
Metallurgical engineers play a vital role in developing, managing and improving the processes required to transform ore into metals and recycle metals into useful products.
With a strong focus on efficiency and sustainability, these engineers are involved in the physical and chemical processing of metals from crushing, extraction and purification through to product development.
In this major, you will study the modelling, design, economics of resource industry processes.
Specialisations
To study this major, you'll have to choose an engineering specialisation first. The metallurgical engineering major is available to study within the chemical engineering specialisation.
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Metallurgical engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Chemical engineer
- Senior plant metallurgist
- Laboratory technician
- Process engineer
Mid-career salary
Metallurgical Engineer
payscale.com
Events
See all events
7 April - 22 September
Beginner Language Bootcamp at UQ IML

7 July
Shakespeare's Macbeth: UQ Centre for Western Civilisation 2025 Winter School
Stories
See all stories
Uni life
Why choose UQ for your Bachelor of Arts?
4-minute read
Stories
See all stories
Uni life
Why choose UQ for your Bachelor of Arts?
4-minute read
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Overseas study
- Laboratory work
- Fieldwork
- Workshops
What you'll study
At UQ, subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study:
- Mineral and Coal Beneficiation
- Pyrometallurgy
- Process Mineralogy and Comminution
- Aqueous Solution Processing and Electrometallurgy
Keep up to date
Sign up to get information about applying and studying at UQ.