Best Civil Engineering Courses in Malaysia

Best Engineering Schools in Malaysia Offering Civil Engineering Degree Accredited by Board of Engineering Malaysia (BEM)

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Civil engineers design things. These might be roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, or water supply and sewage systems. They must consider many factors in their designs, from the costs to making sure the structure will stay intact during bad weather. Choosing to study the best civil engineering programme at top universities in Malaysia will enhance your chances for a successful career.

Students after SPM or O-Levels wanting Top Foundation in Engineering programmes at the best private universities in Malaysia can go for Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Foundation Programme  tailored pathways to their Civil Engineering degree through the Foundation in Science. Top ranked UCSI University also offers the Foundation in Science into their BEM accredited Civil Engineering degree.

Pre-University graduates in Malaysia from programmes such as UEC, STPM, A-Levels, SAM, CPU, AUSMAT and others may enter directly into the Civil Engineering degree providing they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Top private universities in Malaysia for the Civil Engineering degree programme include Heriot-Watt University Malaysia and UCSI University

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Increase in Job Demand for Civil Engineers in Malaysia & Globally

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The recent surge in infrastructure spend by the Malaysian government can be seen as a product of the ripple effect across the region. The Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (MRT) railway network around Kuala Lumpur, which will cost an estimated RM20bil to RM40bil to complete, will signal the beginning of a new era in transportation in the country.

This intra-city rail project is expected to not only significantly increase the rail network in the Klang Valley but also integrate the existing rail networks and lighten the traffic congestion in the KL metropolitan area.

Engineering graduates in Malaysia can look forward to directly benefitting from this massive project. The new three-line transportation backbone is expected to create an estimated 130,000 job opportunities during the period of its construction, and generate gross national income (GNI) of between RM3bil to RM4bil per annum from 2011 to 2020.

Another RM21bil per annum is expected to be generated throughout the ten-year span, in the form of property value appreciation.

According to investment research firm OSK Research, Malaysia is likely to see its biggest residential property boom in a decade. The boom – which is arguably a side effect of the transportation infrastructure surge in the nation – will be led by medium- to high-end landed properties and is expected

One of the top engineering nations is the world, Germany has an estimated 1 million engineers for a population of 82 million (engineer:population ratio of 1:82). France has an estimated 800,000 for a population of 60 million (engineer:population ratio of 1:75). At present, the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) has a total register of 52,000 graduate and professional engineers.

Considering that a large number of engineers in Malaysia are not registered with BEM (around 50%), it is estimated that there are around 80,000 engineers currently in employment, i.e. still registering a very poor engineer:population ratio of 1:312 (assuming a current national population of 25 million).

Table shows engineer-population ratios for Malaysia and several advanced countries.

Country Population Estimated number of Engineers Engineer to Population ratio
Malaysia  25 million 80,000  1:312
France  60 million 800,000  1:75
Germany  82 million 1,000,000  1:82
Canada 30 million 250,000  1:120
United Kingdom  60 million 425,000  1:141

Therefore it is important for Malaysia to increase her production of engineers at a very significant rate in order to achieve a comparable index with the developed nations. If we were to use the “advanced nation benchmark” the engineer:population ratio of 1:100 would mean that Malaysia would need around 275,000 and 300,000 engineers in 5 and 10 years respectively (assuming population growth at 2% per year).

It is noted that in the Ninth Malaysia Plan presented by the Prime Minister of Malaysia in March 2006, the government plans to increase engineering student enrolment for public and private universities with the target annual growth rate of 12.2% and 20.8% respectively (Malaysia 2006a). In 2006, an estimated 10,571 students entered first year engineering studies in public and private universities.

Therefore with the expected growth, the government is projecting that more than 77,000 and 222,000 engineering graduates will be produced altogether from all the Malaysian universities in the next 5 and 10 years respectively.

If this projection is met, even after accounting for retirements, Malaysia will be able to match engineer : population ratios with those of advanced nations within 10 years

Who should study Civil Engineering?

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What does it take to be a civil engineer? In general, engineers need to enjoy the challenge of solving problems. Engineers should be creative, curious, analytical, and detail-oriented. They have to possess an aptitude for math and science.

Civil engineers usually work as part of a team from a wide range of fields. Therefore, apart from having good technical knowledge and aptitude, people skills are important. A good civil engineer have to demonstrate the ability to work with other people, good communication leadership skills. Civil engineers need a wide range of expertise. So if you’re interested in becoming a civil engineer, you should try to get good skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM subjects).

