Lead the future of energy with our MSc in Energy, Reservoir, and Earth Sciences!
2 years (4 semesters)
English
120
August every year
About the study programme
Join our 2-year MSc programme to gain skills and knowledge for transforming energy production and addressing global climate challenges.
Why choose this programme?
- Innovative curriculum: Study geology, fluid flow in porous media, CO2 and H2 storage, increased oil recovery, energy transition, and decision-making.
- Dynamic career opportunities: Work in oil and gas exploration, carbon capture and storage, mining, road and tunnel construction, or research and development.
- International exposure: Prepare for a global career with a blend of geosciences and reservoir engineering.
- Join a growing field: Help transition to sustainable energy with integrated education in geosciences and reservoir engineering.
- Exclusive connections and opportunities: Linked to the National Centre for Sustainable Subsurface Utilisation of the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS2030), offering internships, professional training, and thesis opportunities.
- Be a part of the change: Join our MSc programme and lead the energy transition.
Career prospects
After successfully completing this programme, the candidate is qualified to work both in the public and private energy sectors, particularly where subsurface competence for both energy production and storage are required. The present and future energy mix scenarios and climate challenges demand professionals with a holistic understanding of the subsurface, in order to achieve sustainability in the coming decades. The professionals from this programme have an integrated education that provides the competence necessary to face these challenges.
Depending on the chosen elective courses, graduates of the programme can pursue a career in a range of different roles including geologist, geophysicist, petrophysicist, engineering geologist, subsurface data scientist and reservoir engineer.
While most UiS graduates are traditionally employed in the oil and gas industry, a growing number of geoscientists are working in other sectors with renewable energy, mining, construction, waste, and water management. In addition, candidates from this programme can work in academic and research institutions or pursue a PhD programme related to research and development technology for the subsurface and related areas.
Graduates prepared to embark on an academic or research career may pursue a PhD programme in disciplines as varied as the professional career paths.
After completing the master's degree, the candidate may be eligible for a PhD programme related to research and development technology for the earth's subsurface and other related fields.
Learning outcomes
All study programmes at the UiS have a set of defined learning targets. Read more about the learning outcome for this study programme.
After having completed the master’s programme in Energy, Reservoir, and Earth Sciences, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:
Knowledge
K1 - The candidate has advanced knowledge about the subsurface, the rocks and fluids that constitute the crust of the Earth, and the properties and structures they exhibit.
K2 - The candidate has advanced knowledge about the physical and chemical processes operating in the subsurface on geological and human time scales, and how these processes shape the subsurface as we interpret it today.
K3 - The candidate has advanced knowledge about subsurface reservoirs, the natural resources (e.g. hydrocarbons, water, geothermal) or compounds (e.g. CO2, hydrogen) they can contain or store.
K4 - The candidate has the knowledge to develop, implement and manage optimal engineering solutions for the production or storage of natural resources or energy in an environmentally responsible manner.
K5 – The candidate can evaluate the applicability of innovative processes for subsurface solutions.
Skills
S1 - The candidate is able to interpret and integrate static and dynamic subsurface data to construct geologically realistic models of the subsurface and its uncertainties.
S2 - The candidate is able to use experiments and models in order to understand physical and chemical processes operating in the subsurface and predict the outcome of these processes.
S3 - The candidate is able to integrate the S1 and S2 skills in order to support decision-making for the optimal and environmentally responsible management of reservoirs in the energy sector.
S4 - The candidate can apply relevant methods and conduct an independent, limited research or development project within the area of expertise under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics.
S5 – The candidate can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field and work independently on practical and theoretical problems.
General Competence
G1 - The candidate can collaborate and discuss with their scientific peers on the relevance of reservoir management for energy and storage purposes.
G2 - The candidate is able to communicate to the general public in a scientific manner the relevance of the subsurface and reservoir management for energy supply and decarbonisation.
G3 - The candidate is able to collaborate with the industry and government sectors to design optimal and environmentally responsible solutions for the utilization of reservoirs in the subsurface.
G4 - The candidate is able to apply their knowledge and skills to solve subsurface-based problems in both academic and industry settings.
G5 - The candidate is able to transfer knowledge and skills to subsurface problems in new, innovative, or other relevant fields than the energy or storage fields.
