How to Become an Architect in Malaysia?

Pathway to Become Professional Architect in Malaysia for Students Starting from SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels

• Route to becoming a Professional Architect in Malaysia by Studying at Top Private Universities Accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM)
• Requirement for Registration as Graduate Architects in Malaysia

Architects in Malaysia are required to have a certain level of qualification, which is governed by the Board of Architects Malaysia, or Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM). It is known as LAM Parts I, II, and III. You will certified by the Board of Architects Malaysia after you go through these three levels of examinations. The architecture profession in Malaysia is protected by law and is regulated by the Lembaga Akitek Negara (LAM). They govern the entire profession starting from the definition of an architect under the Malaysian Constitution, licensing, practice, acts and enactments as well as education.

Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels who are interested in becoming an architect in Malaysia should go for an Architecture Foundation Programme or Diploma. Upon completion, you can then continue on to a LAM-accredited Architecture degree equivalent to LAM Part I. The next step is to go for the Master of Architecture programme equivalent to LAM Part II.  Graduates of Architectural programme must register with the Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM) as an Architectural graduate and register with Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) as a graduate member. During this period, they must obtain two years’ work experience of which one year must be obtained in Malaysia in an Architect’s practise registered with LAM. When you are ready and have completed all of the project requirements set by LAM and submitting an evaluation report, you will then take LAM Part III examination. You will need to pass the joint LAM-PAM Part 3 examination before you can  become a corporate member of PAM and a registered professional Architect with LAM.

• LAM Part I – Completing this allows you to become an Assistant Architect
• LAM Part II – Completing Part 2 allows you to register as a Graduate Architect
• LAM Part III – When you pass Part 3, it entitles you to register as an Architect with LAM and qualifys you to become a Professional Architect (Ir.).

Another important body concerning architects is the Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) who takes care of the well being of the architects including professional development from the lowest to the highest qualifications. They also organise functions and activities for their members.

You might also be interested in:

• What is the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM)?
• Best Pathway for Architecture at Top Universities Accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM)
• Best Guide on Choosing a Top University for Architecture to Study in Malaysia
• Top Private Universities in Malaysia for Architecture Courses
• Best Pathway for Architecture at Top Universities Accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM)
• Best Architecture Degree Courses Accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM)
• Best Universities for Architecture Foundation Courses in Malaysia

• Becoming a Professional Architect in Malaysia and the Best Architecture Courses, Career & Salary

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Route to becoming a Professional Architect (Ir.) in Malaysia by Studying at Private Universities Accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) for Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels

The architecture profession in Malaysia is protected by law. The regulating and governing body of the architecture profession in Malaysia is known as Lembaga Akitek Negara (LAM). They govern the entire profession starting from the definition of an architect under the Malaysian Constitution, licensing, practice, acts and enactments as well as education.

The other body that concerns the well being of architects themselves is Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia.

It functions as an association that takes care of its members, organize functions and manages the professional development of an architect from the lowest to highest qualification. Just like Bar exams for lawyers, architects also require certain level of qualification that is a standard worldwide.

The qualifications are known as LAM Part 1, 2 and 3. The equivalent of this is RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), AIA (American Institute of Architects) and RAIA (Royal Australian Institute of Architects).

STEP 1 – Choose the Right Pre-University Programme

Students who have just completed their SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels and are interested to become a Professional Architect in Malaysia can go for a Pre-University course before continuing on to an Architecture degree programme.

There are many types of Pre-University Progammes such as the A-Levels, SACEi, AUSMAT, CIMP, etc. All of these are accepted for entry into the Architecture degree course. However, if you are sure that you want to pursue the degree in Malaysia, then best is to take the Foundation in Natural & Built Environment or an Architecture Foundation course.

The subjects for the Foundation in Natural & Built Environment or an Architecture Foundation course will be related to architectural studies and help prepare you more specifically to handle the rigours of the degree programme.

The architecture degree is a very difficult course and although the other Pre-University programmes are accepted for entry, they would not prepare you well to handle the challenges.

STEP 2 – Choose the Right University for the Architecture Degree

After completing your Pre-University programme, you will then look for a university that’s offering the Architecture degree programme that’s accredited by LAM to be equivalent to LAM Part I. The degree will take you 3 years to complete. To obtain LAM Part I qualification you need to do one of the following:

• Go for a LAM Accredited Architecture degree, OR
• Sit for individual LAM qualification exams if you have a non-accredited architecture degree, OR
• Have a minimum of 10 years of relevant working experience in the field of architecture

Graduates who obtained the qualifications in architecture from the relevant universities/institutions listed in the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) website or after passing the LAM Part I and II Examination are eligible to register as Graduate Architect with the Board of Architects Malaysia.

