Master of Engineering Science (Petroleum Engineering) (Open Learning)
Take your career in Engineering further.
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
UNSW Master of Engineering Science (Petroleum Engineering) (Open Learning) is designed to meet the training needs of engineering professionals working in the petroleum industry through a two-year postgraduate program. You’ll cover fundamental industry knowledge required for a career in petroleum engineering through training in:
- Reservoir engineering
- Reservoir characterisation, drilling and production engineering
- Economic evaluation
- Risk analysis
- Business principles and management
The open learning component offers high-level training for those already working in the oil and gas industry who want a postgraduate qualification to advance their career opportunities and ensure their industry knowledge is up to the minute. Through the delivery of full-time or part-time online learning, distance education is possible for professionals where traditional face-to-face programs don’t meet the needs of their working hours and location.
Throughout the program, you’ll be part of a learning community where you can interact with your teachers and fellow students. You’ll be provided with all study guides and software required to ensure your distance study is both effective and stimulating. Courses are supported by state-of-the-art commercial software in:
- Reservoir simulation
- Well test analysis
- Reservoir characterisation
- Drilling and well design
- Economics and risk analysis
- Human resource management
- Environmental management
- Petrophysics
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake an extensive research project in a specific area of interest to you. Through this project you’ll learn valuable skills in project planning and management and the critical analysis, interpretation and communication of results.
For admission into this program, you’re required to demonstrate at least two years of work experience in the Upstream Petroleum Industry such as the exploration, reservoir engineering, drilling or production of oil or gas. Applicants must also have a recognised four-year Bachelor degree in a relevant discipline of engineering.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
When you study a Master of Engineering Science specialising in Petroleum Engineering at UNSW you’ll be taught by the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering. Ranked 4th in the world by the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject, we’re a leading provider of education and research in mining engineering and recognised internationally as one of the top places to study.
We have close ties to industry with partners such as Shell, BHP and Rio Tinto. Working closely with industry, we develop innovative solutions and research outcomes for the sector and bring a real-world focus to our education and degrees. With state-of-the-art facilities, world-class researchers and some of the brightest engineering students from across the world, we’re a great place to study Petroleum Engineering.
Studying with us you'll have access to world-class facilities and opportunities in resource engineering, including:
- UNSW's floor-to-ceiling 360-degree virtual reality simulator, offering realistic underground mine scenarios for training in potential hazards, evacuation procedures and feasibility studies · UNSW technological innovations such as the Tyree X-Ray CT imaging facility and ViMINE mine planning tool
- More postgraduate specialisations and engineering opportunities than any other Australian university. Allowing you to develop career paths in multiple industries
- Close links and networking opportunities with key industrial, commercial and professional organisations
Program Code
8338
CRICOS Code
084282A
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
96
Indicative Enrolments
2,383
Want to see more from UNSW Engineering?
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* AND 2 years work experience in the ‘Upstream Petroleum Industry’.
| 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 Geophysicist Geologist Logging 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 |
|
| Geotechnical Engineering |
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*AND 2 years work experience in the ‘Upstream Petroleum Industry’.
| 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 Geophysicist Geologist Logging 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 |
|
| Geotechnical Engineering |
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
Petroleum engineers explore, design, develop and produce the oil and gas resources that underpin the energy and materials industries. Our Master of Engineering Science 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. Source.
The resources sector is a key part of the Australian economy, accounting for more than 70% of Australia’s good exports. Source.
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.
I love that everything in the world is being engineered by somebody.
