Mining and extraction
A field of study in engineering, manufacturing and construction
Vocational or degree?Mostly vocational7 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 120,000 finished vocational training and 40,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?73% in a matching jobof engineering graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 53%.All engineering fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
Impact of geological factors on mining operationsMine safety legislationMining engineeringAdhesivesCoking processDemining operationsMining sector policiesTypes of tile adhesiveElectrical mine machinery manualsCrude oil distillation processesImpact of meteorological phenomena on mining operations
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
9 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarry manager | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Mine manager | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Mine planning engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Mine development engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Quarry engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Explosives engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Mine health and safety engineer | Good | Above average | Degree | Very low |
| Mine safety officer | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Underground heavy equipment operator | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
949 institutions in the EU offer engineering bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.