Program Overview

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.

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 or January
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

Programme Fees

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

• Safety & Risk Management (EG50S2)
• Loss of Containment (EG50T5)
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (EG501V)
• Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
• Air and Water Pollution Control (EX501U)

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

• Applied Risk Analysis and Management (EG5558)
• Process Plant Equipment and Operations (EG55P7)
• Process Design, Layout & Materials (EG55P8)
• Human Factors Engineering (EG55P9)

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

• MSc Individual Project (EG59F1)

Available Programmes of Study

• MSc
  • Process Safety
    • Qualification: MSc
    • Duration: 12 months or 27 months
    • Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
    • Study Mode: Full Time or Part Time
    • Start Month: September
    • Location: Aberdeen
  • Process Safety
    • Qualification: MSc
    • Duration: 12 months
    • Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
    • Study Mode: Full Time
    • Start Month: January
    • Location: Aberdeen
  • Process Safety
    • Qualification: MSc
    • Duration: 27 months
    • Learning Mode: Online Learning
    • Study Mode: Part Time
    • Start Month: September

Fee Information

• Scholarships: All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

Related Programmes

• Advanced Chemical Engineering
• Oil and Gas Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Project Management
• Safety and Reliability Engineering
• Subsea Engineering

Related Information

• Postgraduate Guide
• Find Funding
• Find Accommodation

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.
• A major component of the programme is understanding and managing risk.
• The programme produces highly employable process safety professionals who understand industry pressures and have a detailed understanding of operational safety and risk assessment.

Careers

• Chemical Engineer
• HSSE Lead Engineer
• Process Safety Engineer
• Risk Analyst
• Risk and Safety Manager
• Safety Engineer

Accreditation

• IChemE Accredited Degree

Our Experts

• Programme Coordinator: Dr Waheed Afzal
• 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

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• 2:2 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.
• 2:2 in Mechanical or Petroleum Engineering with evidence of strength in key aspects of Chemical Engineering.
• Key subjects you must have covered: Mathematics and Thermodynamics.

English Language Requirements

• 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

Document Requirements

• 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