Overview of Software Engineering Study in Malaysia
Software engineering is a discipline concerned with applying scientific and engineering techniques to develop and maintain software, creating efficient, secure, and reliable software products.
History of Software Engineering in Malaysia
The teaching of software engineering began in Malaysia in the late 1970s when the first college of computer science was established at the University of Malaya, the premier university in software engineering.
Initially, the focus was on teaching programming fundamentals and software design.
With the growth of the technology industry in Malaysia, there has been an increasing demand for qualified software engineers.
In the 1990s, Malaysian universities started offering bachelor’s degree programs in software engineering, and the Malaysian government began offering scholarships to international students to study in Malaysia.
In the twenty-first century, software engineering has become one of the most popular disciplines in Malaysia, with over 50 universities offering software engineering programs at various levels.
Number of Students Studying Software Engineering in Malaysia
According to data from the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, the number of students studying software engineering in Malaysia in 2023 was approximately 250,000, including about 50,000 international students.
International students represent about 20% of the total number of students studying software engineering in Malaysia and come from over 100 countries around the world.
Malaysia is one of the most popular study destinations for international students seeking to study software engineering.
Advantages of Studying Software Engineering in Malaysia
Studying software engineering in Malaysia has several advantages, including:
Reasonable Cost: The cost of studying software engineering in Malaysia is around $20,000 USD per year, compared to an average of $50,000 USD in the United States.
High-Quality Education: Malaysia has many prestigious universities that offer high-quality educational programs in software engineering, such as the University of Malaya, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.
These universities rely on modern curricula and have experienced faculty members.
Cultural Diversity: Malaysia boasts a large cultural diversity, with over 150 ethnic groups.
This diversity provides international students with an opportunity to learn about new cultures and interact with people from around the world.
Wide Job Opportunities: Malaysia has a thriving economy and a strong technology industry, attracting many global companies and providing promising job opportunities for graduates.
Advanced Lab Facilities: Universities in Malaysia are equipped with state-of-the-art computer labs, allowing software engineering students to access modern and advanced learning environments.
International Exchange Programs: Having students from different nationalities provides opportunities for interaction with diverse cultures, enhancing the learning experience and contributing to the development of international cooperation skills.
It’s worth noting that studying software engineering in Malaysia is an attractive option for international students looking for high-quality education, reasonable costs, and the opportunity to live in a multicultural country.
Is Studying Software Engineering Cheap in Malaysia?
Yes, the cost of studying software engineering in Malaysia is cheap compared to Western countries.
The cost of studying software engineering in Malaysia is around $20,000 USD per year, compared to an average of $50,000 USD in the United States.
The study cost varies depending on the university and the degree level.
For example, the cost of studying software engineering in Malaysian public universities is around $10,000 USD per year, while the cost of studying in private universities is around $30,000 USD per year.
The study cost includes tuition fees and other fees, such as administrative fees, university fees, and accommodation fees.
Additionally, some universities offer scholarships to eligible students, supporting international students in completing their higher education.
Requirements for Studying Software Engineering at Bachelor’s Level in Malaysia
The requirements for studying software engineering at the bachelor’s level in Malaysia vary from university to university, but generally include:
Obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent with a good cumulative grade point average.
Proficiency in English, as all academic programs at Malaysian universities are taught in English.
Submitting the result of an international English language test, such as IELTS or TOEFL, with a minimum score of 6.0.
Submitting a personal statement outlining your interest in studying software engineering.
Submitting a resume that demonstrates your skills and abilities.
In addition to these general requirements, some Malaysian universities may also require the following:
Submitting high grades in mathematics, science, and computer science in the high school diploma.
Submitting recommendations from teachers or prominent figures.
If you wish to study software engineering in Malaysia, it is important to check the admission requirements at the university you wish to enroll in, and you can contact the Study in Malaysia team for more information about the required documents in the application process.
Requirements for Studying Software Engineering at Master’s Level in Malaysia
In general, the requirements for studying at the master’s level include:
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or a related field with a good cumulative grade point average.
Proficiency in English, as all academic programs at Malaysian universities are taught in English.
Submitting an international English language test, such as IELTS or TOEFL, with a minimum score of 6.5.
Submitting a personal statement outlining your interest in studying software engineering.
Submitting a resume that demonstrates your skills and abilities.
Submitting a letter of recommendation.
Requirements for Studying Software Engineering at Doctoral Level in Malaysia
The requirements for studying software engineering at the doctoral level in Malaysia vary from university to university, but generally include:
Obtaining a master’s degree in software engineering or a related field with a good cumulative grade point average.
