Automotive Engineering Degree Course in Malaysia
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.
Automotive engineering basically deals with how vehicles function. You will study manufacturing, design, product testing, research & development. You will learn what’s inside a car and what makes it tick. Not just fixing cars, you’ll have to design new products and improve existing ones while finding solutions to engineering problems.
What are the entry requirements for an Automotive Engineering course?
Diploma / HND :
Minimum CGPA of 2.00
STPM :
Pass with Grade B- in Additional Mathematics or Advanced Additional Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics/Biology
A-Levels :
Minimum 2 Principal Passes, including Mathematics and Physics
UEC :
Minimum 5 Bs (including Mathematics and Physics/Chemistry
Matriculation Certificate/Foundation of Science :
- Minimum CGPA of 2.75 and pass all major subjects
- Minimum of Grade B- in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics/Biology
Certificate/SKM III :
Minimum CGPA of 2.00 with a credit in any subject and a pass in Mathematics at SPM level
SAM/HSC/AUSMAT- TER/UAI :
Average of 50% or higher in 5 subjects (including Mathematics)
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’re 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.
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.
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
