
Choosing the Best Engineering Course in Malaysia to Study
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Engineers play an important role in Malaysia as well as globally. More and more people in Malaysia are beginning to realise the importance of getting a top quality engineering education in order to succeed in their career. Top quality engineers are in demand in Malaysia and around the world.
Engineering is a career that can take you around the world, working on many different projects as well as being a very well paid job to get into, with different branches of speciality, according to your areas of interest. Qualified and experienced engineering graduates who can communicate well in English are able to migrate overseas to countries like Australia, UK, USA, Europe and more.
There are types of engineering fields and specialisations within those fields. Engineering is one of the highest paid careers of the modern world.
Malaysian students who enjoy solving problems and coming up with a solution, then engineering could be for you. If you enjoy maths, physics, science, technology and design, then this could be a rewarding career choice for you, which can lead you into an exciting job as a petroleum engineer, civil engineer, electrical & electronic engineer, mechanical engineer, mechatronic engineer, chemical engineer, and more!
Students who are not sure of what to study after SPM or O-Levels can contact EduSpiral Consultant Services to help guide you to choose the right course and university in Malaysia. At EduSpiral Consultant Services, we have counseled and helped thousands of students to choose the right course and private university to study in Malaysia.
For a personalised advise on how to choose the right course contact 01111408838
Please fill up the Form below and I will WhatsApp you and provide you with sound advise on how to choose the best private university or college in Malaysia to study at. If you do not give your mobile number or full name as in IC, your query will not be answered. Our knowledgeable & experienced counsellor will send you a message on WhatsApp & provide assistance from there.
List of Important Criteria to Note When Choosing the Best University to Study Engineering in Malaysia
Here’s a list of common criteria in choosing a top private university or college in Malaysia to study the Engineering course
1. Recognition & Reputation of the Engineering Courses in Malaysia

Aun Jie, Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- Is the Engineering course popular at that university or college?
- What is the reputation or ranking of the private university in Malaysia? Global ranking by QS World University Rankings or locally by MQA in the SETARA 2013
- Is the Engineering course recognised and approved by the Ministry of Education Malaysia?
- Is the Engineering course accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Audit (MQA)?
- Is the Engineering degree accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)?
- Awards won by the university, staff or students for the particular course of interest. The number of awards won would be a guide on how good the university is for the course.
2. Academic Quality of the Engineering Course at the University in Malaysia

Lyngkaran, Engineering at Taylor’s University
- Subjects offered in the Engineering course (Are they relevant, up-to-date, and help you to achieve your career goals)
- Entry requirements for the Engineering Degree Course at the university or college in Malaysia
- Faculty contact/classes taught by full-time qualified & experienced faculty
- Quality of lecturers. What are their qualifications? How many years of experience in teaching?
- Ask your friends who have studied there or currently studying there for their opinion on the teaching quality, environment and facilities.
- Do they have enough students to start a class?
- How many students do they have studying that course at that college?
- What is the duration of the course? When are the intake dates?
3. General Facilities at the University
- When choosing a university or college in Malaysia, it is important for students to visit the campus and see the facilities and feel the culture of the students to see if it fits you.
- Size of the university.
- Campus resources (labs, library or resource centre, wifi, computer access, sports facilities, etc.)
4. Facilities for Engineering at the University or College in Malaysia
It is important for the college or university to have the necessary Engineering facilities so that you can gain the necessary skills in your undergraduate education in Malaysia. The university doesn’t necessarily need to have all the facilities needed but should have the basic ones. Special Engineering labs will depend on the area of specialisation. You will need to look at the subjects offered to see which one fits your career goals and area of specialisation that you want to pursue.
5. Cost for your Engineering Course Studies in Malaysia

Hanson, Foundation in Science (Engineering) at UCSI University
- How much money do I have to pay for the course and cost of living? Ask your parents. Note that you will need to have enough to pay the tuition fees as well as your cost of living. (Costs for university studies in Malaysia would include tuition, hostel, food, transportation, entertainment, etc.)
- What are the Financial assistance available at the university? (Scholarships, PTPN Loan, EPF withdrawal, etc)
- Is the PTPTN loan available for the course at the university?
- How much are the tuition fees? Does it include the exam and other fees?
- How much is on-campus accommodation?
- How much is off-campus accommodation? (Off-campus apartments, houses, condominiums) Note that it might be cheaper to find off campus accommodation on your own with friends. Is the accommodations near eateries, banks, entertainment, public transportation, safe & secure, etc.?
6. Student Environment at the University & College

Ignatius, Mechatronic Engineering at Asia Pacific University
- What is the student culture at the university? (English-speaking environment, ambitious, serious about studies, lifestyle or party university, etc) The language spoken mostly at the college by the students may also matter if you don’t know Mandarin or BM or English. If most of the students speak Mandarin at that university then it will not help you to improve your English. Having a good command of the English language helps you to get good jobs and promotions.
- Size of the university or college in Malaysia. Some students prefer a large campus with sports facilities and other resources while other students like small colleges with family-like environment. A small college may offer individualised attention, as well as a more intimate and personalised experience. for your studies You might even want to think about how far you want to walk to get from one class to another in a large university campus. Even those little details may affect your decision.
- Make up of the student body (diversity, international students, gender, etc.) Universities with a good proportion of international students will help you to improve your English language skills since you would need to communicate with them in English. In addition, you will learn about their culture, behaviour and discover new ideas. These skills will be useful to you when you work overseas or in a multi-national company.
7. Internships for the Engineering Course in Malaysia
- Does the university or college have a strong internship or Co-Op programme?
- What are the companies partnered with the university?
- How long is the internship programme? How is it carried out?
8. Safety of the Surrounding Area of the University or College
- Is the university or college campus a safe area? Safety within the campus and outside.
- Have there been many snatch thefts or robberies around the university or college?
9. Students Activities Available at the University
- What are the Extra-curricular activities available? (Student organisations, clubs, sports, etc.)
- What are the Student Support Services available?
10. Location of the University and Transportation

