Program Overview
The art and science of designing and creating infrastructure projects is known as civil engineering. This can be done on a large scale, such as when creating national water supply or transportation networks, or on a smaller one, like when building specific roads or structures.
A civil engineer is responsible for all construction-related activities. This might involve budgeting, surveying, planning, design, construction management, and analysis. Occupations of civil engineering frequently combine all of these aspects.
In the actual world, one of the best things about civil engineering is how constantly it adapts to the needs and wants of society. In recent years, civil engineering has evolved to take into account many current environmental difficulties, contributing to the resolution of pollution and water supply shortage problems while taking into account the potential of sustainable energy within the sector.
A solid bachelor of civil engineering teaches the practical use of geometry, trigonometry, and calculus together with physics, science, and chemistry. Advanced concepts related to specific industries and applications such as building a safe nuclear power plant, dams, bridges, or skyscrapers will often require a master’s and even a PhD level of education and training.
The performance of a design is frequently predicted by civil engineers using theory and models as part of a team with diverse expertise. They typically test ideas in the field using scale prototypes to demonstrate innovative design theories without putting lives at risk or incurring project failure costs.
Students can look forward to learning subjects across the spectrum such as applied maths, urban and regional planning, chemistry, and even management. Civil engineering major tackles challenges holistically as they go through their degree programmes. Civil engineers continue to make strides in design and efficiency by fusing inventive maths and scientific applications with a proper grasp of the needs of society.
Students who want to study a bachelor of civil engineering in Malaysia will study advanced combinations of mathematics and computing, as well as courses that are more focused on using these techniques to solve issues in the real world. The student typically finishes this programme in four years.
Why Study This Program
Connected with Innovative Technologies
Kuala Lumpur is well known as the city of skyscrapers, especially in Asia. The country hosts some of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers, such as the Petronas twin towers and Merdeka 118, which is currently the second-tallest building in the world. As such, technological innovation is closely related to civil engineering in Malaysia. Developing these magnificent structures involves people with different backgrounds and specialisations. As a host to a number of these infrastructures, professionals in Malaysia are able to learn and implement the latest advancement and try new techniques, which are then passed through teaching knowledge via institutions of higher learning.
Technologies like CAD, BIM, VR, and AR have overtaken what was once a once-very time-consuming and paper-based process. This has enabled us to construct giant buildings, smart motorways, high-speed hyperloop transportation systems, and massive hydroelectric dam projects. The construction sector has become more specialised due to technical advancements, necessitating hiring intelligent and well-educated young individuals. As international students who come to the shores of Malaysia to learn these advancements, the experience is truly amazing.
While being at the forefront of new building techniques and utilisation of new technologies, Malaysia also offers these experiences and learnings to professionals of tomorrow so that these methodologies continue to get refined and implemented around the world.
Variety of Career Paths
A variety of career pathways are available, particularly through a bachelor of civil engineering in Malaysia. Several subfields of civil engineering include rail, marine, transit, tunnel, and energy management which can be taken as further masters specilisations.
The prerequisite for a profession as a civil engineer is a bachelor’s degree in the field. Ambitious civil engineers who wish to further their careers after receiving a bachelor’s degree could pursue a post-graduate degree. A civil engineer’s professional training can also be improved by earning a management degree, which opens doors to leadership and specialised employment.
Through courses that teach cutting-edge engineering concepts and leadership best practices, getting a bachelor of civil engineering in Malaysia gives civil engineers a competitive advantage.
Exposure and Versatility
Civil engineers know how to turn a plan into a real-world functional place, whether they are creating enormous structures or improving infrastructure. The job will usually involve interacting with different departments in an organisation, governmental departments, policy makers and other stakeholders. As most of the civil engineering work happens on the field, professionals will need to be exposed to working in different environments and also be versatile enough to adapt to different environmental conditions.
A degree in civil engineering in Malaysia qualifies you for jobs such as transportation engineering, environmental engineer, and geotechnical engineer amongst others. Civil engineers may operate in various settings, including retail, business, engineering, and other functional domains, which makes them immensely adaptable and provides them with the necessary experience to merge a variety of factors.
