
What is Engineering?
Engineering deals with applying mathematical and scientific knowledge to the structure in order to develop the designed building. Engineering in itself contains a wide variety of disciplines. However, its discipline that is most related to the field of architecture would be civil engineering, as this deals specifically with the technical and structural aspects of construction.
Engineering is a field that focuses on problem-solving. This particular area of study has a wide reach of occupational jobs. From the buildings that we have in our cities, to the manufacture of our phones, an engineer has been involved in designing and assembling these pieces. Engineers are great thinkers and inventors. They are the ones behind the reason why our lives continue to grow into a more efficient system that keeps us safe.
Is Bachelor of Engineering a right degree for me?
The field of engineering is vast and expanding increasingly over the course of time. Many students initially decide that they want to study engineering however often change the course of the career midway. This is usually because of 2 factors: whether you know about the key qualities to become an engineer and whether your university was able to deliver up to your expectations.
The list of key qualities one must consider when deciding to step foot in the field of engineering is:
Problem solving
Problem-solving is one of the key skills in becoming an Engineer. As part of your daily responsibilities, you would need to assess situations, identify problems and find the most effective solution to solve it. You need to be capable of handling obstacles in your daily life.
- Communication & Team Working Skills
The ability to work alongside others is also a huge part of becoming an engineer. You should be able to communicate efficiently whilst working on projects together to ensure fully cooperation to succeed as a team and perform the best quality work (Especially when working with clients, to have the ability to convey technical information to those without any technical knowledge)
- Attention to Detail
Engineers need to have an attention to detail. Many times when working on projects – even small errors in drafting or calculation can lead to major loss in terms of physical damage and financial damage. To become a successful engineer, you need to able to demonstrate precision and accuracy in all of your work.
“Engineering is the closest thing to magic that exists in the world” Elon Musk
Overview of Engineering Majors
Majors | Definition | |
Electrical & Electronic | Electrical Engineering contains research, design, development and management of complex orders for many different uses. Think about the electricity wires that connect your room to the power grid. | |
Mechanical | Any design you can dream of can be brought to reality by a mechanical engineer. The use of mechanical power to operate machines and tools, and to develop things. Anything from a water heater to cars to computers to cell phones. | |
Civil | Civil engineers design, develop, manage, operate and maintain the infrastructure that supports modern society. This includes buildings, bridges, tunnels, roads, dams, ports and harbours, railways, water supply and sewerage schemes, irrigation systems and more. | |
Telecommunication | Telecommunication engineer explores how information is transmitted from one point to another, whether that’s an image file, or massive high-resolution YouTube video flying across the Internet. | |
Mechatronic | Think about the Iron-man from the movie, Mechatronic engineer specialised in the development of autonomous systems such as self-operating robots, including vehicles, as well as a thorough knowledge of industrial automation. | |
Chemical | Chemical engineers design, develop and optimise the systems and equipment used in chemical, industrial and environmental processes, producing a range of materials, like fuels, fertilisers, foods, polymers and pharmaceuticals. | |
Petroleum | Petroleum engineers use the knowledge of chemistry, geology and economics to the discovery, development and production of energy and material resources below the Earth’s surface. | |
Biomedical | Biomedical engineers use engineering analysis and techniques to problems in medicine and life sciences. They bridge the gap between clinical medicine and the increasingly complex world of medical technologies. | |
Renewable Energy | This degree explores the most efficient ways to make use of renewable energy technologies, including solar thermal systems, photovoltaics, wind and biomass. | |
Photovoltaics & Solar | Photovoltaic engineering uses solar radiation to create energy. It studies the manufacture and use of solar cells, which capture and convert sunlight to electricity that can power virtually anything electrical. As a renewable and sustainable energy source, solar energy is unlimited and a vital industry for humanity’s future. | |
Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering | Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering studies the safe, economic and environmentally responsible recovery, processing, marketing and management of mineral resources. In simple terms, Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering is about the extraction of natural minerals from the earth and the processing of those minerals into more user-friendly forms with minimal environmental impact. | |
Aerospace Engineering | Aerospace engineers focus on the science and practice of air and space travel; the design, development, testing and production of aerospace vehicles; the maintenance and operation of air-vehicle; and aerospace research. |
Entry requirements for Engineering Programmes in Malaysia
Academic entry |
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English language entry |
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General Pathway of Becoming an Engineer in Malaysia
It is essential for you to know that in order to become an engineer in Malaysia, the university you choose has to provide you with an accredited degree. This is its way of assuring you that you are receiving a set level of competency and that the course is coming from a qualified source that matches the engineering industry’s standards.
