Apply To Automotive Engineering Courses
Uni Enrol is Malaysia’s top university enrolment platform for over 200+ universities in Malaysia, Australia and UK. We provide unique insights, efficient service, scholarship matching and compare similar or alternative options.
Table of Contents
1. What is Automotive Engineering?
Automotive engineering is a special branch of mechanical engineering, which is about the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of vehicles. Cars, trucks and electric vehicles (EVs) fall into this category.
It draws from physics, electronics, materials science and safety engineering to develop efficient engines, autonomous vehicles, connected car technologies, and smart mobility solutions to enhance the efficiency and safety of transport systems.
Why it matters to the world?
- The transformation of the automotive industry now centres around electric and hybrid vehicles to move towards green technology and energy sustainability. Governments are introducing policies to reduce carbon emissions and encouraging technology development in this area.
- Vehicle safety has immensely improved over the decades. Systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) and Crash-Resistant Structures have become baseline standards for any modern vehicle. Now, with autonomous vehicles, more revolutionary safety mechanisms need to be developed.
- The automotive sector is a significant contributor to most countries’ economies. In Malaysia, many companies such as Proton, Perodua, and DRB-HICOM provide tens of thousands of jobs to engineers, designers, and technicians. Automotive engineers are at the centre of smart manufacturing, robotics, and AI-driven production lines.
Here’s a good overview of what automotive engineering encompass from design to production:
2. Where To Study Automotive Engineering In Malaysia?
Here are 3 best universities to study Automotive Engineering courses in Malaysia.
- #1 TOC Automotive College
- #2 DRB-HICOM University of Automotive Malaysia
- #3 Kuala Lumpur University Of Science And Technology (KLUST)
3. Automotive Engineering Pathways & Entry Requirements
There are 2 pathways one can consider to qualify for a career in the Automotive engineering field.
Pathway 1: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Automotive Engineering Degree
The more common pathway is to enter a Pre-University course (A-Level, SACE, STPM) or a Foundation course offered by the university of your choice.
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits including Mathematics and a Science subject (Physics/Chemistry/Biology) to enter Pre-U or Foundation, preferably Physics for Automotive Engineering.
A Pre-University course or Foundation in Engineering / Science typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Degree in Engineering.
An Automotive Engineering Degree will usually take 3 to 4 years to complete based on whether your degree is a BEng or MEng qualification. Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:
| Qualifications | General Requirements |
| A-Level | 2D |
| AUSMAT/SACE | ATAR 65 |
| CIMP | 65% |
| STPM | 2C |
| UEC | 5B |
| Foundation | CGPA 2.0 |
Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities. Generally, these qualifications also require you to have Mathematics and a relevant Science subject taken and achieve the minimum results.
In total, this pathway takes 4 to 5 years to complete.
Difference Between MEng and BEng
BEng (Bachelor of Engineering)
- A 3-year undergraduate degree that qualifies students to work as aerospace engineers.
- Requires additional work experience and exams for professional engineering certification.
- Can be upgraded to an MEng through further studies.
MEng (Master of Engineering)
- A 4-year course that integrates both undergraduate and master’s level studies.
- Provides advanced technical knowledge and research opportunities.
- Often preferred for leadership or research roles in the aerospace industry.
To be a certified engineer in Malaysia, you are required by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) to graduate with a MEng qualification or a equivalent.
Pathway 2: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Diploma ➔ Automotive Engineering Degree
Another possible pathway is to secure a Diploma qualification first before pursuing a Degree. However, this route is less popular due to its longer duration to complete.
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 3 credits including Mathematics and a relevant Science subject to enter Diploma.
A Diploma in Automotive Engineering normally requires 2.5 years to complete.
Most graduates will continue their studies towards a Degree as having a Diploma qualification will limit your career prospects and progression.
Continuing a Degree from a Diploma qualification will require an additional 2 to 3 years depending on your pursuit of a BEng or MEng qualification.
You need a minimum of CGPA 2.0 to enter into an Engineering Degree.
How Can Uni Enrol Help?
Uni Enrol’s experienced counsellors help you compare the pros and cons of studying an Automotive Engineering Course at different universities and different locations.
4. Accreditations For Automotive Engineering In Malaysia
To gain your status as a professional or certified engineer in Malaysia, you must:
- Graduate with a MEng or Master from a recognised university;
- 3 years of practical working experience; and
- Pass the Professional Assessment Examination by BEM.
