Master of Engineering (Petroleum Engineering)

at University of New South Wales

Program structure

Degree structures can vary depending on your specialisation of choice, the number of courses you choose and timetabling, to give you an indication you can consider the below.

In your first year you'll study:

• Disciplinary Knowledge courses, these are introductory courses where you’ll learn the fundamentals of your chosen specialisation

• You may also start studying some of your Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge courses where you’ll be able to tailor your degree to your interest by selecting courses which align with your career goals.

In the second year, you’ll complete the remaining Disciplinary and Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge courses, and study:

• Engineering and Technical Management courses which help you build skills in project and or staff management, leadership and strategy. 

• A design course which is specific to your chosen specialisation – in this course you will be assigned a design task relevant on an area of your studies.

At the end of your degree you’ll bring together all the Engineering principles you’ve learnt to solve complex, open ended problems such as the development of a specific design, process and/or the investigation of a hypothesis.

This degree requires you to complete 60 days of Industrial Training, which gives you some on the job experience before graduating, enabling you to develop the essential technical and professional skills, so you thrive in your future career.

Admission to this program requires one of the following:

• 4-year non-accredited (under the Washington Accord) Bachelor of Engineering degree (or equivalent) in a cognate discipline with a minimum 65% average; or

• 3-year Bachelor of Engineering Science degree in a cognate discipline, at least equivalent to the first three years of an Engineering degree accredited under the Washington Accord with a minimum 75% average.

A pathway for entry into the program for graduates from both 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degrees in non-cognate disciplines, and 3-year Bachelor of Science degrees, exists via enrolment first into the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) program, where advanced standing (to a maximum of 2 years) may be granted.

Indicative First Year Fee

AU $49,235

Petroleum engineers explore, design, develop and produce the oil and gas resources that underpin the energy and materials industries. Our Master of Engineering graduates who specialise in Petroleum Engineering open their opportunities to pursue roles that require the direct application of petroleum engineering knowledge.

While renewable energy sources are growing in popularity, the need for Petroleum Engineers continues, with BP - one of the industry’s largest companies - stating that the need to find and produce oil is still steady. Growth in energy consumption is predicted across the globe and with this comes the need for Petroleum Engineers to find and harness this widely used source of energy.

Our graduates have gained employment with some of the world’s and Australia’s largest companies in the industry, including:

• AGL Energy

• BHP

• Shell

• Saudi Aramco

93% of Petroleum Engineers secure full-time work, which is 30% higher than the national average.

The resources sector is a key part of the Australian economy, accounting for more than 70% of Australia’s good exports.