The Complete Guide to Studying Automative Engineering in Malaysia
Keen on studying automotive engineering? Discover the requirements needed to study the course in Malaysia. Explore top institutions and fees here.
You're minding your own business, doing your own thing, it's a slow and quiet day.
All of a sudden, you hear her. You hear her from a distance. The sound of a thousand horses shakes the ground beneath you. The sound of a mighty beast charging as it passes you. The loud roars of a 1000-horsepower engine and the deafening rumbles it leaves, as you turn to see a sleek, gorgeous beauty racing pass you, leaving you to admire the awesome pressure of the wind following behind it.
It's all noise pollution. But you don't care about that. All you could think of was what went into making that beautiful beast and how it was born.
If that describes you, then put on your seat belts because Automotive Engineering could be the right course for you!
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about studying an Automotive Engineering course in Malaysia, from what it is and how it works, all the way to the career options that you will have.
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#1. The Basics of Automotive Engineering
a) What Is Automotive Engineering?
Automotive Engineering is a division of automobile engineering with its studies focused on the design, manufacture and operation of automobiles like motorcycles, buses, trucks and cars with elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering incorporated into it.
Automotive engineers work in every area of the industry, from the design and feel of current cars to the security and safety of any new forms of transport.
Making a car go as fast as a Bugatti but having the fuel efficiency of Toyota Prius may seem like an impossible feat but that’s the kind of problems automotive engineers face every day.
b) What Are the Various Fields of Automotive Engineering?
These are some of the main fields covered in an Automotive Engineering course:
| Automotive Design | This field involves learning how to design new products and improving existing ones. |
|---|---|
| Automotive R&D | In the world of Automotive Engineering, you will be faced with millions of problems and you will be taught how to find solutions to engineering problems. |
| Automotive Production | Some automobiles are built by hand while some by robots. As an automotive engineer you will also be educated in production processes to help smoothen the process while delivering cost savings to consumers. |
| Automotive Technology | We\u2019re living in a fast paced world with new technologies being innovated every day. In this field you will learn how to incorporate and innovate technology that will be relevant and useful for automobiles. |
Many of the fields that you will learn are designed to expose you to the various fields in this industry and as you progress you will learn more and more about the industry to help you become a successful automotive engineer when you finish your course. Unfortunately, there is no field in building Transformers or spy cars laced with various gadgets.
#2. Studying an Automotive Engineering Course
a) Entry Requirements & Qualifications
(i) Diploma in Automotive Engineering
- Minimum of 3 credits including Mathematics and a Science subject
(ii) Degree in Automotive Engineering
- A-Level: Minimum of 2 principal passes
- STPM: Minimum CGPA 2.0
- Australian Matriculation: Minimum of ATAR 50
- Canadian Pre-U: At least an average of 50%
Entry requirements may vary depending on the institution, so make sure you do your research before you decide which institution to study at!
Instead of doing a degree, you could also choose to do a Diploma right after SPM. That way you won’t need to take a Pre-University programme just to do an automotive engineering course. Entry requirements for a Diploma is typically 3 credits at SPM level.
b) How Does Your Education Pathway Look Like?
Automotive Engineering degrees are generally 3-4 years long.
However if you decide to do a Diploma instead, it is usually 2 to 2.5 years long. Upon successful completion of your Diploma, you can choose to either start working, or enter directly into Year 2 of a Degree in Automotive Engineering.
c) What Will You Study in Automotive Engineering?
Automotive Engineering courses are usually tailored to provide you with a wide range of industry-related knowledge. Upon successful completion, you will be ready to enter the industry and immediately apply your skill set that you’ve learned.
In the first year, you will typically learn about the basics of automobiles and be taught some basic science subjects such as:
- Introduction to Automotive Technology
- Engine Mechanical
- Chassis Systems
- Engine Systems
- Automotive Electrical Systems
- Steering Systems
- Chemistry 1
- Physics 1
- Engineering Drawing
In your second and third year, you will be given lessons on more in-depth understanding of automotive engineering while learning more complex mechanical and electronical automotive works. Subjects that you will usually be required to study are:
- Automotive Braking System
- Fuel System Dynamics
- Strength of Materials
- Thermofluid
- Thermofluid Laboratory
- Diesel Engines
- Emissions Systems & Turbochargers
- Chemistry 2
Most institutions include a semester where you will undergo industrial training at workshops and factories. This is where you’ll get to have hands-on experience to practice and apply the knowledge you’ve obtained.
