The 101 Guide To Study Petroleum Engineering in Malaysia

This program offers a concentrated degree in Petroleum engineering that uses physics, Geology, and Chemistry to develop more efficient and safer ways of obtaining hydrocarbons. Through four years students obtain the knowledge and skills of reservoir and drilling engineering through collaborating with reputable universities such as UKM and UTP. Opportunities for graduates- They can have career opportunities in the internationally high-demand and high-paid field of oil and gas.
Efficiently transforming raw petroleum into valuable energy and products through cutting-edge engineering in a petroleum refinery.
Country

Malaysia

Duration

4 Years

Fees

$8,000+ Yearly

Field

Engineering

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Program Overview

Study petroleum engineering in Malaysia because it is a dynamic yet specialized field of education that mainly focuses on exploring, extracting, and producing oil and gas resources. Combining multiple disciplines such as physics, geology, mechatronics engineering, and chemistry, petroleum engineering works on developing effective yet safer methods for locating and extracting hydrocarbons on Earth. It is an integral field of study with high demand in the global market, given its significant role in meeting international energy needs and in the economic development of many states around the globe.

Petroleum engineering is an ever-evolving field offering a much broader scope for students pursuing their education. With the continuous rise in the global energy demand, the market demand for petroleum engineers also touches the sky, given their prominent role in the extraction and production of oil and gas, which can be further utilized in energy development. The global oil and gas industry is vast, employing tons of millions of people from around the world. The oil demand is expected to grow by an estimated 5.7 million barrels daily by the end of 2025, as per the International Energy Agency (IEA), and so would the demand for petroleum engineers. Regions rich in oil extracts, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North America, are the hub for petroleum engineers and offer versatile career opportunities for petroleum graduates at all times. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also shares that the average wage for a petroleum engineer is around $137,720 per year, clearly defining a highly-paid career for petroleum graduates.

The typically taught courses in a petroleum engineering program include Introduction to Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, Drilling Engineering, mechanical engineering Petroleum Geology, petrophysics, Well Logging, and Formation Evaluation. Some elective courses include enhanced oil recovery, offshore engineering, petroleum engineering, and environmental engineering. The top-notch universities of Malaysia offering a degree or diploma program in petroleum engineering can be listed as follows:

  1. 1. UKM
    2. ⁠UTP
    3. ⁠UTM
    4. ⁠Taylor’s
    5. ⁠MMU

Why Study Petroleum Engineering?

Study petroleum engineering in Malaysia because it is a promising field of education, and there are many reasons to encourage pursuing it. However, a few top reasons among them can be described as follows:

High Demand & Job Opportunities:

The global oil demand seems to grow, estimated to reach around 104 barrels per day by the end of 2023. This continuous rise in demand depicts the need for petroleum engineers for oil, a primary energy development source. In addition, petroleum engineering also tops the list of most in-demand engineering disciplines around the globe, with the employment of petroleum engineers rising by 3% from 2019 to 2029, states the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

High Earning Potential:

One of the many great reasons you should pursue education in this field is that petroleum engineers are among the highest-paid professionals in the engineering sector. The average pay per year of a petroleum engineer is no less than USD 137,720, stated the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2020. It is undoubtedly huge compared to the average per-year income of other engineering professionals, which is only USD 80,720. The good part is that these lucrative salaries are not limited to US employment. Instead, petroleum engineers working in the oil-rich regions tend to make significant sums yearly.

Technological Innovation and Challenges:

Petroleum engineering is an evolving field of education that involves working with advanced technological innovations and methodologies. Innovative technologies such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have majorly revolutionized the petroleum industry and maximized the efficiency of extraction methods utilized in drilling out oil and gas around the globe. Studying petroleum engineering can equip students with problem-solving skills and the expertise to optimize extraction while ensuring environmental sustainability and safety.

Versatile Career Pathways:

Petroleum engineering is a multidisciplinary field of education, allowing students to learn and master versatile skill sets such as drilling, production, reservoir management, environmental safety, etc. Therefore, petroleum graduates can pursue their careers in versatile fields and industries and make choices based on their interests and preferences. The oil and gas industry has job opportunities and career options for petroleum engineers worldwide.

