Member Article

London emerging as world’s capital for oil and gas startups

London’s reputation as an emerging world capital for oil and gas startups, coupled with strong graduate employment opportunities, is fuelling growth in demand for oil and gas qualifications.

Enrolment on the BSc (Hons) Oil & Gas Management course at GSM London has increased over 300% in the past three years, with over 1,000 students now signed on to the undergraduate course.

The February 2015 intake was up 300% on February 2012, while October 2014 enrollments were up 358% from when the course first began in October 2011.

Students cover accounting, business economics, business law, international energy policy, risk management, project management and environment management for sustainable development on the course, which can be taken as a traditional three-year degree or a two-year accelerated course.

Babawande Sheba, Head of Department (Logistics & Operations) at GSM London, said: “The surge in interest in oil and gas related courses can be attributed to the attractiveness of the industry in relation to the job roles and salary on offer for graduates. London in particular has emerged as the world’s capital for small oil and gas start-ups, while education in the UK prepares many for employment in other parts of the world.

“In Africa for example, there is a growing need for graduates with managerial skills (especially for roles in health and safety; operations, maintenance and production; project controls; law and policy; and environment), along with those with engineering skills. Deep-water drilling expertise is particularly in high demand in West Africa.”

The qualification is targeted toward roles including drilling engineer, environmental consultant, waste management assistant, research administrator, operations manager and team leader.