Proficiency in English, as all academic programs at Malaysian universities are taught in English.
Submitting an international English language test, such as IELTS or TOEFL, with a minimum score of 7.0.
Submitting a resume that demonstrates your skills and abilities for studying this major.
Submitting a research summary outlining your major in the field of software engineering.
Submitting recommendations from teachers who know your capabilities in this field.
In addition to these general requirements, some Malaysian universities may also require the following:
Submitting high grades in mathematics, science, and computer science in the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Participation in conferences and scientific seminars in the field of software engineering.
Publication in scientific journals specialized in the field of software engineering.
Duration of Software Engineering major Study in Malaysia and Course Materials
The duration of undergraduate study in software engineering in Malaysian universities varies depending on the university, ranging between 3 and 4 years.
– Private Universities: Studying software engineering at private universities in Malaysia typically takes 3 academic years.
Students are taught core subjects in the first year, followed by specialization in the second and third years.
– Public Universities: Studying software engineering at public universities in Malaysia typically takes 4 academic years. Students are taught core subjects in the first year, followed by major in the second, third, and fourth years.
Undergraduate Course Materials for Software Engineering major in Malaysia
Undergraduate course materials cover a variety of topics, including:

1. Basic Software Engineering Concepts: Students learn fundamentals such as software engineering concepts, types of software, software development life cycle, software requirements engineering, software design engineering, software implementation engineering, software testing engineering, and software maintenance engineering.
2. Mathematics: Students learn basics such as algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability theory.
3. Basic Sciences: Students learn basics such as physics and chemistry.
4. Computer Science: Students learn basics such as computer architecture, operating systems, databases, and computer networks.
5. Software Design: Students learn how to design software, including requirement analysis, programming design, data design, and protocol design.
6. Software Development: Students learn how to develop software, including programming in C, C++, Java, and Python.
7. Software Testing: Students learn software testing techniques, including unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.
8. Software Project Management: Students learn how to manage software projects, including project management planning, execution, and control.
9. Information Security: Students learn basics such as network security, data security, application security, and system security.
10. Artificial Intelligence: Students learn basics such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing.
11. Cloud Computing: Students learn basics such as cloud computing models, cloud computing services, and cloud computing security.
12. Graduation Project: Students learn how to implement a graduation project in the field of software engineering.

These course materials are essential for preparing students to become professional software engineers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, and test complex software systems.
Duration of Software Engineering major Study in Malaysia at the Master’s Level
The duration of software engineering major study at the master’s level in Malaysian universities varies depending on the university, ranging between 1 and 2 years.
– One-Year Programs: These programs usually include a set of core subjects in software engineering, along with a research or practical research project.
– Two-Year Programs: These programs usually include a set of core subjects in software engineering, along with a set of specialized subjects in a specific area of software engineering, along with a research or practical research project.
Master’s Level Course Materials for Software Engineering major in Malaysia
The master’s level course materials for this major vary by university and include a variety of topics, such as:
– Core Course Materials: These include advanced software engineering, fundamentals of scientific research, data analysis methods, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
– Information Security: These course materials include topics such as network security, data security, application security, and system security.
– Cloud Computing: These course materials include topics such as cloud computing models, cloud computing services, and cloud computing security.
– Electronic Games: These course materials include topics such as game programming, game design, and game graphics.
– Virtual Reality: These course materials include topics such as virtual reality programming, virtual reality design, and virtual reality applications.
– Augmented Reality: These course materials include topics such as augmented reality programming, augmented reality design, and augmented reality applications.
Duration of Software Engineering major Study in Malaysia at the Doctoral Level
The duration of software engineering major study at the doctoral level in Malaysian universities ranges between 3 and 5 years.
Doctoral Level Course Materials for Software Engineering major in Malaysia
Doctoral course materials in software engineering in Malaysia vary from university to university, but generally focus on advanced aspects of software engineering, including:
– Software Engineering Research: These materials focus on scientific research skills, including developing research hypotheses, designing research studies, data collection, data analysis, and research report writing.
– Theories and Methods in Software Engineering: These materials focus on studying advanced theories and methods in software engineering, including design, development, testing, security, and maintenance.
– Subspecialties in Software Engineering: These materials focus on studying one of the subspecialties in software engineering, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, or machine learning.
