The programme (formerly MSc in Petroleum Geology) is regarded as one of the best of its kind in the world and is the only degree in the world that sits at the very heart of the UK oil and gas industry in Aberdeen.

Over the last decade, more than 95% of the MSc graduates have immediately been employed in the oil industry or gone straight on to funded PhD research. At present the oil majors are short of qualified staff, so have increased direct recruitment of MSc graduates. Numerous companies visit the department to recruit students from the course directly (13 companies in the 2012-2013 academic year).