Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the graduate programs offered by the Petroleum Institute (PI)?
- How do I apply to the graduate programs at the PI and what are the required documents?
- Am I required to submit TOEFL and GRE scores as part of application?
- Can I apply for the PI Graduate Program without TOEFL test score above 550?
- Where is the approved test center for TOEFL?
- What is the minimum acceptable grade point average for admission?
- When do I need to submit the original academic transcript?
- Can I send my original official certified transcripts by myself?
- Do the graduates of the PI need to arrange to provide official PI transcripts?
- I am an employee of ADNOC (or ADNOC group of companies). Should I ask my employer to a write letter of recommendation in support of my application?
- How much is the tuition fee?
- When do I have to pay the tuition fee?
- Does the PI provide financial aid?
- What happens to my application once I submit it to the PI by online?
- Does the evaluation process involve interviews?
- When is the deadline to submit applications?
- What is the expected date for the admission decision?
- How is academic advising of graduate students done at the PI?
- Is the graduate program at the PI full-time or part-time?
- Can the international applicants apply to attend the PI Graduate Programs on a part-time basis?
- How many credits are required to graduate?
- How long does it take to complete the M.Eng. or M.Sc. program?
- What is the minimum number of courses per semester for part-time students?For part-time
- Can I take courses from Departments other than my own?
- For students accepted on a conditional basis due to a different background, does the program require from them to take <Deficiency-Removal Courses>?
- How large is a typical graduate class at the PI?
- When does the academic semester start and end?
- Can a student defer his/her admission to the PI Graduate Program?
- Does the PI offer courses remotely for students working outside Abu Dhabi?
- What is maximum attendance required at the PI classroom?
- When is the last date to withdraw from classes without incurring tuition and fee liability?
- Are classes segregated?
- Graduate Catalog
- Where should I send my application and other related documents to?
Answers:
1. What are the graduate programs offered by the Petroleum Institute (PI)?
The Petroleum Institute offers graduate programs that lead to:
- Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) degree in one of the following areas:
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in one of the following areas:
- Applied Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Petroleum Geosciences
2. How do I apply to the graduate programs at the PI and what are the required documents?
For information about the PI Graduate Program admissions process and required documents, please consult PI website: click here.
The application form is linked to the Graduate home page from: click here.
3. Am I required to submit TOEFL and GRE scores as part of application?
Due to our accreditation requirements approved by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, applicants are required to provide a TOEFL score of 550 with their application in order to be admitted to the PI Graduate Program. The GRE test is not required for applicants to the M.Eng. and M.Sc. programs.
Please note that TOEFL requirements are waived for English native speaking students. Appropriate proof (i.e., passport copy, etc.) should be provided.
If you have any questions or need additional information, do not hesitate to contact Dr. HY Kim at recruiting-coordinator@pi.ac.ae .
4. Can I apply for the PI Graduate Program without TOEFL test score above 550?
You may be able to apply with a TOEFL score lower than 550 and provide a score of higher than 550 prior to your official admission to the PI.
5. Where is the approved test center for TOEFL?
Information concerning the location and contacts information concerning the TOEFL is as follows:
TOEFL
America – Mideast Educational & Training Services Inc. (AmidEast).
Abu Dhabi UAE
Tel:Dir. 02-4457248
Main: 02-4456720 ext.231; Fax: 02-4431489
e-mail:uae@amideast.org
6. What is the minimum acceptable grade point average for admission?
The PI requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent from an established B.Sc. program. In addition, course pre-requisites are expected to be satisfied.
7. When do I need to submit the original academic transcript?
To speed up the process, you can submit unofficial transcripts for initial evaluation of your application. However, official transcripts need to be submitted as they are required for admission to the program. They need to be sent directly to the PI by your undergraduate institution. The candidates should request their baccalaureate institution to send official transcripts to The Petroleum Institute directly as they complete the application process.
8. Can I send my original official certified transcripts by myself?
Yes, if the academic transcripts were attested by the UAE government (embassy).
9. Do the graduates of the PI need to arrange to provide official PI transcripts?
The Petroleum Institute graduates can request official copies by completing the Form which they can download from: click here. And send the completed one to:
Fax: 02-6075648 or a scanned copy can be sent to
Email: Registrar'sOffice@pi.ac.ae
10. I am an employee of ADNOC (or ADNOC group of companies). Should I ask my employer to a write letter of recommendation in support of my application?
If a company, an organization, or a government agency is sponsoring you (paying your tuition fee), a financial support letter from the sponsor indicating commitment to pay your tuition is required.
Click here for a Letter of Financial Sponsorship (SAMPLE).
11. How much is the tuition fee?
Tuition fee will be applicable for the Master of Engineering and Master of Science Programs under 2 different categories as noted below:
Category 1: Students from ADNOC Group of companies
Category 2: Self sponsored students and those from Non-ADNOC group of companies
The total tuition fee for the PI M.Eng and M.Sc Programs is AED100,000 for students from ADNOC group of companies and AED130,000 for students from Non-ADNOC companies.
