Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Mining)

Unearth riches

Mining engineers work with all aspects of ore extraction and processing. They gather valuable minerals or metals and provide a backbone industry for our society.

The reinvigoration of traditional mining plus new advances—such as deep-sea mining and space mining—mean there's an exciting future for mining engineers, with a wealth of job opportunities around Australia and overseas.

The University of Adelaide is ranked 7 in the world for Mining and Mineral Engineering*.

What will you do?

Being the only mining engineering course in South Australia, we cover everything from engineering design to management skills. You will:

  • take part in field trips to mining locations in Australia and overseas
  • gain exposure to industry practices in world-class laboratories
  • work closely with experts to develop skills and networks for a successful career
  • complete an eight-week practical experience
  • undertake an optional semester at another mining university.

Majors are available in:

  • Mine automation—learn about the connection between mining and artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data at the only university in Australia currently offering a major in mine automation.

Minors are available in:

Where could it take you?

You will graduate as an accredited engineer with mining as your speciality. You might drill and blast in local stone quarries or travel overseas to unearth rare metals. You could design plans for how to approach newly discovered sites. Perhaps you’ll work in exciting developing fields like deep-sea or space mining.

This program is accredited by Engineers Australia.


Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.


  • Ranked #7 in the world for mining and mineral engineering^
  • Graduates qualify for professional membership with Engineers Australia
  • Showcase your work and network with future employers at Ingenuity

^Academic Ranking of World Universities by Subject, 2021

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 334851
2023 CSP ATAR 84.4
2023 CSP IB 31.75
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 80
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 29.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July*
*Students commencing in July may have a slightly limited selection of courses.
Prerequisites SACE Stage 2: Mathematical Methods , Specialist Mathematics and Physics. IB: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches (HL) and Physics (SL grade 4/ HL grade 3) MathTrackX is an online bridging program available as a recognised alternative to Mathematical Methods. Unsure if you will meet prerequisites or ATAR? Check out our Engineering Pathway.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Applicants who have not achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors) required for selection may be selected based on the grades in selected year 12 subjects. Applicants do not need to apply to be considered for subject-based entry, as this will automatically be done. For more information, please see: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/study/undergraduate/entry-pathways/recent-secondary-education/ Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 79.3
Median ATAR to receive an offer 84.55
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 97.3
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 84.4
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 89.35
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.3
Minimum eligibility score 80
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    <5 N/A
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    N/A N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    <5 N/A
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students <5 N/A
    All students 10 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,415

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
Students who as part of their studies take part in The Academy by Deloitte experience will have the benefit of undertaking a paid internship with Deloitte. This internship is designed to shape their business readiness through significant real-world client exposure, access to multiple networking opportunities and relevant professional training.


Mining engineering graduates have the highest employment rate of all engineering specialties—92 per cent*—with industry forecasting significant job growth into the future.

Mining engineers are involved at every stage of a mining operation from the point of discovery to the closing of the mine.

Graduates work as geotechnical engineers, environmental engineers, drilling and blast engineers, ventilation engineers, mine planning engineers, and geostatisticians.

Our recent graduates have been employed by BHP Billiton, Hillgrove Resources, and Rio Tinto

*Graduate Careers Australia


The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.

Professional Accreditation

Graduates qualify for professional membership of Engineers Australia.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Mining Engineer;  Consultant Engineer;  Drilling Engineer;  Engineer;  Land Resources and Land Care;  Manufacturing Engineer;  Mineral Exploration;  Minerals Processing Engineer;  Natural Resource Manager;  Natural Resource Planner ...

Degree Structure

The first two years of the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining) focus on building engineering, mathematics and science foundations that are further developed in the final two years of the degree. The third and fourth years of the degree have been developed by Mining Education Australia; a unique, industry-funded and internationally respected collaboration of the University of Adelaide, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland and Curtin University. This provides students with a unique perspective on mining practice across Australia.

A major is a great way to specialise and pursue topics of interest without narrowing future options. In the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining) the available major is Mine Automation. The University of Adelaide is the only university in Australia currently offering a mine automation major. The major includes courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, autonomous systems, and robotics.

Completion of a minor introduces students to an aligned field where there technical knowledge can be applied. This allows students to explore career opportunities in these areas. Minors are available in Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian engineering.

Students are required to complete eight weeks of approved practical experience.

Program Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for this program were informed by the University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes, Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies and the characteristics of the Adelaide Engineering graduate.

Graduates of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining) will be able to:

  1. Contribute to the design of creative, sustainable, economic and safe solutions, which satisfy the objectives of clients and stakeholders.
  2. Demonstrate a broad, theory-based understanding of the mathematical, natural and physical sciences underpinning engineering practice, and evaluate the differences between theoretical and applied system behaviour.
  3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the computer and information sciences that underpin engineering practice.
  4. Demonstrate a substantial and contemporary body-of-knowledge of engineering methods, tools and processes for a specific discipline, complemented by relevant knowledge from related disciplines.
  5. Professionally and ethically conduct themselves and their work, respecting the communities and cultural norms within which that work is carried out.
  6. Communicate objectively and effectively, in written and oral forms, to lay and expert audiences.
  7. Apply critical and independent thinking to make sound judgements, based on evidence, theory and logical reasoning.
  8. Maintain and develop knowledge of advancements in engineering practice and research in the specific discipline, and apply this knowledge innovatively when devising solutions
  9. Be an effective, emotionally and culturally intelligent team member, with leadership potential.
  10. Apply a systems approach to managing and developing solutions to complex problems.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mining)

Areas of Specialisation

Majors                                                                                                                   
A major is available in:

  • Mine Automation
    The mining industry is in the midst of a profound digital transformation encompassing mobile computing, cloud data storage, big data analytics, and advanced process control. The industry needs highly qualified engineers to plan, design, and manage high-tech mining operations that use mine automation technology to operate systems. The University of Adelaide is the only university in Australia currently offering a mine automation major. The major includes courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, autonomous systems, and robotics. 
Minors
Minors are available in:

  • Entrepreneurship
    Take the technical knowledge from the degree and create ventures in areas from large corporations, to small businesses, the not-for-profit sector, and community organisations through an Entrepreneurship minor. All technology advances in the past decade were once an idea that is now a reality through entrepreneurs. Students learn the processes, risks, rewards, motivations and societal impacts of innovation and entrepreneurship within regional, national and global perspectives.
  • Humanitarian
    Learn how to work in emergency and humanitarian fields while having a positive global impact on developing populations through the Humanitarian Engineering minor. Students conduct design work with a focus on culture, economic background, and political climate, while developing a strong awareness of communities and the people who reside in them. Graduates are equipped to solve problems in complex environments, allowing them to make real-world change.

Example Study Plan

Core Courses 
Students must complete all of the following:
Year 1 - Core 
Year 2 - Core

Year 3 - Core
Year 4 - Core

Internship

All Engineering students are required to complete a minimum of 8 weeks of internship during the course of their studies

Major OR Minor, choice of
Students can choose a major OR minor from the following:
Majors:
  • Mine Automation or; 
  • No Major or;
Minors:
  • Entrepreneurship or;
  • Humanitarian
For detailed study plans relating to the Major and Minors that are offered within this degree please click here.

Assessment

Assessment can vary from course to course and can include a combination of class work, tutorials, assignments, laboratory work, quizzes, project work and exams.

Testimonial

Working onsite you get to see what you have planned and designed in the office and how it works in the field.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Friday, 23 Feb 2024