First Rate Private Universities in Malaysia with Architecture Degree Accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM)
- Top private universities in Malaysia to study a LAM accredited architecture degree
- Subjects that you will Study in an Architecture Degree Programme at a Private University in Malaysia
- Education pathway into the Architecture degree course at a top private university
Students interested to pursue a tertiary education in architecture should choose top private universities that are accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia. Choosing to study at a top university in Malaysia for architecture will enhance the chances of you completing the challenging pathway to becoming a professional architect.
A degree in Architecture will give you the opportunity to practice your craft. The degree will teach you how to plan buildings so that they line up with pre-existing structures and provide effective services. Furthermore, it’ll equip you to consider the environmental impact of what you design and create sustainable buildings.
Studying architecture, as well as the pathway to become a professional architect in Malaysia can be very challenging. Determined students would need to check if the degree courses are accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM). Without this accreditation, you cannot progress on. Since the pathway is not an easy one, it is important to choose the best architecture degree course that are taught by qualified and experienced lecturers at top private universities in Malaysia.
Read on the article below on the education pathway and which private universities in Malaysia would be best for you.
Best Architecture Degree Programmes at Premier Private Universities in Malaysia with Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) Accreditation
Vivi Tan, Architecture at UCSI University
If you are interested in creating things, buildings and spaces, technology, art and design, a career in architecture may be for you. Basically, an architect is a person who creates the designs of buildings. They don’t actually build them, that’s the job of the Civil Engineer. Architects role is like a project leader who works with different people to coordinate and get the building up on time within budget.
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.
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.
Choosing the Best Private University for you to Study Architecture in Malaysia
Kenneth Pang, Architecture student at UCSI University
The first step in choosing the university for your architecture studies is to ensure that the degree is accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) Part 1. Without this accreditation, you cannot progress on to Part II and III and eventually to becoming a professional architect.
For students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels who are sure of pursuing architecture as their career, then you should take the Architecture Foundation at a private university. The Architecture Foundation will prepare you better to handle the challenges of the degree programme. In the Foundation course, there will be some architecture subjects and these will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to study the degree.
Students should visit the university and look at the facilities. Important for architecture students would be woodwork lab, drawing studios, design space to work on models, and the relevant computing software.
Awards won in competitions are an indication of the quality of the architecture programme at the university. It shows that the students have reached a high level of capability to have won the awards as well as the lecturers who had guided and taught them.
What you will Study in the Architecture degree course in Malaysia
Kenneth, Interior Architecture at Taylor’s University
Architecture is a mixture of practical and theoretical studies. It is important to understand the philosophy, history and culture in order to create stunning buildings.
Architecture major students in Malaysia will learn how to use design software to create models, drawings, prototypes and structures. You will learn how to use creative and rational inquiry to analyse and provide solutions to design problems, integrating emerging aesthetic, technical, social and ethical concerns.
Architecture degree students in Malaysia will apply advanced digital design tools to solve design problems and address sustainability issues. Students will spend long hours in research and project-based architectural design subjects to create aesthetically beautiful design pieces that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
To create these projects will require you to think logically on how the buildings function and are constructed, and then combine them with innovative & creative concepts.
Some of the design software that you will learn how to use are:
- Photoshop
- AutoCAD
- 3D Max
Sample of Subjects that you will Study in an Architecture Degree Programme at a Private University in Malaysia
Jie Sheng, Architecture at UCSI University
- Architectural Design Studio
- Architecture Culture & History
- Building Materials
- Design Communication
- Building Construction
- Environmental Sustainable Design
- Building Science
- Computer Applications
- Asian Architecture
- Building Services
- Building Structures
- Building Technology
- Theories of Architecture & Urbanism
- Computer-aided Design
- Furniture Workshop
- Project Management
- Digital Architecture
- Architecture Site Planning
- Architecture Site Surveying & Coordination
What is the Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) and Becoming a Professional Architect in Malaysia
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).
Students after SPM or O-Levels will go for the Foundation program for one year first. After that, they will go on to an Architecture degree that’s accredited by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) Part 1. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will then go on to a Masters in Architecture that’s accredited Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM) Part 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.
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.
Graduates who obtained the qualifications in architecture from accredited universities are eligible to register as Graduate Architect with the Board of Architects Malaysia.
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.
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).
Requirements for Registration
The applicant shall be a person who :
- is a registered Graduate Architect;
- has obtained the practical experience as prescribed by the Board; and
- has passed the Part III Professional Examination