Join an applied sedimentology course you can study flexibly, 100% online.
Sedimentological and stratigraphic knowledge is crucial in petroleum exploration and development activities, and is fundamental in making predictive models.
In this Masters-level online short course, you’ll develop practical geological skills in sedimentology, stratigraphy, and diagenesis that are applicable to the extraction and sequestration of fluids in the subsurface.
Learn from experts
The University of Aberdeen has been a global leader in the teaching of sedimentology for several decades, and now our reputed on-campus course is accessible online.
Who can join this online applied sedimentology course?
This distance-learning course is designed for those who require applied sedimentology skills that are more advanced than those found in general undergraduate courses.
What you’ll study
In this course, you’ll develop your understanding of clastic and carbonate sedimentology, stratigraphy, and diagenesis.
We’ll introduce you to the main basin-forming processes to provide context for the sedimentary geology.
You’ll then develop your practical knowledge of depositional environments that form hydrocarbon reservoirs, geothermal reservoirs, critical mineral resources, aggregates, and targets for CO2 sequestration, linking these together using the techniques of sequence stratigraphy as applied to siliciclastic and carbonate settings.
You’ll also learn about the origin and effects of subsurface fluids and subsequent diagenesis.
You’ll cover topics including:
- marine and terrestrial clastic and carbonate depositional environments
- stratigraphy
- diagenesis.
By the end of this applied sedimentology course, you’ll be able to...
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Interpret siliciclastic and carbonate depositional environments from surface and subsurface data.
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Apply sequence stratigraphic principles to perform correlation of evolving siliciclastic and carbonate systems.
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Assess the effects of diagenesis on siliciclastic and sedimentary rocks.
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Evaluate sedimentary facies as potential hydrocarbon and geothermal reservoirs and targets for CO2 sequestration.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online short courses

Fits around full-time work
This online course fits around work, with flexible hours and 24/7 study access.

You’re in expert hands
We’ve been delivering online and distance learning for decades.

20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen alumni get 20% off this online course.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This applied sedimentology course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of online resources available, including:
- videos
- pre-recorded video lectures
- live online tutorials
- slide shows
- online 3D virtual outcrops
- online access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Live online tutorials
This course features three live online tutorials with your tutors and peers. Tutorials will be recorded so that you can access them after they have taken place.
3D virtual outcrops
We are experts in use of 3D virtual outcrops and make use of those 3D models in this online course. This means we can show you industry-relevant case studies from around the planet. Find out about our work with virtual outcrops.
Your tutors
This course is delivered by our School of Geosciences.
You’ll learn from siliciclastic and carbonate sedimentologists who each have decades of experience and are leading experts in their fields.
This course is assessed online.
You’ll be assessed throughout your course via three coursework exercises where you’ll use the skills you’ve acquired to interpret real-world data.
You’ll receive feedback after each assessment to assist your skills development.
These exercises are worth respectively 30%, 30%, and 40% of your final course grade.
Recorded lectures
All lectures are recorded and accessible 24/7 so you can watch them at a time that suits you, and you can pause and re-wind to ensure understanding and take notes. You can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Live online tutorials
This course features three online tutorials. Each tutorial is live and scheduled to last for around one hour. Tutorial dates and times will be organised at the start of the course. Your course coordinator will consider everyone’s circumstances and time zones before setting up live tutorials times that best suit the class. The tutorials will be recorded so that you can access them after they have taken place.
Study hours
This course totals approximately 150 hours of study and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinators

Professor Adrian Hartley
Adrian is Professor of Sedimentology and Stratigraphy at the University of Aberdeen.
Adrian’s research interests include all aspects of clastic sedimentology and sequence stratigraphy, with a particular interest is the application of geomorphology to the rock record in continental environments.
View Adrian’s profile
Dr Alex Brasier
Alex is a Senior Lecturer in Geology at the University of Aberdeen.
His research spans stable isotope and elemental geochemistry, astrobiology and geobiology, diagenesis, and examining deposition and diagenesis of non-marine carbonates.
Alex is involved in delivering several undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
View Alexander’s profileWhere this will take you
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) when you complete this course successfully. You may be able to use these credits towards further study.
Careers
This course is relevant to individuals working or seeking employment in the energy industry where subsurface knowledge is valued.
This includes roles in:
- CO2 sequestration
- geothermal energy
- siting of windfarms
- hydrocarbons.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.

Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
For this course, we recommend the following level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Standard requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 18 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening, reading and speaking
- 169 for writing
LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening, reading and speaking
- 65 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening, reading and speaking
- 6.0 for writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Skills for English: SELT
- B2 pass with merit
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening, reading and speaking
- 105 for writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For full information about language requirements, see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
Learning resources
Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
Printing
You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or
- relevant professional experience that supports this level of learning.