Norway is recognized worldwide as a leader in the advances of offshore petroleum. With Stavanger being the oil capital of the North Sea, the Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Stavanger has close ties with the local and international industry.
2 years (4 semesters)
English
August every year

The MSc in Petroleum Engineering is uniquely focused on the specific needs of the upstream petroleum industry and explores challenges currently being faced by practicing petroleum engineers.
The degree in Petroleum Engineering has been offered by our institution since 1977 and is at the forefront of petroleum engineering education. Numerous events, conferences, and company presentations are organised in the city and at the university throughout the year, which allows the students to build a network within the industry.
The programme provides an excellent basis for PhD studies for those who wish to pursue a career in education or research.
Career prospects
The master programme in Petroleum Engineering educates highly qualified engineers for a wide range of jobs in the oil and gas industry. This is an international industry, and master students in petroleum engineering will have many opportunities on the international jobs market after completing their degrees
The general goal of the programme is to provide the candidate with a broad knowledge base to help manage the world`s petroleum resources in the most profitable and sustainable way.
A Master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering gives a solid foundation for admission to PhD studies in the areas relevant to the chosen academic specialisation. In particular, the PhD studies in energy and petroleum technology are relevant
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.
Learning outcome
After having completed the master’s degree programme in Petroleum Engineering, the student shall have acquired the following learning outcomes, in terms of knowledge, skills and general competences:
Knowledge
K1: The candidate has advanced knowledge within the field of petroleum engineering and specialised insight into a particular area in this field.
K2: The candidate has in-depth knowledge of scientific theories and methods connected to the subject area. The candidate can apply this knowledge to new areas within the subject area and analyse technical issues based on the history, tradition, distinct nature, and societal importance of the subject area.
K3: The candidate can apply this knowledge to develop, manage and implement petroleum engineering solutions within the oil and gas sector.
Skills
S1: The candidate can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations within petroleum engineering, and work on practical and theoretical issues independently.
S2: The candidate can independently carry out a specialised research or development project within petroleum engineering under supervision and in line with current ethical norms of research.
S3: The candidate can solve petroleum engineering problems by integrating different types of data used in the oil industry.
S4: The candidate can use state-of-the art technology and manage, develop and carry out processes within petroleum engineering.
General Competence
G1: The candidate can analyse relevant, professional, research and ethical issues.
G2: The candidate can apply her/his own knowledge and skills to new areas to carry out advanced assignments and projects.
G3: The candidate can communicate information relating to independent work to other petroleum engineers. The candidate has an excellent command of the terminology related to the subject area.
G4: The candidate can communicate, not just with other petroleum engineers, but also with the general public on professional issues within the subject area, thus contributing to the innovation process with new ideas.
Academic requirements
A bachelor's degree within the following disciplines is required:
- Energy- and Petroleum Engineering
- Geosciences with at least 20 ECTS credits in petroleum engineering courses
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in other engineering disciplines may also be considered if they document at least 30 ECTS credits in petroleum engineering courses.
All applicants must have at least 30 ECTS credits in mathematics/statistics/calculus.
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.
What are petroleum engineering courses?
Applicants who do not have a bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering must document that they have taken petroleum engineering courses. These courses include, but are not limited to: geology, geosciences, drilling, reservoir technology, oil and gas production, well logging, drill and well fluids, thermo- and fluid dynamics.
Application and admission
Deadlines
and other admission requirements
Contact
For inquiries regarding admission to international Master's programmes, send an email to: admissions@uis.no
Find more information here: When to apply?
