MSc in Oil & Gas and Offshore Engineering

The proposed MSc program places special emphasis on scientific research. It seeks to foster and embrace entirely new ideas and novel approaches to scientific discovery in the field of fossil fuels exploration and offshore constructions.

Further, the various areas of emphasis in the program aim to guide students into fields of study that are considered to be new in the Eastern Mediterranean region and offer significant opportunities for engaging in innovative research activities and learning. Specifically, issues incorporated in courses such as “Computational Mechanics and Applications”, “System Dynamics and Control“, “Process Modeling and Simulation“, “Analysis and Design of Offshore Mooring Structures“, provide important opportunities for MSc students to be involved with the various research activities that take place in Frederick University, as well as in other institutions worldwide. Through such course-interactions, students will also acquire valuable experience by developing and implementing their own research projects.

The fact that issues related to fossil fuels exploration have still not been investigated in Cyprus offers a unique opportunity to students to conduct research that can result in useful deliverables regarding the promotion and establishment of energy in all educational and social levels.

Similarly, the implementation of the MSc program is expected to enhance the existing opportunities for research concerning, sustainable construction, fossil energy resources exploitation, as well as social, political, environmental and economical dimensions of energy exploration and offshore construction. The interdisciplinary approach of the program will also be reflected in the creation of interdisciplinary research groups, facilitated by the program operation. These groups will be formed by local and international scientists and specialists contributing to the proposed program. Their knowledge will also be engaged for the development of competitive research proposals and establishment of multiple collaborations with other academic and research institutions, for obtaining research funds from local, European and international funding agencies.

Furthermore, the necessity for a chance of Cypriots to specialize and be involved in the Oil & Gas & Offshore Engineering industry with the latest discoveries of Oil & Gas in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus provides a competitive advantage and a real necessity to train engineers to be employed in this rapidly new and growing industry here in Cyprus.

Oil & Gas and Offshore Engineering is a new postgraduate educational field in Cyprus. However, recent discoveries of hydrocarbon reserves, such as natural gas and potential petroleum reserves in the Economic Zone of Cyprus, as well as in neighbouring countries have sparked immense interest in the above area, providing Cyprus with a unique opportunity to become an energy exporter for the European Union and beyond.

In turn this program has been formed to equip new and older graduate engineers with the necessary technical expertise and knowledge to be able to immerse themselves in this industry, by covering all midstream and downstream, production, and downstream aspects of Oil & Gas and Offshore Engineering.

The MSc in Oil & Gas and Offshore engineering program is of a multidisciplinary nature, with Oil & Gas Engineering encompassing Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, and Environmental Engineering, and with Offshore Engineering encompassing Civil, Mechanical and Marine Engineering.

The above program consists of three directions which are reflected in the three specializations, namely

1. the Downstream Oil & Gas engineering including, processing, production and exploitation of oil & gas
2. the Midstream Oil & Gas engineering including systems and structures such as fixed and floating platforms, undersea robots, pipelines and other underwater equipment.
3. the Upstream Oil & Gas engineering which includes elements of geomechanics, petroleum formations and reservoir characterizations, and drilling and well engineering.

Finally, the MSc candidates, having graduated from the MSc program, will have realistic and many opportunities to work in the oil and gas industry here in Cyprus and in the Middle East, especially now with the rapid oil & gas discoveries in the Mediterranean region.

The graduates of the Program have the knowledge and skills required for the design, implementation, maintenance and administration of oil & gas and offshore engineering systems related to their specialization.

Examples of employment for the graduates of the MSc include:

1. Inspectors at drill sites for health and safety and environmental purposes
2. Engineers at the processing plants (Process Engineers)
3. Facilities Managers
4. Energy/Power regulators
5. Engineers for offshore structures and other supporting infrastructure (pipelines etc.)
6. Drilling and Reservoir Engineers and Supervisors
7. Technical Process Safety and Risk Engineers
8. Electrical and instrumentation engineers
9. Reservoir planning engineers
10. Policy makers (public sector)
    • Energy service
    • Electricity Authority of Cyprus
    • Public Business of Natural Gas (ΔΕΦΑ)

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, the students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the Oil & Gas and Offshore engineering and of the technological and financial evolution of the relevant industry.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with the content and philosophy of the European and Cypriot legislative framework on Oil & Gas and Offshore industry and to relate to the processes and factors that lead to its development.
3. Explain the contemporary global, regional and local Oil & Gas and Offshore engineering issues and develop systemic, critical and creative thinking about their impact on economic activities.
4. Demonstrate skills and experiences necessary for engineers to lead the fields of oil & gas extraction, processing, storage and exploitation, in efficient and clean power generation technologies and of rational use of energy.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and competences related with the procedures, instrumentation and analysis needed to enforce pertinent legislation, enhance the issuance of energy-related certification, and better facilitate the environmental labelling procedure and perform feasibility analysis.
6. Demonstrate awareness on safety and environmental concerns surrounding the oil & gas industry.
7. Describe the organisational, political and entrepreneurial aspects of the industry.
8. Use effectively state-of-the-art software tools for oil & gas engineering and offshore technologies.

