The oil and gas industry is one of the most lucrative globally, consistently ranking among the top revenue and profit-generating sectors.
According to IBISWorld reports, the oil and gas industry generates over $4 trillion in annual revenue, making it one of the most financially powerful industries in the world.
Working in leading oil and gas companies like Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies will give you access to high salaries, international career opportunities, professional growth, and long-term job security.
However, getting into the oil and gas industry can be challenging. These companies are highly competitive and usually prefer graduates whose courses and skills match the technical, operational, and safety needs of the industry
This is why choosing the right course at the university is very important. In this guide, we will highlight the best courses to study in university to work in Oil and Gas companies, explore the career you can pursue with them, expected salaries, and how to enter the industry even if your course is not directly related.
6 Courses to study in University to work in Oil and Gas companies
The oil and gas industry brings together professionals from many fields who all play important roles in keeping operations running smoothly, from refinery work to finance, safety, and administration.
This means the industry is not only for engineers. So, let’s look at the top courses you can study in university to work in oil and gas companies:
1. Engineering
Engineering is one of the strongest pathways into the oil and gas industry. There are several engineering courses that form the backbone of oil and gas operations.
Courses such as Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Industrial Engineering are highly valuable in the industry
As a graduate in any of these fields, you would be involved in designing drilling systems, maintaining pipelines, and improving overall production efficiency. Most of the work happens in highly technical environments where precision, efficiency, and safety are important.
Some of the most common career paths in this field include Petroleum Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Process Engineer, Pipeline Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, and the demand for graduates in these courses is high.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, petroleum engineers earn a median annual salary of about $141,280 globally.
2. Geosciences (Geology and Geophysics)
Courses like Geology, Geophysics, Applied Geology, and Earth Sciences are among the best courses to study in university for oil and gas careers because they are central to discovering oil and gas reserves.
Before drilling starts, these professionals study rock formations and analyse seismic data to confirm where oil or gas may be located. Without them, exploration would be guesswork, which is too risky and costly for oil companies.
Typical roles include Exploration Geologist, Geophysicist, Reservoir Analyst, Seismic Interpreter, and Exploration Scientist.
These experts are critical in exploration success, and globally, geoscience roles can earn between $80,000 and $160,000+ annually, depending on experience, according to reports.
3. Finance and Accounting
Yes, a Finance or Accounting degree can also get you into oil and gas companies. While many people believe only engineering or science courses lead to jobs in the industry, that is not the case.
Oil and gas companies are also large business organizations that need professionals in finance, procurement, contracts, investments, and commercial operations to run effectively.
With a degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Business Administration, you can secure roles where you help manage the financial and operational structure of the company.
You will work as a Financial Analyst, Procurement Officer, or Accountant. The good thing is that finance and commercial roles in oil and gas are among the highest-paying non-engineering jobs in the industry.
In Nigeria, entry-level professionals may earn between ₦250,000 and ₦500,000 monthly in indigenous oil companies, while those in multinational firms can earn from ₦700,000 to over ₦2 million monthly, depending on experience and role.
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4. IT and Software Engineering
Technology is now playing a big role in the oil and gas industry as companies move toward automation, artificial intelligence, digital systems, and data-driven operations.
If you study courses like Software Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or Computer Engineering, you stand a strong chance of working in oil and gas companies as they rely heavily on digital systems for production monitoring, automation, cybersecurity, and overall operational efficiency.
You can work as a Software Engineer, Data Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, Data Engineer, or IT Systems Engineer, helping to analyse production data, manage digital oilfield systems, protect company networks, and reduce downtime.
In Nigeria, entry-level IT professionals in oil companies earn about ₦300,000 to ₦700,000 monthly, while experienced staff in multinationals can earn over ₦1 million to ₦3 million monthly. Globally, salaries in these roles often range between $90,000 and $180,000 annually.
5. Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Management
One of the top courses to study in university to work in oil and gas companies is HSE. The industry is a high-risk industry, so safety is taken extremely serious.
A single mistake in an oil facility can lead to explosions, environmental disasters, injuries, or massive financial losses. Because of this, oil companies invest heavily in safety management and environmental protection.
Earning degrees in Environmental Science, Occupational Health and Safety. Safety Management and Environmental Engineering can help you build a career in HSE management within the oil and gas industry.
