Program Overview

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Metallurgical Engineering Major (BEng Hons)

Overview

Metallurgical engineers have a key role in converting raw metals and minerals into more useable formats, such as converting iron ore and coal into steel. They extract, refine and recycle resources used in everyday life – including energy production, food production, housing and transportation.

This course will teach you how to design, develop, optimise and manage the operation of metallurgical processing plants. You’ll learn how to transform low-value raw materials into high-value mineral and metal products, in an efficient and environmentally responsible way.

You’ll gain a thorough grounding in chemical and physical engineering; economic, environmental and sustainability principles; and the extraction of metals from ores.

Following your Engineering Foundation Year, you can choose to complete your second year at either Curtin Perth or Curtin Kalgoorlie. You'll complete your third and fourth years at Curtin Kalgoorlie, where our specialist laboratories and industry connections will enrich your learning experience.

This course gives you the flexibility to study specialisations, to either deepen your knowledge in metallurgical engineering or broaden your expertise in other disciplines.

Double degrees

You can extend expertise and your career opportunities by studying Metallurgical Engineering as a double degree with Commerce (majoring in Management, Accounting, Economics or Finance) or Innovation.

What jobs can the Metallurgical Engineering course lead to?

Careers

• Metallurgical engineer
• Metallurgist
• Hydrometallurgist
• Minerals engineer
• Process control specialist
• Process engineer
• Process mineralogy specialist
• Pyrometallurgy specialist

Industries

• Mining and minerals processing
• Engineering
• Housing
• Equipment design and sales
• Transportation
• Banking and finance
• Food production

Further study

• Graduate Diploma in Metallurgy
• Master of Engineering Management
• Master of Professional Engineering (Metallurgical Engineering)
• Master of Philosophy
• Doctor of Philosophy

What you'll learn

• Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of fundamental science, mathematics, data analytics, information science, and computing underpinning the broad field of engineering, GC1
• Solve complex metallurgical engineering problems of industrial and societal significance through the application of discipline-specific and integrated bodies of knowledge, design and sustainability principles, GC1
• Make decisions related to the design and implementation of solutions to engineering problems in a safe, ethical, and climate-responsible manner adhering to legal and professional standards and through respectful partnerships with local First Peoples and other diverse cultures as globally responsible citizens, GC4, GC5
• Apply systems thinking for innovative solutions to global metallurgical engineering challenges, discern knowledge and undertake applied research in a discipline of metallurgical engineering, GC2
• Select and use current and emerging technologies to develop and communicate effective and innovative engineering solutions to complex problems, GC3
• Demonstrate lifelong learning habits, teamwork and leadership abilities, project management skills, and the ability to identify opportunities for career-wide professional growth, necessary for advancing a career in engineering and beyond, GC6

Professional recognition and accreditation

Curtin's Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised internationally.

Graduates also are eligible for membership of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

• Recently left high school
• Work and life experience
• TAFE or apprenticeship
• Current or previous University experience
• I’m not sure

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

• Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
• Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

• Minimum ATAR 80

This course has a minimum ATAR of 80

• Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

• Mathematics Methods ATAR and at least one of the following courses: Physics ATAR, Chemistry ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR.
• Desirable WACE subjects

Desirable WACE subjects

High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Alternative pathways

• Indigenous applicant

If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

• Writing: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0
• Reading: 6.0
• Listening: 6.0
• Overall band score: 6.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Fees and scholarships

Please view the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce degree for indicative fees.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Apply now

• The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

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• Curtin course code: MJRH-METAL
• Last updated on: 11 May 2025