Sustainable Energy Geoscience

University of Aberdeen

United Kingdom, Aberdeen

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Home/United Kingdom/Aberdeen /University of Aberdeen/Sustainable Energy Geoscience

University of Aberdeen

United Kingdom , Aberdeen

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Research

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Aberdeen

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 12 month(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 28,800 / year

Sustainable Energy Geoscience

About

Introduction

The world’s energy system is largely driven by coal, oil, and gas. However, the transition to a low-carbon future requires moving away from fossil fuels and focusing instead on essentials minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and copper for use in wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles.

Geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen storage are also central components of the UK government’s strategy for reducing greenhouse emissions and reaching net-zero by 2050.

This programme draws on the exceptional expertise within the Department of Geology and Geophysics to equip students with the subsurface skills required for the rapidly evolving energy transition sector.

Study Information

At a Glance

Our understanding of subsurface workflows and resources is critical to many of the new clean energy technologies associated with the energy transition, such as geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS) and the growing demand for critical minerals needed to produce clean technologies such as wind turbines, batteries and electric vehicles.

Aberdeen boasts a significant advantage in C02 storage technology due to the technical and commercial offshore energy skills built up over the last 50 years, the existing energy infrastructure and the unique geology of the North Sea basin. CCS alone has been recognised as a critical technology by the UK government in helping carbon-intensive industries meet their net zero goals and is central to the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy.

At the heart of this programme is a focus on developing a strong technical understanding of rocks and fluids in the subsurface, and how to model, monitor and verify their presence using geophysical, petrophysical and other techniques. This knowledge is then applied to a wide range of low carbon energy solutions including sustainable mineral extraction, geothermal flow and subsurface storage.

We place a strong focus on geoscience interpretation and the high-demand skills needed for both present-day and future energy extraction and storage scenarios. In addition, you will examine the societal implications of the energy transition, including social justice, global dynamics and sustainability goals.

This MSc draws on much of the ground-breaking research being conducted within the Centre for Energy Transition (CET), in areas such as geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, nuclear waste storage and critical materials for the energy transition.

Watch a sample lecture by Dr Rachel Brackenridge on How Geoscientists can Contribute to the Energy Transition.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a Geology or Geophysics degree at 2:1 (upper second class) UK Honours level (or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth).

Evidence of high marks in the following key subjects is important for admission: Evidence of creative thinking, data synthesis, teamwork, problem-solving. As well as key technical geological skills.

Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.

English Program 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

Career

Careers

The MSc Sustainable Energy Geoscience equips students with the subsurface skills required for the rapidly evolving energy transition sector across multiple themes relating to energy extraction and storage. The skills-based approach will also prepare students for complementary roles such as data analytics and policy.

According to OEUK, the UK has an estimated total carbon storage capacity of 78 gigatons, one of the largest in Europe and enough to hold two centuries’ worth of the UK’s current emissions. The same report states that CCS could be worth £20bn to the offshore oil and gas supply chain in the next ten years, and £100bn by 2050

Energy companies are diversifying their portfolios to include low carbon energies and technologies such as offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. A number of large-scale low carbon projects are now underway in the UK and around the World, and projects are expected to expand as we move towards a net-zero economy. The UK government expects 220,000 positions will be required to support the energy transition in the UK over the next 10 years.

In addition, the growth of clean energy technologies from wind turbines and solar panels, to electric vehicles and battery storage is creating a rapidly increasing demand for critical minerals such as copper, silicon, silver, zinc, manganese, chromium, nickel, lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earth minerals.