Most civil engineering projects need to be able to stand up to natural forces (like wind and water), and man-made forces (like vehicles, equipment and people). For example, civil engineers:

  • Design roads so they don’t sink into the ground when heavy lorries drive along them
  • Build flats so they don’t fall over when the wind blows
  • Construct tunnels so they don’t flood when it rains

You need to be able to understand and measure forces and movement, and to calculate the strength of the structures you’re designing. What you learn in maths and science – especially physics – will help you do this.

The structures that civil engineers design and build are mainly on the ground and have to be supported by the soil and rocks underneath them. The strength of the ground varies from place to place, and different rocks and soil have different properties (e.g. how quickly water drains through them). If you don’t want your structure to sink into the mud, you have to know about the various types of ground and design the right kind of foundations for the site. For this reason, studying geography or geology is also good idea.

As designers and innovators, civil engineers create things that didn’t exist before and do things in ways that haven’t been done before. They try to make our environment as attractive as possible by designing things that are interesting and pleasant to look at. They also make sure that these things blend in well with their surroundings. So if you’re creative and enjoy art and design and technology, these would be good subjects to study too.

Civil engineers usually work in teams and are often involved in projects in many parts of the world. This means that languages, teamwork and communication skills will also come in useful.

The Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) registers graduates and professional engineers under the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2002). The requirement for registration as a graduate engineer is a degree in engineering recognised by the Board. A professional engineer (Ir or PEng) is a person who is licensed to practice to practice engineering in Malaysia after meeting all requirements of
the  (e.g. pass PI Examination).

Only an Ir/P.Eng. can sign and seal engineering documents that are engineering documents that are submitted to a public authority or for public and private clients. This is very important especially for Civil Engineers who needs to become a Professional Engineer in order to sign the blueprints.

If you study at a university that is not accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM), you cannot practice as a Civil Engineer.

Studying Civil Engineering at the Best Private Universities in Malaysia that’s Accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)

Civil engineers design things. These might be roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, or water supply and sewage systems. They must consider many factors in their designs, from the costs to making sure the structure will stay intact during bad weather.

Many civil engineers manage people and projects. A civil engineer may oversee a construction site or be a city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching. There are many specialties within civil engineering, such as structural, construction, environment, and transportation.

Civil engineers usually work in areas where there is lots of manufacturing and businesses. Often they work at construction sites. Sometimes they work in places that are far away from cities. Some are required to travel.

Civil engineering is arguably the oldest engineering discipline. It deals with the built environment and can be dated to the first time someone placed a roof over his or her head or laid a tree trunk across a river to make it easier to get across.

The built environment encompasses much of what defines modern civilization. Buildings and bridges are often the first constructions that come to mind, as they are the most conspicuous creations of structural engineering, one of civil engineering’s major sub-disciplines.

Roads, railroads, subway systems, and airports are designed by transportation engineers, another category of civil engineering.

The diversity within civil engineering creates a wide choice of careers for its graduates. Most civil engineers work for consulting firms, manufacturers or government agencies. Many civil engineers manage people and projects. A civil engineer may oversee a construction site or be a city engineer. Others may work in design, construction, research, and teaching. There are many specialties within civil engineering, such as:

  • structural
  • construction
  • environment
  • transportation

Top Ranked UK Degree in Civil Engineering Degree Course at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

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Heriot-Watt University is ranked 2nd for Civil Engineering in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2016 and 9th in the Complete University Guide 2016.

The programme at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia covers the main civil engineering disciplines of Structures, Geotechnics, Water Engineering, and Highway Engineering, and provides students with the key skills and knowledge required to become chartered civil or structural engineers. After graduation, students are equipped to work for engineering consultants, contractors or government at management level.

The core curriculum includes instruction in all main subject areas, concentrating on analysis and materials behaviour, with increasing focus on design and management in the specialisation years. Throughout, there is an emphasis on the personal development of students within a professional environment.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia graduates have excellent employment prospects. They design and oversee construction projects such as urban drainage systems, roads, bridges, buildings and airports. All civil and structural engineering programmes at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia are supported by the civil engineering industry advisory committee, which includes representatives from major multi-national employers offering advice, guidance and work placement opportunities.

*MEng CIVIL ENGINEERING (pending MOE approval) at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
BEng students who meet the progression requirements for the MEng programme may transfer programmes at the end of Year 2.