#3. Why Should You Study Automotive Engineering?
Automotive Engineering is a fun and rewarding career for anyone who has interest in cars. Here are some reasons why you should study Automotive Engineering.
(a) Ever Growing Industry
The automotive industry is huge and as humans are seeking ways to go faster in more efficient ways, automotive engineering will be key to helping this vision come true. Your skillset will be needed in almost every country and you won’t have a hard time seeking a job wherever you are.
(b) Be a part of the future
Whether you’re designing new automobiles or innovating new technologies for it, you can be sure that your works will be a part of the future that is to come. You can be sure that you’ll never be sitting in an office doing paperwork and you job scope will be an exciting one as an automotive engineering graduate.
(c) Work at prestigious companies
Lamborghini, Ferrari, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mclaren. Sounds familiar to you? Of course they do! These are some of the best car manufacturing companies in the world. They make some of the best cars out there, and as an automotive engineering graduate, you’ll have a chance to work at these companies and use your skills to help them do what they do best!
(d) The sound of a revving engine keeps you up at night
Literally. You can't sleep. It echoes in your eardrums. The sound of a hurricane, revving your excitement, spinning your head at 5000 rpm. An engine with the power of a thousand horses makes you want to go wild. Yet, the only thing you want to know is how it's made.
(e) Racing into the future
Yes, you have racing thoughts about this; about engineering a car that takes you 'back' to the future.
Ok, maybe not. However, you will be at the forefront of design and innovation that will see the development of new technologies. Your thoughts races with cool ideas for cool cars and automobiles, and you will have the chance to build and engineer it.
Sometimes, these racing thoughts scare you. But you don't care about that. You discard those fears and carry on. Yes, drive toward your passion. Make it your career!
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Start now#4. What Skills Do You Need for an Automotive Engineering Course?
To do well in Automotive Engineering, you will require a few skills and qualities like the following.
(a) Attention to detail
As an automotive engineer, you will need to pay attention to even the smallest detail because even that can mean life or death for people who use your machines. One less nut and bolt and it could mean a disaster for you and your company and it is up to you to make sure everything is done properly.
(b) Creative mind
In this industry, you will face problems to solve everyday and if you’re someone who can’t think creatively to solve the problems in front of you, you’re going to have to hard time. Problems will arise and you must be able to solve them even if it requires a little off-the-books thinking!
(c) Ability to adapt to a dynamic environment and staying up-to-date
If you studied automotive engineering 10 years ago, you wouldn’t have learnt about hybrid cars and how they’re engineered. Now hybrid cars are everywhere and soon, there will be newer innovations which require you to be up-to-date and adaptive. You must embrace change and be able to adapt or else you could hit a speed bump and crash!
(4) Being a team player with some management skills
Building or designing a car will require you to work in a team. Hence, regularly contributing to team meetings and updating your colleagues about the progress, developments, and any problems encountered is important. You may need to supervise other technical staff, engineers, and designers.
As an engineer, you won't be a robot, doing the same things again and again monotonously. You will also need to take note and manage various details of projects. You will likely need to work with other departments of the company you are affiliated with, for example, negotiating the costs involved to develop and produce the final output of a project with the finance departments.
#5. What Career Options Do You Have with an Automotive Engineering Degree?
After completing your Automotive Engineering course, here are some of your career options:
- Automotive Engineering Technician
- Automotive Design Engineer
- Automotive Engineer
- Automobile Designer
- Sales Manager
- Sales Advisor
- Service Advisor
- Service Manager
- Foreman
- Technician
- Motorsport Technician
- Motorsport Team Captain
#6. Let's Roll Out to where you can study Automotive Engineering in Malaysia
Here are some of the most popular universities for Automotive Engineering in Malaysia.
Looking for pre-university or foundation courses? Check out our comprehensive pages for A-Level, Australian Matriculation and Foundation in Business!
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