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Software Engineering is an innovative field filled with analytical-minded people seeking to create software solutions for end users. Technological advancements give birth to better gadgets and software. These upgrades allow consumers, more efficient programmes, and businesses to produce better results.
Software Engineers are the genius behind it all.
To join them and their passions, you would need to take up a Software Engineering course to learn all you need to know. This article will provide you with a general guide to all the necessary fundamentals so that you can study Software Engineering in Malaysia with confidence.
What is Software Engineering?
Software Engineering is a branch of Computer Science that focuses on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications and programmes.
While Software Programming is a similar field that intersects in many ways with Software Engineering, their definitions are not interchangeable. This is because Software Engineering applies engineering principles when building software programmes.
To be specific, software engineers typically deal with
- Designing
- Testing & maintaining software systems, as well as
- Optimising software for speed and functionality.
They also write and test code to provide new features in said software.
A software engineer’s main priority is to find a solution to solve problems faced their clients and stakeholders.
Why Should You Study Software Engineering in Malaysia?
Technological Advancements
Technology is an ever-expanding field and industry – there is always room for improvement!
The secret to a software engineer’s success is to spot a specific problem, no matter how niche. Then, seek revolutionary ways to solve them through inventing or reinventing software.
As long as your innovations are relevant, you will always be making technological improvements for our society through your passion.
You Like to Solve Problems
Studying Software Engineering can be fun and challenging. It fits people who enjoy solving complex problems and have strong analytical skills.
In addition, Software Engineering is a field with a wide range of different possibilities. The highly analytical field stimulates critical thinking because there is no right answer to a solution as long as it works!
Great Job Security and Pay
Society depends on technology to survive. Adding to the fact that technology is constantly improving, software engineering jobs don’t seem to face a shortage any time soon.
As a future software engineer, you will enjoy firm job security. And, since every industry needs software engineers, you get to pick and choose which direction you want to head into.
Oh, software engineers are shown great appreciation by society as a whole. So, you will receive lucrative compensation for all your hard work!
Common Fields You can Explore When You Study Software Engineering in Malaysia
Software Engineering covers a wide variety of fields of study.
To help you decide to study Software Engineering in Malaysia, the table below will paint a clearer picture for you.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
This field involves learning intelligent machines that can mimic human behaviours, logic, and skills to solve problems
Computer Games Programming
This field focuses on graphics, animation, and programming languages that are relevant to game development.
Probability and Statistics
This field studies the discrete and continuous distribution, which shows how data can assist in constructing computer algorithms for generating observations.
Software Application
This field studies the construction and maintenance of application software. Software applications function to carry out certain tasks like word processors and media players.
Operating Systems
This field covers system software that manages computer hardware functions and resources and provides common computer services. MacOS and Microsoft Windows are two of the most familiar examples around.
What Are the Popular Pathways to Study Software Engineering in Malaysia?
To study Software Engineering in Malaysia, you can start with a 1-year Foundation in Science / Software Engineering / Computing or a 2-year Pre-University (A-Level, SACE, STPM, etc.) course after completing SPM or O-Level.
Alternatively, you may also choose to pursue a Diploma in Software Engineering for up to 2.5 years. After completing your diploma, you will be able to enter the job market immediately, or you can choose to continue with a bachelor’s degree.
So what does your pathway look like when you study Software Engineering in Malaysia?
Get more data from here too: Must Knows Before Choosing A Pre-U, Diploma or Degree
Diploma in Software Engineering
To qualify for a diploma course, you only need to have 3 credits in SPM/O-Level, including Mathematics.
Diploma courses usually take between 2 to 2.5 years to complete and can cost RM 25,000.
The plus point is that you can enter the workforce immediately after graduation.
Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering
Before you venture into a degree, you will need to have 5 credits in SPM/O-Level or 3 Bs in UEC, including Mathematics, as well as one of the following pre-university courses:
- STPM: min. 2Cs including Mathematics
- A-Level: min. 2EEs
- UEC: min. 5Bs including Additional Mathematics
- AUSMAT/SACE: min. ATAR of 55
- International Baccalaureate (IB): Min. 24 points
- Relevant Foundation: min. CGPA 2.00
- Relevant Diploma: min. CGPA 2.00
A pre-university course can take up to 2 years and RM 16,000 to finish. Once you’ve completed your pre-university course, you can then move on to the degree course.
Degree courses take 3 years to complete and can cost RM 30,000. Diploma students can choose to further their studies with a degree course, where they begin in Year 2.
While getting a Master’s is not a must to become a software engineer, it is still an option you can take after your Bachelor’s degree.
Do note that these are simply general guides for aspiring Software Engineering enthusiasts to venture into. Tuition fees and entry requirements vary with different academies.
What Are the Skills Required in Software Engineering?
Logical Thinking: In Software Engineering, you must have the skills to pinpoint the exact problems and figure out the best solution to remedy the issue. As such, your logical thinking will be put to the test.
Programming: There are many different computer programming languages. Even as a working adult, you will continue to learn new languages as you advance in this field.
Teamwork: Being a team player is crucial for the success of a project and the upkeep of existing software. Thus, a strong teamwork is a highly emphasised skill since the student days.
Top Universities to Study Software Engineering in Malaysia
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
APU is recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education as one of the Highest Rated Emerging Universities in Malaysia. It has received 5 Stars from QS for Teaching, Employability, Facilities, and Inclusiveness.
This excellent university partners with innovative accelerators such as GrowthX academy and Supercharger to expose students to real-life case studies.
If you want to study Software Engineering in Malaysia, check out these APU courses:
- Foundation Programme (Computing & Technology Pathway) – Computer Science
- Diploma in Information & Communication Technology with Specialism in Software Engineering
- BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering
- M.Sc. in Software Engineering
Multimedia University (MMU)
MMU received the Premier Digital Tech University status from the Ministry of Higher Education. Its dedicated faculty members are highly qualified tutors. Their academic accreditations include Cisco Certifications, Microsoft Certification, Java and many more!
If you want to study Software Engineering in Malaysia, check out these MMU courses:
- Foundation in Information Technology (Computer Science)
- Foundation in Information Technology (Computer Science)
- Bachelor of Computer Science (Hons.)
- Master of Computer Science (Software Engineering and Software Architecture) (By Coursework)
Curtin University Malaysia
Curtin University makes its way into the Top 1% of universities worldwide in the 2020 Academic Ranking of the World Universities (ARWU).
As a member of the Curtin community, students will have options to transfer to another Curtin campus. Their credits can take them to Perth, Dubai, Singapore, or Mauritius on a student exchange or a transfer to complete a degree.
If you want to study Software Engineering in Malaysia, check out these Curtin courses:
- Foundation in Engineering & Science (Science)
- Bachelor of Computing (Software Engineering)
Things You Need to Know About a Software Engineering Career
Technology is always expanding and evolving. With a degree in Software Engineering, you can explore different options in the computing field with the foundational knowledge you gained from your course.
According to Payscale, the average base monthly salary of a software engineer in Malaysia starts from RM 7,000.
Students who study Software Engineering in Malaysia can refer to these job postings on JobStreet:
Interested to study Software Engineering in Malaysia? Feel free to reach out to us on WhatsApp or message us on our social media sites.
We will be happy to assist you.