Genesis Oil and Gas
The vision for the new MSc is to create a world-class centre of research and teaching in process safety, It’s too important a subject to not have a real focus on it for chemical engineers.
Process Safety, MSc
Introduction
This programme examines the primary technologies and operations involved in upstream oil and gas processing, with a particular focus on operational safety, risk assessment and risk management.
This programme has January and September start dates. Apply Now.
The MSc Process Safety 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
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The School of Engineering has focused on safety-related teaching and research for over 30 years and is today established as one of the key centres for safety engineering teaching and research in the UK.
The MSc Process Safety is developed with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and industry to produce qualified Process Safety Engineers. On this programme, you will be exposed to the major issues and challenges facing industry today, including operational safety, risk assessment and management and develop a professional approach to managing these accordingly.
This programme is distinctive because it is designed for students with a chemical engineering background, or those with a background in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering, with good chemical/chemistry knowledge.
A major component of the MSc Process Safety programme is understanding and managing risk. You will be introduced to the tools and processes used to identify, assess and manage risk, taking such issues as process operations and human factors into account.
Aberdeen is known as the Energy Capital of Europe and with hundreds of energy operators and supply chain companies based in the city and surrounding region and numerous industry conferences, networking and career events taking place every year, there is simply nowhere better to gain industry exposure while studying for your energy degree.
Our industry advisory panels help ensure that the content and learning outcomes of our programmes reflect the needs of the industry while guest lectures from energy sector experts and industry-supported projects also help ensure our students’ learning is in line with industry's standards.
This degree holds accreditation from the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), ensuring that the curriculum is designed and delivered to the highest professional standards.
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
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Process Safety
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months or 27 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £26,250 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year UK £11,100 Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year Stage 1
Information for part-time students: This degree will take place over 27 months. In year one, students will undertake the following modules: PD5006, EG50S2, EG503J, EG5558, and EG55P7. In year two, students will undertake the following modules: EG50T5, EG501V, EG55P8, EG55P9, and will begin EG59F1 (the individual project). In year three, students will complete EG59F1.
Compulsory Courses
- Safety & Risk Management (EG50S2)
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15 Credit Points
The course serves as the entrance to the field of safety and reliability engineering with the introduction of the basic concepts and tools of safety and risk management. Legal frames related to engineering safety are also introduced.
Contents include: Fundamentals of safety engineering; natural and man-made hazards; safety measures; accident and failure statistics; fundamentals of risk management; risk assessment techniques; classical reliability theory; modelling of engineering systems as series and parallel systems; redundancy; fault trees and event trees; availability and maintainability; UK safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and its historical, offshore and other regulations.
- Loss of Containment (EG50T5)
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15 Credit Points
The course aims to give students an in-depth treatment of the critical technical aspects of loss of containment including factors leading to loss of containment and consequence modelling.
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (EG501V)
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15 Credit Points
The course aims to provide understanding of main principles and techniques underpinning computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combining numerical methods with practical experience using appropriate software. The course develops a foundation for understanding, developing and analysing successful simulations of fluid flows applicable to a broad range of applications.
- 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’.
- Air and Water Pollution Control (EX501U)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces the water cycle and the need for wastewater treatment. Biological wastewater treatment is covered in detail with focus on: activated sludge process for carbon and nitrogen removal and anaerobic digestion. Air pollution control is also covered in detail. The course focuses on process design based on mass balance, heat balances and kinetics.
Stage 2
Compulsory Courses
- Applied Risk Analysis and Management (EG5558)
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15 Credit Points
Risk assessment, the common tools used for (and the legal requirement associated with) risk assessment are covered. Students will have a thorough understanding on the components of good assessment and management of risks, and be familiar with the basic requirement for HAZID, HAZOP, SIL, QRA and the Safety Case.
- Process Plant Equipment and Operations (EG55P7)
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15 Credit Points
The course aims to give students knowledge and understanding of how larger process systems behave and are operated and controlled. Focus is being placed on the stability of feedback control loops and on advanced control strategies aiming at enhancing safety and operability. Specific cases across the safety hierarchy (basic and advanced process control, alarm systems, emergency shutdown and interlocks, etc) are addressed.
- Process Design, Layout & Materials (EG55P8)
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15 Credit Points
Candidates will develop PIDs for major systems applying LOPA and including instrumentation. Inherently safe equipment layout principles for both onshore and offshore applications are addressed. Layouts will be developed for example applications.