Regardless of your industry, exposure will also provide you with a fresh set of abilities that may enhance every element of your life. Research also shows that civil engineers, on average, report better job satisfaction levels.
Progress in a High Demand Industry
If you look at any data that outlines the domestic and global occupations that are most in demand, most listings will include jobs in civil engineering and fields that are connected to it. The United States Department of Labour reports that the field is anticipated to grow as new advancements in technology continue to change and leave a lasting impact on how different societies and countries around the world interact with day to day infrastructure.
Civil engineers are in a growing market, and the career choice tends to pay well. Career options in civil engineering include structural engineering, quantity surveying, and project engineering which continue to attract industrial investments.
Your adaptability in your chosen career path will rise if you pursue an MSc in Construction and Civil Engineering Management. This will also provide you access to various advanced options that will help you advance your engineering career.
By expanding your understanding of management techniques, you’ll be well-equipped to guide groups of engineers through projects that are essential to the workings of daily life. Additionally, you will learn about the political, legal, and economic frameworks necessary whether you choose to work for a company or even start your own.
Learn Exciting New Skills
Building structures like roads, schools, bridges, hospitals, office buildings, and apartments can sound mundane, but these are the very building blocks of a modern society. These structures are what keeps everything moving from banks to airports, highways to shipyards, ports to railways. Everything has been built by civil engineers. Once you’ve gained experience working in the real world, you can transition to build, new and exciting structures, such as skyscrapers, hydroelectric power plants, energy grids and even projects of national and international importance. Civil engineers receive specialised training to develop and create cutting-edge structures and buildings. By developing these abilities, you will you be able to further your skills as a professional and ensure you continue to stay relevant.
As your career progresses, you’ll pick up numerous practical skills. A Civil Engineer is a specialist who is always learning new things and honing skills that will help them personally and professionally. You will put your knowledge to use in several contexts as a civil engineer, and students learn the principles and get practical knowledge while studying at a university in Malaysia.
Why Study In Malaysia
Exceptional Curriculum
As part of your curriculum, you will learn how to manage different viewpoints and regulations including government restrictions, potential environmental risks like earthquakes, construction costs, and the anticipated longevity of a project. Civil engineers will often have a supervisory or administrative role which makes them instrumental in any construction project.
Leading universities in Malaysia, teach a very detail oriented and internationally recognised curriculum which helps students to be ready for a global environment. The learning in quality benchmarks are created while keeping in mind the international standards which ensures that your degree and knowledge is relevant for projects around the world.
Industrial Training
To complete the bachelor of civil engineering in Malaysia, you must undergo industrial training. After your second year of study, you will be required to complete your internship. This allows students to learn from real experience and see how the industrial side works, and also experience how to apply the principles that they have learned while studying civil engineering in Malaysia.
Affordable Course Fees
The fee required to complete civil engineering in Malaysia is comparatively less than that required in many other countries, such as the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada, to name just a few. With engineering degree expenses shooting up worldwide, Malaysia comes across as a reliable option to receive a high-quality education at an affordable cost.
Globally Recognised Degrees
A degree in civil engineering from a Malaysian university enjoys global recognition. Studying civil engineering in Malaysia allows students to pursue the program in Malaysia and then move anywhere globally. Students can continue their master’s and specialisation in Malaysia or transfer to other countries and pursue different pathways.
International Education Standard
The standard of civil engineering in Malaysia meets international standards. This ensures exceptional education for students who enrol in this course. The course curriculum is rigorously developed, keeping in line with international benchmarks to ensure students learn the latest developments in civil engineering in Malaysia.
Excellent Campus Facilities and Infrastructure
Malaysia offers excellent campus facilities, modern infrastructure, and innovative teaching aids for civil engineering in Malaysia. The universities in Malaysia offer a great learning atmosphere. Several leading universities offering bachelor’s in civil engineering in Malaysia have developed in-house labs and testing facilities dedicated to helping students learn with hands-on experience, operate with state-of-the-art machinery, and stay up to date with the latest innovations.
