Petroleum engineering is one of the most valuable and important engineering disciplines globally. Malaysia, thanks to its position as one of the leading leaders in the oil and gas sector in Asia, is an ideal destination to study this field.
This comprehensive guide provides an integrated vision for studying petroleum engineering in Malaysia. We will cover the nature of the specialization, its economic importance, a review of the best universities, admission requirements, tuition fees, and living costs.
This article is a reliable reference for students from Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait who seek a world-class education. It covers academic paths from bachelor's to doctorate, course materials, and career opportunities, giving you a clear picture of your journey.
With the support of "Pioneer's" free advisory services, you can overcome any obstacles, ensure a smooth admission process, and embark on a successful career in the heart of the global energy industry.
Petroleum engineering is the engineering field concerned with the exploration, production, and development of oil and natural gas. It is a science that combines geology, physics, chemistry, and mechanical engineering to meet the global energy demand.
The primary goal of a petroleum engineer is to extract hydrocarbon resources from underground reservoirs in the safest, most efficient, and most economically and environmentally sustainable way.
The importance of this specialization lies in its being the lifeblood of the global economy, as traditional energy sources continue to play a pivotal role in powering all industrial sectors, transportation, and electricity generation.
Choosing Malaysia to study petroleum engineering in malaysia is a strategic decision. The country is home to the giant PETRONAS company and has specialized universities ranked among the best globally in this field, providing students with an education that is closely linked to the industry and its real-world applications.
In general, a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering at Malaysian universities takes a full four years of study for students who meet the direct admission requirements.
In some cases, especially for students with high school certificates from some Arab countries, some public universities like UTM may require an additional period of up to one semester, making the total duration of study four and a half years, to cover the necessary foundational subjects.
The official and accredited language for teaching all petroleum engineering programs in Malaysian universities, whether public, private, or semi-governmental, is English.
Therefore, proving proficiency in English is a basic requirement for admission, usually done by submitting results from standardized international tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
The admission requirements vary slightly from one university to another, but there is a set of common basic requirements among most Malaysian universities, which include:
Academic Qualification:
A-Level Certificate: Obtaining good grades (starting from C) in three subjects, including Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Achieving a total score ranging from 24 to 30 points, with good grades in Higher Level (HL) subjects in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
Foundation Certificate: Completing a foundation program in Engineering or Science from a recognized institution, with a CGPA of no less than 3.00.
Diploma: Holding a diploma in a related engineering specialization with a CGPA of no less than 2.00.
English Language Requirements:
Obtaining an overall score ranging from 5.0 to 6.0 in the academic IELTS test, or its equivalent.
Malaysian universities attract students from all Arab countries and set clear admission criteria for their high school certificates:
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Yemen, Somalia: Universities like UTM require a score of at least 85% in the high school certificate.
Oman, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Bahrain, Palestine, Syria, Sudan: Admission usually requires a score of at least 80%.
Other private universities: Some universities may accept lower averages based on the certificate system and individual case assessment.
Malaysia prides itself on having world-class universities in the field of petroleum engineering, given the importance of this sector to its economy. Here we review the most important universities:
UTP, owned by the Malaysian national oil company (Petronas), is the number one university in Malaysia and ranked 20th globally for Petroleum Engineering. The university provides unparalleled education that combines academic expertise with direct industrial application, featuring world-class research facilities.
Average Fees: The first year is about $7,200 USD, and subsequent years are about $6,900 USD annually.
Admission Requirements: Requires C grades in A-Levels in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, a CGPA of 3.00 in a foundation program, and an IELTS score of 5.0.
University Link: UTP Universty
UTM is a leading public research university, ranked among the top 46 universities globally in Petroleum Engineering. The university is distinguished by its comprehensive engineering programs and its long history of graduating competent engineers, offering specialized tracks in gas and petroleum engineering.
Average Fees: The first year is about $6,300 USD, and subsequent years are about $4,200 USD annually.
Admission Requirements: Requires an 80-85% average in high school for science subjects, and an IELTS score of 5.5.
University Link: UTM Universty
This is a prestigious private university ranked among the top 150 universities globally in Petroleum Engineering. Its program is notable for its focus on practical training (Co-Op), where students spend long training periods in oil and gas companies, gaining real practical experience before graduation.
Average Fees: Annual fees range between $5,200 and $9,400 USD.
Admission Requirements: Requires acceptable grades in A-Levels (minimum two Ds) in Mathematics and a science subject, and an IELTS score of 5.0.
University Link: UCSI Universty
APU is renowned for its focus on technology and innovation. Its Petroleum Engineering program grants students a dual degree from De Montfort University (DMU) in the UK, which adds great value to their degree and enhances their opportunities in the international job market.
Average Fees: Annual fees range between $7,500 and $9,500 USD.
Admission Requirements: Requires success in a Foundation program or A-Levels with good grades in Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry, and an IELTS score of 5.0.
University Link: APU Universty
As a leading technical university, UniKL offers applied engineering programs that focus heavily on practical skills. Its Petroleum Technology Engineering program focuses on the operations and safety aspects, directly preparing students for the requirements of fieldwork in the oil and gas sector.
Average Fees: The first year is about $7,500 USD, and subsequent years are about $6,000 USD annually.
Admission Requirements: Requires a 60% average in high school with a C grade in Mathematics and a science subject, and an IELTS score of 5.0.
University Link: UniKL Universty
📞 Book your free consultation now with Pioneer and start your academic journey in Malaysia safely and confidently!
Note: Many other universities offer petroleum engineering in Malaysia. You can contact the Pioneer team for full details. The prices mentioned are approximate. For more precise details, get your free consultation now with Pioneer.
