Ever wondered how the bridges you drive on were built?
Or how does your laptop or tablet function so efficiently?
Or even how gold is dug up and turned into your favourite necklace?
Well, Engineering is the simple answer to all those questions.
What is Engineering?
Engineering is a key player in building the innovative and efficient world that we live in today.
From designing, evaluating, developing, testing, installing, inspecting and maintaining almost every product and systems, the field of engineering essentially focuses on solving problems through a combination of scientific knowledge, mathematical reasoning and creative thinking.
Why Should You Study Engineering?
You get to solve real-world problems
As an engineer, you regularly boundaries with your own imagination, analytical and technical thinking.
Whether it’s fixing broken things, improving existing creations or innovating something new, career satisfaction is also almost guaranteed as you can take pride in the work that you do.
Wide range of career opportunities
Engineers are one of the most sought-after professions worldwide.
You can also enjoy opportunities to work in different industries and in different settings.
Financial stability
Did you know that the starting salaries for engineers are among the highest for any university degree?
With a strong start, engineering graduates also often find themselves climbing the ladder rather quickly – earning higher pay, better benefits and more autonomy in their work.
What are the Fields in Engineering?
As mentioned, there are a wide range of Engineering fields that you can dive into based on your personal preference.
Mechanical Engineering
Involved with the designing and manufacturing of machinery, equipment and components.
You may also monitor and inspect the performance of various machines.
Electrical Engineering
Involved in designing and testing electrical and electronic devices.
You may also work in constructing, controlling and monitoring performances of electronic systems.
Civil Engineering
Involved in the designing and constructing of large infrastructures such as highways, dams, bridges and many more.
Chemical Engineering
Involved in the designing of tools, systems and procedures taken to refine raw materials.
Computer Engineering
Involved in the designing of hardware components, systems and software.
What Are Popular Engineering Pathways?
Upon completion of SPM or equivalent qualifications, students desiring a engineering career will generally opt to complete a pre-university (e.g. A-Level, SACE, STPM etc) or a Foundation course (e.g. Foundation in Engineering, Foundation in Science) which takes 1-2 years to complete.
Then, students may move onto a Bachelor of Engineering in Malaysia, specialising in their preferred field in engineering.
This would take 3-4 years to complete.
It’s important to make sure that you are studying an accredited Engineering Degree with a duration of 4 years to be eligible to become an engineer in Malaysia.
As an alternate option, students can pursue a Diploma in Engineering which takes up to 3 years allowing them to directly enter the workforce upon graduating or into Year 2 of a Bachelor’s Degree programme.
So what does your pathway look like?
Diploma in Engineering
To qualify for a diploma course, you need to have 3Cs in SPM/O-Level, including Mathematics and a Science subject and a pass in English.
Diploma courses usually take up to 3 years to complete and cost from RM 20,000.
You can enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
For degree courses, you will need to have 5 credits in SPM/O-Level qualification, including Mathematics and Physics, a pass in English, and the following pre-university course:
STPM: min. 2Cs
A-Level: min. 2Es
AUSMAT/SACE: min. ATAR 65
CIMP: min. average of 66%
Relevant Foundation: min. CGPA of 2.00
Relevant Diploma: min. CGPA of 2.00
A pre-university course at a private university can take up to 2 years to complete and cost from RM 10,000.
Once you’ve completed your pre-university course, you can then move on to the degree course.
Degree courses take up to 4 years to complete and cost from RM 80,000.
Diploma students who want to continue their studies can do so with a degree course and they begin in Year 2.
Some degree courses are 3 years while some are 4 years.
The difference between them is that you will spend the fourth year working on projects and research.
To gain status as a professional engineer in Malaysia, you must have at least 3 years of practical working experience and pass a Professional Assessment Examination by the Board of Engineers Malaysia.
Do keep in mind that many universities also require an English Language test (IELTS, MUET or TOEFL).
What are the Skills Required in Engineering?
Attention to detail: As an engineer you are required to examine a problem thoroughly in order to come up with a viable solution.
Problem-solving: Engineers are the ones you turn to when you need a solution to the problem at hand.
Communication: Being able to communicate effectively is another skill an engineer must have since you will need to talk about the problem and the solutions that you have come up with.
Top Engineering Universities in Malaysia
University of Nottingham Malaysia
Located in Semenyih, University of Nottingham is ranked 103rd in the QS World University Ranking, catering to 5,500 students from 85 countries within 18 departments.
Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering was once ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework.
Engineering courses offered:
- Foundation in Engineering
- Chemical Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Chemical Engineering MEng (Hons)
- Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Chemical Engineering with Environmental Engineering MEng (Hons)
- Chemical Engineering MSc
- Environmental Engineering MSc
- Civil Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Civil Engineering MEng (Hons)
- Civil Engineering MSc
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering MEng (Hons)
- Mechatronic Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Mechatronic Engineering MEng (Hons)
- Engineering MPhil
- Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)
- Mechanical Engineering MEng (Hons)
- Mechanical Engineering MSc
- MPhil Civil Engineering
- MPhil Chemical and Environmental Engineering
- MSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- MPhil Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- MPhil Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering
INTI International University & Colleges
INTI International University & Colleges is currently ranked between 321st to 400th in QS Asian University Rankings.
Students are assigned with employer projects that span a 3-month period and reflect actual engineering challenges encountered by today’s global companies
Engineering courses offered:
- Foundation in Science (Engineering)
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
- Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Diploma in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering (3+0) with Coventry University, UK
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering (3+0) with Coventry University, UK
- B Eng (Hons) Civil Engineering
Taylor’s is Malaysia’s No 1 for Graduate Employability (QS 2022), and No 55 in Asia.
Its Engineering programme is recognised by the Board of Engineering Malaysia, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, UK, and National Academy of Engineering, USA.
Engineering courses offered:
- Foundation in Engineering
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Robotic Design and Development
- Bachelor Of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor Of Engineering (Hons) Chemical Engineering
- Bachelor Of Engineering (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering
- Master Of Philosophy (Engineering) (Research)
Things You Need to Know About Engineering in Malaysia
Here are a couple of key factors to keep in mind regarding a engineering career in Malaysia:
Only an accredited engineering degree is acceptable
To become an engineer in Malaysia, be sure to check if your university of choice has been accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM).
This authoritative body regulates engineering practices in Malaysia including controlling engineering services, conforming to professional ethics and international best practices in ensuring public safety in Malaysia.
With a BEM-accredited programme, it is assured that you will be receiving a set level of competent skills and knowledge that matches the industry’s standards.
The difference between MEng and BEng
When enrolling into an engineering degree, do keep in mind that there are two types offered.
A BEng is an undergraduate degree programme of 3 years, while a MEng is a programme of 4 years – as it is integrated with a Master’s.
You will work on projects and research in the fourth year.
Popular Engineering-Related Jobs
A Engineering qualification opens up multiple career pathways to choose from as you will be able to work in settings such as office buildings, laboratories, industrial plants, construction sites and oil and gas exploration and production sites.
Salaries for fresh graduates start from RM 39,000.
Here are some career opportunities that you can potentially pursue:
- Chemical engineer
- Electrical engineer
- Civil engineer
- Mechanical engineer
- Project engineer
Interested in learning more about your future career in Engineering?
Contact us now for more information, we’re here to assist!