It's not impossible although not easy.

These tips are for students in Form 4 and 5 who are in the Arts Stream but still wish to become an engineer one day.

The usual pathway taken by students who are from the science stream is to enter Asasi/Matrikulasi/STPM and then pursue an Engineering degree.

Read about the Academic qualifications to study Engineering in Malaysia here.

These are the usual pathways if you want to become an Engineer as a Science student after SPM:

• Matriculation
• Asasi
• Foundation
• STPM
• Diploma
• A-levels
• IB Diploma

Malaysian public universities that are offering degrees in engineering:

Before we begin:

Bear in mind that UM and USM DO NOT accept diploma graduates for their Engineering courses, and so Art Stream students, we need a different strategy.

These 7 IPTA emphasizes your SPM result for Add Maths and Pure Science subjects:

• UiTM
• UMS
• UKM
• UTM
• UNIMAS
• UIAM

...which means we won't focus on them either, my dear Art Stream students.

However, these 5 universities accept students for subjects other than Pure Science and Add maths:

• UTHM
• UMP
• UPM
• UNIMAP
• UPNM

So if you're an Arts Stream student and you wish to get an Engineering degree, read on:

1. UTHM

Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan Awam

Graduated with a Diploma in Engineering or related course from IPTA or equivalent to it as accredited by the Malaysian government and approved by University Senate with a minimum CGPA of 2.50

OR

Graduated with minimum CGPA of 2.30 and work experience of at least 2 years in a related field

AND

Graduated SPM with a minimum of Grade E in English

AND

Received a minimum of Band 2 in MUET

AND

Have no physical disabilities which may hinder practical work.

2. UMP

Sarjana Muda (Kepujian) Kejuruteraan Awam

Graduated with a Diploma in a related course from IPTA or equivalent to it with a minimum CGPA of 2.50

OR

Graduated with a Diploma in a related course from IPTS/Polytechnic or equivalent to it with a minimum CGPA of 3.00

OR

Graduated with minimum CGPA of 2.30 and work experience of at least 2 years in a related field

OR

Graduated with an equivalent certification and acknowledged by the University Senate

AND

Received a minimum of Band 2 in MUET

AND

Have no physical disabilities which may hinder practical work.

3. UPM

Bacelor Kejuruteraan (Awam)

Graduated with a Diploma in a related course of with a minimum CGPA of 2.80

AND

Received a minimum of Band 3 in MUET

OR

Graduated SPM with a minimum of Grade C/6C in English

AND

Have no physical disabilities which may hinder practical work.

4. UniMAP

Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan (Kepujian) (Kejuruteraan Awam)

Graduated with a Diploma in a related course of with a minimum CGPA of 2.50

AND

Received a minimum of Band 2 in MUET

5. UPNM

Sarjana Muda Kejuruteraan Awam

Graduated with a related Diploma in Engineering and Technology from IPTA or equivalent to it as accredited by the Malaysian government and approved by University Senate with a minimum CGPA of 3.00

AND

A minimum of credit in Mathematics for SPM

AND

Have no physical disabilities which may hinder practical work.

Preparations before SPM

Make sure that you achieve good grades in these subjects:

1. Bahasa Malaysia

2. Mathematics

3. Science

4. Sejarah

5. PI/PM/PSI/PQS

AND

3 other subjects including

1. English

2. 2 other extra subjects

Your strategy would be to excel in SPM and then take an Engineering Diploma in a Polytechnic or IPTA or IPTS before proceeding towards a Degree in Engineering.

Yes, the pathway may be a little bit longer so you will need more patience than the Science Stream students. But if this is your dream, then go chase it!

Good luck!