Notable programs
Mineral and Mining Engineering
Ranked in the world top 50 by QS, this program feeds directly into BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue graduate pipelines. Students access the Mining Innovation Network and new Geoscience Centre opened November 2024. Graduates report starting salaries above AUD 104,000.
Marine and Ocean Engineering
Ranked 24th globally by GRAS 2025 and supported by the UWA Oceans Institute housing over 100 researchers. Covers offshore engineering, deep-sea exploration, coral reef ecology, and Browse Basin dynamics. The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre sits on campus.
Medicine (Doctor of Medicine)
Western Australia's first and highest-ranked medical program. Clinical placements across Perth's hospital network. The Marshall Centre for infectious disease research — led by Nobel laureate Barry Marshall — remains active. Strong output in gastroenterology and tropical medicine.
Petroleum and Energy Engineering
Deep ties to Woodside Energy (headquartered in Perth), Chevron (AUD 80 billion invested in WA LNG), and the North West Shelf. The clean energy transition research group bridges fossil fuels through critical minerals to renewables, reflecting the sector's own evolution.
Agricultural Sciences
Ranked first in Australia by ARWU 2025. Research spans dryland farming, crop genetics, and food security — relevant to Western Australia's vast agricultural belt. Strong connections to CSIRO and state government agricultural research bodies.
Critical Minerals and Geoscience
Emerging program anchored by the AUD 53 million Critical Metals for Critical Industries CRC (March 2026). Covers lithium, vanadium, cobalt, and rare earth refining technology. Western Australia produces roughly 50 percent of global lithium supply, making this program uniquely positioned for the energy transition workforce.
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