Top 10 Universities to Study Software Engineering in Malaysia 2024 EduSpiral Consultant Services Best advise & information on courses at Malaysia’s top private universities and colleges

List of the Best Universities in Malaysia to Study a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering

Software Engineering is the field of studying, devising and building a practical solution to a problem. Through software engineering coursework, students learn to create and maintain computer programs and applications.

The objective of a software engineer is to understand a problem within a computer and create software that eases the problem. To work as a software engineer, students should pursue at least a bachelors degree from a top private university. Courses in a computer science undergraduate program may include computer fundamentals, data structures, principles of programming languages, software engineering, and computer architecture.

Choosing a university that excels in software engineering will provide you with access to more specialised opportunities, including custom-built facilities such as computer labs with lots of expensive software and internships opportunities with top companies. Choosing the best university for your studies in Malaysia is important as it will help to shape your mind, character and help you to develop the necessary skills for a successful career. Therefore, studying at a top private university for computer software programming will enhance your chances immensely. These are the top undergraduate computer science programmes for software engineering at Malaysia’s top private universities.

Best Undergraduate Software Engineering Programmes at Top Private Universities in Malaysia

I was confused about what to study & at which university. Talking to EduSpiral helped clear my doubts.
Zen Yi, Graduated from Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University (APU)

Choosing to study computer software programming is one of the best choices as it has many plus points and is one of the highest paying jobs in Malaysia. A top private university would equip you with the necessary IT knowledge and skills to secure the job and achieve high paying salaries.

Students should note that not all private universities are the same as they offer different facilities and environments. In addition, the syllabus of the software engineering courses vary as well.

When choosing a university to study software engineering, look at the rankings, awards, academic reputation, lecturers’ experience, curriculum, student environment, internships and employability.

The best university is the one that best fits your educational, personal and career goals.

Below, you will find ten best Software Engineering programs in the country:

The Best Private Universities for a Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering

Asia Pacific University (APU)
Taylor’s University
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus
Monash University Malaysia
Sunway University
First City University College
HELP University
University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOWM)
University of Wollongong Malaysia (UOWM) KDU Penang

Studying Software Engineering at a Top Private University in Malaysia

EduSpiral helped me to understand clearly what software engineering is about & helped me to choose the right university. Vincent Chow, Software Engineering Graduate, Asia Pacific University

The popularity of computers & technology has resulted in greater interest in computer-based courses in Malaysia. These include dividing the computer into hardware, software, programming and many other fields. These courses divide the many different aspects that make a computer.

Software Engineering (SE) and Computer Science (CS) are two different fields that are used in computing. Many people that even perform jobs in Software Engineering field often possess Computer Science degrees. Because of such instances, many students are confused about Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Software Engineering is the field of studying, devising and building a practical solution to a problem. The objective of a software engineer is to understand a problem within a computer and create software that eases the problem. This could include either manipulating existing software or creating a new one from scratch. Software is required to make computer function. This job is mostly a team effort. Engineers group together with programmers in order to build a software that works with the system at hand.

Software Engineering focuses on designing and building large software systems. It teaches you to manage the whole software development life-cycle such as requirements gathering, software architecture, building prototypes, implementation, testing, deployment and maintenance.

In addition to the software development process, this field concentrates on topics such as software team communication, and software product measurement, estimation and analysis.

Software engineering does involve learning certain core computer science concepts and programming, but it does not explore it as much in depth as done in Computer Science.

Who Should Study Software Engineering?

Students interested in a career in computer software engineering needs to have analytical skill, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills as well as creativity and attention to detail; familiarity with database management, development environment, program testing and other related software.

Students should be good in Mathematics and possess at least a Credit in SPM or O-Levels for Maths. Students should have a strong interest in programming and lots of patience in creating a programme.

What is Software Engineering?

