Tommy Coyle

Tommy, from Glasgow, studies the MSc Petroleum Engineering at the Institute of Petroleum Engineering. He expects to graduate from the programme in November 2016.

Why did you decide to come to Heriot-Watt over other places offering similar courses?

The Heriot-Watt Institute of Petroleum Engineering has a successful global reputation within the industry. I wanted to experience the best teaching and learning available and challenge myself to meet the requirements.

The programme offers plentiful opportunities to develop links within the industry. Including an SPE chapter, which receives funding for young professionals to attend industry events.

Do you feel your degree has prepared you well for a career?

I feel in an excellent position to enter the petroleum industry with the technical and personal skills I have gained from the Petroleum Engineering MSc. The course notes are comprehensive and designed for practical use, I am sure I will refer to these through my career. The personal skills are very important to me, having had the opportunity to work in teams with people from around the world I feel prepared to perform in a team within a global industry.

Has your degree programme helped you develop links with industry?

The programme offers plentiful opportunities to develop links within the industry. Including an SPE chapter, which receives funding for young professionals to attend industry events. A particular highlight of the programme was the Shell led “Malampaya Tutorial”, a team working exercise combining all IPE courses to solve real-life industry problems and gain an insight into how the industry operates.

What was the teaching support like?

The teaching support was excellent, teaching staff are enthusiastic and engaging. This makes it a joy to work with them, whether seeking help with course material or looking for some insight to the industry or a particular subject of interest.

What advice would you give to a postgraduate student considering embarking on their studies at Heriot-Watt?

I would highly recommend Heriot-Watt for postgraduate study. There are many postgraduate courses available, making the university highly geared to postgraduates, including a designated postgraduate centre. The campus is refreshing with much greenery to create a positive learning environment.