In modern life, the interaction between humans and machines is almost certain. Machines have become an inseparable part of human life.
One issue that is developing among the global community at this time is the replacement of human labour by robots. In developed countries, a lot of heavy work has been replaced by robots.
This has reached various fields, such as agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, and even health and public relations. To deal with this trend, it takes a lot of workers who have expertise in the field of machinery.
What is mechanical engineering all about?
Mechanical engineering is a multidisciplinary and diverse course that involves the understanding of objects and systems in their movements.
In other words, the field of mechanical engineering touches all aspects of modern life, including the human body which is a complex machine.
The role of mechanical engineering is to turn a concept into an existing product.
To achieve this, mechanical engineers must estimate the energy and amount of manufacturing that a product and its subsystems will pass through; designing its functions, aesthetics, and durability; and decide on the best way to produce a product that ensures the success of its operations.
The development of mechanical technology and robotics has increased the demands for graduates majoring in mechanical engineering. However, not all graduates majoring in mechanical engineering are able to meet these needs with the orientation of technological development.
You can find many universities and colleges in Malaysia that offer high-quality mechanical engineering programmes.
Graduates will have sufficient expertise that allows them to pursue a career in the engineering field, specifically mechanical engineering and robotics. Through a career in this field, you will get many benefits both personally and professionally.
Also read: Engineering courses in Malaysia
Why study mechanical engineering in Malaysia?
Here are some reasons why you should study mechanical engineering in Malaysia:
1. High-income potential
It is common knowledge that the department of engineering is able to deliver its graduates to high-income jobs. This can occur because the nature of engineering work is generally very complex.
Especially in mechanical engineering, graduates are urgently needed to meet the needs of international companies that are oriented towards global trends.
2. Various choices of specialisations
Universities and colleges in Malaysia can offer mechanical engineering programmes that are in accordance with the specialisation that interests you. Be it in the field of mechatronics, robotics and more.
3. There will be no difficulty in finding work
If you decide to study engineering, you will not find much difficulty in securing a job. Engineering graduates are highly needed by both government and private sectors. Besides, the types of career in engineering tend to develop rapidly.
4. Opportunities to join an international career
The best universities in Malaysia have been recognised by various accreditors locally and internationally.
Mechanical engineering graduates from Malaysia have been recognised by various companies and institutions in the fields of machinery, robotics, and mechatronics with an international career path.
What kind of subjects are taught in mechanical engineering?
In mechanical engineering, you will learn various subjects related to machine design, thermodynamics, and machine models and simulations. The course you will take varies, depending on the specialisation in the course you will be taking.
For example, here are some of the courses that you will study in mechanical engineering that you can find at Taylor’s University:
Year 1
- Engineering Mathematics I
- Engineering Mathematics II
- Numerical Methods and Data Analysis
- Engineering Design
Year 2
- Thermodynamics & Heat Transfer
- Engineering Statics
- Engineering Fluid Mechanics
- Introduction to Electronics & Electrical Power Machines
- Engineering Design and Project Management
- Computer Aided Engineering
- Properties and Applications of Materials
Year 3
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Electronics & Microprocessors
- Automatic Control and Instrumentation
- Mechanical Vibration
- Engineering Solid Mechanics
- Advanced Thermofluid Engineering
- Engineering Dynamics
- Numerical Analysis for Engineers
- Industrial Training
Year 4
- Mechanical Engineering Group Project I
- Mechanical Engineering Group Project II
- Final Year Project I
- Final Year Project II
- Professional Engineers and Society
What skills are needed to pursue this course?
1. Critical thinking
A career in mechanical engineering will require you to evaluate a problem quickly and then make the right decision.
The ability to think critically will help you make the right decisions and be flexible about the situation. This is important because the working environment in the field of machinery and robotics is usually very dynamic and ever-changing.
2. Loves mathematics and science
You will find many mathematical and scientific problems in this programme.
Engineering majors are generally designed so that graduates have good reasoning and problem-solving skills. In the mechanical engineering department, mathematical exercises are widely used as a measure of that ability.
3. Dynamic and active
In contrast to pure science that focuses on theories, subjects learned in engineering will involve many case studies and field practice. A dynamic and active personality will help you overcome the problems you find in the field.
4. Focused and determined
Engineering has many branches, especially mechanical engineering. You will be directed to learn a certain applied discipline.
A career in mechanical engineering will require you to have special abilities in a more detailed field. For that, you need high levels of focus.
