The MSc Petroleum Geoscience programme, offered jointly by Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh University, with external staff from Durham University, combines the expertise available at each of the three institutions to create a unique program in subsurface geoscience and exploration. The year-long program mainly focuses on petroleum geoscience, but the programme is linked closely with other MSc programs and research groups in petroleum engineering and reservoir geology at the host institute, the Institute of Petroleum Engineering, and is also applicable to non-petroleum subsurface geoscience subjects, such as CO2 storage and groundwater flow. Students on the program are well positioned to reap the benefits of being part of a heavily research involved and industry connected institute like IPE and the world class research facilities available at Edinburgh University, and research expertise from Durham University. The main objective of this MSc program is to provide a thorough training in aspects of subsurface geology, geophysics and geo-engineering, relating to the exploration, appraisal and development of subsurface resources. Although the program concentrates on exploration for hydrocarbon resources, and delineation of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the subsurface, the skills learned in this subject are applicable to all subsurface geoscience areas, including groundwater exploration, waste disposal or CO2 sequestration. The programme is deliberately intensive, typically consisting of working a full 5 days per week of lectures and practical work, including labs or tutorial exercises designed to teach practical skills in addition to learning theory. Project work, both as groups and individually is part of the programme. Two fieldtrips are a permanent part of the course, the second as part of the Wessex Basin Team Project which aims to integrate basin scale and reservoir scale exploration tasks, similar to those that students will encounter working in Oil and Gas employment. Programme duration The Petroleum Geoscience MSc is a 12-month, full-time programme.

Past students on the Petroleum Geoscience MSc have gone into further research (PhD programmes in the UK and overseas). Others have gone on to work in geoscience departments of major Oil and Gas companies as well as industry service organisations, contractors and small local companies. Companies who have employed our past students include Shell and Petroceltic here in the UK, and a number of other companies worldwide including Tullow, GNPC, and Total.