UNIBEN Masters and PhD Programme in Geoscience and Petroleum Engineering Admission Form

The NNPC/SPDC JV Centre of Excellence in Geosciences & Petroleum Engineering (CoE), University of Benin, was set up in 2012 under a Trust Deed and Governance Framework between The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, operator of the NNPC/SPDC/TotalEnergies/NAOC Joint Venture, and University of Benin.

The aim is to promote academia-industry linkage in a sustainable way, through industry presence in the University in order to produce industry-ready graduates. Academic activities commenced in the 2013/2014 session.

M.Sc. PROGRAMMES

UNIBEN Masters programme in Geoscience and Petroleum Engineering

Masters’ programmes offered at the Centre are integrated and aimed at developing skilled professional graduates in key areas of the Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, including exploration, appraisal, development, production, and value creation required in the Oil and Gas and Allied sectors. At the point of graduation, students would have acquired the requisite skills to make them function effectively in the oil and gas industry workplace as young professionals. The M.Sc. degree programmes ensure that the graduates are well equipped with knowledge of up-to-date concepts, current technologies and methods, and have the ability to adapt to new demands in a dynamic and technologically driven oil, gas and energy industry.

In addition, the programmes offer leadership training to make the graduates functional and productive in the multidisciplinary approach necessary for solving exploration and production related problems. The programmes are executed through a well-structured, strong academia-industry linkage in content and delivery. So far, the Centre has graduated ten (10) sets, comprising a total of 134 students. 81% of this number are already gainfully employed, with 43% on tenured technical positions in major oil and gas companies in Nigeria and 18% in the academia. The remainder are either in government establishments or private practice. Between August and December 2023 alone, 6 fresh graduates of the Centre were employed on tenured technical positions by oil giants including TotalEnergies (2 Reservoir Geophysicists), Schlumberger (1 Geophysicist, 1 Well Site Geologist), Harvex Geosolutions (1 Geoscientist) and Platform Petroleum (1 Drilling Engineer). A notable number of our graduates have also completed their PhDs on record time in reputable Universities in Nigeria, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and France.

APPLICATION

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the following M.Sc. programmes of the NNPC/SPDC JV Centre of Excellence in Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin:

1). M.Sc. Integrated Petroleum Exploration and Evaluation Studies (Geology Option)

2). M.Sc. Integrated Petroleum Exploration and Evaluation Studies (Geophysics Option)

3). M.Sc. Integrated Petroleum Engineering and Production Studies

TARGET STUDENTS

The M.Sc. programmes are intended for highly motivated graduates wishing to pursue professional careers in the Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, including practising professionals currently employed in the Exploration and Production industry as well as Geoscience Agencies and Consulting firms or organizations.

DURATION

The M.Sc. programmes are offered on full-time basis, and designed to cover a period of 18 calendar months (non-stop) that includes 12 months of academic work (lectures, team course projects, hands-on software training, field trips, laboratory work and self-learning) and a mandatory 6 months of internship in an Exploration & Production Company or other Geosciences Organizations and Agencies geared towards executing a practical integrated research project.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Chargeable fees for the programmes are competitive and comparable with the quality of learning delivered.

Intended Applicants must possess either of the following:

• First degree from recognized Universities, in Geology, Geophysics or Petroleum Engineering, with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division grade.
• First degree in any other relevant fields in the Physical Sciences or Engineering with a minimum of Second Class Upper Division grade.
• Applicants must have completed the NYSC.

PhD PROGRAMMES

The Doctoral programmes of the NNPC/SPDC JV Centre of Excellence in Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin, are a progression of the excellent and world-class Masters’ programmes that have been in existence for the past twelve (12) years. The programmes are centered on developing the ability of students to connect-the-dots between classroom lessons and their real-world applications through professional development and research opportunities. The programmes are designed to provide advanced science and/or engineering education and inclusive experience that are industry oriented as well as academics that would equip graduates with the relevant skills to successfully address the challenges of the nation’s and world’s energy needs responsibly, exceed the evolving expectations of employers in the petroleum and energy industries, and also sustain industry-leading skills and become future leaders in the industry, academia and government agencies through application of in-depth knowledge of subject matter acquired during the period of study.

APPLICATION

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into the following PhD programmes of the NNPC/SPDC JV Centre of Excellence in Geosciences and Petroleum Engineering, University of Benin:

1). PhD in Earth Sciences (Petroleum Geology Option)

2). PhD in Earth Sciences (Petroleum Geophysics Option)

3). PhD in Petroleum Engineering (Well Engineering Option)

4). PhD in Petroleum Engineering (Reservoir Engineering Option)

5). PhD in Petroleum Engineering (Gas Engineering Option)

6). PhD in Petroleum Engineering (Production Technology Option)

7). PhD in Energy Studies

TARGET STUDENTS

The PhD programmes are intended for candidates seeking to advance their science or engineering education and experience to develop into strong science or engineering professionals, applied researchers, managers and advocates of technology.

DURATION

The PhD programmes are offered on full-time basis and are designed to run for a minimum of three years (non-stop).

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Chargeable fees for the programmes are competitive and comparable with the quality of learning delivered.

To be qualified for PhD admission, a candidate must possess an M.Sc. degree in the relevant field with a minimum average score of 65%. Consideration could be given to candidates with minimum average score of at least 60% and an excellent industrial experience of not less than 5 years.

Candidates must provide a Statement of Intent in not more 500 words on their proposed PhD research project.

METHOD OF APPLICATION

• Candidates should visit waeup.uniben.edu website.
• Click on Application
• Click on the CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE 2025/2026 CYCLE APPLICATION.
• Click on Register for application after reading instructions on the page.

Follow the relevant steps outlined to submit your online application.

Payment is via the Interswitch platform which uses any valid ATM or CASHCARD for any commercial bank in Nigeria.

Candidates should request academic transcripts from awarding institutions to be sent to:

The Secretary,

School of Postgraduate Studies,

University of Benin, Benin City.

Letters of recommendation from at least three (3) referees, one of whom must be an academic staff of the Department from the graduating Institution should also be sent to the same address above.

Corporate bodies and agencies that wish to nominate their staff can do so by endorsing completed hard copy Application Forms as sponsors and requesters. Such endorsements should be sent to the School of Postgraduate Studies on completion of online application.

Application deadline is 29th November, 2024.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited for interview for final selection into the programme.

For further enquiries, please contact +234 (0)8167629784 or director@coe.uniben.edu