That's right. It's so difficult to score an A in any of UM's M.Arch courses; the faculty's expectation from the students is sky high, said my friend's daughter.

Mr Azarimy, do you know how to be a medical planner architect? Is there any university in Malaysia that offers the course?

I have no idea what a Medical Planner Architect supposed to be. Do enlighten me.

Forgive me if that's the wrong term. What i meant was architects who work as medical planner that specializes in designing hospitals. Is there such thing? Specializing in healthcare design?

We don't have that sort of specialization in the professional degree programmes. You can try research-based post-graduate degrees (masters/PhDs).

Thank you sir

Hi Mr Azarimy,

Does the September intake includes the Johor Bahru campus?

Thanks in advance

Perdana (Full-time) intakes are all in JB, opens for Feb and Sept every year.

Pesisir (Part-time) intakes are all in KL, opens for Feb and Sept every year.

Just to be clear .

thanks for the info!

Hi Mr Azarimy,

Just need some clarification, as i'm continuing my Part 2 this coming MAY,

If my PART 2 is not recognized, am I still able to get myself recognized as a PART 2 in LAM individually?

And its the process to be recognized will be more harder then taking a PART 2 in a recognized school?

Hi. Where do you plan to study, btw?

If you're talking about LAM compatible programmes (such as RIBA or RAIA), it should be fine. You can get yourself recognized after you finish your Part 2 by sitting for the LAM exam individually. You have to fill in the form, and LAM will verify your background and the Part 2. Then you will pay the exam fee and wait for the exam date. If you pass the exam, you are recognized. If you fail, you can either sit again or will be given the option to do a small theoretical project when you can show off all your Part 2 skills. If you fail that also, you can keep taking it until you pass.

If you came from a recognized school, it would be as simple as fill in the form, bayar fees, get certificate. All in a day. There is no PASS/FAIL.

This post has been edited by azarimy: Mar 20 2019, 05:07 PM

I'm planning to study in UTAR.

Thank You for your feedback.

I believe UTAR is working for their part 2 accreditation at the moment. So if you join now, it might be awarded accreditation by the time you graduate.

Hi Mr Azarimy, 2019 September intake is coming and I hope you can share some of your opinions on my choices as I'm preparing myself to study a degree in architecture. My first choice was University of Manchester but sadly, I did not achieve the grades in my conditional offer My next choices I had for my UCAS application were University of Kent which followed by Oxford Brookes. I also have an offer from AA School of Architecture which is the institution I have in mind to attend right now and I also applied to University of Melbourne as my back up plan. I've been blessed by the opportunity to be able to pursue my studies overseas but I do have some thoughts that there are local unis that are equally as good as my choices that I have so I'm hesitant if I should study abroad. I applied to AA since it's known to be prestigious but I'm worried even though its 5-year course is recognised with RIBA Part 1 and 2, I feel like I may face discrimination as I will only graduate with a diploma since it is a private uni. I have some seniors who graduated from AA and they told me that they were able to land a job with ease also received their LAM 1 and 2 accreditation but I can't help to overthink as this is a huge step for me to take My mom is trying to persuade me to go to Uni Melbourne since it's closer to home but I feel like I rather study in the UK if I were to study abroad May I know your thoughts, sir?

Hope it won't be a hassle for you to advise me and help me understand my choices better. Thank you

Hi there,

Kent & Oxford Brookes - you can't go wrong on these two. They're very established and quite well known.

AA - regarding this, although AA is considered a top design school and you will have no problem securing a job in the UK or EU, you might suffer everywhere else. With LAM's new ruling that only validates equivalent programmes, holding only a diploma will limit your options of working severely.

For example, since it's not recognized with LAM part 1&2, you'd have to sit for the exam individually. Then you can prep for part 3. Whereas, other students with part 2 can go straight and get ready for part 3. You can waste up to 2-3 years in this path.

Without a degree/masters, you won't be working at public universities or public sector. If you wanna go the academic path (which many Malaysian architects do), you need at least a masters.

Architecture is a volatile profession. When it's up, you can earn millions. When it's down, you're the first one to be retrenched.

If you wanna study abroad, my recommendation is still the UK. Sheffield, Strathclyde, De Montfort, Robert Gordon are some of the options you should consider on top of your choices. These places are cheaper than London or Melbourne. Don't let the exchange rate fool you. Some Australian cities are more expensive to live in than the UK!

Sir, I have several questions hope you can give some advices.

1. I am just graduated as Lam part 1 with cpga 2.82. I am interested to join accredited Master either local or international school. Problem is, they entry requirements most school is cpga 3.0. So there is no stated for those who are below 3.0. I heard some say I need go to work at least 6 months, but problem is, the working is calculated from graduation day or what? How do I know I already working more than 6 months? Because during semester break I will work at architects firm, so can it be consider my working experience? How about my diploma internship 6months and my degree internship 3 months consider working experience?

2. When I am applying a job, what kind of job title should I write? Is there any difference to write different titles and will they affects my resume? So far I know the job titles, assistant architect, junior architect, junior cad draughtman, visualiser, bim modeller, bim manager.. etc. Can you advise us that which titles is rank higher and their future expertise if chose that title?

3. I planned to study master international school for part 2, of course under list Lam validation as mentioned question 1. But I really have zero idea where should I start from. How to apply international school? Should I find agent help me? And portfolio, should I include my working portfolio or education fyp kind of portfolio as there is limitations of pages. So which one is more important?

Hi there.

1.1. The minimum entry for most Masters programme is 3.00, that's true. But on top of that, for an M.Arch, you need a 6 months working experience after Part 1.

1.2. If you hold below 3.00, you need about 2 years working experience before being considering to apply. Some schools may allow you in with at least 1 year.

1.3. Working experience is counted beginning the day you started working (as stated in the offer letter) up to now. The working experience only counts AFTER PART 1. Meaning even if you've had 10 years experience before part 1, all of those does not count.

1.4. Internship (or practical training) is not working experience. So no.

2.1. After part 1, the post you're applying for should be Assistant Architect.

2.2. Usually, the working exposure required for Part 2 depends on the tasks you fulfilled. And usually these tasks are given to Assistant Architects. So in a way, position does matter. Anything lower than that (draughtman, technical assistant, BIM modeller etc) are not enough to fulfill the requirements for entry.

3.1. Never use agents to apply to an overseas university. Everything is done online. Agents will charge you between RM100 to RM700 to "assist you to fill up forms that you can do it yourself at home".

3.2. For Masters, you apply directly to the school you want to. Look up their website, find Admissions. Start from there.

3.3. Portfolio is a showcase of your abilities. Although you probably have plenty, you should focus on what's relevant to the respective parties. For example, if you're applying to an architecture school, you might wanna dial down your dance portfolio or online gaming portfolio.

Architecture schools look for architectural skills. The more you have, the more advanced the skills you have mastered, means they will spend less time teaching them and more time developing the design that comes from those skills. So concentrate on showcasing that.

Thanks your advices. I knew what should I do next step.

Hi Mr. Azarimy,

When is the deadline for UTM master admission? Tried to find the website but not much info provided

For September 2019? July I think.