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Global Management of Natural Resources MSc

London, Bloomsbury and Adelaide, Mawson Lakes

Today more than ever, there is a growing demand for versatile specialists and managers in the globalised natural resources and commodities industries. These industries rely on the close collaboration of scientists, engineers, analysts, financiers and investors. An integrated understanding of resource genesis, development, production, supply and socio-environmental footprint is no longer desirable, it is essential.

Students on this programme will have the opportunity to become well versed in multiple aspects of the natural resources industries. They will have the opportunity to develop appropriate research skills, the opportunity to develop excellent communication skills, the opportunity to become competent in management practice, which can lead to careers across the breath of the natural resources sector.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2022/23)
£19,400
Overseas tuition fees (2022/23)
£35,100
Duration
1 calendar year
Programme starts
September 2022
Applications accepted
All applicants: 18 Oct 2021 – 31 Mar 2022

Applications open

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Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline – preferably engineering, Earth sciences, chemistry or finance/business - from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Relevant work experience may be taken into account.

English language requirements

If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.

The English language level for this programme is: Standard

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Why the GMNR programme?

The natural resource industries are critical to the continued development of both technology and society. However, they face challenges on many fronts: environmental and social practice and perception; financial, policy and governmental constraints; technological limitations; inefficient operations; very high levels of energy consumption and the availability of resources into the future.  

This programme aims to deliver graduates who have a broad understanding of natural resources: where they come from, how we extract and use them as well as and the consequences of doing so. They will become aware of their socioeconomic responsibilities, will be able to operate within international constraints and will develop insight into the technical complexity of the challenges faced.

This will be key to leading the drive towards a more sustainable future for these industries and society. The programme is multidisciplinary in its approach, drawing upon specialisms across UCL and beyond, and aims to deliver an interdisciplinary outcome for graduates.  

The programme is transcontinental (offered by UCL and the University of South Australia (UniSA)), is delivered by UCL Chemical Engineering, UCL Earth Sciences, UCL Bartlett, UCL School of Management, the Future Industries Institute (FII) at UniSA and was designed with input from industry.

UCL is solely responsible for admissions to the programme, and the degree issued is UCL only.

Who is this programme for?

The programme is designed to cater for a range of academic and career backgrounds, with optional modules to tailor the learning experience to the prospective student. The programme will consider prospective students from any academic background who are looking to improve their understanding of elements of the natural resource industries, including hydrocarbons, hard rock minerals (including nuclear fuel production and usage) and water management. 

Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Those with business, marketing, management and finance backgrounds, wishing to gain a broad understanding of the scientific and technical elements of resource genesis, extraction and processing, along with an understanding of the environmental, social and sustainability impacts of such operations;
  • Those with a background in Earth Sciences, wishing to develop a more complete understanding of the extractives industries, improving their managerial and decision-making skillset, along with evaluating the impact of sustainability, social and environmental practice on the future of these operations;
  • Those with a background in science or engineering, wishing to develop their understanding of elements of natural resource development and use, decision making processes, the social and environmental impacts and how sustainability is impacting on the future of resources. 

Please note, the international components and field trips in this programme are subject to national and international Covid-19 regulations and restrictions. Field trips and the period of overseas study may not be possible; in such circumstances the field trips will be substituted by alternative learning (e.g., virtual field trips or lecture based material), and the material taught in Australia (Social Licensing and the Dissertation) will be delivered remotely in London, but with significant input from the University of South Australia.

Who this course is for

This programme is suitable for graduates in chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, chemistry, Earth sciences, geology, environmental sciences, petroleum engineering, mining and allied fields.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The MSc developed in association with the European-funded research project ShaleXenvironmenT (in which UCL was an academic partner), in collaboration with industry partners. There is an increasing demand for managerial professionals with enhanced industry knowledge in existing and developing natural resources fields.

UniSA is one of Australia’s leading universities for interdisciplinary research with the ability to offer industry facing or focused opportunities in science and engineering.

Our programme aims to produce global citizens and offers networking opportunities in London and Adelaide. We offer career advice throughout the programme and foster transferable skills through our multidisciplinary environment.

The programme includes a field trip to explore sedimentary formations similar to shale plays in the UK, and a visit to Olkiluoto nuclear waste repository in Finland. There are further field trips to mine sites and processing facilities in South Australia. 

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Examples of alumni careers and further study following graduation from this programme:

  • Astrid Benz (2016/17): Deputy Head of the Energy Division, Federal Office for National Economic Supply, Switzerland;
  • Alexandra Mitchell (2016/17): Principal Environmental & Social Specialist, Wardell Armstrong;
  • Onyi Esu (2017/18): Software Engineer at DAI;
  • Tobias Bamforth (2017/18): PhD Student at Murdoch University;
  • Sam Grant (2017/18): Commodities Analyst at CRU;
  • Haoran Zhang (2018/19): Engineering Planner, Siemens Energy;
  • Li Shen (2019/20): Management Consultant, KPMG.

Employability

The Global Management of Natural Resources MSc will prepare graduates for highly skilled, multidisciplinary managerial and specialist jobs in the natural resources sector. Recent university graduates will gain a global perspective on the natural resources sector. Mid-career professionals already employed will expand their range of knowledge and expertise. Graduates will also be equipped for further postgraduate research in relevant disciplines.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, site visits, independent reading and research as well as online material. Some of the modules taught in London will be co-taught by experts at UniSA via remote teaching methods, and one module as well as the research project will be taught and conducted in Australia.

Assessment is by examination, coursework, process design, oral presentation, online quizzing, reports and writing executive summaries, with some components involving group work.

