Handbook

Entry to a Graduate Certificate will be considered on an individual basis for those with relevant mining industry experience (Entry 1) or for those re-training from other technical disciplines (Entry 2). 

Entry 1 - Relevant mining industry experience with vocational training. A minimum of 4 years of full-time relevant professional and/or responsibility in the mining industry. Entry is considered for each individual based on portfolio# supporting the application. An entry interview may be required.

Entry 2 - A degree in other technical disciplines from a recognised institution. The UNSW School of Mining Engineering defines other technical disciplines as Surveying, Accounting, Business, Economics, Information Technology/Systems, Biology and Pharmacy for example. A minimum of 1 year relevant industry experience is essential for applicants with a 3 year degree and is highly regarded for applicants with a 4 year degree. Entry is considered for each individual based on portfolio supporting the application, including details of relevant industry experience. Relevant industry experience is defined by the UNSW School of Mining Engineering as professional and/or industry responsibility in mining or mining associated services. An entry interview may be required.

The Graduate Certificate can be an entry point for obtaining foundational qualifications in Mining Engineering, and for articulating to a Graduate Diploma and a Masters degree, with satisfactory academic performance.

Recognised prior learning (RPL) may be available towards the program award for some courses within the program. A maximum of 6 UOC of RPL will be considered for applicants with a recognised degree in another technical discipline on application to the Program Authority. Approval will be considered according to the UNSW RPL Procedure with criteria including: equivalent course duration at a recognised institution, equivalent course content and assessment.

• Portfolio
• Interview

A portfolio is to be provided to support the application for postgraduate coursework study, including the following:

1. A cover letter explaining your motivation to work in the mining industry and proposed study program at UNSW. The letter should tell us about your interests and achievements and be no more than 400 words.
2. A CV that provides information on industry responsibility including employer, dates employed in each position and a description of the position roles (no more than 50 words for each position).
3. Information that demonstrates aptitude for learning and relevant experience including evidence and details of employer sponsored training and Vocational Education and Training (VET). This may include brief summaries (no more than 2,000 words total) of selected projects outlining your leadership and/or substantial contribution. Projects may include one or more of the following examples: mine safety responsibility, mine planning and production responsibility, technical or financial evaluations and reports (eg. risk management, strata control or slope stability or environmental assessments). 
4. Contact details of two referees, including at least one past or current employer. A letter from an employer verifying the role performed would be highly regarded to support the consideration of relevant industry experience.
5. Certificates of relevant training including VET.

The portfolio is to be provided in electronic format directly to the UNSW School of Mining Engineering (postgrad.mining@unsw.edu.au) at the same time that your application for postgraduate coursework study is submitted to UNSW Apply Online. No hardcopy portfolios will be accepted. An entry interview may be required.

Students may be eligible to articulate to a Graduate Diploma Mining Engineering and then to a Masters in Mining Engineering depending upon satisfactory academic progress. This usually requires maintaining at least a credit average in each course attempted.

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression