WA School of Mines — Curtin University (Kalgoorlie)
Engineering & Geology Degrees
Overview
The Western Australian School of Mines (WASM), operating as part of Curtin University, has been training mining engineers, metallurgists and geologists in Kalgoorlie since 1902 — making it one of the three oldest continuously operating mining schools in the world alongside the Colorado School of Mines and Camborne School of Mines in the UK. That heritage is not decorative. WASM sits inside the working Goldfields, giving undergraduate students access to operating mines, live processing plants, and industry mentors that no metropolitan university can match. Field trips are to real sites, not simulations. Graduate employability in the sector is consistently among the highest of any Australian degree program: Rio Tinto, BHP, Fortescue, Newmont, Northern Star, Evolution, IGO and Gold Fields all run structured recruitment cycles that begin on the Kalgoorlie campus before opening to other universities.
Courses & offerings
Undergraduate offerings include the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mining Engineering (four years), Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Metallurgical Engineering (four years), Bachelor of Science in Geology (three years plus optional Honours year), and Bachelor of Science in Applied Geology (three years). Combined degrees are available for students wanting to add commerce, finance or geophysics. Postgraduate options include Master of Engineering (Mining), Master of Geoscience, Master of Mineral and Energy Economics, and PhD programs supervised by working industry researchers. All engineering programs are accredited by Engineers Australia and internationally recognised under the Washington Accord.
Career outcomes & earnings
Graduate starting salaries for mining engineers, metallurgists and geologists from WASM sit at the top of the university-graduate ladder in Australia. Tier 1 miner graduate programs (Rio Tinto Graduate Programme, BHP Graduate Programme, Fortescue Graduate Programme) typically start graduates on $95,000 to $115,000 base plus site allowances, camp accommodation and flights, taking a first-year FIFO package to $130,000–$160,000. Progression to superintendent-level roles typically happens within five to seven years, with total packages in the $220,000–$320,000 range. Mining Engineers holding a Statutory First-Class Underground or Open-Cut Manager's Ticket after several years' experience are among the highest-paid professionals in the country.
Insider tips
Apply to Tier 1 graduate programs during the second half of your penultimate year of study — most programs close applications in March/April. Complete at least one vacation program (usually 8–12 weeks between third and fourth year) with the company you'd most like to work for; vacation students are heavily prioritised in the graduate intake. Consider living in Kalgoorlie for the full duration of the degree — the local network of alumni and current site workers is the strongest single advantage the campus offers.