MSc Mining Engineering
Please note: This page is for 2027 entry. Click here for 2026 entry.
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time Up to 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2026 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Typical offer | 2:2 honours degree |
|---|---|
Why study MSc Mining Engineering at Exeter?
- For engineers and geologists already in employment and looking for skills and knowledge enhancement, or geology and engineering graduates keen to specialise in mining, general management and excavation (geotechnics and tunnelling)
- Taught by the internationally established Camborne School of Mines (CSM), a combined mining school and geoscience department
- Learn specialist analytical, design and management skills that are relevant to the mining industry
- Have the opportunity to undertake projects directly linked with industry, which may result in industrial placements for their project period.
- Benefit from excellent links with the local and international minerals industry, and learn alongside a cohort of students from around the world.
Top 30 in the world for Mineral and Mining Engineering
QS University World Subject Rankings 2026
Leading research facilities include a £3.5 million investment Critical Minerals Equipment Hub for minerals processing and analysis
2nd in the UK for Mineral and Mining Engineering
QS World University Subject Rankings 2026
Top 20 in the world for Earth Sciences
18th in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) or Shanghai Rankings
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. See www.iom3.org for further information.
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. See www.engc.org.uk for further information.
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.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.
The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B1.
Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
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 2 years.
The modules below 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.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
180 credits of compulsory modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory 1 | ||
| Project and Dissertation | 60 | |
| Excavation and Geomechanics | 15 | |
| Health and Safety in the Extractive Industry | 15 | |
| Economics, Processing and Environment | 15 | |
| Surface Excavation Design | 15 | |
| Mine Planning and Design | 15 | |
| Underground Excavation Design | 15 | |
| Working Environment and Ventilation | 15 | |
| Mine Automation | 15 | |
| CSM Professionalism Year 4 and MSc | 0 | |
CSMM118: Project and Dissertation
This module gives you the chance to showcase the skills you have developed in previous modules by carrying out an independent research project.
You will collect, analyse (using previously acquired data and/or data collected as part of the project), interpret and discuss geological, exploration, mining or related environmental data, and come up with conclusions and recommendations.
The project must be of research value within an industrial or academic setting. The dissertation must also show an in-depth understanding of the background to the research topic.
The project will require you to put in at least 10 weeks of individual work, followed by a writing up period to compile a dissertation.
We will provide you with a handbook on planning and executing the research project and writing the dissertation. You must prepare a dissertation for submission by the end of August. You should aim to report in no more than 80 pages (for core text/diagrams from Introduction to Conclusions, i.e. excluding contents page, references etc.) and 20 pages additional appendices.
CSMM130: Excavation and Geomechanics
In order to create an excavation, both surface and underground, it is important to understand the engineering characteristics of the material being excavated. The module provides an insight into excavation processes and how rock mass quality influences excavation methods, equipment selection, product technology and post-excavation stability. The module provides fundamental understanding of rock mechanics and soil mechanics principles related to excavation. The module provides a review of appropriate excavation techniques including selection of appropriate mining methods. The module also provides fundamental geotechnical knowledge that is a pre-requisite for subsequent design-related modules. The module is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.
The module provides an understanding of the mechanics of rock behaviour and its influence on excavation behavior, design and, importantly, stability. The module provides pre-requisite material for all subsequent geotechnical-related modules. It provides basic knowledge for assessment of material properties, evaluation of rock failure criteria and an awareness of their impact on design or use of materials. Where appropriate, case history information is used to emphasize important aspects associated with data variability and its influence on design.
CSMM131: Health and Safety in the Extractive Industry
This module covers the key aspects of health and safety that future managers and engineers will need to know and will find useful in their future lives and careers. The course and material is biased towards the minerals industry and is pragmatic as well as academic in nature.
The aim of this course is to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills necessary to undertake health and safety related activities within an industrial (mining) environment These skills include writing policies, assessing risks and investigating accidents in their chosen occupations. The course will also acquaint you with the key items of health and safety legislation found in industry today.
CSMM135: Economics, Processing and Environment
The module provides the opportunity for graduates from a range of disciplines to study important aspects of the mining cycle. These include mineral economics, processing of mineral ores to produce concentrates or metal and environmental impacts and remediation techniques. When linked to other specific modules, it forms part of the specialist training for the MSc in Mining Engineering, Exploration and Mining Geology, Minerals Processing, Geotechnical Engineering and Mine Environmental Management.
This module aims to provide you with a broad understanding of both the macro-economic and the industry specific economic environment in which mines and projects operate and are evaluated. It introduces you to financial analysis and explores how technical and operational parameters influence the revenue stream and cost structure at mines.
This module has been designed to develop a systematic understanding of the unit processes used in minerals engineering and an appreciation of how these unit processes are combined to produce an overall treatment system for a range of minerals and metals.
This module familiarises the student with the legal and regulatory framework within which companies explore, exploit and manage mineral resources. It highlights the key environmental and societal impacts and issues arising from mineral exploration and exploitation and introduces concepts of Social Licence To Operate and Corporate Social Responsibility.
CSMM140: Surface Excavation Design
Effective design is critical for the stability and creation of a safe working environment for surface excavations. In this module, we will commence with a critical review of input data required for design of surface excavations (building on previous knowledge obtained in ‘Excavation and Geomechanics’ or equivalent). The module will provide you with knowledge relating to both geotechnical design-related aspects and blast-design of surface excavations. Initial identification of potential slope failure modes is followed by instability analyses and identification of appropriate stabilization methods/techniques. The module is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.
In this module, you will gain specialist analysis and design skills associated with civil, geotechnical, environmental and related industries. The module provides you with problem-solving skills and provides simulated industrial experience. Where appropriate, case history information is used to emphasize important aspects associated with data variability and its influence on design.
CSMM153: Mine Planning and Design
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
Effective planning and design of surface or underground mine is crucial to their economic success, and commercially available design software has become a key part in this process.
This module commences with a review of mine planning requirements, input data required for design of surface or underground mining operations including geotechnical and economic parameters. The module will provide you an overview of present mining planning practice and mine method selection. The module will provide you an understanding of mine cut-off grade determination and present industrial mine design techniques and the latest developments in project optimisation. The module will give you knowledge relating to use of mine design software for both surface and underground excavations. We will determine suitable cut-off grades, the economic ultimate open pits limits using optimization algorithms such as industrial standard Lerchs-Grossman, and the layout of underground mine design. The module will then look at the mine scheduling process, the requirements for mine studies and reporting codes.
AIMS - intentions of the module
CSMM187: Underground Excavation Design
Effective design is critical for the stability and creation of a safe working environment for underground excavations. The module commences with a critical review of input data required for design of underground excavations (building on previous knowledge obtained in ‘Excavation and Geomechanics’ or equivalent). The model investigates factors influencing the design of underground excavations, including both discontinuity and stress-controlled instability. The module is not recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.
The module provides specialist analysis and design skills associated with underground mining and related industries. The module provides problem-solving, data-handling and evaluation skills. The module also provides an opportunity for students to develop an awareness of risk assessment applied to underground excavation design.
CSMM188: Working Environment and Ventilation
Module content covers subjective & theoretical elements (ventilation words & concepts, underground hazards & ventilation economics) and mathematical elements (airflow, ventilation thermodynamics & psychometry. This is an essential topic for all mining engineers and is the real life application of engineering science subjects such as fluid mechanics.
The module extends understanding of engineering principles in relation to the environmental conditions that are encountered in the workplace and the application of these principles to the ventilation of underground excavations and surface facilities. Field visits to UK mine sites will also be used to demonstrate ventilation surveys and the role of the ventilation engineer.
CSMM418: Mine Automation
Mine Automation has begun to revolutionise the ways in which we operate a mining project. This module gives you the opportunity to investigate the various levels of mine automation currently utilised within the industry, along with its rationale. Furthermore, it will examine the current research position of those companies and institutions involved in developing mine automation with the ultimate goal of a ‘personless’ mine.
The purpose of this module is to develop the understanding of Mine Automation and realise the importance of its implication in a mining context. It is designed to engage you in the research that is on-going in these areas in a mining, academic and international context.
This module covers Specific Learning Outcomes in Engineering, which apply to accredited programmes at Bachelors/MEng/Masters level. These contribute to the educational requirements for CEng registration (as defined under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence – UK-SPEC).
CSMM904: CSM Professionalism Year 4 and MSc
The aim of this module is to support students as they adapt to MSc study and prepare for industry and industry aligned research careers. This includes building an understanding of professional accreditation and bodies, and further support with successfully applying for graduate jobs. Additionally, it will foster a sense of academic belonging and community within the broader department.
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
MSc:
£14,300 full-time
£7,150 part-time (where available)
PgDip:
£9,540 full-time (where available)
International fees per year:
MSc:
£28,900 full-time
£14,450 part-time (where available)
PgDip:
£19,270 full-time (where available)
Scholarships
The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply.
Funding and scholarships
LME Scholarship
Two scholarships worth £26,500 each are available to students who have had an application accepted to one of the Camborne School of Mines MSc programmes for September 2026 entry. This scholarship programme is funded by a generous donation from London Metal Exchange (LME). As part of the scholarships the successful candidates will have the opportunity to undertake mentoring with LME staff and to work with LME on their dissertation project. Find out more.
The best part about this course is how diverse and practical it is.
The facilities are world-class and you get to learn from the reputable professors who have written most of the text books we learn from and are teaching us things they are currently researching. The support from my lecturers has been great, they have an open-door policy which means we can always pop in and ask them anything we need to.
Freddy
Graduated from MSc Mining Engineering
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 emphasise 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.
Timetabling is designed to allow the completion of most suitable module combinations and the project within one calendar year.
A research and practice-led culture
You will discuss the very latest ideas, research discoveries and new technologies in seminars and in the field and you will become actively involved in a research project yourself. All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics. You will also be taught by leading industry practitioners.
Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability
You will become part of Exeter's Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability - a vibrant and supportive postgraduate community based here on our Penryn campus in Cornwall. The Graduate School brings together experts from across the spectrum of earth and life sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and business. You will interact with students from other MScs and have the opportunity to explore issues from a range of perspectives, benefiting from a truly interdisciplinary experience. All our programmes are designed with a focus on developing solutions to global challenges and creating a better future for our planet and its people.
Careers
Reputational and networking benefits
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:
“I have worked in many places around the world and have yet to visit a country where I could not find at least one CSM graduate. In fact, there are normally several and they can often be found in influential positions.”
Tim Henderson, CSM graduate and current Technical Director at Glencore
Graduate skills and destinations
In addition, a degree form 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. Graduates of this programme have gone on to enjoy careers as mining engineers, geotechnical engineering, drill and blast engineers, automatic fare collection engineering and geologists. The companies our graduates have gone on to work for range from large companies such as Glencore, Atlas Iron, Vedanta Resources and First Quantum Minerals. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey (2011-2016). Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
Support and opportunities
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.
Services include talks, confidential careers interviews and an extensive careers library of reference books, magazines and journals. A new computer suite is also available for accessing online careers information, vacancy services and specialist software on, for example, sources of funding for courses and worldwide volunteering.
The CAS can help you to identify attractive jobs, careers paths and employers and assist with your CV, interview technique and identifying work experience placements.