BEM is the authoritative body in Malaysia that regulates engineering practices including controlling engineering services, conforming to professional ethics and international best practices in ensuring public safety in Malaysia.
Additionally, be on the lookout for Engineering courses that are recognised under the Washington Accord.
The Washington Accord allows graduates to pursue a professional engineering career in any of the member countries (e.g. Australia, Canada, China, Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States) without the need for re-qualification.
5. What You Learn In An Automotive Engineering Course
These are the subjects that you will be exposed to when taking an undergraduate Automotive Engineering Course. Note, they may vary slightly from one university to another.
- Automotive Braking System
- Automotive Comfort and Safety System
- Automotive Electrical and Electronics
- Automotive Engine
- Automotive Engine
- Automotive Fuel System Dynamics
- Automotive Ignition System
- Automotive Transmission System
- Automotive Workshop Technology
- Circuit Theory
- Design, Manufacture and Materials
- Digital Electronic Systems
- Engineering Drawing
- Fluid Mechanics
- General Chemistry
- Hydraulic & Pneumatics
- Mathematics for Engineers
- Mechanical Stress and Dynamics
- Strength of Materials
- Suspension and Steering System
- Thermodynamics
- Thermofluid
- Workshop Management
6. Why Study Automotive Engineering?
These are 3 reasons why Automotive Engineering will always be relevant:
- Be Part of Future Innovations – Transportation technology will continue to evolve in many ways including its control systems, the way it is powered, safety, performance, intelligence and so much more that you will be exposed to in an Automotive Engineering Course.
- Global Career Demand – Your skill will be transferable globally. Transportation will always be important for modern society and the continuous evolution of cars from being human-driven are now capable of self-driving. Automotive also spans into other modes such as trains, buses, motorcycles and more.
- Practical and Hands-On Career – Unlike theoretical disciplines, automotive engineering involves real-world applications, testing, and prototyping vehicles. This is perfect for students who want to combine intellect with physical work.
Got Scholarship?
Use our Pathway Match tool to accurately get matched with your preferred courses, fees and scholarships you qualify for in 5 minutes.
7. RIASEC Compatibility To An Automotive Engineering Course
The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:
- Realistic (R)
- Investigative (I)
- Artistic (A)
- Social (S)
- Enterprising (E)
- Conventional (C)
With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.
These are the Top 3 traits for a successful automotive engineer:
REALISTIC
- Automotive engineers work directly with mechanical systems, engines, and vehicle components. They must be comfortable with hands-on problem-solving, testing prototypes, and working with tools and machinery.
INVESTIGATIVE
- The field requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills to design and improve vehicle performance, efficiency, and safety. Engineers use physics, aerodynamics, and materials science to develop cutting-edge automotive technologies.
CONVENTIONAL
- Automotive engineering involves working with precise calculations, regulations, and technical standards. Engineers must be detail-oriented and follow structured processes to ensure vehicle safety and compliance with industry standards.
8. Career Opportunities For Automotive Engineering
| Areas of Opportunities | Types of Roles |
| Vehicle Design & Development | Automotive Design Engineer, Automotive Aerodynamics Engineer, CAD Engineer (Computer-Aided Design), Materials Engineer |
| Vehicle Manufacturing & Production | Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Control Engineer, Supply Chain & Logistics Manager, Automation Engineer |
| Electric & Autonomous Vehicles (EV & AV) | Electric Vehicle Engineer, Autonomous Vehicle Engineer, Battery & Energy Storage Engineer, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Automotive |
| Powertrain & Engine Systems | Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Engineer, Hybrid & Electric Powertrain Engineer, Transmission Engineer |
| Automotive Testing & Safety | Crash Test Engineer, NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) Engineer, Emission Control Engineer, Automotive Software Tester |
| Motorsports & High-Performance Vehicles | Motorsports Engineer, Trackside Engineer, Suspension & Chassis Engineer, Aerodynamics Engineer (Motorsports Focus) |
| Research and Emerging Technologies | AI & Machine Learning Engineer (Automotive), Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) Engineer, Smart Mobility Engineer |
| Business and Consulting in Automotive | Automotive Consultant, Automobile Sales & Marketing Specialist, Supply Chain Manager |
Recommended Course Guides
Looking for other related courses? Here are various engineering-related course guides you should check out:
If you’re still not sure what to study, we have many other Course Guide articles that will shed more light on the subject matter. Share with your friends!
We also took the liberty to compile all our University Guides and Course Fees Guides so you don’t have to go anywhere else!
About the Author:
Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.
You must be logged in to post a comment.