Study plan and courses
Enrolment year: 2023
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Compulsory courses
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Reservoir Physics and Chemistry
Year 1, semester 1
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Directional Drilling and Well Flow Engineering
Year 1, semester 1
Directional Drilling and Well Flow Engineering (PET505)
Study points: 10
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Computational Reservoir and Well Modeling
Year 1, semester 1
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Master Thesis in Petroleum Engineering
Year 2, semester 3
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Recommended Electives 2nd semester
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Modern Well Design and Downhole Drilling Physics
Year 1, semester 2
Modern Well Design and Downhole Drilling Physics (PET535)
Study points: 10
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Modeling and Control for Automation Processes
Year 1, semester 2
Modeling and Control for Automation Processes (PET575)
Study points: 10
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Advanced Well and Drilling Engineering
Year 1, semester 2
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Catalysis for Energy Conversion
Year 1, semester 2
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Other electives 2nd semester
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Mathematical and Numerical Modelling of Conservation Laws
Year 1, semester 2
Mathematical and Numerical Modelling of Conservation Laws (MOD600)
Study points: 10
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Process Simulation
Year 1, semester 2
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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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Advanced Energy Conversion Technologies
Year 2, semester 3
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Well Integrity and Permanent P and A
Year 2, semester 3
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Economics and Decision Analysis for Engineers
Year 2, semester 3
Economics and Decision Analysis for Engineers (PET685)
Study points: 10
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Well Completion and Intervention
Year 2, semester 3
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Other electives 3rd semester
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Oilfield Production Chemistry
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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Practical Training in Petroleum Engineering
Year 2, semester 3
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Exchange 3rd semester
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Exchange Studies 3rd semester
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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. All about exchange
Study abroad
Schedule for the exchange
Students can go on a study abroad experience during the 3rd semester of the master's programme in Petroleum Engineering.
This semester consists of 30 ECTS credits of electives. During the exchange semester you can choose courses similar to the master program. The courses you want to take abroad must be approved by the department. It is important that the subjects/ courses from abroad not overlap with courses you have already taken.
More opportunities
In addition to the recommended universities listed below, The University of Stavanger has several agreements with universities outside Europe that are applicable to all students at The University of Stavanger, provided that they find a relevant course offering. Within the Nordic region and the Baltics, all students can use the Nordlys and Nordtek networks.
Contact person
Supervision and pre-approval of courses:
General questions about exchange:
Go to the exchange guide in the Digital Service Desk
Student exchange
- All countries
The University of Adelaide
Universitetet ligger i Adelaide, Australias femte største by. Med sine 1.2 millioner innbyggere er Adelaide en trygg, kosmopolitisk by som er betraktelig rimeligere å bo i enn flere sammenlignbare byer i landet. Universitetet er medlem av Group of Eight, en koalisjon av de åtte ledende universitetene i Australia.
- Australia
The University of Adelaide
Universitetet ligger i Adelaide, Australias femte største by. Med sine 1.2 millioner innbyggere er Adelaide en trygg, kosmopolitisk by som er betraktelig rimeligere å bo i enn flere sammenlignbare byer i landet. Universitetet er medlem av Group of Eight, en koalisjon av de åtte ledende universitetene i Australia.
- Italia
- Tyskland
- USA
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines (CSM) er et offentlig universitet kjent verden over for sin gode ingeniørutdannelse.
University of Houston
Houston ligger i den amerikanske delstaten Texas, og er kjent som verdens energihovedstad. Byen er også et finans- og oljesentrum i USA.
- Østerrike
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get about studying geo and energy related subjects at the University of Stavanger.

Is it possible to take the study as a distance student?
Some of the subjects included in the study program may be taken digitally as a distance student. However, several of the subjects on the program have compulsory laboratory activities, which requires that one is present. You can always consult with the study coordinator or lecturers if you are wondering if a specific course can be completed digitally.
Can I take this study part time?
We do not have a separate part-time plan for this study. But you get the right to study for 3 years by admission to the master's program, with the possibility of a fourth year to complete. This means that you can set up an individual education plan that is not a full-time study. It is a good idea to contact the study coordinator so that you can make a plan together.
How do I find my way around campus?
Our electronic map (MazeMap) takes you straight to the room or auditorium you are looking for. The map also contains other important information about buildings and outdoor spaces.
Does UiS have an overview of laboratories and lab equipment? What kind of microscopes are available?
The URLabs platform gives you a good overview of what equipment is available in the various laboratories at UiS. Here you can also book an appointment and check out the manuals and tools tutorials.
Contact
Faculty Administration TN
Kontor for utdanningsadministrative tjenester
Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering
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