In 2021-22 students should typically expect between 4-6 hours of contact time a week, with either face to face sessions and/or online synchronous sessions, depending on their mode of study.

Students should be prepared to spend approximately 10-12 hours a week during term time per module in self-directed study including research, learning and assessment.

Modules

Full-time

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. The programme consists of six compulsory modules, two optional modules and a dissertation.

Seven modules are taught in London, along with research methods and associated assessment as part of the Dissertation. Social Licensing and remainder of the Dissertation, including the research project itself are delivered in Adelaide, South Australia

In the first term, students engage with elements of science and engineering as applicable to the resource industries, providing an overview of resource genesis and identification, extraction, processing and the manufacture of final products. This is from perspectives within the hydrocarbon, solid mineral and nuclear industries, and is blended with elements of project management, process design and safe and secure practice within these sectors.  

The second term engages students with aspects of governance, policy, business management, environmental and social practice and additional specialised technical knowledge. The technical knowledge developed in the first term underpins the application of skills and knowledge developed in the second; students will be able to consider evidence and make appropriate decisions, with an appreciation of the challenges that exist within the natural resource sector. 

Students spend the third term and the summer at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes Campus in Adelaide, South Australia. Here, students undertake their research projects with leading academics in aspects of natural resources, as well as further learning in Social Licensing and other relevant activities, including field trips, seminars and presentations. These international engagements broaden student horizons, exposing them to another research-intensive institution, a new country with different opportunities, natural resources, and breath of appropriate research activities, allowing access to numerous industries directly engaged in natural resource activities.  

The dissertation is comprised of an individual research project, an associated poster presentation, a presentation, an executive summary exercise and a small number of quiz assessments. Dissertations will be provided in areas of cognate research to natural resource management and should have some level of technical complexity associated with them.

Compulsory modules









Optional modules






Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Global Management of Natural Resources.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork offers the opportunity for students to observe and discuss many of the topics discussed in lectures, seminars and tutorials. This is particularly helpful in geological contexts. Fieldwork may include:

  • A four day trip to Dorset in the reading week of the first term (November) for those on GEOL0034 Geology for Global Managers and Engineers;
  • A three day trip to Helsinki, Finland to visit the Onkalo nuclear waste repository in February as part of CENG0036 Prevention and Remediation of Environmental Contamination;
  • A two day trip to visit mineral processing sites in South Australia as part of CENG0037 the Dissertation;
  • Shorter trips that may be arranged on an annual basis.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Visit us

All open days and events

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Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: UCL Chemical Engineering Open Sessions

Join us and learn more about our MSc in Chemical Process Engineering and MSc in Global Management of Natural Resources. Our Programme and Admissions Tutors, Dr Luca Mazzei and Dr. Alexander Norori-McCormac alongside student helpers will be available to answer your questions about studying at UCL.

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Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: UCL Graduate Admissions and Funding Sessions January 2022 - Sign up

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2022/23) £19,400
Tuition fees (2022/23) £35,100

Australian students will be classified as Overseas for fee purposes. Students will need funds to cover the cost of travel between UCL and UniSA and for field trips.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

All full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £2,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000.

The field trip to Finland may require some students to apply for a Finnish or Shengen visa for entry. The cost of the visa is € 80 as of August 2021. The visa must be applied for any time after October of the academic year, for which a sponsorship letter is provided by the department.

Approximately 5 months to be spent in Australia will incur some additional compulsory costs, correct as of 2019/20 (note that these may be impacted and/or increased by the Coronavirus pandemic):

  • Flights to and from Australia, starting at approximately £ 600;
  • Overseas healthcare costs in Australia, approximately £ 200;
  • Australian student visa cost, approximately £ 350;

There may be additional costs associated with applying for visas in Australia. This may include:

  • Healthcare evaluations (depending on your country of origin, and costs may start around £ 100 depending on where these checks are conducted, and now extensive they are);
  • Variable visa costs, this could be up to or exceed £ 400;
  • There may be additional costs associated with travel to and from the United Kingdom and to and from Australia with regards to national and international COVID-19 regulations. These costs may be associated with, but not limited to quarantine and testing.

These costs are typically paid between January and April of the academic year. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to investigate what the costs of applying for an Australian student visa and associated travel costs would be for their own personal circumstances before applying for the programme. Further information can be found on the Australian visa website.

You would be expected to pay for your living costs and accommodation in Adelaide, South Australia. These are typically less than the equivalent costs in London.

The cost of field trips to Dorset, Finland and the field trip in Australia, apart from personal costs (e.g., food, visas, appropriate clothing and footwear, pens and pencils etc.) will be met separately by the Department. Any additional optional field trips arranged with short notice within the U.K. may incur some additional travel costs, estimated to not exceed £ 100.

Students may apply for travel grants, bursaries and scholarships associated with the programme of study and the department to help with the costs of their studies.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

For those who who have applied (with completed references) by the 31st May 2022:

  • Up to four studentships of up to £ 5,000 based on academic merit;
  • Up to eight bursaries of £ 2,000 based on demonstrable financial need;
  • Up to seven travel grants of £ 1,000 based on demonstrable financial need;

We will contact you to apply for these funds after the cut-off date. 

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Global Management of Natural Resources at graduate level;
  • Why you want to study Global Management of Natural Resources at UCL;
  • What particularly attracts you to this transcontinental programme;
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme;
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes in any application cycle.

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. The programme may remain open if places are still available after 31 March 2022 and will be closed as soon as it is full or by 30 June 2022.

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Chemical Engineering Department
Chemical Engineering Department

pg-chemeng@ucl.ac.uk

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This page was last updated 28 Sep 2021