Bachelor (Honours)
Petroleum Engineers work with oil or gas companies to design, test and implement efficient methods to extract petroleum products from the earth and sea floor.
Petroleum Engineers work with oil or gas companies to design, test and implement efficient methods to extract petroleum products from the earth and sea floor. They use their knowledge and skills to make estimations about what is going on thousands of metres below the ground. Petroleum Engineers rely on physical, mathematical and engineering principles to identify and solve problems in exploration, exploitation, drilling and production.
They work closely with other professionals, such as geologists, to locate the dig site, design and build the machines that extract as much oil and gas as possible. They also oversee the removal and processing of the petroleum itself. Petroleum engineers address the economic and management problems associated with the recovery of hydrocarbons and alternative sources of energy from below the Earth's surface. Petroleum engineers apply practical science to the challenges and problems associated with oil and gas exploration, drilling and petroleum production. In this career you'll focus on the environment, and how we can meet global energy needs in a long-term, sustainable manner.
In this career you'll apply knowledge of chemistry, physics, geology and economics to the discovery, development and production of energy and material resources below the Earth's surface. This knowledge can also be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and geothermal resources engineering.
The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree is globally recognised and accredited by Engineers Australia and acknowledged by the Washington Accord. Part of the degree involves applying your skills through 60 days of approved industrial training in Australia or overseas. UNSW Engineering also hosts many industry nights and networking events to help connect students with employers.
This degree is more than just standard study of Petroleum Engineering and the associated knowledge required. Throughout close ties to industry, we understand graduates of today need a range of knowledge within a range of engineering disciplines to meet the demands on today's engineers.
We offer over 27 electives for students to study across including:
This degree includes 60 days Industrial Training which provides a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience. WIL allows you to engage in work learning experiences that integrate academic learning with its application in the workplace, connecting you directly with industry and community partners
When you study a Bachelor of Engineering in Petroleum at UNSW you'll be taught by the School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, a leading provider of world-class education and research in mining engineering. We're ranked 2nd in Australia and 9th in the world for Petroleum Engineering by QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024.
We've got close ties to industry with industry partners such as Shell, BHP and Rio Tinto. We provide innovative solutions and research outcomes to 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.
When you study Petroleum Engineering at UNSW you'll benefit from:
Our world-class facilities within the school give our students and researchers the ability to innovate continuously. This includes the Tyree X-ray, mine water and mineral processing laboratories, in-situ site waste monitoring and sensor system.
UNSW Petroleum Engineering students have access to leading technology such as our Virtual Reality Simulator. Developed for student use and industry training, it has floor-to-ceiling screens and casts 360 degree, 3D images with cinematic clarity. You'll experience realistic underground mines and scenarios that go beyond traditional education into experiential learning.
You'll gain real-world insights by using these facilities that will prepare for working in environments outside the classroom that may involve high-risk situations and hands-on implementation.
* QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Mathematics Extension 1, Physics
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
The Faculty of Engineering Admission Scheme (FEAS) is a possible alternative admission pathway for the admission of domestic undergraduate students to UNSW Faculty of Engineering degree programs, including the BSc Computer Science and the BSc Food Science (Hons), who do not meet the published Guaranteed Entry selection rank. Visit the FEAS page
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:
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.
| Qualifications | Direct entry requirement |
|---|---|
|
International ATAR
|
85
|
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
7.5
|
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
11
All applicants must present a minimum of two Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry Scores are calculated from the best two, three, or four A2 Level subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 and E=1. |
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
|
31
Results based on scores required for entry into UNSW in 2019 and are only applicable if the Diploma has been completed. Students currently attempting the IB can apply directly to UNSW or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). For more details, visit www.uac.edu.au |
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
|
1210
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) based on the total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores. Must be provided in conjunction with evidence of successful completion of senior secondary studies. |
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
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.
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:
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.
A degree from UNSW Engineering is highly regarded by employers and opens doors to local and global career opportunities.
While Renewable Energy sources are growing in popularity, the need for Petroleum Engineers is not dwindling 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.
There are different types of Petroleum Engineers within the sector including:
Engineers Australia, Institution of Chemical Engineers, Australian Computer Society, Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of Engineers Australia. Further information may be found on engineersaustralia.org.au The Surveying major is recognised by the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information of New South Wales for registration as a surveyor in NSW.