MBA in Energy Sector: Best MBA Programs

If you have missed our MBA Research Guide, you can download it here. Read Part 1: Top MBA in Energy: Sector Trends, Fastest Growing Niches and Top MBA Program


2) RGU MBA in Oil and Gas Management

Although most MBA program focus on renewable energy sources, Robert Gordon University Aberdeen’s MBA in Oil and Gas Management evaluates the existing Oil Exploration and development processes and looks at improving them.

Location Advantage:  From 1970s, Aberdeen transformed from an economy dependent on fishing, textiles and shipbuilding to one that prospered in high tech, electronic design and Oil & Gas. The switch has been responsible for the economic boom in the City. The School is just miles away from major Oil & Gas Companies including Shell, BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Raqa, Conoco Phillips and Total.

With RGU’s AMBA Accredited Full-time MBA, students will learn through lectures, workshop and seminars. In addition to a wide mix of study tools, collaboration through group study, simulations, case studies and presentations solidifies the knowledge gained through lectures.

The course is divided into four semesters, with Semester 1 touching the Management Fundamentals: Finance, Accounting, Strategy and People Management.  Right from Semester 1, students are introduced to the Energy sector with Energy Marketing, and Oil & Gas Management.

Semester 2 builds the foundation of General Management in the context of Oil and Gas industry. Students can choose one optional module from Project Fundamentals, Energy Policy and the Environment, Oil and Gas Contract Law or Health and Safety And Risk In An Organisational Context. Semester 3 and 4 looks at Leadership and Consultancy Project, and offers exposure to projects in Oil companies near Aberdeen.

The recent class was a healthy mix of Senior Management (27%), Middle Management (39%) and Technical personnel (27%).  The class was mostly represented by the 10-14 years experienced category. Students should have a background in Energy sector to be considered for this MBA program.

Recruiters: Some of the major recruiters in 2012 were BP Exploration, Cairn Energy, Conoco Phillips, Shell, Exxon Mobil and Mobil. Interestingly, several governments have come forward in recruiting Aberdeen MBAs. Notable governments include Government of Alberta, Government of Uganda and Ministry of National Economy, Oman.

3) UPES MBAs in Oil & Gas Management, Energy Trading and Power Management

For MBA Aspirants interested in working in Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East, the University Of Petroleum & Energy Studies offers MBAs in Oil & Gas Management, Energy Trading and Power Management.  The programs are UGC approved and NAAC accredited.  The MBA programs are super specialized and brings together some of the best engineers, industry specialists and consultants in the Energy sector. The university houses over 11 research centres with a focus on Renewable energy systems, Sustainable Development, Environmental and Energy economics, and Petroleum Geosciences and Hydrocarbon Exploration.

MBA in Oil and Gas:  With this program, students will learn about strategic decisions making throughout the supply chain from production, distribution and retailing of petroleum products.  

MBA in Energy Trading:  This program is designed for Students interested in pursuing a career as an energy or commodity trader.  With the course, students will have a fundamental understanding of energy derivatives currently traded and used in Marketing and Risk Management.  
 
MBA in Power Management: This program is designed to equip students with the skill of handling problems across the Power industry in the areas of Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution.

UPES also have Research Centres and Institutes that contributes in the Energy sector. This includes Centre for Excellence in Energy Economics (CEER), Centre for Earth Sciences,
Institute of Alternate Energy Research (IAER) and Environment Research Institute (ERI), supplementing the management studies.

Recruiters: Some of the recent recruiters were Aban Offshore Limited, GAIL (India) Ltd.
Adani Energy Ltd, North Delhi Power Ltd, Noida Power Company Ltd, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and Essar Oil Limited.

4) LSBF Global MBA (Oil, Gas and Energy Management)

London School of Business & Finance offers a 15-Month full-time Global MBA program in Oil, Gas and Energy Management.  The advantage of the Global MBA is that MBAs can choose from three campuses: London, Birmingham or Manchester, based on the concentrations that would best fit with the post MBA goal.

The program starts by building the foundation in Marketing, Accounting, Operations, Strategy and Leadership, before embarking on the specialization modules. The courses in the five stages are Marketing and Business Environment (Stage1) , Accounting and Managerial Finance, Systems and Operations Management(Stage 2), Strategic Management and Leadership (Stage 3), Contemporary Issues in Oil, Gas and Energy, Carbon Management and Entrepreneurship (Stage 4)  and Integrative Research and Consultancy Project (Stage 5).

Contemporary Issues in Oil, Gas and Energy: The module introduces students to the Oil and Gas Industry, and teaches them how to evaluate opportunities in this sector. Students will also learn to assess the gas supply chain, evaluate marketing issues faced by Oil and Gas Marketing companies, understand the tax implications on oil production & supply, and analyse the strategic responses to global challenges and government initiatives.  At the end of the module, students will learn to recognize the effects of various clauses on all the contractual parties.

Carbon Management and Entrepreneurship: is another critical module in the Oil, Gas and Energy Management program.  Students will learn to develop strategies for Carbon Management and implement an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  At the end of the module, students will have the know how to use carbon impact assessments in decision-making.

Post MBA Roles : Some of the roles that MBAs from LSBF can take in the Energy sector are Energy and Sustainability Manager, Oil and Gas Analyst, Project Coordinator and Project Performance Analyst.

Recommended Reads

1) Rice MBA – Energy Concentration
2) RGU MBA in Oil and Gas Management
3) UPES MBA
4) LSBF Global MBA (Oil, Gas and Energy Management)

Reference

1) World Economic Forum - 2012 Energy Industry Trends