Imperial College London, Heriot-Watt University and the University of Manchester are the top three UK universities for petroleum engineering, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Imperial ranks 5th in the world for the subject, and five UK universities feature in the global top 20.
Petroleum engineering covers the safe and efficient extraction of oil and gas, and its skills are increasingly used in carbon capture, hydrogen and geothermal energy. Most UK students reach the field through a specialist one-year MSc, or through a chemical or petroleum engineering undergraduate degree.
- Top-ranked: Imperial College London (5th in the world), Heriot-Watt (8th) and Manchester (12th), QS Subject Rankings 2026.
- Course length: Three to four years for a BEng or MEng, and usually one year for an MSc.
- International fees: Around £26,000 to £31,000 a year for a specialist petroleum engineering MSc.
- Typical entry: A 2:2 or 2:1 in engineering or a physical science for an MSc, or strong A Levels in Maths and Chemistry or Physics for a degree.
- After graduation: Stay for 18 months on the Graduate Route without a sponsor.
What Are the Best Universities for Petroleum Engineering in the UK?
This ranking is based on the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: Engineering – Petroleum, published in March 2026. Thirteen UK universities appear in the table.
1. Imperial College London
Imperial is the UK’s highest-ranked university for petroleum engineering and 5th in the world, with an overall QS score of 85. It focuses on science, engineering, medicine and business, and its chemical engineering degree covers the processes used across the oil, gas and wider energy industries.
2. Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt is ranked 8th in the world for petroleum engineering and has the highest employer reputation score of any UK university in the table. Its Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering in Edinburgh teaches a one-year MSc with September and January starts.
3. University of Manchester
Manchester is ranked 12th in the world for petroleum engineering. Its petroleum geoscience master’s focuses on finding and evaluating oil and gas reservoirs, combining geology, geophysics and industry-standard software.
4. University of Surrey
Surrey is ranked 14th in the world and offers one of the few undergraduate petroleum engineering degrees in the UK. Students operate a pilot process plant as part of a team, and the course covers petroleum fundamentals, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and sustainability. BEng, MEng and foundation year routes are available.
5. University of Leeds
Leeds is ranked 18th in the world for petroleum engineering. Its School of Chemical and Process Engineering teaches an advanced master’s that builds core chemical engineering skills and explores process technologies used across energy, materials and pharmaceuticals.
Expert View
“Only a handful of UK universities offer a dedicated petroleum engineering degree, so many students take chemical or mechanical engineering first and specialise at master’s level. Choose a course that keeps your options open across both oil and gas and the wider energy sector.” – Rahul Chauhan, Counsellor, StudyIn.
6=. University of Aberdeen
Aberdeen is often called the energy capital of Europe, and its petroleum engineering MSc is taught jointly by the School of Engineering and the Department of Geology and Geophysics. Students use industry-standard simulation software and complete projects with energy companies.
6=. Brunel University of London
Brunel’s chemical engineering department offers a master’s focused on hydrogen and low carbon technologies, drawing on mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering and environmental science. It suits students who want to work in the energy transition.
6=. Cranfield University
Cranfield is a postgraduate-only university specialising in applied engineering. Its oil and gas group focuses on multiphase flow, process systems and subsea engineering, and works with industry partners including BP, Shell and TotalEnergies.
6=. University of Liverpool
Liverpool’s advanced mechanical engineering master’s covers thermo and fluid dynamics, energy generation, advanced materials and nuclear engineering, all relevant to oil and gas. It’s accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
6=. Loughborough University
Loughborough’s advanced chemical engineering master’s is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). It covers process technologies, operations optimisation and process systems, skills that transfer directly to oil and gas careers.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Petroleum Engineering in the UK?
Entry requirements depend on whether you’re applying for an undergraduate degree or a master’s.
- Undergraduate (BEng or MEng): Strong A Levels including Maths and Chemistry or Physics, or the IB equivalent. Foundation years are available at some universities, such as Surrey.