In addition to course materials, obtaining a doctoral degree in software engineering in Malaysia usually requires submitting a research thesis on a new topic in the field of software engineering.
To be accepted into a doctoral program in software engineering in Malaysia, students typically need to have a master’s degree in software engineering or a related field, a good cumulative grade point average, and research experience in the field of software engineering.
Available Job Opportunities for Software Engineering Graduates in Malaysia and Expected Salaries
Job Opportunities Available for Bachelor’s Degree Graduates in Software Engineering in Malaysia
Software engineering is one of the most popular majors in the job market, with demand for software engineers estimated at around 23.9 million jobs worldwide by 2030, owing to the continuous growth in technology usage in all aspects of life, including business, education, healthcare, government, and entertainment.
A bachelor’s degree in software engineering provides graduates with a range of essential skills and knowledge needed to work in the field of software engineering, including programming skills, design skills, analysis skills, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills.
Career Opportunities in Software Engineering
Software engineering skills offer graduates diverse job opportunities across a wide range of industries, including:
– Technology Companies: Such as software development firms, electronic hardware companies, and video game companies.
– Non-tech Companies: Such as financial firms, industrial companies, and governmental organizations.
– Educational Institutions: Such as universities, colleges, and research institutes.
Here are some examples of software engineering jobs:
– Software Engineer: Designs, develops, tests, and maintains software.
– Software Developer: Writes and tests software code.
– Systems Analyst: Analyzes user needs and designs software systems to meet those needs.
– Software Maintenance Engineer: Repairs and enhances existing software programs.
– Software Security Engineer: Designs and implements software security solutions.
In general, bachelor’s degree holders in software engineering have positive job prospects, with demand for their skills expected to grow in the coming years.
The average salaries for bachelor’s degree graduates range from $60,000 to $90,000 annually.
Career Opportunities for Master’s Degree Graduates in Software Engineering
– Project Manager: Manages all aspects of software project development, including planning, execution, monitoring, and control.
– Technology Engineer: Develops and implements technology solutions such as operating systems, software, and infrastructure.
– Artificial Intelligence Engineer: Develops and applies artificial intelligence technologies such as machine learning and deep learning.
– Cybersecurity Engineer: Protects information systems and data from cyber attacks.
– Cloud Computing Engineer: Designs, implements, and manages cloud computing applications.
– Software Engineering Researcher: Conducts new research in software engineering, such as developing new techniques or improving existing ones.
The salaries for master’s degree graduates in software engineering in Malaysia range from $90,000 to $150,000 annually in the United States.
Career Opportunities for Doctoral Degree Graduates in Software Engineering in Malaysia
– Academic Positions: University positions offer significant opportunities for doctoral graduates in software engineering.
They can work as faculty members, conduct research, and train students in the latest technologies and practices.
– Research Positions: Government and private research centers seek researchers in software engineering for developing new software, improving existing ones, or solving complex problems in the field.
– Professional Positions: Doctoral graduates in software engineering can work in various professional roles in companies and institutions.
They can work as software engineering consultants, software project managers, or specialized software engineers in areas such as software security, artificial intelligence, or cloud computing.
Job requirements for doctoral graduates in software engineering include:
– Work Experience: Most companies and institutions prefer applicants for software engineering jobs to have previous practical experience in programming.
Therefore, doctoral graduates are advised to undergo practical training or obtain part-time jobs during their studies.
– Technical Skills: Software engineering jobs require a variety of technical skills, including programming skills, data analysis skills, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking skills.
– Personal Skills: Software engineering jobs also require a set of personal skills, such as teamwork, effective communication, and time management.
Salaries for doctoral graduates in software engineering vary depending on the field of work, practical experience, skills and abilities, and geographical location.
In the United States, salaries for doctoral graduates in software engineering range from $100,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on the field of work.
Academic positions typically pay between $100,000 and $150,000, while research positions pay between $150,000 and $200,000.
In Arab countries, salaries for doctoral graduates in software engineering range from $50,000 to $100,000 annually, depending on the field of work.
Academic positions typically pay between $50,000 and $75,000, while research positions pay between $75,000 and $100,000.
Languages Available for Studying Software Engineering in Malaysia
– English Language: Most universities in Malaysia offer software engineering programs in English.
– Malay Language: Some universities in Malaysia offer software engineering programs in Malay.
List of Malaysian Universities Offering Software Engineering Programs in Malaysia:
– University of Malaya
– Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
– Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL)
– Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
– Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
– Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
– Sunway University
– Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
– International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
– Multimedia University (MMU)
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