Malaysia offers world-class education in petroleum engineering at very competitive costs. The average annual tuition fee for a bachelor's degree in this prestigious specialization ranges from $6,000 to $9,500 USD.
Public and semi-public universities like UTM and UTP offer their programs at excellent rates considering their global ranking, with fees ranging from $4,200 to $7,200 annually. As for private universities like UCSI and APU, their fees are in the range of $5,200 to $9,500 annually.
In addition to tuition fees, students must plan for living costs. Malaysia is a destination with a low cost of living, which makes it an attractive option for international students. A student can live comfortably on a monthly budget ranging from $450 to $800 USD.
These monthly costs are roughly distributed as follows: accommodation rent ($150-$350), food ($150-$300), transportation ($30-$70), and other personal expenses such as internet bills and entertainment ($100-$200).
Note: The prices mentioned are approximate. For more precise details, get your free consultation now with Pioneer and start your academic journey in Malaysia with confidence!
The field of petroleum engineering is divided into several precise and interconnected branches, each focusing on a specific stage of oil and gas extraction:
Reservoir engineers work on estimating the volume of oil and gas reserves in discovered fields and studying the properties of rocks and fluids to develop the best plans for extracting the maximum possible amount of resources.
This specialization focuses on the design, planning, and supervision of oil and gas well drilling operations. The drilling engineer deals with the challenges of reaching deep reservoirs safely and efficiently.
After a well is drilled, the production engineer takes responsibility for designing and installing the necessary equipment to lift the oil and gas to the surface, process it, and transport it. They also work on optimizing and monitoring the performance of producing wells.
This specialization, which UniKL focuses on, is concerned with ensuring that all oil and gas operations are run safely and that international safety standards are applied to prevent accidents and protect individuals and the environment.
Studying petroleum engineering in Malaysia opens doors to exceptional opportunities and numerous advantages:
High Salaries and Prestigious Status: Petroleum engineers are among the highest-paid of all engineering specializations, given the vital importance of their work and the huge revenues of the oil and gas industry.
Global Demand for Graduates: The energy demand never stops, and therefore, the demand for petroleum engineers is continuous worldwide, especially in oil-producing countries in the Middle East, North America, and Europe.
Job Opportunities in Malaysia: As an oil-producing country, Malaysia offers excellent job opportunities for outstanding graduates in national companies like Petronas or international companies operating in the country.
A Work Environment Full of Challenge and Adventure: Petroleum engineers often work in diverse locations around the world, including offshore platforms and remote areas, which provides a unique and exciting life and professional experience.
Despite the great opportunities, there are some challenges that students should be aware of:
The Cyclical Nature of the Industry: The oil and gas sector is heavily influenced by global oil prices, which can lead to fluctuations in job opportunities.
Difficult Working Conditions: The job may require frequent travel and staying in remote or offshore locations for long periods, which requires a high ability to adapt.
High Responsibility: Petroleum engineers deal with high-risk and costly operations, which places great responsibility on them to ensure safety and efficiency.
To overcome these challenges and prepare well for the job market, academic support and career guidance are crucial. Get a free consultation from the "Pioneer" team, which provides you with the necessary strategies for academic and professional excellence.
The bachelor's curriculum includes a comprehensive set of subjects that cover all aspects of the industry. Here is an overview of the expected subjects:
Academic Year
Key Subjects
Year One
Engineering Mathematics, Physics, General Chemistry, Geology, Principles of Engineering, Statics, and Dynamics.
Year Two
Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Reservoir Rock and Fluid Properties, Principles of Drilling Engineering.
Year Three
Reservoir Engineering, Production Engineering, Well Logging, Well Testing, Numerical Reservoir Simulation.
Year Four
Petroleum Economics, Completion and Production Operations Design, Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Methods, Final Year Project, Industrial Training.
To apply for a bachelor's degree, you must prepare: a certified copy of your high school certificate and transcripts, a copy of all passport pages (valid for not less then 18 month), a recent passport-sized photo (white background), your English proficiency test certificate (IELTS or TOEFL), a completed application form, and a medical examination certificate.
For a Master's degree, you will also need: a certified copy of your Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related engineering field, academic transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a detailed CV, and a research proposal (for research-based programs).
For a PhD, you will need to submit a strong academic file that includes: certified copies of your Bachelor's and Master's certificates and transcripts, a detailed and innovative research proposal, an academic CV with a list of publications (if any), letters of recommendation from academic supervisors, and proof of English proficiency.
Note: The details mentioned are approximate. For more precise details, get your free consultation now with Pioneer and start your academic journey in Malaysia with confidence!
Are you ready to be part of the global energy industry? If petroleum engineering is your ambition, don't let complex application procedures stand in your way. The "Pioneer" team is here to provide support and guidance every step of the way. Contact us now for a comprehensive free consultation, where we will help you choose the right university, prepare your file, and follow up on your application until admission is secured, all without any fees.
In conclusion, studying petroleum engineering in Malaysia is a strategic investment for a brilliant professional future. It combines world-class education in prestigious universities, competitive tuition and living costs, and a close link to one of the most important industries in the world. This guide has detailed everything you need to know, from the nature of the specialization to the best universities, admission requirements, and opportunities.
The energy demand ensures the continued need for competent and innovative petroleum engineers. Malaysia, with its leading universities like UTP and UTM, provides the ideal platform to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for success in this dynamic field.
With the help of the "Pioneer" team, you can turn your ambition into a reality. You can begin a successful academic and professional journey that places you at the heart of the global energy industry.