- Postgraduate (MSc): Usually a 2:2 or 2:1 in engineering, applied maths or a physical or earth science. Heriot-Watt and Aberdeen both accept a 2:2.
- English language: Typically IELTS 6.5 overall, or an accepted equivalent.
- ATAS certificate: Some engineering master’s courses require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate before you can apply for your Student visa.
Your qualifications are assessed individually, so check with a StudyIn consultant about what you’ll need. Read more about UK university entry requirements and English language requirements for UK universities.
How Much Does It Cost to Study Petroleum Engineering in the UK?
A specialist petroleum engineering MSc costs around £26,000 to £31,000 a year for international students. Undergraduate engineering degrees at top-ranked universities usually cost more per year, and you’ll pay for three or four years.
| University |
Course |
International Fee (per year) |
| Heriot-Watt University |
MSc Petroleum Engineering |
£30,856 (September 2027) |
| University of Aberdeen |
MSc Petroleum Engineering |
£26,250 (2027/28) |
Aberdeen gives self-funded international students an £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship, bringing its MSc fee down to £18,250. On top of tuition, you’ll need to budget for living costs, the £558 Student visa fee and the £776 annual Immigration Health Surcharge.
For a full breakdown, see the cost of studying in the UK.
What Can You Do With a Petroleum Engineering Degree?
Petroleum engineering graduates work for international oil and gas companies, engineering consultancies, subsea technology firms and energy regulators. Common roles include:
- Reservoir engineer: Estimates how much oil and gas can be recovered and plans how to extract it.
- Drilling engineer: Designs and manages the drilling of wells.
- Production engineer: Keeps wells producing safely and efficiently.
- Energy transition roles: Carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and geothermal projects increasingly use petroleum engineering skills.
According to Prospects, starting salaries for petroleum engineers in the UK are typically £28,000 to £40,000. With experience, this commonly rises to £45,000 to £90,000 or more, with extra pay for offshore and international roles.
After graduating, you can stay in the UK for 18 months on the Graduate Route visa without needing a sponsor. Compare other high-paying engineering jobs in the UK, or explore the best UK universities for engineering and environmental engineering.
Study Petroleum Engineering in the UK
Petroleum engineering courses range from dedicated MScs to chemical and mechanical engineering routes, so it pays to compare them carefully before you apply. StudyIn has over 20 years of experience helping international students study engineering in the UK and across multiple destinations.
Our counsellors help you shortlist the right courses, prepare a strong application, and support you through ATAS, financial evidence, your Student visa and pre-departure. Our service is free throughout the process.
FAQs
Which is the best university in the UK for petroleum engineering?
Imperial College London is the top UK university for petroleum engineering, ranking 5th in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Heriot-Watt (8th) and Manchester (12th) are also in the global top 15.
Can I study petroleum engineering as an undergraduate in the UK?
Yes, but only a few universities offer it. The University of Surrey offers a BEng in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. Many students study chemical or mechanical engineering first and then specialise with a petroleum engineering MSc.
How much does it cost to study petroleum engineering in the UK?
A petroleum engineering MSc costs around £26,000 to £31,000 a year for international students, such as £26,250 at Aberdeen and £30,856 at Heriot-Watt. You’ll also need to budget for living costs and visa fees.
What are the entry requirements for petroleum engineering in the UK?
For an MSc, you usually need a 2:2 or 2:1 in engineering, applied maths or a physical or earth science. For an undergraduate degree, you need strong grades in Maths and Chemistry or Physics.
How long does a petroleum engineering degree take in the UK?
An undergraduate degree takes three years for a BEng or four years for an MEng. A master’s usually takes one year full time.
Is petroleum engineering a good career choice?
Petroleum engineering is one of the better-paid engineering fields, with UK starting salaries typically £28,000 to £40,000. Its skills also transfer to carbon capture, hydrogen and geothermal energy.
