The 101 Guide To Study Civil Engineering in Malaysia

This program provides a strong foundation of civil engineering elements of designing, constructing and maintaining structures such as bridges and roads. Through four years of study, students receive competencies in structural analysis, mechanics of fluid, and surveying, backed by UKM and UTM. Holders of such degrees can work in numerous sub-fields of civil engineering in different parts of the world.
Construction workers surveying a civil engineering project site with heavy machinery and building materials
Country

Malaysia

Duration

4 Years

Fees

$8,000+ Yearly

Field

Engineering

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Program Overview

Study Civil engineering in Malaysia because it is a well-reputed and professional field of education. It ideally deals with designing, constructing, and maintaining natural and physically built environments. They usually include working with bridges, roads, railways, pipelines, etc. Civil engineers play a significant role in making infrastructure projects, and it is their responsibility to ensure that every infrastructure they supervise during the construction period is completed with 100% safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Students who pursue an education in civil engineering are much more likely to land impressive careers and play a critical role in the growth and development of any society’s or community’s infrastructure. It is one of the oldest fields of engineering with a much broader scope carrying many sub-disciplines under its umbrella, such as structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, environment engineering, water resource engineering, construction engineering, and many more.

With the continuous requirement for new roads, bridges, and buildings around the globe, the demand for civil engineers continues to rise. Therefore, if you pursue a degree or diploma and can learn the skill sets and expertise adequately, you’ll land a fantastic career soon.

The typically taught courses in a civil engineering degree or diploma program include Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechatronics, Fluid mechanics, Material science, Structural analysis, Mechanical Engineering, Surveying, and specialized courses. The top-notch universities of Malaysia offering a degree or diploma program in the field of civil engineering can be listed as follows:

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

Why Study Civil Engineering?

There are many reasons why you should study civil engineering in Malaysia because it is a promising field for students to pursue. It’s a dynamic and growing field that has been here for a long time – offering excellent opportunities for those who study and gain expertise. However, a few prominent reasons why you should opt to study civil engineering in today’s world can be described as follows:

Impact on Society:

Pursuing education in civil engineering is excellent; it not only helps you land great careers but also offers you opportunities to impact society. By contributing majorly to the design and construction of roads, bridges, buildings, water supply systems, etc. – they’re indirectly contributing towards enhancing the quality of life. Therefore, if you study the core concepts of civil engineering rightfully and can assist in constructing society-friendly projects – you’re much more likely to feel proud and be a responsible member of society who makes an impact.

Diverse Career Opportunities:

civil engineering is a diverse field of education that helps students specialize in various domains, including environmental, structural, transportation, water resource, and geotechnical engineering. Therefore, pursuing education in the field makes you much more likely to get diverse career opportunities. You can opt for a career you’re most interested in and compare it based on pay scales, scope, and chances of growth before choosing.

Job Stability and Demand:

 As a dynamic yet ever-evolving field, the demand for buildings and construction continues to increase. Almost every industry needs adequately built infrastructures, and so is for the expert civil engineering professionals. Therefore, if you’re pursuing education in the field, you’ll indeed have a promising career with less or almost no stress of unemployment at any point in time.

Innovation and Technology:

Civil engineering is a foundational and ancient field of education with applications dating back to the beginning of human civilization. However, it has always adapted to technology and innovation over time. In today’s world, civil engineers worldwide are using cutting-edge technologies to design and construct the best infrastructures ever. Therefore, pursuing education in the field can keep connected and updated with the latest technology.

Why Study Civil Engineering in Malaysia?

There are several reasons you should study civil 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 civil 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 fees. While ensuring the best quality education is provided and that global standards are not compromised, Malaysian universities offer low-cost study options, making themselves an attractive destination 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 experience an international perspective of civil engineering at the same time.

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

As a growing field of education, civil engineering offers excellent career prospects for students. However, a few of the most-paying and promising options can be described as follows:

Structural Engineer:

 The core job responsibilities of a structural engineer include designing and analyzing bridges, buildings, and other relevant structures while ensuring they’re 100% secure, sustainable, and capable enough to withstand the likely loads and forces that are expected to be pulled upon. The critical skills required by any structural engineer would likely include designing, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and a decent understanding of using structural designing software and tools.

Construction Management:

The core job responsibility of a construction manager is to oversee the entire construction project and ensure the perfect execution of everything, from the very design to the making and final presentation, etc. Their role involves managing everything, including time schedules, budgeting, etc. The critical skills required by a construction manager would typically include project management, leadership, time management, budgeting, and a basic understanding of construction principles and standards, among others.

Government and Public Sector Roles:

The job role of a government-based civil engineer usually involves contributing to the design and construction of public roads, bridges, and building infrastructures. They are generally responsible for assisting through the complete construction projects, including everything from creativity and design to budgeting, scheduling, execution, construction, and final presentation. The critical skills required by a government-based civil engineer include project management, leadership, budgeting, infrastructure designing, and so on.

Research and Academia:

 One of the most paying career options for civil engineers is to pursue research and academia. This designation requires you to invest all your time and energy into researching and studying the depths of the subjects, developing newer innovations in the field and testing, and inventing new methods and techniques to make further civil engineering processes efficient. The role requires typical skills, including research and development, literature reviewing, and a decent understanding of core civil engineering concepts.

Program Duration

Undergraduate Programs

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

Postgraduate Programs

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

Fee and Costing

Study Civil Engineering in Malaysia offers various programs with affordable tuition fees, making it an attractive option for students seeking quality education at a reasonable cost. 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 students in need. Many flexible payment plans are also offered to help accommodate students without strong financial backgrounds but a desire for bright academic careers.

Accommodation

Accommodation facilities offered by Malaysian universities are often excellent and versatile, suiting each student’s diverse needs and requirements. When you study Civil Engineering in Malaysia, you can find affordable and comfortable accommodation options near major universities, providing convenience and a conducive environment for their academic pursuits. 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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