Study Engineering In Malaysia: Top 8 things To Secure

Study engineering in Malaysia today and see how the bridges you drive on were built.

An engineering programme can show you how your favourite electonic gadgets function so efficiently, or how gold is dug up and turned into your favourite necklace.

So, let this article explore all those ingenious ingenuity with you.

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 In Malaysia?

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 in Malaysia?

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 3 years Engineering diploma. After completing it, they have the choice to directly enter the workforce upon graduating, or proceed to Year 2 of a Bachelor’s Degree programme.

So, what does your pathway look like? Read on to find out more or you can,

Diploma in Engineering

To study engineering in Malaysia, you can begin with a diploma. For this qualification, you can enrol with 3Cs in SPM/O-Level, including Mathematics and a Science subject and a pass in English.

Diploma courses in Malaysia 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 your SPM/O-Level qualification, which includes Mathematics and Physics, along with 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

If you choose a pre-university course at a private university, you will need up to 2 years to complete it. Moreover, the cost of the programme can begin from RM 10,000.

Once you’ve completed your pre-university course, you can then move on to the degree course.

Degree courses usually take up to 4 years to complete and their starting cost begins from RM 80,000 onwards.

Diploma students who want to continue their studies in this field can do so with a degree course. After graduating from a diploma, they will begin their education in Year 2.

Some degree courses have a duration of 3 to 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.

In addition, Nottingham’s Faculty of Engineering was once ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Engineering in the Research Excellence Framework.

Among the engineering courses offered here are:

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

Among the engineering courses offered are:

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 University

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.

Among the engineering courses offered are:

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

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.

When you study engineering in Malaysia, you will work on projects and research in the fourth year.

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 Malaysian engineering 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?

Top 8 Things To Secure Before You Study Engineering in Malaysia

Table of Contents

What is Engineering?