Teaching and Assessment of the Civil Engineering BEng (Hons) at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

An intellectually stimulating environment at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
An intellectually stimulating environment at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Teaching involves a mix of lectures, tutorials and practical work. Assessment is by a combination of coursework and examination. By the final year, coursework assessment, principally through the design project and research dissertations, accounts for approximately 50% of the final assessment.

Students interested in registering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, please go to this link. For information on hostel accommodation at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, go to this link. Scholarships are available to deserving Malaysian students who have achieved high results in their SPM, STPM, A-Levels or UEC examinations.

Top Ranked UCSI University Offers Affordable Civil Engineering Degree Accredited by Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)

UCSI University is ranked top in Asia and the World by QS World University Rankings as well as achieved Excellent or Tier 5 Rating in SETARA by MQA
UCSI University is ranked top in Asia and the World by QS World University Rankings as well as achieved Excellent or Tier 5 Rating in SETARA by MQA

The Faculty of Engineering Technology and Built Environment (FETBE) at UCSI University came into existence in 2007 as a result of a synergetic merger between the School of Engineering and the School of Architecture and Built Environment, which were established in 1992 and 2005, respectively.

Supported by decades of accumulated experience in the education and industrial sectors, the faculty has evolved rapidly to become one of the most prestigious and innovative providers of engineering and architectural education, not only in Malaysia but throughout the region. Notably, the faculty offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that have gained national and international recognition.

The Civil Engineering degree programme at UCSI University is designed to cater to today’s modern world needs and respond to society’s escalating demands for a better quality of life.

The civil engineering programme focuses on the development of theoretical concepts, practical engineering

EduSpiral picked us up to tour the university & helped guide me to choose the right university after my A-Levels. Yao Seng, Civil Engineering, UCSI University
EduSpiral picked us up to tour the university
& helped guide me to choose the right university after my A-Levels.
Yao Seng, Civil Engineering, UCSI University

skills and teamwork, comprising a wide range of relevant courses – including structural analysis and design, geotechnical study, hydrology and hydraulic, highway and traffic, water and sewer systems – that also emphasises management skills and economics, at the same time.

The primary objective of the engineering programme at UCSI University is to develop creative and well-trained individuals who are able to communicate fluently and coherently, demonstrate awareness of financial and ethical constraints, use their engineering knowledge and skills to critically and creatively evaluate situations or projects, and solve engineering problems.

The programme is suited for undergraduate students who combine intellectual talents with a creative, innovative and practical outlook – students who seek a wide variety of opportunities and challenges during their university course and later on in their careers as well as those who wish to further develop their skills to effect change and improve the environment on a local and global scale.

In this programme, students are also required to undergo industrial training under UCSI University’s Co-operative Placement (Co-op) Programme at the end of their 2nd and 3rd academic years – to learn from industry leaders and familiarize themselves with the actual working environment.

Towards the end of their course of study, students will undertake a one-semester capstone project to assess and gauge their understanding of their learning and the outcome of their formal education. They will also undertake a research and development project in their final year of study.

Programme Details for the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering at UCSI University

In this programme, students are also required to undergo industrial training under UCSI University’s Co-Operative Placement (Co-Op) Programme in the third semester of each year to learn from and familiarise themselves with the real life working environment. Towards the end of the course of study, students will undertake a two-semester final year project to assess their understanding and the outcome of their formal education.

Accreditation for the BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering at UCSI University

All of UCSI University’s engineering degree programmes comply with the latest requirements for accreditation by the Malaysian

Control, Instrumentation Pneumatic & Hydraulics Lab for Civil Engineering Students at UCSI University
Control, Instrumentation Pneumatic & Hydraulics Lab for Civil Engineering Students at UCSI University

Engineering Accreditation Council, which fulfils the international requirements drafted in the Washington Accord.

Assessments

The quality of teaching in the civil engineering degree programme is considered to be of the highest level and ensures UCSI University achieve its primary aims of developing its students’ ability to think, develop confidence in problem-solving, and enabling them to apply their newly-acquired knowledge to practical situations.

The UCSI University School of Engineering employs a range of teaching methods:

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Laboratory experiments
  • Design and research projects
  • Specialist seminars / Site visits
  • Surveying / Geology residential camps
  • Co-Operative placement / Industrial experience
  • Courses are assessed through examination or coursework, presentations and project work, or a combination of these.

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