Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Mineral Exploration Geoscience

Overview

This 12-month, part-time, predominantly online course provides an introduction to the concepts and techniques used by geologists and others in exploring for and evaluating mineral and energy deposits. It assumes no prior geological knowledge, and is well suited for those who are already employed by or interact with the resources sector in finance, investment, administration or non-geological technical roles, and wish to gain a better understanding of the geoscience behind mineral and energy exploration projects.

What you'll learn

• Describe and classify minerals, rocks and Earth resources, and explain their formation using geoscientific concepts
• Solve geoscience problems through creative thinking and data analysis, allowing for the uncertainty of geoscience information
• Collate, synthesise, and visualise geoscientifc data, and communicate this information to industry and community stakeholders
• Recognise the finite nature of Earth resources, and the social and environmental impacts of resource extraction and geohazards
• Recognise different perspectives on ownership and extraction of Earth resources, including those of First Peoples
• Collaborate with professionals across the minerals and energy value chain, and prioritise safety in all situations

Admission criteria

• English requirements:
  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
    • Writing: 6.0
    • Speaking: 6.0
    • Reading: 6.0
    • Listening: 6.0
    • Overall band score: 6.5
• Other requirements and notes for this course:
  • Applicants require a recognised Bachelor Degree in any discipline.
  • Alternatively, applicants with more than three years' demonstrable experience working in a geoscience field may be considered for entry into the Graduate Certificate.

Fees and scholarships

• Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees:
  • 2025 Fee year: $4,700* (Commonwealth supported)
  • 2025 Fee year: $15,824* (Domestic)
• Fees are indicative only and subject to passage of legislation.

Location

• Curtin Kalgoorlie
• The course is available online, however the unit Field Geology and Maps is comprised of a 5 day face-to-face classroom and field delivery in Kalgoorlie as well as online activities.

How to apply

• Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice
• Curtin Kalgoorlie
• Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Course structure

• The course is of one year duration part time study.
• A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
• The course is nested in the Graduate Diploma Mineral Exploration Geoscience, and students may use their Graduate Certificate as a stepping stone to the next award.

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

• Use your experience to get credit towards your degree
• Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Duration

• This course is of one year duration part time study.
• The course is available online, however the unit Field Geology and Maps is comprised of a 5 day face-to-face classroom and field delivery in Kalgoorlie as well as online activities.

Qualification

• Graduate Certificate in Mineral Exploration Geoscience

Credit

• A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
• The course is nested in the Graduate Diploma Mineral Exploration Geoscience, and students may use their Graduate Certificate as a stepping stone to the next award.