Graduate Diploma in Mine Geotechnical Engineering
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1
- Duration
- 1 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- Program code 5059
- CRICOS code -
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $41,000*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $41,000*
-
2024 Indicative first year full fee
- $54,000*
-
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $54,000*
Fees
Fees
-
Hands-on learning
-
Flexible delivery
-
In-demand skills
International application pause for 2025 intakes
Applications for international students to study at UNSW in 2025 are currently paused. Please submit your expression of interest to join our application waitlist so we can contact you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
If you're a professional in the underground hard rock or coal mining industry, this graduate diploma will develop your skills and knowledge required to progress your career. Whether this an area you'd like to move into or you're already working in, the Graduate Diploma in Mine Geotechnical Engineering will equip you with industry relevant, in-demand knowledge and skills in strata control.Ìý
A majority of the courses will be offered as modules over a short block period to offer flexibility for employees of mining companies and associated service providers. You'll be able to study this graduate diploma on a part-time basis.
You'll choose from 3 specialisations available to students:
Note: Some electives may be offered only every two years and international students are not eligible to enrol on a student visa.
Who should choose this degree?
This degree teaches you practical knowledge to become a mine strata control engineer. Its designed for professionals within the mining industry intending to specialise in this field.
Entry requirements
Access to mine site information is essential to complete the requirements of these programs. Access to information from an underground metal mine is essential for completion of the Underground Ground Control specialisation.
Entry pathways
The possible entry paths are as follows:
(1) Entry requires a degree in Mining Engineering or Civil Engineering or Geosciences disciplines (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution. A minimum 65% average is required over the final two years of the degree. Significant industry experience in underground mining is strongly recommended.
OR
(2) Those with limited tertiary qualifications, require at least two years of relevant responsible industry experience or permission from the Head of School or Director of Postgraduate Studies (Coursework). An entry portfolio is required with the below:
- A cover letter explaining motivations for mining
- Details on mathematics courses completed in high school and university
- Contact details of two referees in CV
- Evidence of any relevant training, eg. Mine certificates, VET training certificates, other non related degree transcripts
All applicants should submit a detailed CV with their application. This program does not allow international students to enrol on a student visa.
NOTE: If students lose or change jobs and no longer have mine site access, the School will work with the students affected to arrange ongoing access to a mine site, or mine site data, so as to enable the opportunity for successful completion of the courses and related assessment tasks. This may include ongoing access agreed with their past employer, or access to an alternate site or site database being arranged. As such, there is no requirement for the students to have to change streams or programs on this account.Ìý
English language requirements
Ìý
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Access to mine site information is essential to complete the requirements of these programs. Access to information from an underground metal mine is essential for completion of the Underground Ground Control specialisation.
Entry pathways
The possible entry paths are as follows:
(1) Entry requires a degree in Mining Engineering or Civil Engineering or Geosciences disciplines (3 or 4 years) from a recognised institution. A minimum 65% average is required over the final two years of the degree. Significant industry experience in underground mining is strongly recommended.
OR
(2) Those with limited tertiary qualifications, require at least two years of relevant responsible industry experience or permission from the Head of School or Director of Postgraduate Studies (Coursework). An entry portfolio is required with the below:
- A cover letter explaining motivations for mining
- Details on mathematics courses completed in high school and university
- Contact details of two referees in CV
- Evidence of any relevant training, eg. Mine certificates, VET training certificates, other non related degree transcripts
NOTE: All applicants should submit a detailed CV with their application. This program does not allow international students to enrol on a student visa.
NOTE: If students lose or change jobs and no longer have mine site access, the School will work with the students affected to arrange ongoing access to a mine site, or mine site data, so as to enable the opportunity for successful completion of the courses and related assessment tasks. This may include ongoing access agreed with their past employer, or access to an alternate site or site database being arranged. As such, there is no requirement for the students to have to change streams or programs on this account.Ìý
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Full program structure
You'll complete 8 core courses from a stream that includes foundational discipline courses, additional disciplinary courses and at least one advanced disciplinary course.
Students must complete at least one of the specialisations below:
Core courses include:
- Mine Slope Stability
- Mine Slope Monitoring Technologies
- Fundamentals of Rock Behaviour for Underground Mining
- Geotechnical Assesment for Underground Mining
- Mining Excavations in Rock
- Sustainable Tailings Management
- Mining Geomechanics
- Mine Geology and Geophysics for Mining Operations
- Coal Mining Methods, Mine Planning and Applied Geomechanics
- Geotechnical Data Collection and Analysis
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through ourÌýÌýportal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date.Ìý.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted viaÌýour  service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencementÌýdate. ForÌýmore information visitÌýour .
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the .
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at theÌý.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visitÌý.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
