| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-03-01 | - |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Master of Hydrogeology
About the Course
The Master of Hydrogeology is suitable for both freshly graduated undergraduate students and professionals already in industry looking to improve their skills/qualifications. Groundwater is vital to the sustainability of society, especially in Australia. Hydrogeology deals with the distribution and flow of groundwater beneath Earth's surface and the interaction of groundwater with the atmosphere, biosphere and Earth's crust via chemical, physical and biological processes in groundwater systems. This course will develop your understanding of these complex and dynamic processes and the impacts of human activity and environmental change on groundwater systems. Topics such as groundwater flow systems, aquifer characterisation, contamination and remediation, numerical modelling and groundwater management are covered in the course and there is an opportunity to undertake a research project.
Career Pathways
Career opportunities for Hydrogeology graduates can be found with:
- Resources Industry - minerals, hydrocarbons, construction
- Environmental Companies
- Government Agencies
- Research and Educational Institutions
Studying Energy Geoscience can lead to active research post-study in:
- Arid Zone Hydrology
- Geothermal Hydrology
- Groundwater Dependence of Ecosystems
- Hydrogeological Impacts of Waste Water
- Reactive Transport Modelling
- Water Interaction - surface and groundwater
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic Student Fees
For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.
International Student Fees
Annual course fee: $50,700.00 (2025)
Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
- (a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
- (b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
- (c) successfully completed prior tertiary study in geology, environmental engineering, environmental science (including units in hydrology or equivalent), or hydrogeology or in a related cognate discipline as recognised by UWA.
English Competency
English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.
Course Structure
Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.
Conversion
- ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems Applications (6)
- GEOS4403 Introduction to Basin Analysis (6)
- SCIE4401 Data Use in Science (6)
- SCIE4403 Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science (6)
Core
- GEOS4401 Hydrogeological Systems (6)
- GEOS4499 Water in a Changing Climate (6)
- GEOS5501 Groundwater Flow Modelling (6)
- GEOS5504 Mining Hydrogeology (6)
- GEOS5511 Groundwater Hydrochemistry (6)
Option
- For students in course by coursework only, take one unit to the value of 6 points from this group:
- GEOS5023 Hydrogeology Field Excursion (6)
- GEOS5502 Hydrogeology Industry Placement (6)
- For students in course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units (24 points):
- GEOS5015 Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 1 (6)
- GEOS5016 Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 2 (6)
- GEOS5017 Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 3 (6)
- GEOS5018 Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 4 (6)
5 Reasons to Study Hydrogeology
- Hydrogeology allows us to understand how the natural world works. Groundwater is a vital resource in Australia, particularly Western Australia, as well as many other parts of the world. Hydrogeology and groundwater resources are key factors in the sustainability of both our society and the environment.
- Studying hydrogeology trains us to think logically, critically and quantitatively. We learn to evaluate statements made in the scientific literature, as well as in non-science areas, based on evidence, not anecdotes. These skills are highly desired by employers in all employment sectors.
- Diverse career opportunities, not necessarily associated with the boom and bust cycle of the resources industry, also the opportunity to get some industry experience if you take the industry placement unit.
- You can get your master’s in one and a half years if you have the right background, otherwise it’s only two years.
- Studying hydrogeology is exciting, and becomes even more so when opportunities exist for novel and innovative research. As part of this course you can do a project that is considered sufficient preparation for entry into a PhD. There is nothing as thrilling as seeing your work extending our knowledge of the bigger hydrogeological picture.
