Mining Engineering MSc/PgDip

Program Overview

MSc/PgDip Mining Engineering

Overview

The MSc/PgDip Mining Engineering program is designed for engineers and geologists already in employment and looking for skills and knowledge enhancement, or geology and engineering graduates keen to specialize in mining, general management, and excavation (geotechnics and tunnelling). The program is taught by the internationally established Camborne School of Mines (CSM), a combined mining school and geoscience department.

Entry Requirements

• All applicants are considered individually on merit, although we usually require a 2:2 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant mining, geological, engineering, or science discipline.
• Relevant disciplines may include: Geology, Geography, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Mining, Material Science, etc.), Renewable Energy, Earth Science, Geotechnics, Planetary Science, Mathematics.
• International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.

Course Content

• You will study 180 credits to obtain an MSc and 120 credits for a PgDip.
• You can either study the course full-time over a year or part-time over 3 years.
• The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling, and student demand.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

• CSMM118: Project and Dissertation (60 credits)
• CSMM130: Excavation and Geomechanics (15 credits)
• CSMM131: Health and Safety in the Extractive Industry (15 credits)
• CSMM135: Economics, Processing & Environment (15 credits)
• CSMM140: Surface Excavation Design (15 credits)
• CSMM153: Mine Planning and Design (15 credits)
• CSMM187: Underground Excavation Design (15 credits)
• CSMM188: Working Environment and Ventilation (15 credits)
• CSMM418: Mine Automation (15 credits)
• CSM3904: CSM Professionalism Year 3 (0 credits)

Fees

2025/26 Entry

• UK fees per year:
  • MSc: £14,300 full-time, £7,150 part-time (where available)
  • PgDip: £9,540 (where available)
• International fees per year:
  • MSc: £28,600 full-time, £14,300 part-time (where available)
  • PgDip: £19,070 full-time (where available)

Scholarships

• The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.
• University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship: We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (e.g., MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (e.g., MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26.

Teaching and Research

• The taught part of the programme is structured into two semesters.
• Field visits and practical field-based assignments are used, where appropriate, to emphasize key areas within each module.
• For the award of the MSc, students must pass four modules and complete an individual project or dissertation. To obtain a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), students must pass two modules and a dissertation.
• The project is undertaken during June to September, after the second semester examinations. Completed dissertations must be submitted by mid-September.
• Students are encouraged to undertake projects directly linked with industry, which may result in industrial placements for their project period.

Careers

• A unique benefit studying at Camborne School of Mines is the community and relations you will gain both during, and after your studies.
• Camborne School of Mines has a world-class reputation and excellent alumni network, allowing our graduates to prosper in their respective fields in all corners of the globe.
• Graduate skills and destinations: In addition, a degree from Camborne School of Mines will teach the necessary technical skills and theoretical knowledge required, as well as additional complementary skills relating to communications, teamwork, and problem-solving.
• The Career Zone (CAS) at our Cornwall Campus provides high-quality careers information and guidance to students of all disciplines. Our experienced careers team can give you individual support whilst you are at the University and after you have graduated.

Accreditations

• This degree has been accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree.
• Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Accreditation is awarded for a maximum of 5 years under each assessment exercise. The dates applicable to the current accreditation of this degree programme can be viewed on the Engineering Council list of accredited degrees.