Studying Engineering in Malaysia: Specialisations, Requirements and Real Fees
Chat with us on WhatsAppEngineering is the second most requested subject among MAIGA students after business, and Malaysia is one of its strongest destinations in Asia thanks to well-known technical universities, branch campuses of British and Australian universities and fees far below the West. This guide explains the engineering specialisations available, what Board of Engineers Malaysia accreditation and the Washington Accord mean for a Gulf student, entry requirements after high school and the length of study, with a live table of the engineering programmes available on the MAIGA website right now.
In this guide
Why engineering in Malaysia
Engineering in Malaysia is taught in English at public universities, private universities and international branch campuses, with modern laboratories and workshops and partnerships with industry, oil and telecommunications companies. A complete engineering bachelor's in Malaysia usually costs less than a single year at some British or Australian universities.
A student chooses between a Malaysian university with an accredited Malaysian degree, or a branch of a foreign university that awards the parent university's own degree at lower fees than the home campus. Each option has its price and its recognition status, and we explain both before you choose.
The engineering specialisations available
The specialisations our students ask for most: civil, mechanical, electrical and electronic, chemical, software and computer engineering, mechatronics, and petroleum and energy engineering. Some universities add fields such as aerospace, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Not every university is strong in every field, and not every field is offered in every city. The table on this page shows what is actually available on the MAIGA website now, and each programme page lists its modules and specialisation track.
Accreditation: Board of Engineers Malaysia and the Washington Accord
Professional accreditation of engineering in Malaysia comes from the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) through the Engineering Accreditation Council, alongside accreditation by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Malaysia is a signatory of the Washington Accord, an international agreement that recognises accredited engineering bachelor's programmes as equivalent between member countries.
This accreditation helps a student who wants to register as an engineer at home or in another country, but it does not replace checking the list of recognised universities at your own ministry of education and your country's engineering council. Check both before enrolling; a MAIGA consultant helps you find each programme's status today.
Entry requirements and the path after high school
Usually required: a science-stream high-school certificate with good grades in mathematics and physics, then a foundation year in engineering or science before the bachelor's, or an engineering diploma that at many universities allows entry into the second year. The required average differs between universities and is written on each programme page.
English: many engineering faculties accept students without IELTS on condition of a placement test or an English programme before the foundation, while some programmes require a specific score. See the study in Malaysia without IELTS guide and the foundation year guide on the MAIGA website to find the right path for you.
Duration, industrial training and careers
An accredited engineering bachelor's in Malaysia usually takes four years, and most programmes include a compulsory industrial training period in a company or plant and a final-year project. The foundation adds a year before that.
Engineering graduates work in construction, energy, oil, telecommunications, manufacturing and software, at home and in Malaysia. During their studies, students may work part time within specific conditions explained in the working while studying guide on the MAIGA website.
Fees: a real table from the programmes available
The table on this page lists the engineering programmes available on the MAIGA website now, with the university, level, duration and the total programme fee in ringgit as on each programme page. International branch campuses are usually higher than local universities, and laboratory-heavy fields such as chemical and petroleum are higher than others.
Registration, visa, insurance and housing costs are separate and listed on each programme page. For a full budget in riyal see the cost of studying in Malaysia guide, and ask a MAIGA consultant for a free comparison of the programmes in the field you want.
Engineering programmes available on the MAIGA website now and their fees
The programmes published on the MAIGA website in this subject right now, cheapest first within each level; fees are the whole programme in ringgit before discounts. Duration, registration, visa and housing costs are on each programme page.
Related programs and universities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best engineering field to study in Malaysia?
There is no best field for everyone; civil, mechanical, electrical and software are the most requested among our students, and the choice depends on your interests and the job market at home. The table on this page shows what is actually available.
Is a Malaysian engineering degree recognised in the Gulf states?
Programmes accredited by the Board of Engineers Malaysia are covered by the Washington Accord, but equivalence in your country is decided by its ministry of education and engineering council. Verify with the official body before enrolling; a MAIGA consultant helps.
How many years does engineering take in Malaysia?
An accredited engineering bachelor's usually takes four years, preceded by a foundation year for high-school graduates, or a diploma that allows entry into the second year at many universities.
Do I need IELTS to study engineering in Malaysia?
Many engineering faculties accept students without IELTS on condition of a placement test or an English programme before the foundation; some programmes require a specific score written on the programme page.
How much does studying engineering in Malaysia cost?
It varies widely between universities and fields; the table on this page shows the total fee of every programme available on the MAIGA website in ringgit before discounts, with registration, visa and housing costs on each programme page.