Why Study Petroleum Engineering in Malaysia?

There are several reasons you should study petroleum engineering in Malaysia; the best among them include the following:

Quality Education:

Malaysia is known for being home to all the highly accredited and globally renowned universities that offer the best petroleum engineering courses. Each of these courses and programs is accredited by professional global bodies such as the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), which ensures that the quality of education offered to students meets international standards. The curriculum has been rigorously developed, considering the latest developments in the world’s economy and upcoming trends

Affordable Tuition Fee:

Unlike most educational institutions, Malaysia offers affordable tuition fees. While ensuring the best quality education and not compromising global standards, Malaysian universities offer low-cost study options, making themselves attractive destinations for students with high-end academic dreams.

Strategic Location & International Exposure:

Located in the very central heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia offers strategic access to almost every economically growing state. It is an easy-to-access study destination for students aiming to get a quality education abroad and simultaneously experience an international perspective of petroleum engineering.

Vibrant Student Life:

Universities of Malaysia are known for offering vibrant campus lives for both local and international students. These all-inclusive educational centres welcome students from varying cultures and allow them to engage with each other, enjoy multicultural festivities, and experience a fun-loving study environment where their academics are always complemented with the best extracurricular activities to ensure a balanced life.

Career Prospects

Petroleum engineering is a well-known yet dynamic field of education offering a much more comprehensive range of opportunities in various sectors. Depending on your interests and preferences, you can work in multiple roles as a petroleum engineer. A few top-tier and high-paying career options for graduates in petroleum engineering can be described as follows.

Drilling Engineer:

The core job role of a drilling engineer is to plan and execute the drilling of wells focused on the extraction of oil and gas. They are usually responsible for designing and implementing programs that can help with the successful execution of drilling, overview all the operations involved, and make sure the entire process remains highly effective yet safe simultaneously. Drilling engineers usually work both offsure and onsure, generally in remote environments. However, they are crucial in maximizing drilling efficiencies and extracting oil and gas.

Reservoir Engineer:

The core job role of a reservoir engineer comprises evaluating the reservoirs of oil and gas to determine their potential for extraction and production. They are usually responsible for developing strategies that can help optimize extraction methodologies and enhance oil and gas recovery techniques. The reservoir engineers make use of high-tech yet advanced simulation and modelling software to help with the prediction of reservoir performances. This helps make important decisions about the profitability and production of reservoirs.

Production Engineer:

The role of a production engineer comprises overseeing the day-to-day operations of oil and gas production. They are usually responsible for optimizing troubleshooting problems and production rates and ensuring that the operations remain safe and efficient throughout the process. Production engineers often work closely with other engineering disciplines–helping enhance production efficiency and the rightful implementation of newer technologies.

Petroleum Geologist:

The core job role of a petroleum geologist is to utilize geochemical and geophysical methods to locate and evaluate hydrocarbon deposits. They play a foundational role in the oil and gas industry and are often in significant demand. They are usually responsible for analyzing the geological data to determine potential oil and gas reserves worldwide. Their job mostly depends on fieldwork and revolves around exploring new reserves across the globe.

Program Duration

Undergraduate Programs

  1. 1. Bachelors in Petroleum Engineering (3-4 years typically)

Postgraduate Programs

  1. 1. Master’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering (1-2 years typically)
  2. 2. Doctorate (PhD) in Petroleum Engineering (3-5 years typically)

Entry Requirements

The general entry requirements set by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) are implied and followed by every professional university in Malaysia. They can be described as follows:

Undergraduate Programs

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A-Levels (at least two passes)
  2. 2. Matriculation/Foundation (at least 2.00 CGPA)
  3. 3. Diploma (a course-relevant diploma with at least a 2.00 CGPA)
  4. 4. Unified Examination Certificate (at least five Bs)
  5. 5. STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) ( at least 2.00 CGPA

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Post Graduate Programs (Masters’ Degree)

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A relevant bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.00 CGPA.

