Master of Engineering Science (Geothermal Engineering)
#1 in Australia for Engineering and Technology*
Domestic
International
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this program
Check the Fees & Scholarships tab for details
Expand your knowledge in your area of expertise or broaden your knowledge in another area of Engineering to grow professionally.
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Award
Master of Engineering Science
Commencing Terms
Term 1, Term 2, Term 3
Duration (Full Time)
1 - 2 Year(s)
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The UNSW Master of Engineering (Geothermal Engineering) degree is designed to teach skills that will help you develop new and innovative energy technology solutions. You’ll study problems covering the technical aspects of earth exploration and development.
Sustainable forms of energy are becoming a priority in the modern world, given the increased demand for energy globally. Geothermal energy is one of the sustainable forms energy where the heat energy generated and stored in the earth are applied. The exploitation of these resources has a large overlap with petroleum engineering methods including reservoir characterisation and drilling methods.
The two-year geothermal engineering specialisation within the Master of Engineering provides extra research for the familiarity of students with these resources at an advanced level. It aims to help existing leaders in energy disciplines to solve problems related to earth exploration, as well as project economics and consider the environmental and social context of the industry.
The degree, sitting within the UNSW School of Minerals & Energy Resources Engineering, includes a range of courses with a research or enquiry-based learning component. These enquiry-based components involve students solving an open-ended problem. This is established through the integration of taught material with their own investigation into the problem and developing their own solutions.
By studying at UNSW you’ll be able to take advantage of our strong links with industry in the energy field, including partners such as:
- BHP
- Chevron
- Glencore
- Exxon Mobil
- Baker Hughes
Why study this degree at UNSW?
The UNSW School of Minerals & Energy Resources Engineering has been a provider of innovative world class engineering education and research in both petroleum and mining for more than 70 years. Our mission is to support future cleaner energy, such as geothermal energy, and sustainable supply of mineral resources.
The school leads not only in Australia but also the world, placing 4th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2023. By joining us, you’ll have access to world-class facilities to help you develop innovative solutions to technical problems concerning geothermal energy.
These include a virtual reality simulator with floor-to-ceiling screens that casts a 360-degree, 3D image with cinematic clarity. It allows for exploration of the earth beyond the boundaries of traditional education into experimental learning.
The Tyree Micro-CT facility offers bespoke X-ray and neutron beam transparent flow and deformation cells with 4D-material characterisation down to the molecular level. Various materials such as rocks, cement, sand, composite, coal, steel, coral, battery and biological samples (insect, animal tissues and bones) can be imaged.
In addition, the Multiphysics Geomechanics Laboratory provides advanced experimental geomechanical setup investigation into fluid flow through porous media in next generation high temperature triaxial flow cell. It allows seamless integration to the Micro-CT imaging and is equipped with the infrared and optical cameras to investigate multiphysics processes.
Program Code
8338
CRICOS Code
084282A
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
96
Indicative Enrolments
2,383
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Entry requirements
Admission to the standard 2-year program requires one of the following:
- 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree from Australia or accredited under the Washington Accord in any discipline with a minimum 65% average*.
- Australian master’s degree in Engineering in any discipline or equivalent, with a minimum 65% average*.
- 4-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree or equivalent, with completion of TWO maths and TWO physics courses from the list below with a minimum 65% average*.
| Relevant Physics Courses |
Physics Statics Dynamics Engineering Mechanics (sometimes just called Mechanics) Fluid Mechanics Thermal physics Mechanics of Solids |
To confirm if your degree is accredited under the Washington Accord, please use the Qualification Checker on the Washington Accord homepage.
Recognition of Prior Learning (Credit Transfer)
UNSW recognises that many students have professional experience or relevant previous studies. If you have worked in a relevant industry or have relevant previous study experience, you may be eligible for credit points that would enable you to complete your Master of Engineering Science in as little as one year, or another accelerated option listed below dependent on your previous study and experience.
1 Year Program:
- If you have a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree from Australia or accredited under the Washington Accord in one of the cognate disciplines below with a minimum 65% average*
OR
- a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree not accredited under the Washington Accord in one of the cognate disciplines below with a minimum 65% average*, including a final year capstone design or research project, a project management course, AND 3 years of work experience in a relevant professional engineering role, you will be given 48 Units of Credit.
| Cognate Discipline | Examples of Relevant Work Experience |
| Petroleum Engineering | Drilling Engineer or Driller Subsea Engineer Completions Engineer Field Services Engineer Workover Engineer or Cementing Engineer Reservoir Engineer Petro-physicist or Geophysicist Geologist Logging Engineer Geothermal Engineer |
1.7 Year Program: If you have a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree not accredited under the Washington Accord in one of the cognate disciplines with a minimum 65% average*, a final year capstone design or research project, AND a project management course, you will be given 24 Units of Credit.
| Cognate Discipline |
| Chemical Engineering |
*Please note that Chinese degrees from non-211 universities will require a minimum 70% average.
Admission pathways
Our Engineering Postgraduate Admissions Scheme (EPAS) is an alternative pathway for students considering postgraduate study. It applies to students who don’t quite make the cut-off weighted average mark, across all UNSW Engineering schools.
English language requirements
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, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Admission to the standard 2-year program requires one of the following:
- 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree from Australia or accredited under the Washington Accord in any discipline with a minimum 65% average*.