Students from ADNOC Group of companies will be charged tuition at a rate of 3,062AED/credit plus 2,000 AED for thesis/project fee not to exceed 100,000AED.
Non ADNOC and self sponsored students are charged tuition fee at a rate of 4,000 AED/credit plus 2,000 AED for thesis/project fee not to exceed 130,000 AED.
12. When do I have to pay the tuition fee?
Payment of the tuition fee is required to be paid prior to registration for courses.
13. Does the PI provide financial aid?
Scholarships (or partial scholarships) that can reduce the tuition are available for qualified students. For details on scholarships, please click here
There are a limited number of competitive fellowships for highly qualified students. Details for The Petroleum Institute Graduate Fellowships can be found here.
14. What happens to my application once I submit it to the PI by online?
You should first receive a note acknowledging receipt of your application. Complete applications will be forwarded to the appropriate Departments for evaluation and follow up. The results of the evaluation will be related to you as soon as they become available.
15. Does the evaluation process involve interviews?
There maybe a follow up and request for additional information or a phone interview.
16. When is the deadline to submit applications?
The PI accepts application continuously. However, applications for the fall semester should be submitted by 1 April and for the spring semester by 1 October of the previous year.
17. What is the expected date for the admission decision?
Applications are reviewed as they are received. Results will be related to you ASAP.
18. How is academic advising of graduate students done at the PI?
For newly admitted graduate students, department chairs serve as academic advisors. After completion of one semester of courses, students are assigned a faculty as academic advisor who will be responsible for their research work leading to a Master thesis (for M.Sc. students) or Engineering project (for M.Eng. students).
19. Is the graduate program at the PI full-time or part-time?
Both full-time and part-time graduate students are admitted to the PI. Students who work for ADNOC or OPCOs may take fewer graduate courses per semester than full-time students. Students admitted from abroad are expected to study on a full-time basis.
20. Can the international applicants apply to attend the PI Graduate Programs on a part-time basis?
No, valid UAE visa is required when students apply for the Master program based on part-time.
21. How many credits are required to graduate?
This varies from program-to-program. Please consult the graduate catalog for specific program requirements: click here.
22. How long does it take to complete the M.Eng. or M.Sc. program?
It depends on how many credit hours per semester the student enrolls in. However, a typical duration of either program is on the order of two years for full-time students.
23. What is the minimum number of courses per semester for part-time students?
For part-time students, there is no minimum number of courses they have to enroll in. Full-time students are expected to take three courses. In general, the number of courses that a particular student take is decided in consultation with his/her academic advisor.
24. Can I take courses from Departments other than my own?
Yes, you may take courses from other Departments after receiving a signed approval from your academic advisor.
25. For students accepted on a conditional basis due to a different background, does the program require from them to take <Deficiency-Removal Courses>?
Students will need to take pre-requisite courses for the specific Master program based on the program requirements.
26. How large is a typical graduate class at the PI?
The maximum capacity varies from 15 to 20 students per class. In order that a course is offered, a minimum of 5 students should enroll. Exceptions are possible and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
27. When does the academic semester start and end?
The fall semester starts in late August and ends in late December while the spring semester starts in late January and ends in early June.
28. Can a student defer his/her admission to the PI Graduate Program?
The PI allows students to postpone attendance of Master program for up to two semesters.
29. Does the PI offer courses remotely for students working outside Abu Dhabi?
The majority of PI’s graduate courses are offered through Internet link to students that work on various ADNOC and OPCO’s industrial sites. Interested students should check with the course instructor for details.
Students can connect to e-learning classroom with the following specifications in their computer/laptop:
- Latest version of Flash player
- Reasonably good internet connection
- Adobe Acrobat Connect Add-in
30. What is maximum attendance required at the PI classroom?
Offshore students will be expected to attend at the PI classroom once a month on average and to be expected to take exams at the PI .
31. When is the last date to withdraw from classes without incurring tuition and fee liability?
Please refer to Refund Policy and Academic Calendar on:
http://www.pi.ac.ae/PI_ACA/pgp/docs/temp-perm-withdrawal.pdf
http://www.pi.ac.ae/PI_ACA/pgp/calendar.php
32. Are classes segregated?
Classes are not segregated. At the graduate level, male and female students take classes together.
33. Graduate Catalog: For more information about the PI’s Graduate programs, please consult the graduate catalog here.
34. Where should I send my application and other related documents to?
All applications are submitted on line, here.
Applicants seeking specific information not provided in the Graduate Catalog can consult:
The Petroleum Institute
P.O. Box 2533
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 2 607 5730
Email: recruiting-coordinator@pi.ac.ae
