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Study petroleum engineering abroad
An in-depth guide to studying petroleum engineering as an international student.
Petroleum engineering degrees abroad
Petroleum engineering describes the extraction of oil and gas from below the Earth’s crust. As the global demand for energy supplies continues to grow, it's the responsibility of petroleum engineers to meet this need in a safe and sustainable manner.
You’ll develop a strong grasp of the entire extraction process, from exploration and drilling to recovery and transportation. You’ll learn how to harness energy in the most efficient ways, and consider how the negative environmental effects of mining could be reduced.
Due to the uneven distribution of petroleum reserves around the world, lots of jobs in the sector are based overseas. Studying abroad is the perfect way to demonstrate your ability to work with people from different cultures to future employers.
Petroleum engineering program structure
Bachelor’s degrees in petroleum engineering are offered as three or four-year BEng programs. The length of your program will depend on where you study and whether you complete an industrial placement as part of your course.
Spending a year in industry is a worthwhile experience that could give you the upper hand when it comes to applying for graduate jobs. You’ll put what you’ve learned into practice and build professional connections.
Those looking to seamlessly transition from an undergraduate to a postgraduate course might consider enrolling in a four-year integrated MEng program. Otherwise, you can take a master’s degree separately over one or two years.
If you’re hoping to contribute to cutting-edge research in the sector, a PhD might be for you. Doctorate level degrees generally add a further four to six years on top of your studies.
Petroleum engineering programs combine theoretical lectures, seminars, and tutorials with practical laboratories, group workshops, and field trips. Below are some of the core units you can look forward to studying as part of your degree:
- Petroleum fundamentals and chemistry
- Petroleum geology
- Reservoir behavior
- Fluid mechanics and thermodynamics
- Mathematics for engineering
- Fundamentals of engineering materials
- Fundamentals of engineering mechanics
- Mass and energy balances
Best universities to study petroleum engineering
How to study petroleum engineering abroad
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Petroleum engineering study abroad programs
Petroleum engineering undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in petroleum engineering
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Oil and Gas Management - BEng (Hons) MAHSA University, Malaysia
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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4,800 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,800 USD
- Start date
- January, April
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Energy, Oil and Gas Management - BSc University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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11,099 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,120 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Petroleum Engineering - BSc Louisiana State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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28,700 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,700 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Petroleum Engineering - BSc University of Kansas, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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26,960 USD
Fee in university's local currency 26,960 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
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Oil and Gas Engineering - BEng North-Caucasus Federal University, Russia
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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3,850 USD
Fee in university's local currency 3,850 USD
- Start date
- September
Diploma in petroleum engineering
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Oil and Gas Field Operations - UGDip Northern Lights College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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3,387 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,306 CAD
- Start date
- February, September
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Petroleum Engineering Technology - UGDip Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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15,924 USD
Fee in university's local currency 20,247 CAD
- Start date
- September
Certificate in petroleum engineering
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Gas Technician 2 - Cert Durham College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,282 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,616 CAD
- Start date
- September
Petroleum engineering graduate programs
Master's in petroleum engineering
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Oil & Gas and Offshore Engineering: Offshore Engineering - MSc Frederick University, Cyprus
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
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10,953 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,000 EUR
- Start date
- February, September
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Petroleum and Gas Engineering - MSc University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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8,029 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,865 GBP
- Start date
- September
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International Oil and Gas Management - MSc University of Dundee, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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24,847 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,150 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
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Oil, Gas and Energy Engineering - MSc University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 18 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
8,324 USD
Fee in university's local currency 6,840 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Petroleum Engineering - MSc London South Bank University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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18,865 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,780 GBP
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in petroleum engineering
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Oil, Gas and Energy Engineering - PhD University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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5,476 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
Future petroleum engineering careers
As a petroleum engineering graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to spark up a lucrative career in the energy sector and beyond.
With people and businesses around the world depending on the supply of petroleum for their daily activities, your degree will open up several international career paths. Here are some of the job prospects you could explore:
- Petroleum engineer
- Petroleum geologist
- Reservoir engineer
- Production engineer
- Drilling engineer
- Production technologist
- Environmental advisor
- Field engineer
If you’re hoping to get a headstart in the graduate job market, it’s important to look for relevant work experience opportunities. Speak to your university’s career service about the benefits of internships and how best to secure one.