STEP 3 – Choose the Right University for the Master in Architecture

The next step after graduating from the Architecture Bachelor’s programme is to go for the Master in Architecture which would be equivalent to LAM Part II. To obtain Part II certification, you will need to study for two to four years in an accredited Master’s degree in Architecture.

These qualifications can be obtained in two ways:

• Obtaining a fully accredited degree (or equivalent) that carries Part 1 or 2 equivalent.
• Sitting for individual exams after obtaining a non-accredited degree for Part or 2.

After graduating with Part 2, a person is known as an architect, and will be able to practice according to the job specification of an architect. This should be the minimum target of anyone pursuing this profession. Anything less is a waste of time.

STEP 4 – Work for a Minimum of 2 Years

Master Graduates will then need to work for at least 2 years (104 weeks) under the supervision of an appointed Architect. 1.5 years of the work experience must be at an Architect’s office. You will need to submit evidence of your practical experience. This would cover:

1. A recorded experience covering the full scope of architectural services in a log book
2. Log book and/or other evidence of the applicant’s practical experience

At the end of 2 years or when you are ready, you will then submit the Professional Experience Evaluation Report

Step 5 – Take the LAM Part III Exam

After submission of the Professional Experience Evaluation Report, you can go for the LAM Part 3 Professional Exam.

Part 3 can only be obtained after practicing as an architect for a minimum of 2 years and fulfilling all the project requirements set by LAM. The Average pass rate is 9%~20%.

Fulfilling these needs, the architect will then submit themselves to a series of interviews and exams to determine that they are capable and absolutely qualified. These exams are conducted by Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM).

Requirement for Registration as Graduate Architects

1. The applicant shall be a person who :
   • holds a qualification which is recognised by the Board. (Please refer to the List of Architectural Programmes).
2. A applicant with qualification which is not recognised by the Board shall be required to sit for the Part I and II Examination conducted by the Architectural Examination Council of Malaysia.
3. The list of Architectural Programmes accredited by the Board refers to programmes conducted by the relevant universities/institutions on a full times basis at their main campuses. The list does not include programmes conducted by the said universities/institution wither in the form of twinning, franchise or based on agreements between recognised and and unrecognised universities/institutions. Applicant from the said programmes are required to sit and pass the Part I and Part II Examination before they are qualified to register as a Graduate Architect with the Board.
4. Applicant from any unrecognised programmes are only allowed to be given a maximum of one (1) year advanced standing or thirty percent (30%) of credit transfer with a recognised Part I programme subject that such programme has been recognised by Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).
5. Application for registration must be submitted in the prescribed Registration Form together with the following :-
   • 2 copies of recent photographs
   • a copy of Identity Card / Passport
   • a copy of the SPM or O Level equivalent
   • a copy of the STPM, A Level, Foundation, Matriculation or the equivalent
   • a copy of the Diploma or Degree (Part I and II)
     Examination transcripts for each year of study
     a copy of the exemption of Part I and II Examination LAM where relevant
     Registration fee for the amount of RM 100.00 and RM 100.00 for the processing fee
6. All documents submitted must be certified as true copies by an Architect registered with the Board.

Entry Requirements for the Foundation in Natural & Built Environments programme

• SIJIL PELAJARAN MALAYSIA (SPM)
  Pass with minimum of 5 credits including English and Mathematics
• O LEVEL
  Pass with minimum of 5 credits including English and Mathematics
• UNIFIED EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE (UEC)
  Pass with minimum of 5Bs including Mathematics
• OTHER QUALIFICATION
  Any other equivalent qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government

Entry Requirements for Architecture Degree

After SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels, students must possess a credit in Maths & any one Science subject in order to enter into the Foundation in Architecture or Foundation in Natural & Built Environment.

To enter the Architecture degree course, students need to have the following qualifications:

• Foundation in Arts or Science Entry Requirement for Architecture degree -Minimum CGPA 2.0 including credit in Maths
• STPM Arts or Science Stream Entry Requirement for Architecture degree -Pass with minimum CGPA of 2.00 (or equivalent) Minimum Grade C for 2 subjects INCLUDING Maths
• A-Levels Entry Requirement for Architecture degree -Minimum Grade C for 2 subjects INCLUDING Maths
• UEC Commerce or Science Stream Entry Requirement for Architecture degree -5 Credits (‘B’ grade) inclusive of Maths
• South Australian Matriculation (SAM) Entry Requirement for Architecture degree – Minimum average of 65% in 5 subjects inclusive of Maths
• Canadian Pre-U (CPU) Entry Requirement for Architecture degree – Minimum average of 65% in 6 subjects inclusive of Maths