Chee Yuan, Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- Location of the university or college. Is it in the city, suburbs or country side? You should also consider the ambience of your surroundings when choosing a university. If you can’t live without nightlife, think city! If you’re into the great outdoors, you might want to go rural. Some students prefer a city life while other students prefer a quieter university environment away from the city. On the other hand, if you’re used to shopping malls and cinemas and choose a university in a rural area, you might get bored.
- Transportation. Is the university accessible to you? What are the public transportation available?
- Does the university provide a free bus shuttle to link to other transportation hubs?
- Is the university near bus stops or LRT station or MRT station?
- If you drive, is there enough parking spots? How much is the parking rate for daily or monthly?
Guide in Choosing the Best Engineering Course at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

Justin Moo, Mechanical Engineering graduate from Taylor’s University
Demand for qualified engineers in Malaysia is increasing. In order to succeed in the engineering field, students must choose a top private university in Malaysia that has the experience and facilities to equip them.
In addition, soft skills such as an English speaking environment, leadership skills, communication skills and internship programs will help the graduate stand out and be very successful. Research has shown that graduates with a good command of English has a 25% higher salary than those who don’t.
Engineers use computer technology and mathematical models to work out the solution to structural, or mechanical problems. In an engineering degree course in Malaysia, students will spend time in the laboratory or use computers to understand how to solve problems. You will also have the opportunity to apply your theory to real-life projects through case-studies and internships.
Engineering degrees are extremely varied and can focus on particular parts of the engineering industry or just a general overview of the technical processes. Whichever degree you choose to study, you will graduate with a host of transferable skills that will enable you to work in a variety of industries.
It is recommended for students to choose an engineering degree programme that is general rather than specific so that their job prospects are wider. If you choose a course such as aerospace engineering, your job scope is only limited to the aerospace industry. A degree in mechanical engineering or mechatronic engineering would provide you the opportunity to work in the aerospace industry as well as other industries.
Engineering students will gain skills such as project management, analysis and your practical experience

& helped guide me to choose the right university after my A-Levels.
Yao Seng, Civil Engineering, UCSI University
act as great foundations for careers in other industries. It isn’t uncommon to find top quality engineers in banking, politics and financial sectors. Many graduates do not work in the field that they graduate in. This is normal.
Before starting your career in engineering it is important to know which engineering field you would like to specialise in because of the variety of sectors within the engineering industry. If you are certain of what type of engineer you wish to become, you should study a degree which focuses specifically on that field of study.
If you are not sure, that is still alright as students after SPM or O-Levels can take the Foundation course at a reputable private university for one year. During that one year, you should talk to the seniors and lecturers to figure out which engineering field best fits you.
Students after SPM or O-Levels who are sure of choosing engineering for their degree studies may go for the Foundation in Engineering. If you are still not sure whether you want engineering or other science courses, you may choose the Foundation in Science programme at premier private universities in Malaysia. Students after the external Pre-University Programme such as A-Levels, UEC, STPM, SAM, CPU, MUFY or AUSMAT may enter directly into the Engineering Degree programme with relevant results.
There are a wide variety of specialisations, and the more popular engineering fields in Malaysia are listed below for you to browse through.
- Chemical Engineering Courses
- Civil Engineering Courses
- Computer Engineering Courses
- Electrical Engineering Courses
- Electronic Engineering Courses
- Environmental Engineering Courses
- Industrial Engineering Courses
- Maritime Engineering Courses
- Manufacturing Engineering Courses
- Materials Engineering Courses
- Mechanical Engineering Courses
Which Engineering field is the best for me to study in Malaysia?

Eugene Ong, Electrical & Electronic Engineering at UCSI University
Students should choose your engineering field by passion. Ask yourself, “What gets me excited? Projections may show a future demand in certain engineering fields, but do you want to work very hard for the next four years in order to get a job in an area you don’t really like?
Students should identify your true interests. Do you like tinkering with devices? Mechanical engineering or mechatronic engineering are good choices for you. Are you passionate about solving the energy crisis? Then you might consider petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, or electrical engineering. And if you spend all your spare time writing code, computer science is an appropriate career path.
Choosing to study in an engineering field that you have passion in, will make you more likely to succeed as you would be willing to put in the hard work needed to be an expert in your field.
Don’t worry I know it is very difficult for you to give the answer so I am here to help you to know your interest in a particular engineering field of study. It’s very simple just give the answer of some question and then decide yourself that which branch do you like most or which branch suited to you according to your interest. We will discuss so that you can choose the best engineering field to study according to your interest.