Diploma in Industrial Design
Southern University College · Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Diploma in Industrial Design at Southern University College builds professional skills for creating and developing design concepts and specifications that optimise the function, value, and appearance of products for both users and manufacturers.
The programme combines design knowledge with hands-on experimentation, helping you develop design thinking, design processes, relevant technical skills, and presentation skills, and graduate able to apply research, materials and process knowledge, human-machine interface understanding, and consumer behaviour to execute design solutions for new products or systems.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build design fundamentals for industrial design practice, including concept development and visual communication skills.
- Develop baseline technical skills through design studio and related practice-oriented learning.
- Work on early design projects that introduce materials, form, and product development thinking.
- Advance industrial design workflows through more complex design briefs and product-focused projects.
- Strengthen prototyping and refinement skills for design outcomes suitable for presentation.
- Apply design principles to real-world or industry-style scenarios through project work.
- Consolidate skills from earlier semesters through capstone-style work or major design deliverables.
- Produce a structured portfolio and design documentation suitable for evaluation and future study or career paths.
- Focus on final presentation readiness, including iterative refinement of the final design outcomes.
Career outcomes
- You develop job-ready industrial design studio and project skills that help you pursue roles such as junior industrial designer, product designer, or design assistant in Malaysia.
- You build a portfolio through project-focused learning, which you can use when applying for internships, studio roles, and entry-level design opportunities.
- You strengthen presentation and design communication abilities, helping you explain design choices clearly to clients, teams, and supervisors.
- You gain practical, industry-style design experience that supports your transition into design teams working on product development and concept-to-prototype work.
- You develop transferable creative and technical competencies that can help you move into adjacent design pathways such as visual merchandising, product communication, and design support roles.
Employability rate
For industrial design and related design diploma graduates in Malaysia, the employability rate is typically around 78% and the unemployment rate is about 22%, reflecting steady demand for entry-level designers but competition for design studio placements.
Overall, this suggests a reasonably stable outlook when you graduate with a portfolio and job-ready practical skills that employers look for.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| School-leaving qualification or recognised equivalent | International applicants should hold a recognised school-leaving qualification (or equivalent) that satisfies the Diploma in Industrial Design entry requirement stated by Southern University College for international students. The published requirement includes SPM / O-Level 3 credits and an interview and portfolio, and also lists other recognised equivalent qualifications. |
| Foundation or diploma qualifications (if applicable) | Southern University College also lists additional entry routes for applicants who have completed qualifications such as STPM / A-Level, Foundation, or a diploma, including MUET conditions and an interview and portfolio as applicable. Submit your official transcripts and certificates for credential review under the international admissions process. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Art | Direct match | The Diploma in Industrial Design curriculum focuses on design fundamentals and core industrial design studio subjects, so applicants from creative/design-leaning backgrounds typically align well with the course structure. |
Language requirements
For international applicants, Southern University College requires proof of English competency to ensure you can participate successfully in English-medium teaching and learning for the Diploma in Industrial Design.
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 45300 / total program | 2026 international students programme fees: Diploma in Industrial Design shows Tuition & Misc Fees RM 45,300 for the programme duration of 2-Years 8-Months. |
| Other charges | MYR 7500 / total program | 2026 international students programme fees: Diploma in Industrial Design shows Other Charges RM 7,500, bringing the total (RM) to RM 52,800. |
| Application fee | MYR 500 / one time | 2026 international students programme fees document lists Application Fee RM 500. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants must show they can cover tuition and study-related costs for their programme in Malaysia. The university may request evidence of financial capacity as part of the student pass and admissions process.
- Evidence of financial capacity to study in Malaysia as requested by Southern University College International Student Office during the application process
- If applicable to your case, any embassy or immigration guidance on demonstrating funding for your stay in Malaysia
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application portal opens |
| Application deadline (final submit) |
| Application deadline (EU students) |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Recommended apply-by |
| Semester begins |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone |
|---|
| VPD request - recommended |
| VPD result expected |
| APS - recommended |
| Start eligibility check |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application submission deadline |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Language certificate deadline |
| Official transcripts deadline |
| Certified translations deadline |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline |
| Missing documents (if requested) |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your documents and portfolio
Gather your academic transcripts and certificates and ensure your documents meet Southern University College requirements for international applicants. Prepare the required portfolio that supports your application to the Diploma in Industrial Design. If you have MUET results (when applicable based on your qualification route), include them with your submission.
Submit your application to Southern University College
Complete the online application during the admissions window and upload the required documents in the requested format. Review your application carefully before submission to ensure your personal details and academic history match your official documents. Pay any application-related charges if they are shown as part of the international student application process.
Attend the interview and portfolio assessment (if required)
The Diploma in Industrial Design entry requirement includes interview and portfolio components for the published entry route. Check your email or admissions communication for confirmation of interview/portfolio assessment arrangements. Respond promptly to any follow-up requests for additional information.
Complete enrolment and student pass steps
After your offer and approvals, follow the instructions from Southern University College for enrolment and the next steps needed for your student pass process. International students typically complete additional formalities required for study in Malaysia during onboarding. Ensure you meet all deadline requirements communicated by the International Student Office.