The safety critical systems are reviewed and discussed.
Corrosion mechanisms are addressed together with materials for construction properties. Basic corrosion models are presented for a wide range of fluids. The operational modes which present most demand on materials are reviewed. Corrosion in erosive environments is addressed. Effects of temperature deviations in fire & blowdown are illustrated and analysed. Case studies are used to illustrate common issues.
- Human Factors Engineering (EG55P9)
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15 Credit Points
Human Factors Engineering (HFE) relates to how people interact with engineering systems. Failures in these areas are involved in all major incidents. Candidates explore them as part of this course. First, a review of major accidents will be undertaken to identify how equipment design, individual behaviours, and organisational behaviours contributed. Equipment/system design and the effect it has on individuals' behaviours is explored. Human Error is addressed. Finally, organisational behaviours will be examined. Leading and Lagging indicators are explored and their strengths/weaknesses considered. Candidates have the opportunity to complete practical assessments led by industry practitioners with specialist expertise in HFE.
Stage 3
Compulsory Courses
- MSc Individual Project (EG59F1)
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60 Credit Points
The MSc Individual Project is an independent piece of research based on a topic related to a student’s degree programme. Students are encouraged to focus on a problem confronting industry or a related area. The individual project provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate how the in-depth skills and knowledge they have gained during the taught courses can be used to provide solutions to practical problems. The individual project should contain a degree of original research.
MSc 12 months On Campus Learning Full Time January Aberdeen MoreMSc 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.
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
- Field Trips
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
The principal method of student assessment is through written examinations. Candidates are normally expected to pass all examinations and all projects submissions. MSc candidates must submit a dissertation on their project, and may be required to undergo an oral examination.
Why Study Process Safety?
- This programme examines the primary technologies and equipment used, as well as the operations involved in upstream oil and gas processing. Students will be exposed to the major issues and challenges facing industry and develop a professional approach to managing these accordingly.
- A major component of the programme is understanding and managing risk. Students will be exposed to the tools and processes used to identify, assess and manage risk, taking factors such as process operations and human factors into account.
- The programme produces highly employable process safety professionals who understand industry pressures and have a detailed understanding of operational safety and risk assessment. Professionals that can work across a multitude of chemical processing sectors.
- This is a relevant and highly professional programme which gives current engineering and science graduates a tremendous opportunity to further their career in a field in which, evidence suggests, there is currently limited provision and access to postgraduate study.
- The programme can be studied part-time to suit the needs of industry professionals already working in the field.
- Major incidents continue to happen, and they have a huge impact on people. A huge part of the profession is making sure that engineers have the skills to prevent these types of disasters.
- Our location at the heart of Aberdeen, Europe's energy capital, and leading "World Energy City", brings you closer to the industry. The city is an inspiring place for any future oil and gas and wider energy industry leader.
- To ensure that the degree programmes remain current and connected to industry, the programme is developed and reviewed by an Industry Advisory Board, made up of experienced professionals from a range of backgrounds.
- Our close links with industry ensures that you experience lectures taught by industry professionals, get the chance to visit relevant organisations, attend industry events, and undertake MSc projects with leading firms.
- Our engineering graduates move in to very successful careers with a large proportion working in senior roles in industry, even as high as CEO and MD level. It doesn't matter where in the world you end up working, you are likely to have a fellow Aberdeen graduate engineer working with you. Our School of Engineering truly is a global family network.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
- 2:1 (upper second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth in Chemical Engineering.
- 2:1 in Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering with evidence of strength in key aspects of Chemical Engineering.
- Those with a High 2:2 Honours degree in Engineering may also be considered if they can demonstrate 2+ years of relevant experience.
- Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics and Thermodynamics.
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
Safety will always remain one of the most important areas of focus for industry. This will result in a continuous demand for skilled, knowledgeable academics around the globe.
Career Opportunities
- Chemical Engineer
- HSSE Lead Engineer
- Process Safety Engineer
- Risk Analyst
- Risk and Safety Manager
- Safety Engineer
Hear from Business
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Genesis Oil and Gas
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
- IChemE Accredited Degree
Our Experts
- Other Experts
- Dr Euan Bain
- Prof Jos Derksen
- Dr Jeff Gomes
- Dr Panagiotis Kechagiopoulos
- Dr Alfonso Martinez-Felipe
- Dr Marcus Campbell Bannerman
- Dr Srinivas Sriramula
- Dr Henry Tan
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Waheed Afzal
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