It's all about whether you like what you do.  I've met quite a number of female engineers, in fact, the ex CEO of the Mechanical Engineer's Institute here in the UK is a woman. 

Do you know what is involved in aeronautical/aerospace engineering? 

If you've got good SPM results, you could look around for a scholarship.

Have you heard of PSDC (Penang Skills Development Centre)? It is an education and training centre, specialised in producing Engineering students.  Moreover, PSDC has linkage with many multinational companies such as Motorola, Intel, Avago, Agilent, etc who will employ their students.  There are even students obtaining scholarship from these multinationals to further their study overseas.

if you want to know more, the PSDC will be organising their Discovery Day on 7 - 8 April.  There will be a session on DIY Robotic Workshop for potential students to have a hands-on experience in designing a robotic car.  Perhaps after this experience, you will know better whether you are into engineering line or not.

You may find out more from their website and Facebook Fanpage:

www.psdc.org.my

www.facebook.com/PSDCOfficialPage

Hi Jolenekl,

Both are good in their own way.  Anyway, it always go back to your own interest.  A-Level is something like STPM, whereby you do not major in anything yet, giving you more time to think of what you really interested in.  It is only after you complete your A-Level, then you decide again what major you want to take.

As for Diploma in Engineering, this is for those who have already decided that they want to be an Engineer.  So, instead of wasting another year, not knowing which direction to go to, they immediately embark on their interest.

Perhaps, if you are in Penang, just visit PSDC during their Discovery Day and find out more whether is it worth taking up A-Level or Diploma. If you take part in their DIY Robotic Workshop, probably you will be able to find out whether you enjoy being an engineer or not.

JoleneKL,

Firstly when talking about designing an aircraft what do you mean?

Mechanical engineering (often a degree), a diploma really has no standings these days even in terms of a reputable job, should set you up for the basics of of aerospace. If you do an aeronautical or aerospace engineering then your major tendency is towards dynamics of flight. Mechanical Engineering (with majors in aeronautics if I am not mistaken) is similar.

There are I think only 2 employers in malaysia that actually do 'designing' (in terms of aerospace) ----CTRM and Spirit. Of cs I might be wrong about this.

Being a women in engineering is no problem at all. Instead I have a feeling employers have the tendency to select women to project an 'equal opportunity employer' front.

JoleneKL,

Firstly when talking about designing an aircraft what do you mean?

Mechanical engineering (often a degree), a diploma really has no standings these days even in terms of a reputable job, should set you up for the basics of of aerospace. If you do an aeronautical or aerospace engineering then your major tendency is towards dynamics of flight. Mechanical Engineering (with majors in aeronautics if I am not mistaken) is similar.

There are I think only 2 employers in malaysia that actually do 'designing' (in terms of aerospace) ----CTRM and Spirit. Of cs I might be wrong about this.

Being a women in engineering is no problem at all. Instead I have a feeling employers have the tendency to select women to project an 'equal opportunity employer' front.

JoleneKL,

As far as I know there are no companies in Malaysia which design aircraft turbines but I might be wrong, mind to state which company. As any engine (Ie: turbines) development are no joke a few companies I know that even research into them are all overseas and well known ie: GE, Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney.

Each segment of an aircraft has its own design team. Most one off-designers are (Ie: usually enthusiast) the only designers who actually learn to make everything. In working organizations say one dept....does the body aerodynamics, one for the control system........parts lol.......yeah in designing you design everything from the bolt to the casing. Trust me not an easy task especially when the calculation is involved. Oh and designers do need to learn the limitations of manufacturing the product too, as you cant just create bombastic stuff and it remains a concept (ie: concepts don't make money)

And yes it is possible to move from mechanical to aeronautics just make sure your results are a minimum of 2nd upper. Malaysia just doesn't have the skills required for aeronautics because the whole Malaysian aerospace industry is based on RMO (repair, maintenance and overhaul). Aeronautics is not easy, one of the toughest engineering disciplines beside materials etc..
that is why we recommend you do a mechanical first so you don't regret.

Nottingham/Monash------ locally these two uni's have the best reputation although industry wise UTP/UTM are said to be on par.

I have never encountered people from Swinburne nor curtin but i presume they are more second tier ala---MMU/UNITEN/TAYLORS

jolene top tier universities will never do twinning/open campus overseas. they only accept credit transfers. check the THE, but the credits from these uni's are transferable to better uni's overseas often these are acceptable where budget restraints becomes an issue. but in the industry a reputable (so-so) uni + a good cv is good enough.