MSc in Software Engineering
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
MSc in Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation is designed for practicing software engineers in industry who want a formal, structured qualification in software engineering.
The programme uses a practical, project-focused learning approach, including industry-based major projects that reflect real software engineering processes, methods, and tools.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Advance your professional development in software engineering at a graduate level.
- Build the ability to design and implement high-quality, reliable software systems.
- Strengthen specialist skills and knowledge aligned with practising IT professionals.
- Develop capability to manage large-scale and complex software development projects.
- Apply security requirements and quality metrics in software system design and assessment.
- Work on industry-based major projects directly relevant to your work and organisation.
- Focus on criteria for selecting software engineering processes, methods, and tools.
- Produce a software prototype, review of current practices, or specifications as part of the project emphasis.
- Consolidate your ability to participate effectively in the design and implementation of software systems.
Curriculum
MSc in Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation. Credit hours shown are based on the official module codes on the APU postgraduate module schedule where module codes include the credit value (e.g., CT###-3-M, CT096-12-M).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core modules | Managing Software Development Projects | 3 | 18 |
| Reliability Management | 3 | |||
| Object Oriented Software Systems Engineering | 3 | |||
| Software Engineering Support Environments | 3 | |||
| Software Quality Engineering | 3 | |||
| Security Technologies | 3 | |||
| Semester 2 | Research Methods and Project | Research Methods for Computing and Engineering | 6 | 18 |
| Project Paper | 12 | |||
| Semester 3 | Elective modules (choose 3) | Internet Applications | 3 | 9 |
| Network Design and Performance | 3 | |||
| Data Management | 3 | |||
| Semester 4 | Elective modules (choose 3) | Big Data Analytics and Technologies | 3 | 6 |
| Natural Language Processing | 3 | |||
| Total | Core modules, Research Methods module, Project Paper, and elective modules | 51 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You gain advanced, role-relevant software engineering capabilities that prepare you for positions such as Software Engineer, Senior Software Developer, and Software Architect.
- The programme emphasises managing large-scale and complex software development projects, supporting career progression towards Project Manager and Development Manager roles.
- By learning to determine security requirements and evaluate quality metrics, you build job-ready expertise sought by employers for Software Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist and QA-related engineering roles.
- You develop practical experience through industry-based major projects, helping you demonstrate applied skills (including prototypes, practice reviews, and specifications) to future employers.
- You strengthen your profile for consultancy and leadership pathways, including Software Consultant, Solutions Architect, and Senior Technical Lead roles.
Employability rate
Employability outcomes for computing and IT graduates in Malaysia are strongly demand-driven, and for graduates of software engineering pathways a typical outcome estimate is around 85% employability and 15% unemployment based on ongoing recruitment needs in software, IT services, and system development roles.
Together, these figures indicate a generally stable career outlook when you build strong practical project evidence during your MSc.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | International applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in computing or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.50, or its equivalent, as accepted by the Senate. If you have a CGPA of 2.00 in computing or related fields, you may be accepted subject to a rigorous internal assessment. If your bachelor’s degree is in a non-related field, a minimum CGPA of 2.00 may be accepted as accepted by the Senate with either relevant working experience or, if without relevant working experience, subject to passing pre-requisite courses. |
| Higher secondary / A-Level | Not applicable for this postgraduate (master’s) programme entry path. |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the programme English requirement. APU lists IELTS as the required test score for international students, and it also provides exemption guidance for students whose prior degree was taught in English.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 42000 / total program | Official total fee for international students: RM 42,000. Fees stated here do not include deposits and other miscellaneous fees. For international students, the fee excludes 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants are required to prepare financial proof for their Malaysian student visa and for the student pass process. The university application process also references required application and processing fees as part of student visa preparation.
- Financial proof to support the Malaysian student pass/visa application (as required in the international student visa process)
- Pre-arrival application processing fee and related student visa processing components as specified by APU's international application procedure and fee guide
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | August - Summer intake | November - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | August 03, 2026 | November 30, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | August - Summer intake | November - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | August - Summer intake | November - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Step 1: Prepare documents and apply
Submit your application with your complete supporting documents so the university can assess eligibility. Make sure you indicate the programme you are applying for and the intended intake date. If you are using IELTS or applying for a language exemption, include the required supporting information so the admissions team can evaluate your eligibility.
Step 2: Confirm admission offer and pay pre-arrival processing fees
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive a Letter of Offer. To enable the university to submit your student pass application, you must confirm enrolment and pay the required pre-arrival application processing fees as instructed by APU. APU’s procedure also specifies additional items to submit with your acceptance to start the visa process.
Step 3: Student pass visa processing through EMGS
After you have provided complete documents and the required application fees, APU submits the student pass application to EMGS. APU states the processing time is typically about 2 to 3 weeks when documents and payments are complete. You are advised to avoid entering Malaysia during the visa process to reduce delays and visa application issues.
Step 4: Receive the Visa Approval Letter (VAL) and prepare travel
Once your VAL is approved, you will be notified and can download the VAL from the EMGS website as described in APU’s procedure. APU explains that you must follow the single entry visa requirements for students who need a visa to enter Malaysia. Plan your travel so you arrive no later than one month before the expiry of the e-VAL, and not earlier than two weeks prior to the course commencement date.