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.

Postgraduate Programs (Doctorate – PhD)

Academic Qualifications:

  1. 1. A relevant master’s degree with at least a 3.00 CGPA.
  2. 2. A well-crafted and subject-relevant research proposal is to be submitted

English Language Proficiency:

  1. 1. At least one credit in SPM English or equivalent for Malaysian Nationals.
  2. 2. A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) and 80 (internet-based) for international students.is to be submitted

Fee and Costing

Study petroleum engineering in Malaysia because it involves various fees and costs, including tuition, materials, and living expenses, which can vary significantly depending on the institution and personal choices. The fee structures for both undergraduate and postgraduate degree and diploma programs in Malaysia vary based on the program you’ve chosen, the institution you might be looking for, the duration of study, etc. However, the generic cost of a bachelor’s degree in Malaysia may be between 20,000 MYR and 70,000 MYR (an estimated 5,000 USD to 17,500 USD) a year.

Postgraduate programs, however, may cost more, ranging from 25,000 MYR to 80,000 MYR (an estimated 6,250 USD to 20,000 USD) annually. The range is often similar for both master’s and doctorate programs. However, the total expense of doctorate programs might vary based on the nature and duration of the research involved.
But the good news is that most Malaysian Universities offer scholarships and financial aid to needy students. Many flexible payment plans are also provided to accommodate students without strong financial backgrounds who desire bright academic careers.

Accommodation

Malaysian universities offer excellent and versatile accommodation facilities which suit each student’s diverse needs and requirements. Study petroleum engineering in Malaysia because it can find a variety of accommodation options near universities, ranging from affordable dormitories to private apartments, catering to different budgets and preferences. As a foreign student landing in an entirely new destination for studies, accommodation could be a significant issue for you. But you need not worry because most Malaysian Universities offer a wide range of options, including hostels, dormitories, and even spacious apartment residences. You can pick what suits your needs and comes under your budget, and boom – enjoy all the excellent facilities they offer along with the comfortable and budget-friendly accommodation.

The shared facilities and amenities usually include :

  1. 1. Study desks
  2. 2. Beds
  3. 3. Attached bathrooms 
  4. 4. Fully functional kitchens or pantries include a microwave, electric kettle, stove, fridge, etc. 
  5. 5. Laundry rooms
  6. 6. Socializing areas
  7. 7. Recreational activities 
  8. 8. 24/7 security surveillance

Admission Procedure

The admission process for getting into Malaysian Universities typically comprises multiple steps, including submission of an application, verification of the documents, eligibility assessment, and, in some cases, entrance exams or interviews etc. While it can be overwhelming and tedious to handle all that pressure while preparing for your entrance exams and interviews, TJS Studysteps education consultancy in Saudi Arabia can be your savior and simplify the admission process like never before. Here’s how the experts from TJS Study Steps can help during each stage of the admission procedure and ease you from the hassle!

  1. 1. We have added featured university and program guides on our website that experts from the industry have prepared. These guides can help you pick the finest universities and programs from a widespread palate as per your academic goals and aspirations. 
  2. 2. Filling out the lengthy application forms can be exhausting; our team’s experts know how to ease you from that hassle. They offer professional assistance to the students in filling out correct information and attaching the required documents with their applications without any error to ensure the admission process goes smoothly. 
  3. 3. TJS Studysteps also has documentation experts onboard who can help you gather all the required documents, such as transcripts, personal statements, certificates, and so on. 
  4. 4. We also track your applications on your behalf and inform you of their progress in real-time. 
  5. 5. If a university invites you to an interview or entrance exam, TJS can also assist you in your preparation and ensure you perform well and get selected.
  6. 6. Once you’ve secured admission at a university in Malaysia, the next step is to get a student Visa, and we also provide total guidance for the Visa application process. 
  7. 7. Last but not least, TJS Studysteps ensures your well-being abroad. From booking the best flights at affordable rates to assisting you with a city tour, we help you adjust to the city.
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