Frequently Asked Questions
8. I would like to start at the U of Manitoba in September, but I will still have 2 or 3 subjects remaining. Can I still go?
9. How soon should I arrive before the semester begins?
13. For those students who had graduated from Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace option, can they can find a job easily in Canada? If I am so unlucky and can’t find a job in the aerospace field, can I still use my degree to seek a job in the Mechanical field?
14. What are the expectations of the professors at the University of Manitoba.
15. What is the difference between the Bachelor of Science awarded at the University of Manitoba and the Bachelor of Engineering offered by some other universities. I heard that the salary for a graduate with Bachelor of Engineering is higher. Is that true?
1. Recently, the Canadian High Commission has implemented a new policy towards the application for a Visa. Will this policy affect our studies in Canada next year?
This policy should not affect your studying here very much since students need to have their visas processed before they arrive. To be sure, the best place to ask would be the Canadian Education Centre (CEC) in Kuala Lumpur or through the placement office at UCSI.
2. I am now taking the Mechanical Engineering Program with the aerospace option. Is there a practical experience or working opportunity in the 3rd year or final year at UM?
Yes, there is a co-op program available for students - however, there is a procedure to go through to qualify for the program, and you would have to find a job and get a visa after that. There are more details on the department website. To qualify for the program, I suggest that you work hard at UCSI, show extra effort to get good grades, prepare yourself mentally for coming here, and prove yourself your first year - then the options will open up - either through co-op or working in the summer.
3. Are IELTS results acceptable to meet the English language proficiency requirement?
Although TOEFL is typically referred to, the English language proficiency can be met using any one of the following:
- Achieve score of 550 with no less than 50 (unscaled) in each of the component scores on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); OR Achieve an equivalent level of performance on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); i.e., 213 total score with a minimum of 17 (unscaled) in each component score.
- Achieve minimum scores of 4.5 in Reading, 4.5 in Listening, 4.0 in Speaking, and 4.0 in Writing on the Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST).
- Achieve a minimum score of 6.5 based upon module A, or module B, on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- Achieve a minimum score of 80 on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB).
- Achieve a grade of A, B, or C on the University of Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.
- Achieve a score of 60 or more in the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
- Achieve a minimum of 65% in the direct-entry English program, also known as the Academic English Program for University and College Entrance (AEPUCE), as taught by the English Language Centre at the University of Manitoba
4. As an international student, are we allowed to find a part time job or work during the semester break? Can we work on Campus? Is it easy to find a job position on campus?
Full-time registered international students can work on campus only - for up to a maximum 20 hours per week. There are many opportunities, but you would really have to work hard or have contacts to obtain a job. Some UBCSI engineering students work for professors during the summer break doing research. This is a valuable thing to do and is highly recommended for Engineering students. You can also work off campus but would first need to obtain a work visa.
5. I am taking Computer Engineering at UCSI. What are the subjects I need to take when I get to U of Manitoba?
The list of subjects you need to take is shown under the programs section of this web site.
6. I will complete my program at UCS in December of this year. Can I begin my program at the U of Manitoba in January instead of waiting until next September?
Yes, you can come to U of Manitoba for the beginning of the January semester. However, please note that you will need at least 5 semesters to complete the program at the University of Manitoba. Additional time will be required as not all subjects are offered in each semester and some subjects require prerequisites. If you are planning to start in January, please contact the appropriate person at the IUPC at UCSI as soon as possible to start the process.
7. I am in the Manitoba Program in Engineering at UCSI and I am coming to U of Manitoba in September. I would like to know how I can prepare myself before going over there.
There are many ways that you can prepare yourself for your studies here at UM. Eventually there will be an entire section of this web site devoted to this, but the following pointers will help you for now.
a) The first and foremost is to remind yourself that this Twinning Program is a University-level program that requires from you a university mind set.
b) Develop good study habits that will help you when you as you progress through your studies - study habits such as good time-management, good note taking, and knowing how to use and study from a text book.
c) As a student in a University program, you are expected to learn the concepts and theories of a subject matter - not just how to answer questions. So do a lot of questions in your studies at Sedaya and strive to understand the subject matter.
d) Remember that you are entering into the 3rd year of an engineering program when you come here and the workload, as with any degree program, gets heavier and more is expected from you by the professor. You will have completed most of the common courses at UCSI and will be taking courses with a higher design and analysis content. My experience when I was an engineering student was that the third year of my program was one of the toughest. I do not think that it is much different now. You can really help yourself just by being aware of this and being prepared to keep on top of your studies right from day one.
e) Appreciate that education is a two-way process - the institution teaches the subject to you, and you must learn it. You must realize that the responsibility of learning is with you. Do your part to learn your subject properly and get good grades at Sedaya. As you progress through your studies, develop the study habits mentioned above, and you will do well at Sic and at The U of Manitoba.