EduSpiral took me & my friends to tour a few universities to help us make the right choice. He then met me & my father for further counseling & to assist in registering.
Horng Yarng, Diploma in ICT at Asia Pacific University

Software Engineering is an Engineering profession concerned with the processes, methods, and tools for the design and development of high quality, reliable software systems. This involves the study and application of software specification, design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software. Target systems may range from simple software applications to mission-critical real-time systems.

Software Engineering includes the design and implementation of specific, reliable, efficient and secure software systems for a multitude of purposes. Of course, you also have to be able to write or code software if you are going to be able to build the systems around it. ‘Software’ are the programs that we all use on our computers – but Software Engineering goes so much deeper than that. Software engineers usually design a program to fulfil a certain need or solve a problem. Every time you use your email, or an app on your smartphone or a computer accounting system you are using software.

Software Engineering is concerned with the design and implementation of reliable and secure software systems, which have the functionality required for the intended purpose. Software Engineering is also sometimes referred to as “software programming”. Software Engineering is a booming industry with no shortage of opportunities to create unique and life changing programs.

Career Opportunities for Malaysian Software Engineering Graduates

EduSpiral provided detailed information to help me make my decision.
Vincent Lim, Software Engineering Graduate, Asia Pacific University (APU)

Although the demand for software engineers is high, the financial reward is also quite high.

Even companies that have been associated largely with hardware in the past estimate that 80-90% of their engineers are involved in software development. As a consequence of this rapid expansion there is a serious worldwide shortage of software engineers who are able to deal with the complexity of developing high-quality software systems.

The software industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world with work opportunities in many areas including, but not limited to, telecommunications, defence, electronics and, of course, software development and computing. With a Software Engineering degree, you will be qualified to design, program and create software for literally anything you can think of.

Given the ubiquitous nature of software in modern society, software engineers can find employment opportunities in many areas. These will include, but will not be limited to, the computing, software, electronics, telecommunications, security and defence industries.

Organisations in Malaysia are already reinventing themselves to embrace digitisation, so it comes as no surprise that this field is observing – now and in the future – a steady and strong demand. Software development, data centres, big data analytics and cloud computing are rapidly developing areas. Digital or IT-related jobs, including content creators, data scientists and IT professionals will continue to stay in demand for the next decade.

According to Hays, the increasing threat of cyber security has created huge demand for security experts who can safeguard the IT systems of organisations against malicious cyber-attacks. And, with a growing number of large-scale cyberattacks including the global WannaCry ransomware which infected more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries this year, it’s no surprise that cybersecurity experts are high in demand.

The Pikom Job Market Outlook in Malaysia 2017 report found that professionals in the industries mentioned were paid an average of RM8,952 per month, last year. Pikom (The National ICT Association of Malaysia) is targeting a 6.7% growth for the average monthly salary of IT professionals this year, bringing it to RM9,056, which is more than double the amount in 2007. It is heartening to note that looking at a 10-year period, the ICT industry average monthly salary has doubled since 2007.

In 2014, employees who remained in-role received salary increases between 5-10%, while those who moved organisations received between 15-25%. We expect this trend to continue in 2015 – potentially rising further for e-commerce professionals who will be in demand as organisations set-up IT hubs in Malaysia.

A career in Software Engineering in Malaysia can be rewarding with a high job demand for qualified and trained professionals. Salary for software engineers is one of the top in Malaysia. Students should choose the best software engineering course to study in Malaysia and at a top university.

Critical Occupations List (COL) Malaysia

The Critical Occupations List (COL) identifies the jobs most in demand in key sectors of the economy, and for which industries may be facing shortages or difficulties in hiring.

It is developed by the Critical Skills Monitoring Committee (CSC), which is jointly led by TalentCorp and the Institute of Labour Market Information and Analysis (ILMIA). The input of the CSC would be used as part of the proposed Human Capital Council to be chaired by the Prime Minister to coordinate the Government’s human capital policies.

It has identified Information Communications Technology jobs as one of the Critical Occupations and the list of positions needed are below: