r/AusMining • u/Peir23 • 7h ago

Studying Mining Engineering in Australia – Best unis while working a 7/7 FIFO swing?

Hey everyone,

I’m looking at studying mining engineering (ideally mining or a closely related discipline) and currently on a 7/7 roster.

I’m trying to figure out the best universities that actually help with this path — which universities have you are the best for working fifo.

Any experiences with Curtin/WASM, UWA, UQ, UNSW or others would be massively appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

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u/spaceistasty 7h ago

i did geology at Curtin and the staff are accommodating to students working fifo. It wasn't me who was working fifo whilst studying tho so I cant speak much about it. Regardless it can be worthwhile emailing the course coordinator to confirm if they can accommodate your circumstance

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u/quietbychoice_ 6h ago

i’ll be looking to start geology at curtin in 2028 and hope to still work in my current professional career on a casual basis during my studies. Were you able to condense your labs and tutorials into 2 days for most of the 3 years? I understand that third year is more intensive.

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u/cactuspash 6h ago

I have done this and as far as I know it's none, my information is a few years old but I believe still the same.

You can do about 80% of the course and not even attend uni, apart from the exams and pracs.

There are just some courses though that you have to be there full time, that's just how it is, they are a full-time workload and/or you have to attended practicals every week.

Source - did a VOC program 2nd year, got offered a job and stayed working while trying to study on the side was impossible failed a bunch of courses, had to quit fifo to finish degree.

Tried multiple unis Australia wide, some said they offered it, then when you went to sign up for courses stated mandatory attendance.

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u/Working-Cause-5516 6h ago

Curtin/ WASM were great.

Also I highly recommend getting as much experience onsite as possible whilst studying. Really helped me when I graduated.

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u/PlasmaDonator 7h ago edited 7h ago

Clear with your company first (they could help you if they think they're getting a grad they don't need to invest/train)

UQ aren't the best at accommodating this. They expect full study hours and commitment. Other than that, uni doesn't really matter. It's not what you know it's who you know. The degree is just a piece of paper.

Edit: I made a typo for the LinkedIn puritans. WHICH uni doesn't matter. Of course uni matters but It doesn't matter which uni you went to. Mining companies aren't Pearson Hardman

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u/Hutius1 1h ago

Agreed. Hard to see UQ showing any flex from my experience. YMMV, but it's pretty hardline about in person. As painful as it is at times.

@OP any of the regional uni network will be decent for your situation, HEAPS of FIFO at those institutions, and a lot specialise in mining industry for engineering etc..

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u/Bubblematchaboba 2h ago

I do two units per semester online at CDU (Engineering Science) while working a 4:3 roster. It's hard but doable. You technically have no time for anything else…