- Australian master’s degree in Engineering in any discipline or equivalent, with a minimum 65% average*.
- 4-year Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree or equivalent, with completion of TWO maths and TWO physics courses from the list below with a minimum 65% average*.
| Relevant Physics Courses |
Physics Statics Dynamics Engineering Mechanics (sometimes just called Mechanics) Fluid Mechanics Thermal physics Mechanics of Solids |
To confirm if your degree is accredited under the Washington Accord, please use the Qualification Checker on the Washington Accord homepage.
Recognition of Prior Learning (Credit Transfer)
UNSW recognises that many students have professional experience or relevant previous studies. If you have worked in a relevant industry or have relevant previous study experience, you may be eligible for credit points that would enable you to complete your Master of Engineering Science in as little as one year, or another accelerated option listed below dependent on your previous study and experience.
1 Year Program:
- If you have a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree from Australia or accredited under the Washington Accord in one of the cognate disciplines below with a minimum 65% average*
OR
- a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree not accredited under the Washington Accord in one of the cognate disciplines below with a minimum 65% average*, including a final year capstone design or research project, a project management course, AND 3 years of work experience in a relevant professional engineering role, you will be given 48 Units of Credit.
| Cognate Discipline | Examples of Relevant Work Experience |
| Petroleum Engineering | Drilling Engineer or Driller Subsea Engineer Completions Engineer Field Services Engineer Workover Engineer or Cementing Engineer Reservoir Engineer Petro-physicist or Geophysicist Geologist Logging Engineer Geothermal Engineer |
1.7 Year Program: If you have a 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree not accredited under the Washington Accord in one of the cognate disciplines with a minimum 65% average*, a final year capstone design or research project, AND a project management course, you will be given 24 Units of Credit.
| Cognate Discipline |
| Chemical Engineering |
*Please note that Chinese degrees from non-211 universities will require a minimum 70% average.
Admission pathways
Our Engineering Postgraduate Admissions Scheme (EPAS) is an alternative pathway for students considering postgraduate study. It applies to students who don’t quite make the cut-off weighted average mark, across all UNSW Engineering schools.
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
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, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs 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
Program structure
When you choose to study a Master of Engineering Science, you’ll choose from one of 26 specialisations which will help you make your next career move.
Within these specialisations your study will include:
- Enquiry-based courses
- Disciplinary courses
- Engineering and Technical Management Courses.
You’ll be able to tailor your degree to your interests by combining courses in your chosen specialisation with elective courses.
You’ll also have the chance to work on a complex, open-ended enquiry-based research project.
Full 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.
Depending on your specialisation and your previous studies/professional experience you may study:
- At least 4 Disciplinary Courses
- At least 4 Advanced Disciplinary Courses
- At least 1 Engineering and Technical Management Course
- At least 3 enquiry-based courses (which includes a research project)
- At least 4 elective courses (across Disciplinary, Advanced Disciplinary and Engineering and Technical Management courses)
Through the Disciplinary and Advanced Disciplinary Knowledge courses you’ll learn the technical knowledge and skills you need for your chosen specialisation. You’ll also update your knowledge in cutting-edge developments in your area of interest.
Engineering and Technical Management courses help you build skills in communicating and justifying professional decisions, employing ethical approaches to practice, and developing the abilities required for roles more focused on project and or staff management, leadership and strategy.
You’ll complete a research project in this degree within the enquiry-based courses. In this you can choose to develop your Postgraduate Research skills to assist with the research project component of the degree or as your first step towards a Higher Degree Research (PhD) program. Or you can complete a “Launching a Startup” course where you will be equipped with the skills necessary to successfully commercialise your ideas.
Future careers
The geothermal energy industry offers a wide range of career opportunities. Locating, assessing, and accessing the reservoirs is the job of those with skills in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, hydrology and reservoir engineering.
Direct-use geothermal technologies and geothermal powerplants create jobs for:
- Heating engineers
- Green building industry engineers
- Agricultural industry engineers
- Electrical and mechanical engineers
- Electrical technicians
- Electrical machinists
- Mechanics
In addition, the research and development sector of the geothermal industry must have highly qualified mechanical engineers, electronic engineers, geologists, chemists, and materials scientists.
UNSW Engineering graduates are some of the most sought-after professional engineers in Australia and abroad thanks to the reputation of our research and teaching.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. 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. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online 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 commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative CSP First Year Fee
$8,010*
2023 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree
$16,285*
All places within this degree are Commonwealth supported. This means that if you receive an offer from UNSW Sydney as a domestic student, you will have a substantial proportion of your fees subsidised by the Australian government. Start your application today with our guide on how to apply.
2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$36,480*
2023 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$73,205*
Full Fees are the cost of the degree for students who do not receive a CSP place.
*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 the UNSW fees website
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 below.
2023 Indicative First Year Fee
$47,700*
2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$96,845*
*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 the UNSW fees website.
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, visit UNSW International.
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.
Featured scholarship
The UNSW Women in Engineering Research Scholarship was established to assist women of high academic achievement with an interest in a research and/or an academic career in engineering. UNSW Engineering offers two Women in Engineering Top-up Scholarships every semester.
Apply here and search for ‘Engineering’ in the keywords.
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Top 20WorldwideQS World University Rankings, 2024.
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MostEmployable GraduatesAFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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LeadingInnovation#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
I love that everything in the world is being engineered by somebody.
