The Open Learning stream is designed to meet the training needs of the petroleum industry in reservoir engineering, reservoir characterisation, drilling and production engineering, economic evaluation and risk analysis.

The stream covers the fundamentals and application of reservoir engineering, petroleum technology, business principles and business management. They are specifically designed for personnel already working in the upstream petroleum industry who wish to acquire tertiary qualifications to enhance their knowledge and to further their career opportunities.

The program articulates to the Masters of Engineering Science program with full credit for courses completed in the Graduate Diploma program. Students may exit from this proposed program with a Graduate Diploma award if they have completed the required course requirements. Alternatively they may elect to go on to complete the full Master's program. A credit average (65%) is generally required to articulate to the next level in the sequence.

Entry Requirements

Entry 1 -
Students need a recognised four year Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline of engineering with a minimum 65% average. (NOTE: The minimum average required for entry is as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Entry Score Calculator. Students from a non-211 university in China need a minimum 70% average.

Entry 2 -
A 3- or 4-year Bachelor of Engineering or Science combined with at least one year of full-time relevant professional and/or responsibility in the upstream petroleum industry is required. Students through this entry pathway are required to demonstrate work experience in the Upstream Petroleum Industry (i.e. the exploration, reservoir engineering, drilling and production of oil &/or gas). An entry interview may be required.

A portfolio is to be provided to support the application for Entry 2 pathway for postgraduate coursework study, including the following:

A cover letter explaining your motivation to work in the petroleum industry and proposed study program at UNSW. The letter should tell us about your interests and achievements and be no more than 400 words.
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).
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.
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.
Certificates of relevant training including VET.

The portfolio is to be provided in electronic format as part of the application process.