.
Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhere this will take you
Your MSc Subsea Engineering qualification
You’ll graduate with an accredited MSc in Subsea Engineering from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
You’ll receive exactly the same degree qualification online as you would on campus. Your degree title will not mention online or distance learning.
Your accredited qualification will be recognised by industry employers around the globe, opening up international career opportunities.
Careers
MSc Subsea Engineering will prepare you for career success in the subsea sector.
This degree focuses on every kind of marine operation in the offshore industry. This gives you many career paths to follow, including:
- Analysis Engineer
- Marine Contractor
- Subsea Field Engineer
- Subsea Installation Engineer.
Global opportunities
Our engineering graduates have moved into successful international careers, to as high as CEO and MD level.
Wherever in the world you seek subsea work, you’re likely to have a fellow Aberdeen graduate engineer working alongside you.
I was very lucky to start with Technip UK the very same day my Masters programme finished and I have been fully immersed into the busy life of an offshore project management team.
Catherine Hammond, MSc Subsea Engineering graduate, Project Engineer
Set in the heart of industry’s global centre of excellence for subsea engineering, Aberdeen has a unique relationship with the subsea industry both locally and internationally. We are extremely proud to support the degree programme and help develop business links that will enhance the overall learning experience for students.
Neil Gordon, Chief Executive, Subsea UK
Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
Master of Science
180 credits
£14,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2025.
The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.
Pay as you go
This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.
You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.
You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.
How it works
- You decide how many credits to study for each term.
- At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
- This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.
Your personalised cost breakdown
Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for part-time online degrees
Over 525 years of excellence
You’ll graduate from the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.
Learn anywhere
On smartphone, desktop and laptop, with no need for a student visa.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni receive 20% off fees for this online degree.
Entry requirements
MSc
- A 2:1 (upper-second) UK honours degree (or equivalent) in any branch of Engineering.
You can also apply if you have:
- a 2:1 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Applied Mathematics or Physics
- or a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in Engineering and at least three years’ relevant oil and gas industry experience.
Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics, Stress Analysis, Strength of Materials, Dynamics, Fluids, Thermodynamics and Engineering Design.
These are our minimum entry requirements. They are given as a guide and do not guarantee entry.
Short course route to online MSc Subsea Engineering
If you prefer to start with a short course, you may be able to use our online short courses as a route into this degree.
Find out about our short course route to entryApply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- INDICATIVE COST
- £14,820
This indicative cost is based on 180 credits of study over three years, starting in September 2025.
Apply via our Applicant Portal