Frederick University academic year consists of the fall and spring semesters. The calendar is arranged so that students may start classes either during the last week of September or the first week of February. Candidates may submit an application for admission in any of the semesters. Due to the fact that formalities for the issue of an entry visa take at least 6 weeks, candidates are urged to file an application at least 8 weeks prior to the expected date of enrolment. Students are expected to be on campus prior to the beginning of the intended semester/session. In response to arising need, courses could be provided within the summer period.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for a master degree must submit a recognized bachelor degree (in Engineering or a closely related program) or qualification deemed to be equivalent to degree level as well as the official transcripts (grade reports) of their first-degree studies.

A. Nationals of EU countries
Candidates who are nationals of EU countries can enter Cyprus as visitors. On arrival at Frederick University they must submit to the Admission Office the following:

• A fully completed application form.
• An application fee of Euro 25 (non-refundable).
• Attested (certified true) copies of their academic qualifications.
• Evidence of proficiency in English, (if available).
• A photocopy of their passport. The passport should be valid for at least one year from the date of their arrival to Cyprus.
• A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the candidate’s country of origin or residence, if necessary translated in Greek or English. The good conduct certificate should be original and issued less than 6 months prior to the beginning of the semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein.

Furthermore, they must pay the registration fee, the semester tuition fees, and register for subjects. Next they must apply to the Migration Department for a temporary residence permit. The application to the Migration Department must be supported by evidence that they have paid their tuition fees for the semester, have enough funds for their initial living expenses and have obtained local health insurance coverage.

B. Applicants from non EU countries
International Students from non EU countries need to have a valid student visa in order to be allowed to enter Cyprus. The issue of an entry visa takes about 6 weeks from the date of the submission of the application. It is therefore recommended that candidates submit their application at least 8 weeks before the beginning of the semester. Cyprus Migration Department requirements in respect of the issue of a student visa, which from time to time may be modified, are available to candidates in a separate document.

Once the Conditional Acceptance Letter is issued by the University, the prospective student is directed
by an Admissions Officer to send to the University several documents by email and then by courier.
The documents are as follows:
1. Original attested passport copy must be valid for 2 years
2. Original attested copy of High School Leaving Certificate and mark sheets
3. Original attested Police Clearance Certificate must be valid for 6 months
4. Original attested bank letter showing that the student’s sponsor has the financial ability to
support tuition fees and leaving expenses must be valid for 6 months
5. Original attested bank statement which clearly shows the minimum amount of €7,000 in the
sponsor’s account must be valid for 1 month
6. Original attested chest X-ray report for Tuberculosis must be valid for 4 months
7. Original attested blood test results for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C must be valid for 4
months
8. Attested document of parental consent for the student’s proposed stay in Cyprus and its
official translation in Greek or English– only for applicants below the age of 18 years
(minors).
9. Attested reports of medical tests showing that they are not suffering from Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C, HIV, Syphilis and a chest X-ray report.
10. A recent certificate of good conduct issued by the police of the candidate’s country of
origin or residence, if necessary translated in Greek or English. The good conduct
certificate should be original and issued less than 6 months prior to the beginning of the
semester for which the student is applying. The names and titles of the persons issuing
and certifying the document should be clearly stated therein.
11. Attested letter from a bank in the country of origin or residence stating that the student or
his/her parent (s) – full names to be mentioned – have the financial capability to cover the
cost of living and studying in Cyprus, and the student’s repatriation cost, as well as recent
bank statement showing a balance of at least €7000 (seven thousand Euro).

It is estimated that, on average, a student spends about 600 Euro per month for private accommodation, utilities, food and transportation. Of course, a budget is a very personal thing, depending on one’s preferences.

Full time students from non EU countries are entitled to seek employment of 20 hours per week during the study period, provided that the employment hours will not coincide with their study hours at the University, or 38 hours per week during their holidays. The right to employment starts after the completion of six months study and residence in Cyprus. 

Scholarships aim is to support young people with capabilities to distinguish and to contribute to the development and social progress.

The university offers full and partial scholarships to incoming students based on the academic merit of the high school performance. The University also has in place a scholarship scheme for continuing students which reduces tuition fees based on the GPA achieved by the student. The percentage of reduction is related to the GPA achieved.

Additionally, Frederick University has a broad range of scholarships to athletes.