MSc Subsurface Energy Engineering

Course description

The Subsurface Energy Engineering Masters Programme offers a fascinating integrated taught and research curriculum in the context of energy and utilisation of subsurface systems to achieve cleaner and more sustainable energy.

Research studies show that global demand for energy will increase 25% by 2050. To meet this demand while addressing the global warming challenge by moving towards cleaner energy, multi-dimensional societal, engineering-focused, managerial, and political efforts are needed. It is expected that two thirds of the global energy to be covered by renewable sources by 2050. However, the transition from fossil fuels to the renewable energy requires an integrated sustainable utilisation of existing energy sources including conventional fossil fuels and development of new technologies for decarbonisation and clean energy.

Geosystems in this context play a critical role as they not only offer sources of fossil fuels (oil and gas) but also renewable energy (e.g., geothermal energy) and capacity for decarbonisation (geological CO2 sequestration). The MSc Subsurface Energy Engineering - jointly developed in collaboration with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences - will give a unique opportunity to students - with a prior qualification in engineering - to learn engineering and modelling skills required such as subsurface characterisation, rock and fluid physics, multiphase flow and transport in subsurface system, reservoir modelling and simulations, and reservoir fluid thermodynamics. Students will acquire a deep and systematic conceptual understanding and practical engineering skills needed for diverse industry applications such as reservoir engineering, geothermal engineering and carbon sequestration. Additionally, the programme offers unique opportunities to talented students to work with the industry during the MSc research.

Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD), the University of Manchester's new £400m purpose built home for engineering and material science, is nearing completion. The physical move to the new development is scheduled to take place between January 2022 and December 2022. Whilst it is anticipated that access to equipment, or work on projects for which such access is required may be limited during the period of the move, plans are underway to ensure that any disruption caused is minimised, a wide selection of dissertation projects will continue to be available, and excellent student experience remains pivotal.

Career opportunities

In recent years Chemical Engineering graduates have entered professions in major international oil and petrochemical companies (e.g. Shell, BP, TOTAL, Reliance and Petrobras and Saudi Aramco), chemical and process companies, engineering, consultancy and software companies (e.g. Jacobs and Aspen Tech) and academia.

Upper second (2.1) class honours degree in engineering subjects (chemical, civil, mechanical, petroleum engineering), or in geological sciences (geology, geophysics, petroleum geology, petrophysics, hydrogeology) with an evident background in engineering mathematics. Relevant industrial experience may also be considered alongside a previous degree.