MSc Geoscience for Sustainable Energy

Year of entry: 2024

Overview

Degree awarded
Master of Science
Duration
12 Months Full Time
Entry requirements

An Upper Second (2:1) Class Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Engineering or related discipline.

When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved, your academic references and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

Full entry requirements

How to apply
Apply online

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MSc Y N N N

Course overview

  • Join the next-generation of geoscientists and equip yourself with the skills needed to participate in the energy transition.
  • Gain a broad understanding of all subsurface geoscience applications, alongside an in-depth technical knowledge of sedimentary geoscience and geophysics, rock mechanics and fluids evolution. 
  • Benefit from instruction in fundamental theory, lab-work, field work and the use of industry-standard computational tools. 
  • Study in a department that was ranked sixth in the UK for the quality of our research and in the top 8 for research power. (REF 2021)
Loading
Geoscience for Sustainable Energy

Open days

Loading
Energy Geosciences Master's Webinar

Watch talks from our most recent postgraduate taught open session on demand , including the Earth and Environmental Sciences subject session for MSc Geoscience for Sustainable Energy.

For details of the next University Postgraduate open day, visit open days and visits .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MSc (full-time)
    UK students (per annum): £14,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £36,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Across our institution, we offer a number of postgraduate taught scholarships and awards to outstanding UK and international students each year across our subject areas.

The University of Manchester is committed to widening participation in master's study, and allocates £300,000 in funding each year. Our  Manchester Master's Bursaries  are aimed at widening access to master's courses by removing barriers to postgraduate education for students from underrepresented groups.

For more information, see the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences  Fees and funding page or visit the University of Manchester  funding for master's courses  website for more information.

Contact details

Department
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Contact name
Admissions Office
Telephone
+44 161 306 0888
Email
Website
https://www.ees.manchester.ac.uk/
School/Faculty

Our internationally-renowned expertise across the School of Natural Sciences informs research led teaching with strong collaboration across disciplines, unlocking new and exciting fields and translating science into reality.  Our multidisciplinary learning and research activities advance the boundaries of science for the wider benefit of society, inspiring students to promote positive change through educating future leaders in the true fundamentals of science. Find out more about Science and Engineering at Manchester .

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

An Upper Second (2:1) Class Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Engineering or related discipline.

When assessing your academic record we take into account the grades you have achieved, your academic references and the standing of the institution where you studied your qualification.

English language

All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in English language. Applicants who do not already possess an acceptable English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test and attain the required English Language score:

  • IELTS:   at least 6.5 overall with no sub-test below 6.0.  
  • TOFEL iBT:   at least 90 overall with no sub-test below 20. We do not accept 'MyBestScore'.
  • Pearson Test of English: 70 overall with no less than 65 in each component.

Further information on language requirements can be found on our  website  .

Pre-sessional English

We will consider applicants who do not meet these scores but you may be required to complete a  pre-sessional English language  course at the University of Manchester prior to the start of the course.

To be considered for a pre-sessional English language course for this programme we require the following minimum IELTS (Academic) scores:

  • 6 Week Pre-Sessional Course:   Minimum 6.0 overall with no sub-test below 5.5.
  • 10 Week Pre-sessional Course:  Minimum 5.5 overall with no sub-test below 5.5.

If you have not yet completed your current academic study and are interested in studying a pre-sessional course, you must hold an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test certificate.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Applicants from Majority English-speaking countries

If you are a national of a   majority English-speaking country   (or have studied for a full bachelor degree or higher from one of these countries) you may be exempt from submitting further evidence of English language proficiency.

Relevant work experience

Relevant industrial experience may also be considered alongside a previous degree in an application.

Application and selection

How to apply

Advice to applicants

We require the following before we can consider your application:

  • Transcript of your studies to date, including official translations and original language copies if not undertaken in English. 2+2 and 3+1 applicants must provide official transcripts and certificates from both institutions.
  • Degree Certificate if you have already graduated.
  • We require a reference from one person who has knowledge of your academic ability in support of your application. In most cases, this should be an academic reference, from a lecturer or professor at your last university. In some cases (for example, if your academic studies occurred some time ago), it might be more appropriate to submit recommendation from somebody familiar with your professional experience. If you have difficulty in identifying a suitable referee you should ask for advice from the admissions team for your course.
  • CV if you graduated more than three years ago.

If  you are not a national of a   majority English-speaking country  , we also require proof of your English language ability. If you have already taken an English language qualification, please include your certificate with your application. We may be willing to consider your application without this document, but if we choose to make you an offer, the conditions will include IELTS (or equivalent qualification).

How your application is considered

We consider your full academic history including which course units you have taken and the marks obtained. Even if you have met our minimum entry requirements, we will take into account your marks in relevant course units in our final decision making.

If you graduated more than three years ago, we will also consider the information contained on your CV and any relevant work experience you have to assess if you are still able to fulfil the entry criteria.

Overseas (non-UK) applicants

Self-funded international applicants for this course will be required to pay a deposit of £1,000 towards their tuition fees before a confirmation of acceptance for studies (CAS) is issued. This deposit will only be refunded if immigration permission is refused. We will notify you about how and when to make this payment.

Please upload a copy of your current valid passport with your application showing the photograph page with your application. For CAS purposes, this must show your full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and the date the passport is valid until, which must be later than the date of your planned arrival in the UK, and the start date of your course.

If you have previously studied in the UK on a Student Route visa as an undergraduate or postgraduate student, please send a copy of your previous CAS statement to us as it will assist with the issue of your new CAS statement. This includes study in the UK on study abroad programmes and any study that you did not complete.