In order to become registered as a “Graduate Engineer” in Malaysia, you have to acquire a qualification of engineering awarded by Malaysia (or other countries) that is recognized by the Board of Malaysia (BEM).
To inquire about further information regarding engineering accreditations, do contact us now!
Here are the top 5 universities in Malaysia for the field of Engineering:
1. Asia Pacific University
Asia Pacific University Degrees are accredited and recognized under the Washington Accord. APU aims to turn their students into global leaders and practitioners of their respective fields. APU has received a 5 Star SETARA rating and is known as one of the highest rated emerging universities. APU provides excellent resources and enables students to be equipped with industry-ready skills and a high-spirited attitude.
Programs | Duration | Full Indicative fees 2023 |
APU Foundation in Engineering | 1 year | RM 25,200 |
APIIT – Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering | 2.5 years | RM 39,600 |
Diploma in Mechatronic Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 4 years | RM 102,000 |
BEng (Hons) Computer Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Mechatronic Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Petroleum Engineering |
2. University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham is known for its faculty of engineering as one of the strongest faculties of the institute. They want to give their students the excellence, strength and boldness to battle in well-known global companies and organisations. At Nottingham, the faculty of engineering recognizes the importance of engineering solutions and more importantly the right skills that students must acquire to become those who can apply new knowledge to new products and new processes. Nottingham offers 4 departments under the faculty of Engineering:
Programs | Duration | Full Indicative fees 2023 |
Foundation in Engineering | 1 year | RM 29,700 |
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering | 3 years | RM 151,200 |
BEng (Hons) Chemical & Environmental Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Mechatronic Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering |
3. Taylors University
Taylors University has various accolades to its name as one of the top private universities in Malaysia. It is the first engineering school in Southeast Asia to adopt the CDIO initiative and register with the Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GSCP), allowing them to use these approaches in their teaching and build graduates that are able to meet the real-world demands. Taylors focuses on practical learning for all their students and pushes them towards project-based learning to explore their passion in their specialised field of engineering. Taylors has 3 major departments in the field of Engineering:
Programs | Duration | Indicative fees 2023 |
Foundation in Engineering | 1 year | RM 39982 |
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering | 4 years | RM 166801 |
BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering |
4. Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt is a globally recognised university with campuses in Dubai, Malaysia and the UK. They are ranked 302nd worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2018/19) and 35th in the UK (The Complete University Guide 2019). When you join Heriot-Watt you become part of a global family. They have over 116,000 alumni worldwide. Heriot-Watt Malaysia offers 3 departments under the faculty of Engineering:
Programs | Duration | Indicative fees 2023 |
Foundation in Science | 1 year | RM 26,340 |
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering | 3 years | RM 135,000 |
BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Petroleum Engineering | ||
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering |
5. UCSI University
UCSI University is one of Malaysia’s first private universities with more than 10, 000 students from 110 different countries. Some of the factors that make UCSI a great institute is their academic staff who are highly experienced and sought after. Through their experience they are able to give students a learning experience which heavily based on industrial application.UCSI offers student mobility for all its engineering courses to be completed in partner universities in Australia. UCSI offer many different levels of certification including foundation, diploma and degree in Engineering as well as many different majors such as:
Programs | Duration | Full Indicative fees 2023 |
Foundation in Science | 1 year | RM 21,630 |
Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 2.5 years | RM 47,115 |
BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering | 4 years | RM 93,390 |
BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering | RM 95,370 | |
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering | RM 89,230 | |
BEng (Hons) Environmental Engineering | RM 97,210 | |
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering | RM 91,690 | |
BEng (Hons) Mechatronic Engineering | RM 92,180 | |
BEng (Hons) Petroleum Engineering | RM 97,800 |
Learn more about why Malaysia is the study destination for you: 10 reasons for studying in Malaysia
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About Post Author

Manahil Ijaz
An international student from Taylor’s University, Manahil Ijaz is a freelance writer from the field of PR and Marketing who indulges in different forms of art including writing, painting and designing. Manahil has a great passion for psychology, English literature and travelling.