If you have the characteristics mentioned above, you are the right person to pursue mechanical engineering!
How long does it take to study Mechanical Engineering in Malaysia?
Below is the duration of the programme listed according to their study levels:
Foundation / A-Level: 1 year
Diploma: 2 years
Undergraduate degree: 3 - 4 years
Master's degree: 2 -3 years
PhD: 1 - 2 years
What are the entry requirements and qualifications?
Every university in Malaysia has different entry requirements, but generally, for every level of education, you need to fulfil the requirements below:
Diploma:
- SPM with a minimum of 5 passes in Science subjects (Physics, Mathematics)
Bachelor’s degree:
- Foundation / A-levels in Science (Physics, Mathematics)
- Pass 4 relevant subjects in STPM, including English
- Admission into Year 2 upon completing a Diploma in the Engineering discipline
Master’s degree:
- Completed any relevant Degree or any equivalent International Degree with minimum CGPA 2.0
Doctorate (PhD):
- Completed a relevant Master's Degree from recognised Institutes or any equal International Institute
English language requirements (minimum):
- TOEFL score 55
- IELTS score of 5
- Kaplan iBT 61
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) 53
- MUET Band 4 and above
How much does it cost to study mechanical engineering in Malaysia?
The average tuition fees for Engineering can vary from one institute to another according to different levels and qualifications. Here are the estimated tuition fees:
Foundation/ A-levels: RM 18,000 – RM 30,000
Diploma: RM 30,000 - RM 50,000
Bachelor's degree: RM 65,000 – RM 190,000
Master's degree: RM 75,000 – RM 125,000
PhD: RM 75,000 – RM 125,000
What are the jobs available for mechanical engineering graduates?
The main career prospects of mechanical engineering graduates lie in machine-related fields such as the manufacturing and automotive industries.
In addition, with increasing international interest in environmentally friendly energy and energy conversion, the field can also promise prospective careers. After graduation, you can choose various types of professional careers in that field, depending on the specialisation of the course you choose.
Some mechanical engineering careers include:
- Automotive specialist
- Quality control analyst
- Robotics specialist
- Aerospace industry analyst
- Biotechnology industry analyst
- Manufacturing industry analyst
- System quality control manager
- Plant and system operators
Mechanical engineer salary
The salary you can earn as a mechanical engineer in Malaysia is generally high, depending on the field of work.
The following are the general occupations taken by graduates majoring in mechanical engineering in Malaysia and their salary range (per year) according to PayScale:
Engineer: RM 32,000 - RM 40,000
QC Analyst: RM 38,000 - RM 60,000
Manufacturing Engineer: RM 30,000 - RM 44,000
Plant and System Manager: RM 80,000 - RM 122,000
Best universities in Malaysia that offer mechanical engineering courses
The following is a list of some of the best universities in Malaysia that offer mechanical engineering:
Universiti Malaya - Kuala Lumpur
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) - Johor Bahru
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) - Bangi, Selangor
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) - Serdang, Selangor
Universiti Sains Malaysia - Penang
Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) - Perak
Universiti Malaysia Pahang - Pahang
FAQ
1. Do I have to master physics to study mechanical engineering?
The curriculum in mechanical engineering generally contains pure physics and applied physics courses. Hence, you must master all subjects in physics, starting from basic mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and electrical physics.
Aside from physics, you will need to master mathematics because courses in mechanical engineering will lead you to many algebra and calculus subjects. You also need to master chemistry if you want to take into account the concentration of materials and machine materials.
2. What is the difference between pure science and engineering course?
In pure science, students will learn the facts of observations and the results of repetitive testing. This will produce theories about nature that can be communicated to the public.
In engineering, you will learn about how these theories can be applied to improve the quality of people's lives.
3. How do I prepare myself for college in mechanical engineering?
In mechanical engineering, you will find courses related to advanced mathematics and physics. You can prepare by challenging yourself with maths and physics exercises, moving up from basic to complex problems.
You also need to get used to group learning, so it is important to have a discussion partner.
4. How to choose a good campus to study in mechanical engineering?
Some factors that you should consider before choosing an engineering school include the campus environment, location and price.
You can get various information about engineering courses on the internet, or you can contact EasyUni for free consultation services.
If you have made up your mind to study mechanical engineering in Malaysia, you can immediately prepare the documents and requirements for the registration process from now on. All the best!