Career Prospects
By planning and building infrastructure like highways, airports, and dams, civil engineers contribute to shaping communities. Civil engineering programmes need education, experience, a study in construction processes and sophisticated maths principles to prepare individuals for these occupations.
In this line of work, you meet and consult with clients, study the surrounding region, create and present plans, calculate capital, consider how the project will affect the environment in the future, and make sound health and work-related projections.
A civil engineer can develop crucial skills and information in several domains of this job. These topics cover infrastructure such as roads, dams, pipelines, sewers, and other forms of transportation.
Although the field of civil engineering in Malaysia has excellent career prospects, the work is challenging and demanding. They work for businesses that provide civil engineering services, the transportation industry, and development and maintenance corporations.
During your education, it’s a brilliant idea to have some relevant job experience. Employers highly value experience, and it will provide you insight into how an engineering business operates.
You can increase your grasp of issues about the design and execution of projects by taking on any function in the construction or civil engineering industry. Make the most of this opportunity to increase your knowledge, establish relationships, and network.
Administrative positions and casual, hands-on construction work may be offered, but many firms provide organised work experience opportunities.
Environmental Engineer
Since they protect the environment and ensure that we can continue to live, environmental engineers are the closest thing we have to superheroes. You will get to go back and repair the damage that other people have done to the environment and landscapes.
Site Engineer
Your technical, organisational, and managerial contributions to building projects will come from your role as a site engineer. Both above- and below-ground infrastructure installations will be located by you, and you’ll map out the site using blueprints and plans.
Structural Engineer
Structural engineers are vital to creating new infrastructures and collaborating closely with the construction sector. Structural engineers frequently collaborate closely with a project team to oversee various construction-related tasks.
Design Engineer
The initial idea, design, implementation, and project management in various industries, including building and the surrounding structures, materials, technology, components, machines, and vehicles, fall within the purview of design engineers.
Nuclear Engineer
As a nuclear engineer, you will be planning, constructing, operating, or dismantling nuclear power plants. You’ll collaborate with people from other fields to develop technical solutions. According to your position, you can create entirely new systems.
Forensic Structural Engineer
Forensic structural engineers investigate the reasons behind the failure of structures such as bridges, tunnels, and other structures. They utilise this data to guide the following designs.
Geotechnical Engineer
Geotechnical engineers are experts in the science of rock and soil and how to apply it to modern construction. The planning, research, and implementation of retaining structures, trenches, dams, and building foundations are typical tasks for engineers with expertise in this area.
Water Resource Engineer
Water resource engineers concentrate on the construction and upkeep of facilities for managing water resources, such as sewage treatment plants, drainage systems, irrigation networks, and hydraulic structures like reservoirs, dams, and floodways.
Public Health Engineer
You take care of the residents of cities and villages by managing the water supply and sewage system, ensuring that the water is clean and free of waste.
Marine Engineer
As part of their everyday duties, marine engineers may have to examine equipment, keep an eye on repairs and other operational operations, and create cost estimates and technical reports.
Program Duration
The duration to study civil engineering in Malaysia is four years for the bachelor’s program. English is the medium of instruction followed in engineering schools across all major international private universities. The first year will have several common subjects between different engineering specialisations.
As students progress to years two and three, their modules and subjects will become more specialised as per their field of choice. Students can sometimes switch from one engineering specialisation to another. However, it will require approval from the university faculty and the relevant higher education authorities in Malaysia.
Students who want to opt for program transfers to another university will usually need to prepare the transfer paperwork and start processing from their second year onwards to ensure all the paperwork and approvals are in place so the program transfer can be done.
Entry Requirements
The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) sets the entry requirements and guidelines for university admissions in Malaysia, which all universities must adhere to. All prospective international students must meet the minimum entry requirements as the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) takes these standards into account during the application acceptance and processing phases.
The admission requirements to study civil engineering in Malaysia for international students may vary from one university to another. However, the basic entry requirements are the same for most universities.