You cannot use your CAS to apply for a visa more than three months before the start date  of your course. The Admissions Team will contact you at the appropriate time.

Your CAS number is only valid for one  student visa application.

Deferrals

Applications for deferred entry are not accepted for this course. If you receive an offer for 2024 entry and decide not to accept it, should you subsequently wish to be considered for 2025 entry you would be required to reapply.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved. We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

The mission of this programme is to develop the technical knowledge and skills required for graduating students to work in interdisciplinary careers that ensure the sustainable supply of energy and technology deployed to reduce atmospheric carbon by:

  • supplying energy from the subsurface
  • storing energy in the subsurface
  • long-term atmospheric carbon storage
  • storing waste from energy streams
  • developing environmentally-sustainable solutions for sustainable future energy supply

This education and training will be facilitated by integration of fundamental theoretical knowledge, field-, laboratory and computational tools, through blended learning, tutorials, seminars, field trip and group work.

In this programme we train next-generation geoscientists in the skills needed to ensure the long-term, sustainable supply and storage of low-carbon energy. Graduates of this programme will be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of all subsurface geoscience applications, alongside an in-depth technical knowledge of sedimentary geoscience and geophysics, rock mechanics, fluid flow and pore evolution.

This will equip students for employment within the energy sector, including in the fields of energy, heat and hydrogen storage,  geothermal energy, geological carbon sequestration, gas/compressed air storage, environmental governance of hydrocarbon extraction, and nuclear waste disposal. The programme content has been designed following consultation with key players in the energy industry and the programme will be supported by an industrial advisory board from a diverse range of sub-surface disciplines/energy providers. 

Aims

This course aims to:

  • train next-generation geoscientists in the skills needed to ensure the long-term, sustainable supply and storage of low-carbon energy.
  • provide you with the technical knowledge and skills required to work in interdisciplinary careers that ensure the sustainable supply of energy and reduce atmospheric carbon by (i) supplying energy from the subsurface; (ii) storing energy in the subsurface; (iii) reducing atmospheric carbon; (iv) storing waste from energy streams; (v) developing environmentally-sustainable solutions for sustainable future energy supply.
  • integrate fundamental theoretical knowledge, field, laboratory and computational tools, through blended learning, tutorials, seminars, field trips and group work.
  • provide you with the ability to demonstrate a broad understanding of all subsurface geoscience applications, alongside an in-depth technical knowledge of sedimentary geoscience and geophysics, rock mechanics, fluid flow and pore evolution.

Special features

Fieldwork on Manchester's Geoscience for Sustainable Energy program is provided at no extra cost. In addition, you will be provided with a fieldwork package worth £250, including boots, coat, rucksack and measuring equipment.

A key element of the course is fieldwork, which aims to synthesise and reinforce material taught in lectures and practical classes. They provide the opportunity to learn relevant field techniques, and to compare field analogues with core, wireline logs and seismic sections.

You will attend a one day field introductory trip and a joint 5 day field trip with the other Energy MScs will be run in Semester 1. In Semester 2 there is a 7 day field trip. All travel and accommodation costs are covered by the programme.

Teaching and learning

Masters students have around 25 hours contact time per week and are expected to spend around 25 hours in private study. Your week will be made up of:

  • Lectures
  • Small group tutorials
  • Laboratory classes
  • Group work
  • Individual research projects
  • Computer-based tuition - a range of data handling, presentation and IT skills, and computer based learning are taught on a dedicated computer cluster
  • Workshops

Coursework and assessment

  • Assessment is by a mixture of traditional examinations, coursework, laboratory practical and workshops. Assessment methods vary widely to suit the nature of the course unit and each level of study.
  • Examinations take place in January and May each year, with around one third of the marks from continuous assessment.
  • Lectures are usually assessed by written exam (calculation, short-answer or essay-based), which are held at the end of an academic semester.
  • Practical units are usually assessed by experimental report and/or short written assignment and/or written exam.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Fundamentals of Applied Subsurface Geoscience EART60031 15 Mandatory
GeoEnergy Systems EART60081 15 Mandatory
Exploration Group Project EART60102 15 Mandatory
Computational Subsurface Geoscience EART60152 15 Mandatory
Independent Research Project EART60172 60 Mandatory
Communication Skills and Fieldwork EART60230 15 Mandatory
Key Interpretation Skills EART60381 15 Mandatory
Subsurfance Mechanics and GeoEngineering EART60572 15 Mandatory
Fluids and Minerals in Subsurface Energy Systems EART60682 15 Mandatory

Facilities

The University of Manchester offers extensive  library and online services  to help you get the most out of your studies.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

Careers

Career opportunities

The MSc gave me an insight into how we can use the subsurface to meet global energy demand.

I developed a skill set, knowledge, and network that I use every day in my PhD.

Chris Lloyd / Geoscience graduate, Now doing his PhD on carbon capture and storage.

The energy industry is the largest employer of earth science graduates, and employs more than half of our recent graduating students. Good employment prospects exist within the UK and globally in energy companies, service companies, consultancies and government bodies.

Technical skills in subsurface investigation and quantification taught on the program are directly applicable to employment within the growing areas of CCS (carbon capture and storage), network gas storage, compressed air energy storage, geothermal and other extractive industries.

Around one-quarter of our graduates use the research skills gained during the MSc project to continue into PhD study. Many students have the opportunity to work within sponsor energy companies during their MSc project, gaining valuable industrial experience and contacts.