Study plan and courses
Enrolment year: 2025
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Compulsory courses
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Subsurface Geology
Year 1, semester 1
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Reservoir Physics and Chemistry
Year 1, semester 1
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Reservoir Geophysics
Year 1, semester 1
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Reservoir Evaluation Technology
Year 1, semester 1
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Subsurface Interpretation and Modelling
Year 1, semester 2
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Reservoir Modelling and simulation
Year 1, semester 2
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Reservoir Storage and Production
Year 1, semester 2
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Energy Transition and Sustainability
Year 1, semester 2
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Master’s Thesis in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences
Year 2, semester 3
Master’s Thesis in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences (EREMAS)
Study points: 30
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3rd semester at UiS or Exchange Studies
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Courses at UiS 3rd semester
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Recommended electives 3rd semester
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Developing Research and Presentation Skills
Year 2, semester 3
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Decision Analysis with Artificial Intelligence Support
Year 2, semester 3
Decision Analysis with Artificial Intelligence Support (MOD500)
Study points: 10
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Modeling and Computational Engineering
Year 2, semester 3
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Fundaments of Machine Learning for and with Engineering Applications
Year 2, semester 3
Fundaments of Machine Learning for and with Engineering Applications (MOD550)
Study points: 10
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Other electives 3rd semester
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Topics on Geosciences
Year 2, semester 3
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Practical Training in Computational Engineering or Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences
Year 2, semester 3
Practical Training in Computational Engineering or Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences (GEO680)
Study points: 10
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Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Year 2, semester 3
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Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration
Year 2, semester 3
Energy, Energy Technologies, and Energy System Integration (PET515)
Study points: 10
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Exchange 3rd semester
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Exchange Studies 3rd semester
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Admission requirements
Bachelor's degree in natural sciences, engineering, or equivalent, which includes at least 10 ECTS credits in mathematics
Admission to this master's programme requires a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (according to ECTS Standards) in your bachelor's degree. Applicants with a result Second-class lower Division or lower are not qualified for admission.
Application and admission
Contact
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no
Student life at UiS
Related studies and articles
Student exchange
By going on exchange to one of our partner institutions abroad as part of your studies, you will have an opportunity to get a unique education. In addition to improving your career opportunities, you grow as a person and gain the ability to greater reflect on the topics you study as part of your degree.
Schedule for the exchange
Students can go on a study abroad experience during the 3rd semester of the master's programme in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences.
The 3rd semester consists of 30 ECTS credits of flexible courses and electives. During the exchange semester you can choose courses relevant to the master program, and also depending on personal interests and career opportunities. The courses you want to study abroad must be approved by the department. It is important that the courses from abroad not overlap with courses you have already completed. An advice is to think about your professional career and your fields of specific interest.
More opportunities
In addition to the recommended universities listed below, UiS has a number of agreements with universities outside Europe that are applicable to all students at UiS, provided that they find relevant courses. Within the Nordic region, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.
Svalbard
Students may choose to take courses at UNIS in Svalbard. More information here.
Contact your student adviser at the Faculty if you have questions about guidance and pre-approval of courses.
General questions about exchange:
Go to the exchange guide in the Digital student service desk
See where you can travel
Frequently asked questions
See some of the most common questions about this study programme.
What career options do I have with this degree?
Depending on the chosen elective courses, graduates of the programme can pursue a career in a range of different roles including geologist, geophysicist, petrophysicist, engineering geologist, subsurface data scientist and reservoir engineer. While most UiS graduates are traditionally employed in the oil and gas industry, a growing number of geoscientists are working in other sectors with renewable energy, mining, construction, waste, and water management. In addition, candidates from this programme can work in academic and research institutions or pursue a PhD programme related to research and development technology for the subsurface and related areas. Graduates prepared to embark on an academic or research career may pursue a PhD programme in disciplines as varied as the professional career paths.
What language is the programme?
English.
I'm an international student and interested in applying for this programme. Where can I find more information related to international admissions?
You can find more information at this page.
Can I work while I study?
This is a full-time programme, but students may find time to work a part-time job during the study. Maintaining full-time employment during this programme is not recommended.
I don’t have an engineering BSc. Can I still take this degree?
Yes. This MSc is not an engineering degree. Please check the educational prerequisites.
Since this degree has a geology component, are there field trips?
Yes. There are required field trips as part of the courses because we cannot learn everything in the classroom.
Are there student organizations or clubs?
There is an active student life within the department with professional associations and a student-run club for all students enrolled in BSc or MSc programmes in the Department of Energy Resources.
Is it possible to take the study as a distance student?
Some of the courses included in the study programme may be taken digitally as a distance student. However, several of the courses on the programme have compulsory laboratory activities, which requires that one is present. You can always consult with the study adviser or lecturers if you are wondering if a specific course can be completed digitally.
Can I take courses in Svalbard as part of the degree?
Yes, we recommend that you take courses at the University Center on Svalbard (UNIS) as part of your degree in Energy, Reservoir and Earth Sciences. UNIS has available courses in both the spring semester, the autumn semester, and summer courses. Feel free to contact UNIS contact Karina Sanni: karina.sanni@uis.no or check UNIS's website for more information.
When and where can I travel on exchange?
We recommend the 3rd semester as an exchange semester, but it is also possible to travel on an exchange in the 2nd semester. We have several agreements in and outside Europe.
Can I apply for single courses at UiS?
Contact
Faculty Administration TN
Kontor for utdanningsadministrative tjenester
Department of Energy Resources