Information for applicants and offer holders to the MSc GeoEnergy. On this page, you will find information on how to set up a meeting request with Professor Stuart Gilfillan, upcoming event information, and further information about your chosen degree. MSc GeoEnergy Our MSc GeoEnergy enables you to pursue a geosciences-related career in the rapidly evolving energy sector, as it transitions from fossil fuels to a net-zero future. Meet your Programme Director and Cohort Lead Professor Stuart GilfillanThe Programme Director for our MSc in GeoEnergy is Stuart Gilfillan. Stuart's research is primarily aimed at developing geochemical tracing tools for GeoEnergy applications. His early research focused on investigating the potential for noble gases and stable isotopes to be used as tracers for CO2 monitoring within CO2 storage sites and as early warning tracers of unplanned CO2 migration.More recently, Stuart has been applying this knowledge to the environmental monitoring of both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon extraction, geothermal energy provision and the mineralisation of CO2, whilst maintaining an interest in the geochemical evolution of the Earth's mantle. Stuart is currently actively collaborating with the Carbfix project in Iceland.Outside of work, Stuart is a keen mountain biker and enjoy the variety of trails in and around the Edinburgh area and mountains that Scotland has to offer. Book a one-to-one meeting with your Programme Director Connect directly with your Programme Director, Professor Stuart Gilfillan, to ask further questions, get tailored advice, and explore what your degree could look like. Professor Mark WilkinsonThe cohort lead for the programme is Mark Wilkinson. Mark undertakes research on geological energy storage and waste disposal, including: Hydrogen storage in porous rocks, with RCUK funded project HyStorPor (https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/hystorpor/) and the EU-funded HyUSPRe (https://www.hyuspre.eu); Geological carbon storage in 5 EU countries (Spain, France, Portugal, Greece, Poland) with PilotSTRATEGY (https://pilotstrategy.eu);Compressed air energy storage in porous rocks Natural analogues for what will happen to CO2 when it is injected into a rock for Carbon Capture and StorageSafe disposal of water produced during CO2 storage operationsDiagenesis, or what happens to sediments as they are buried and turn into rocks. In practice I study the suitability of reservoirs for different applications including CO2 storage, energy storage or water supply. Upcoming events Sign up to the events below for further information about your chosen degree. EventDateTimeBooking LinkMSc GeoEnergy Information SessionTuesday 24 February, 202614:00 - 15:00 GMTBook SessionPostgraduate Student Q&AThursday 07 May, 202617:00 - 18:00 BSTBook Session Previous recorded events Introduction to MSc GeoEnergyThis event was recorded in November 2025, during Postgraduate Virtual Open Week. Pre-arrival reading list Before you arrive with us, take a look at the suggested pre-arrival reading for your programme. This includes online resources and book recommendations provided by your Programme Director. View pre-arrival reading list Why choose the University of Edinburgh? PioneeringWe pioneered the first GeoEnergy MSc in the World. This evolved from our MSc in Carbon Capture and Storage, also a world first. Real-world relevanceOur programme offers training directly aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. DiversityAlthough most students join us with geosciences backgrounds, we have also welcomed engineers, geographers, and chemists in the past. Strong networksOur programme shares connections with government departments, energy-relevant NGOs, and key industry players, from multinational energy companies to start-up geothermal energy companies. Our innovative GeoEnergy degree More information about your degree Compulsory and optional courses Please note, Degree Programme Tables will be updated in April, 2026. Please use the current edition as an example, only. Degree breakdown The future of your subject GeoEnergy technologies are critical for the energy transition to a low carbon future. For example, carbon capture and storage is the only current technology that can decarbonise the production of cement and steel, both of which are large sources of greenhouse gases. These technologies are essential to maintain a habitable Earth, or at least one with conditions resembling the ones which we are used to. Hear from our students Our postgraduate students share their experiences of life during university and after on our blog and through alumni profiles. GeoSciences blog Alumni profiles The MSc GeoEnergy caught my attention, and I was impressed with how the programme took scientific foundations and skills and pivoted them to the energy transition and decarbonisation world. It was ahead of its time from others I’d seen. One thing I really enjoyed was that professors brought in a lot of guest speakers throughout the programme. These ranged from postdoctoral researchers actively working on publishable projects, to industry leaders from the private sector, to public officials actively representing the UK in international settings. Hearing the different perspectives on the opportunities within the industry was really fascinating. Cameron Henderson MSc GeoEnergy, graduated 2021 MSc GeoEnergy graduate Anna Morris shares her experiences Read Anna's alumni profile Multi Story Edinburgh Podcast - Stella Our University 'Multi Story' podcast is all about the reality of the graduate experience.MSc GeoEnergy graduate, Stella, shares experiences of working in the field, masters as a mindset and knowing your worth. Featured scholarships MSc Energy Geoscience Bursaries The Energy Transition Centre for Masters’ Training (CMT) and the Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain (GESGB) will be jointly funding 12 Bursaries, each valued at £6000 per annum, for students who will be enrolled in an energy geoscience-related MSc course for the forthcoming academic year 2026/2027. School of GeoSciences scholarshipsSee potential funding for GeoSciences studentsScholarships and student fundingYou can find funding opportunities, tuition fees and costs of living for prospective UK and international postgraduate students on the University website.Postgraduate scholarships and student fundingYou are also encouraged to undertake your own research into the range of potential scholarships and other funding outside the University for which you may be eligible. This article was published on 2026-01-09