Professionals in this field ensure that operations are carried out safely and according to environmental regulations. Common job positions include HSE Officer, Safety Engineer, Environmental Specialist, and Risk Analyst.
Their responsibilities include preventing workplace accidents, monitoring environmental compliance, conducting safety inspections, implementing safety policies, and reducing environmental damage. Globally, HSE professionals in the energy sector often earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, according to PayScale.
6. Human Resources and Community Relations
Just like finance, communication, management, and social science-related disciplines can also secure you a role in oil and gas companies.
Studying courses such as Mass Communication, Human Resource Management
Sociology, psychology, International Relations, and Public Administration will get you space in these companies
With a qualification, you will manage employee relations, recruitment, corporate communication, public image, and engagement with host communities.
This department is especially important in oil-producing regions where companies constantly interact with communities, government agencies, stakeholders, and the media. Common roles include HR Manager, Public Relations Officer, and Community Relations Manager.
In Nigeria, entry-level HR professionals in indigenous oil companies may earn between ₦200,000 and ₦500,000 monthly, while experienced professionals in multinational companies can earn between ₦800,000 and ₦2.5 million monthly.
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How to Transition Into the Oil and Gas Industry With Any Course
Not everyone will study Engineering or Petroleum-related courses at university. However, that does not mean you cannot still work in oil and gas companies.
The industry is multidisciplinary, so companies also hire candidates from different backgrounds as long as they have relevant skills, certifications, technical knowledge, and experience.
Below are practical ways to transition into the industry, even if your course is unrelated.
1. Take Online Courses with Recognized Certifications
One of the fastest ways to enter the industry is by having certification in certain oil and gas courses. These programs help you gain industry knowledge and technical exposure to oil and gas operations.
Platforms such as Coursera, edX, and PetroSkills offer professional training programs related to energy systems, petroleum operations, drilling, safety management, and oilfield operations.
Visit these websites and search for courses such as Oil and Gas Industry Operations, Introduction to Petroleum Engineering, and Energy Management.
These certifications improve your CV and show employers that you are serious about the industry. They also make you more qualified for graduate trainee programs and entry-level positions.
2. Pursue Postgraduate or Conversion Programs
Another smart route is to pursue postgraduate programs related to oil and gas. Even if your first degree is unrelated, you can still reposition yourself academically through graduate pathways
Enroll for courses such as MSc Energy Management, MSc Energy Economics, PGD in Petroleum Engineering, PGD in Geoscience, MSc Environmental Management, which are available across accredited universities.
These programs help you gain more knowledge about the industries, which will, in turn, improve your chances of securing an opportunity in them.
3. Gain Practical Experience
Experience is extremely important in the oil and gas industry. You should actively look for opportunities such as Graduate trainee programs, Internships, and SIWES placements
Top companies such as Total and Shell offer these programs. This way, you will also gain industry exposure.
4. Learn Technical Skills
Oil and gas companies now depend heavily on technology and digital systems, as we have mentioned above
This means technical skills can give you a major advantage during recruitment. If you have skills such as Python, SQL, Power BI, AutoCAD, and Data Analytics, you may even have a higher chance than someone who studied engineering.
These skills can qualify you for IT, analytics, automation, and digital transformation roles within the industry.
5. Network Strategically
Networking is very important in the oil and gas industry. Many job opportunities are never publicly advertised, which means connections and visibility matter a lot.
You should connect with professionals on LinkedIn, attend energy conferences, follow oil company recruitment updates, and participate in industry webinars, as networking gives you access to referrals, mentorship, industry information, and recruitment updates
Now you understand that oil and gas is one of the most rewarding sectors globally. However, the course you choose plays a big role in your entry into the industry, as top companies often prefer candidates whose academic background aligns with their operations.
By pursuing core disciplines such as Engineering, accounting, and IT, you significantly improve your chances of being hired by these top firms. And if you have degrees in other fields, reposition yourself by following the strategies above.
Beyond traditional oil and gas-related degrees, there are also alternative paths with equally strong opportunities in the industry. Industries like renewable energy and artificial intelligence are increasingly in demand.
However, no matter the path you choose, success still depends on aligning your studies with their needs and your own strengths.
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