The first course offered was a Higher National Diploma in Engineering, which mainly focused on oil and gas. Since then, the University has significantly evolved, offering a range demand-driven undergraduate and postgraduate level courses across a variety of subjects including business, computing, engineering and law. The degrees are recognised internationally and are continually developed to provide our students with the knowledge and skills for the energy transition.
As we celebrate this milestone, find out more about the inspiring careers our alumni have had through the generations.
Victoria’s interest in engineering began from a young age and after winning the PetroChallenge business challenge in her fifth year of high school, she applied to the MEng Mechanical and Offshore Engineering degree. She won the Alexander Carnegie Award for academic performance and outstanding contribution. Find out more about Victoria’s career.
John grew up with an interest in engineering and a sense of exploration. Graduating from RGU in 2001, John gained a wealth of experience from developing subsea construction and decommissioning projects, to marine civil engineering. In 2020, he set up his own consultancy undertaking projects in green hydrogen enablement, offshore floating wind and aquaculture. Find out more about John’s success.
Patience is an experienced energy professional who decided to pursue a career in the renewable energy industry. Upon completion of the MSc Energy Management degree in 2021, she secured a role with Eneco as a Data Analyst, responsible for managing and improving the company's data management systems and reporting performance trends to help make strategic economic decisions.
Avtandil Todua is the Research and Innovations Advisor at Deloitte for the USAID Economic Governance Program. Prior to joining the Economic Governance Program, he served as a Senior Energy Advisor for Gross Energy Group LLC and before that he served as a Financial Analyst of the energy component at the USAID Governing for Growth (G4G) in Georgia.
Ray Riddoch OBE is an established energy industry leader with a career spanning 40 years both in the UK and overseas. He has been awarded for his significant contributions to the energy sector and in 2019, he was awarded the OBE for services to the oil and gas industry, as well as a doctorate from RGU for services to the industry. Read more about Ray’s fascinating career.
Preye began his career in oil and gas with an MSc in Oil and Gas Engineering at RGU which he graduated from in 2003. He went on to further study in 2006 at the University of Geosciences in Wuhan, China, where he completed a PhD in Oil and Natural Gas Engineering. He now lectures in his capacity as Professor of Petroleum Engineering at Covenant University. Find out more about Preye’s career.
Melissa was the only female in her year to study Mechanical and Offshore Engineering and since then, has gone on to have an incredibly successful and diverse career from being the first-ever female manager of a North Sea oil rig, to being named as one of the “35 Women Under 35” in the UK and internationally by Management Today and World Business. Find out more about Melissa’s 23-year career.
Keith Watson, now retired, has spent his career working in the oil and gas industry, moving through the ranks to become Offshore Installation Manager with Elf, Talisman and BP. Interested in engineering his whole life, he graduated in 1993 with a Master’s in Offshore Engineering with Distinction. Find out more about Keith’s diverse career.
Student Stories
Find out about what our students say about studying an energy degree:
Anielde shares her experience of studying the specialist MBA Oil & Gas Management degree at RGU.
Kessington shares his experience of studying the MSc Energy Management degree at RGU.
MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering student Rushdy discusses his experience applying and studying at RGU.
Liza van den Berg moved from the Netherlands to Aberdeen to study her favourite course at RGU. She has now graduated with a distinction and also secured a job. Read on to learn more about her RGU experience.