Usually, there are two pathways to entering a degree program in Malaysia:
- First, students can join a foundation program after completing their secondary schooling, O levels, or equivalent qualifications. After completing the foundation in an engineering program, they can continue to the bachelor’s degree as per their choice.
- Second, students who have completed their higher secondary school or A levels or equivalent will be able to join the bachelor’s degree programme directly into year one.
If a student fails to meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree programme, the faculty may offer different pathways into the degree programme, for example, through a foundation or a diploma programme.
Universities may raise the entry requirements to make sure incoming students are academically prepared for the rigours of their programmes. So, prospective international students should consult with an admission advisor to determine the precise entry criteria for their chosen programme and their preferred university.
General Entry Requirements For Bachelor’s Degree
- A Levels: 2 Passes (Grade A-E) in A-Level including Mathematics and Physics (or Chemistry)
- Foundation: Passed the relevant Foundation programme (minimum CGPA of 2.0)
English Language
International students who wish to study civil engineering in Malaysia will need to also provide proof of their English language proficiency with IELTS or TOEFL exams. Students who have studied the British or American curriculum are generally exempted from the English proficiency requirements since the medium of instruction for that curriculum is in English by default.
Students who have studied other curriculums, where the medium of instruction is also English will usually need to provide a supporting letter from the school stating that the instruction language for their schooling has been English. With that letter, English language requirements are proven to have been completed.
Fees & Cost
Students sometimes only look at the tuition fee during the comparison. However, depending on how forthright and clear the fee guidelines from the university are, the extra fees can be a hefty amount that could be a surprise. So students are advised to correctly add all the fees and decide which university fits their budget requirements to study civil engineering in Malaysia.
Various factors will contribute to the overall cost structure, such as:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation fees
- Admission fee
- Registration and Visa fees and
- Other one-time fees.
These fees vary from university to university and can depend on varying factors. The quality, infrastructure, facilities and teacher-to-student ratio will also determine how much a university charges.
You must find the right balance between quality and cost to get the best education possible. The average cost to study civil engineering in Malaysia is between RM30,000 to RM50,000 per year, depending on the University.
For reference, that’s around USD $7,500 to $12,000 per year for a 4-year engineering degree program at the current exchange rate.
Accommodation
Another recurring expenditure for international students is the cost of housing. In general, students can choose between staying in private accommodation or the on-campus accommodation that the university provides. Expenses will vary depending on your location and the university you enrol in.
Generally, on-campus accommodations at major universities start at around US$150 per month and can go up to $400 per month. The pricing for on-campus accommodation is determined by the size of the room, whether a student will be sharing the room or will be staying alone, or if the student is taking a master room which generally comes with an attached bathroom or decides to stay at a shared room with shared bathroom.
Some universities also offer cooking facilities on the on-campus accommodation and shared facilities that will be factored into the accommodation costs. Utility costs are generally an add-on fee.
While choosing the university, you can check with your admissions advisor on the options available for accommodation and how much they will cost so that you have an idea of how much of a monthly budget you will require as a student.
Admission Procedure
Researching, applying and managing overseas admissions is tedious, time-consuming and often confusing. Incorrect application submissions can lead to lengthy processing, delayed approvals, or rejections. You can visit education, exhibitions and fairs to collect information. However, that is not enough. You can only collect cursory information; admission processing will usually take longer. During that time, you will need consistent and dedicated support to ensure your application is in the right experienced hands.
This is where we help.
Edmates helps international students from around the world with complete admissions procedures. Our integrated one-stop centre helps international students with everything. We help you find future-driven programs that match your abilities and interests in leading universities.
We handle the entire process from the beginning until you have joined the university. Our international support system will manage everything for you, absolutely free.
Each student is assigned a dedicated admission advisor who will guide the student throughout the admissions process. The advisor will also liaise with the university admissions department to ensure clear communications and faster processing.
You can speak with your assigned advisor anytime by booking a free call online through the website. You will also receive regular updates regarding your application via emails, SMS and WhatsApp.
To learn about each step of the admission process, you can read our complete guide to start applying for your higher education the right way.