Hi Mr Azarimy. I have been a Pt I UTM graduate for 4 years now (veered off into BIM so that's why continuing Pt II has been low on priority) and i think its nigh that i finally make the next move.

Am wondering about the Part-Time Masters programme in KL and i have several questions regarding it.

1. When would be the next intake application?
2. How does the class/studio schedule look like now that online classes have become the norm? (weekend classes? night classes? )
3. How long is the total programme duration? and fee structure/cost per semester?
4. Do you know if PTPTN/JPA covers loans/scholarships for part time programmes?

Thank you!

Do I have to work in architecture firm to be able to apply for master's programme? How about working in design & build/contractor company?

It depends on your job spec and responsibilities. First, the best way to ensure you've acquired experience as a part 1 holder, is to work under an architect. Preferably part 3, but part 2 is acceptable too.

This does not mean you have to work in an architecture firm. It could be a developer, interior designer, landscape architect, contractor or anything under the built environment. In fact, you could work in Tesco or Ikea, if they have a design/architecture/building department.

It all boils down to the experience you acquired throughout. Even if you worked in a big firm, but you became the driver for the boss or tukang bancuh kopi, you wouldnt be able to acquire proper working experience to qualify for the masters programme!

It depends on your job spec and responsibilities. First, the best way to ensure you've acquired experience as a part 1 holder, is to work under an architect. Preferably part 3, but part 2 is acceptable too.

This does not mean you have to work in an architecture firm. It could be a developer, interior designer, landscape architect, contractor or anything under the built environment. In fact, you could work in Tesco or Ikea, if they have a design/architecture/building department.

It all boils down to the experience you acquired throughout. Even if you worked in a big firm, but you became the driver for the boss or tukang bancuh kopi, you wouldnt be able to acquire proper working experience to qualify for the masters programme!

Some job roles are too specific. Let's say if you work as a design architect only, you could hardly deal with site and contractual issues like a project architect. Thus, the experience you gain is not "all-rounded" enough to sit for exam. You are lacking of project management skill. The only thing you can do is to change company.

You could inform the management that you need a wider scope for your job in order to gain better experience to continue to part 2. Most firms would be more than willing to accommodate, but some don't. Careful with those that don't. This is a typical sign where they want you to be where you are: a low wage worker for as long as they can. Not giving an opportunity to advance is a tell-tale sign of a bad employer. More the reason to change company.

Hello, I'm science-streamed STPM leaver with cgpa 3.08. I just received my upu offer and I gotten from UUM for bachelor of media technology with honours. However, my interest lies somewhere in architecture field.

Before that, i put bachelor of science architecture at UTM as my 1st choice followed by USM AND UKM as  I also interested in their architecture courses. UUM is actually my 6th choice since i dont know what to pick anymore. I also gotten into interview from UTM faculty of built environment and survey and submitted videos of my intro, assignmets and portfolios on June.

So is there anyway I change my programme into architecture? I know that rayuan choice is out of table since i got offer from UUM.

Is there anymore where i can get into public uni for architecture fields. Do i have to wait for any vacancy seats in the list ?

Any guidances and advices are very appreciated.Thank you

UTM has a path called IDP (International Degree Programme). Basically this is a path for international students, but the seats aren't usually filled every year. So the uni will open the vacant seats to local students.

These seats are less popular amongst Malaysians because the fee is higher (RM5.4k per sem). But it is available, so you can use it. There's nothing special or additional when you take this path, as you will experience the exact same thing in terms of teaching and learning with all other students. The only advantage is you could circumvent the UPU selection process.

Alternatively, you can opt for IPTS. I believe the fees are much higher than that.

Thank you so much, sir for answering my problem and enlighten me. For more information about IDP, who should i contact or email for consultation in the faculty?

Hi. Congrats to your nephew!

Unfortunately, he picked the worst time to graduate in the last 20 years. The scenario right now reminds me of the recession in 98. A lot of firms had to lay off people during MCO because there simply weren't enough jobs to sustain them.

Even LAM had to make a drastic move to momentarily suspend the 6months working experience between part 1 and part 2 so that part 1 graduates can continue studying without flooding the market.

On an ideal situation, he'd have no problem landing a job, not just interviews. But currently, although there may still be jobs out there, my recommendation is to diversify while waiting for the economy to recover. My fear is, even if there's a job, the starting pay would be very low.

But do try the big firms first. In the grand scheme of things, it's a bit slower to fill the logbook to qualify for part 3 in big firms. Usually because they already got a lot of people with specializations in the firms who can do the job. They tend not to give it to the newbie. But in smaller firms, everybody gotta pull their own weight, so it's usually much quicker to qualify because of the amount of experience they'd gather in shorter amount of time.

I wish him luck. I don't like to sound grim, but there's no point in cushioning the situation.

What is the average starting pay for fresh architect grads in Malaysia?

Nowadays, part 2 should start at around 2.5k, in big cities like KL should be around 2.8k. Mainly because of the pandemic.

Wow. So low.

Before the pandemic, I can safely say around RM3k. But when pandemic hits, projects got halted, a lot of people been retrenched, yet schools still producing graduates. So there's more supply than demand right now.

My daughter just graduated in Australia. Just managed to land a job. They are paying $60k per year.

Nowadays, part 2 should start at around 2.5k, in big cities like KL should be around 2.8k. Mainly because of the pandemic.