Architects are not just people who conceive and design buildings and other concrete structures. These are people who understand and are intrigued by the mechanics of a building. It is this fascination which helps them to understand the thoughts and inspirations behind a structure and how materials have shaped and formed it. Courses in Architecture educate students to imagine, conceive, plan and design structures of concrete and other buildings. If you want to study architecture in Malaysia, you ought to have a basic understanding of what it entails and what are your prospects.
What is Architecture?
Architecture is the study of the art, science and techniques required for planning, designing, and constructing, commercial, industrial, public and residential structures and landscapes. It also involves understanding the external environment of such structures and buildings and ensure safety and security of the same in terms of materials used, so that lives are not endangered when the building (or structure) is open to be used. Hence, the objective of this field of study is to develop an understanding of not only the structural but the aesthetic, operational and environmental aspects of building design, along with the functional aspects of construction, planning, and development of such buildings.
Reasons for studying Architecture
If having people marveling in your creation and ingenuity isn’t enough, here are few more reasons why you should study Architecture in Malaysia:
- You are brilliant problem solver, and are good at interpreting information from a pile of data.
- If you dream of travelling the world on the job, this is the job for you. Architects get ample opportunities to travel to different places on projects.
- Designing and making things fascinates you. You have a passion for creating.
- Malaysia is a developing country, and rapid development calls for more opportunities in fields like Architecture, town planning and property development. This means, more job opportunities are available for architects and engineers.
- The cost of studying architecture in Malaysia is much more affordable compared to other overseas colleges and universities.
- Malaysia is a country with diversities which range from Royal Palaces to the colonial era buildings and structures. These serve as an inspiration for young architects to blend historical design elements into contemporary ones.
Study Architecture in Malaysia – Architecture courses in Malaysia
If you have decided to study Architecture in Malaysia, you can expect some great Architecture schools in Malaysia. The country itself is beautiful combination of rustic rural areas and contemporary urban landscaping, giving students an opportunity to witness all of this and understanding the dynamics of modern urban planning while their duration of stay here.
Malaysia Architecture – Branches of study
One can study the following branches of Architecture in Malaysia:
- Landscape Architecture
- Town Planning
- Visual Arts
- Urban Designing
- Interior Architecture
- Architectural Engineering
- Industrial Design
- Architectural History
What subjects do you need to study architecture?
In order to study Architecture in Malaysia, one has to study all or many of the below mentioned subjects:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Science
- Structural Physics
- Architectural Planning
- Building Facilities
- Graphic
- Engineering Science
- Land Surveying
- Design
- AutoCAD
Best Architecture courses available for study in Malaysia
Some of the best Architecture schools in Malaysia offer Bachelor of Architecture in Malaysia and Master’s degrees in the field to their students, a table of which is given below:
| University | Course | Eligibility & Intake | Course Fee |
| Limkokwing | Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Landscape Architecture – 4 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 Intake – 29 July 2019 |
RM17,000 per year |
| Bachelor of Arts in Interior Architecture – 2 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 Intake – 29 July 2019 |
RM19,550 per year | |
| Bachelor of Science (Architectural Studies) – 3 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 Intake – 29 July 2019 |
RM24,000 per year | |
| Taylor University | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Interior Architecture – 3.5 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 Intake – 1 April 2019, 26 August 2019 |
$33,614 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture – 3 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 Intake – 1 April 2019, 26 August 2019 |
$38,025 | |
| UCSI | Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture – 3.3 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 – National matriculation with CGPA of 2.0 Intake- July 2019 |
Year 1: RM 26,180; Year 2: RM 31,910; Year 3: RM 26,410 |
| Diploma in Architectural Studies – 2.5 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 – National matriculation with CGPA of 2.0 Intake- July 2019 |
Year 1:
RM 23,083; Year 2: RM 26,252; Year 3: RM 1,139 |
|
| Diploma in Interior Architecture – 2.5 years Full-time | Entry requirements:
– High school certificate – IELTS: 6 – National matriculation with CGPA of 2.0 Intake – May’19 and September’19 |
Year 1: RM 20,394; Year 2: RM 18,915; Year 3: RM 1,138 |
Additional Qualifications for being an Architect and to practice Architecture in Malaysia
The education pathway to become a practicing Architect in Malaysia is:
Step 1.SPM/O Level
Step 2. Pre University / Foundation – 1-2 Years
- A-Level or STPM: Minimum of 2Cs, including Mathematics
- Australian Matriculation: Minimum of ATAR 70.0, with good grades in Mathematics
- Canadian Pre-University: At least an average score of 65%
- Foundation in Arts or Built Environment: CGPA of 2.0%, depending on university
Step 3. LAM Part I (3 years) – Architecture Degree
Step 4. LAM Part II (2 Years) – Graduate Architect
Step 5. LAM Part III (2 Years) – Professional Architect
It is a mandate for practicing Architects in Malaysia to have certain level of qualification that is governed by Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM), which is the Board of Architects Malaysia, and which sets out qualification level for all architects. Basically, the qualifications level are LAM Part I, II and III:
- In order to obtain LAM Part I, you can either:
- Obtain a fully accredited degree in Architecture (approx. 3 years) that allows you exemption from Part I professional exam, or
- Take individual exams with LAM for Part I if you have an unaccredited Architecture degree
With Part I, you are only an Assistant Architect.
The minimum requirement to be an Architect is to hold the LAM Part II qualification. With Part II, you are known as a Graduate Architect. In order to obtain LAM Part II qualification, you must study for another 2 years (for instance, a Masters in Architecture).
And if you want to be a Professional Architect (with an “Ar.” title in front of your name), you have to go obtain LAM Part III. For this, you will need to practice Architecture for a minimum of 2 years, and will be required to fulfill all the project requirements set by LAM. With a Part III qualification, you are considered a Professional Architect.
Prospective Jobs for an Architect
There are number of opportunities one can engage themselves in as a Practicing Architect. Although some of the below mentioned opportunities might need further training, it would surely give you an insight into the nature of the job once you finish course in Architecture.
- Architects
- Architectural Designers
- Architectural Drafters
- Architectural Historians
- Surveyors
- Town Planner
- Urban Designers
- Urban Planners
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Construction Managers
- Cost Estimators
- Architecture Teachers
- Architectural Technologists
- Building Contractors
- Building Surveyor
- Engineering Teachers
- Engineering Technicians
- Cartographers and
- Photogrammetrists
- Civil Drafters
- Civil Engineering
- Technicians
- Civil Engineer
With a degree in Architecture, you will be able to bring designs to life with your insight and knowledge. A degree in Architecture can seem challenging to some, but it also extremely rewarding at the same time. For starters, you won’t be working out of a cubicle. Your imaginations can finally spread its wings with proper education and knowledge. When you study Architecture in Malaysia, it becomes all the more interesting because of the opportunities the country offers in terms of education, environment, and its warm welcoming culture.
Study2malaysia.com also known as Malaysian Universities information center (MUIC) was set up with the sole intention of providing valuable information to those students and aspirants who want to pursue their higher education in Malaysia. We are one of the leading and specialized teams who have been associated with assisting students from across the world to move to Malaysia for higher education for more than a decade now. We have, till now, successfully sent around 5000 students (including medical students) to Malaysia, most of who are now successfully placed in different professional careers.