UoSM: The Secret to Success for Engineering Students

Malaysia is facing a significant shortage of over 100,000 engineers across various sectors, including Electrical and Electronics, Aerospace, and Mechanical engineering. In an interview earlier this year, Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Malaysia’s Minister of Works, highlighted the country’s current workforce of around 200,000 engineers, underscoring the importance of achieving a balanced engineer-to-population ratio of 1:100 to meet future demands.

With the ongoing push to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), the demand for engineers is more critical than ever, as innovation and sustainability rely on their expertise. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) has made it clear that Malaysia needs engineers across diverse fields to drive progress.

As the demand for skilled engineers continues to grow, the University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM) is committed to shaping the next generation of professionals who will drive innovation and sustainability. Its engineering programmes in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and Aeronautics & Astronautics Engineering not only provide cutting-edge knowledge but also offer invaluable hands-on experience through industry collaborations. This ensures graduates are fully prepared to meet the evolving needs of the engineering sector.

UoSM focuses on equipping students with practical skills and global certifications, giving them the expertise needed to thrive in a competitive job market. This approach also aligns with Malaysia’s efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), making our graduates well-positioned to contribute to the country’s growth in key industries.

UoSM is consistently ranked among the top engineering institutions globally. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, UoSM’s Mechanical Engineering programme is ranked 77th globally, while Electrical & Electronic Engineering holds the 70th spot. Additionally, the Complete University Guide ranks UoSM 2nd in Aeronautics and Astronautics, 4th in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and 8th in Mechanical Engineering.

For students, graduating from UoSM means earning a degree with international recognition, providing a competitive edge in the global job market and opening doors to exciting career opportunities worldwide.

Study in Malaysia, Graduate with a UK Degree

Studying at the No.1 UK university in Malaysia gets you the best of both worlds: the opportunity to study a world-class UK engineering degree right here in Malaysia. Whether you’re pursuing Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering or Electrical and Electronics Engineering, UoSM’s programmes offer the same rigorous syllabus, high standards and qualifications as students at the UK campus. Through the 2+2 and 4+0 pathways, you can earn a UK degree, either by completing part of your studies here and finishing in the UK, or by completing the whole degree in Malaysia.

UoSM’s personalised approach ensures that you’re supported every step of the way. Lian Chao Hooi (Skyler), a graduate of UoSM’s 2+2 Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme, says, “The first two years here were tough and difficult, but that made it easier when I went into the third and fourth years.” Skyler credited it to the close bond that he shared with the lecturers and with each other. “Since the community at UoSM is small, you always feel supported,” he says.

For him, the transition to the UK campus was smooth because his entire batch transferred together. “We had each other’s backs there, and the lecturers were really helpful and professional. That support made a big difference.”

Bringing Engineering to Life Through World-class Facilities

UoSM integrates real-world industry experience and practices into all its courses.

In the Aerospace Lab, students experience flight mechanics and aerodynamics first-hand. With a flight simulator, specialised nozzle rigs and a wind tunnel that can mimic wind speeds of up to 130km/h, students have the opportunity to see concepts that once felt abstract in a classroom turn into reality.

The Electrical and Electronic Engineering labs, in addition, are equipped with professional-grade tools, including oscilloscopes, function generators and digital multimeters, providing students with the same resources they will encounter in the industry. They even get the chance to design their own nanochips using Mentor Graphics software, which are then manufactured by a semiconductor manufacturing company and sent back to Malaysia for testing. This entire cycle of design, production and testing immerses students in the whole engineering workflow.

Meanwhile, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Centre pushes students to explore IoT and AI solutions in diverse industries, including healthcare, manufacturing and agriculture. It’s a place where innovation isn’t just taught, it’s practised.

Even the Mechanical Workshop is more than a classroom. CNC machines, 3D printers and laser cutters enable students to turn their ideas into working prototypes. Imaginative ideas turn into tangible results, and graduates leave with the practical skills highly valued by employers.

“Our labs are designed to bridge the gap between study and real-world application to ensure our students are academically strong and industry-ready,” Dr Siow Yong Low, Head of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, explains.

Industry Connections That Open Doors

UoSM boasts strong industry connections that provide invaluable opportunities for its students both during their studies and after graduation. 

One prime example of this is the recent partnership between UoSM and the Aero Malaysia Engineering Centre (AMEC), marked by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2024. This collaboration ensures that UoSM students benefit from direct exposure to the aerospace sector, with access to technical training, internships, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects related to aerospace engineering, aircraft maintenance, and spaceflight technology. 

In another collaboration with Zenxin Agriculture, UoSM’s engineering students designed an IoT-based monitoring system for chicken coops, improving farm sustainability while honing their technical skills. 

Through such industry partnerships, UoSM students gain practical experience and a network of professionals that can help launch their careers in an ever-evolving field, making them highly sought after by employers both locally and internationally.

Proven Engineering Programmes for a Future-ready Career

UoSM’s engineering students are already making significant strides in the industry before graduation. In April 2025, UoSM’s student representatives earned a prestigious Judges’ Commendation Award at the Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition, demonstrating the real-world impact of the skills they gain through our hands-on, industry-connected curriculum.

This commitment to excellence is further reflected in the achievements of its alumni, such as Choong Shao Qian, who was awarded the IET Outstanding Young Professional Award 2025 by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). His recognition highlights the leadership, innovation, and industry contribution that UoSM students are empowered to achieve, thanks to its rigorous engineering programmes.

Moreover, UoSM students are making waves with projects like Team Soton4Health, which reached the finals of the H-Innovation Startup Accelerator 2025, organised by Disruptive Doctors 2025. Their award-winning prototype, which combines engineering precision, intelligent computing, and human-centred design, aims to support rehabilitation, restore mobility, and enhance independence for the elderly, proving that UoSM graduates not only excel academically but also innovate for a better future.

These achievements reflect UoSM’s distinctive combination of British academic excellence and industry exposure, equipping its students for successful careers in engineering.

At UoSM, the engineering programmes are a launchpad to a career that can change the world. With limited intakes each year, now is the time to take the first step.

👉 Explore the University of Southampton Malaysia’s Engineering programmes today. The future is waiting, and it needs your engineering expertise.