f) Keep in mind that there are a lot of adjustments you will have to make when you come over just by virtue of being an International Student. You will have studied at UCSI for two years, then come over here without much of a break to start in a new culture, new university, new climate, and being away from your friends and family. You will get homesick. All this will affect your studies in one way or another. This is known as culture shock and each student responds to it differently. Regardless, just knowing that you will experience something will help you a lot. There are senior students at U of Manitoba to help you, as well as the resident coordinator of the program (Mr. J.P. Burak).
g) Remember that you will become a professional engineer subject to the code of ethics for engineers. Start now and study like you are a professional. h) Finally, remember to still have fun and enjoy yourself in your free time.
8. I would like to start at the U of Manitoba in September, but I will still have 2 or 3 subjects remaining. Can I still go?
Generally, we would like all students in the pathway program to have completed as many courses at UCSI as possible prior to coming over. You can still come early. However, there are no guarantees that you will be able to take all the subjects you want in a given semester without timetable clashes. Also, you can only take courses for which you have the required pre-requisite - for example, if you leave some of the first year courses until you are at UofMan, then you need to be sure you have the required pre-requisite from grade 12 (or equivalent such as the UCSI Pre-U). You need to be aware that the pre-requisites for the Year 1 physics, chemistry and calculus, is a 60% or higher in each of the grade 12 (or pre-u or equivalent) physics, chemistry and pre-calculus. If you want to come early, it is best to come after you have completed at least eight of the year 1 courses. If you are willing to take the risks associated with less courses, then it is up to you.
9. How soon should I arrive before the semester begins?
Whether you are coming for a September semester or a January semester, you should try to arrive at the University of Manitoba at least one week prior to the commencement of the semester. This will give you time to settle in and participate in any orientation programs put on by the Faculty of Engineering and/or the International Centre for Students. If you complete your studies at UCSI in May, then coming even two to three weeks earlier is preferable. The more time you have to settle in, the better for you. No matter, if at all possible, try NOT to arrive after the semester commences. If you do, you will definitely have a hard time catching up if you take a full course load.
10. What else should I know?
Other information and FAQ’s are on the U of Manitoba Malaysian Students Association (UMMSA) website: http://www.umsu.ca/ummsa/. You can get more info. from there and possibly even contact some of the students on the committee for more student-orientated answers to your questions. You can also go the U of Manitoba Engineering web pages for other information. This link also summarizes other general information http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/engineering/programs/international/incomingstudents_home.html
11. I would like more detailed information pertaining to the mechanical engineering with Aerospace option program that is offered by University of Manitoba. Since the program is just an aerospace option program rather than a pure aerospace program, will I have any difficulties in obtaining a job after graduation? As far as I know we will just study six subjects that are closely related with the aerospace fields only?
Yes, that is correct. The Aerospace option offers an additional 6 subjects that concentrate on aerospace topics. Along with the rest of the degree, this gives you a solid background to enter into an aerospace career and work in the fields of expertise that you have studied. Whether you can get a job in the same field is up to you and how you match the requirements of the job.
12. What is the "title" that will be gazetted in our degree certificates after we finish completing our undergraduate studies in Manitoba? Will the words "Aerospace engineering" be printed on the certificate?
No, the certificate says B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. However, the transcript specifies the Aerospace Option.
13. For those students who had graduated from Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace option, can they can find a job easily in Canada? If I am so unlucky and can’t find a job in the aerospace field, can I still use my degree to seek a job in the Mechanical field?
There are jobs available in aerospace in Canada - in fact, there are several aerospace companies in Winnipeg. The success rate of getting a job in that field in Canada varies with the economic times at graduation. Some get a job in this field, but most get a mechanical engineering related job. This answers the second part of your question, you can always fall back onto a mechanical engineering job since the program is well-rounded.
14. What are the expectations of the professors at the University of Manitoba.
a. University engineering professors will require you to develop an ability to examine a problem (assignment, exam) and to convert the problem to a problem statement. This is a fundamental skill that goes beyond knowing which equations to use.
b. University engineering professors expect you to be responsible for your time management and for learning.
c. University engineering professors expect good communication skills.
d. University places a high value on critical thinking and self-learning.
e. To enhance your success, you must attend all classes and develop your own study groups. don’t become isolated.
15. What is the difference between the Bachelor of Science awarded at the University of Manitoba and the Bachelor of Engineering offered by some other universities. I heard that the salary for a graduate with Bachelor of Engineering is higher. Is that true?
In Canada there is no difference between the two degrees. Some Universities give a B.Sc. in Engineering (like U of Manitoba) and some a B.Eng. - but they are the same because the engineering degrees in Canada are accredited by The Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). What you are hearing is what applies for a UK degree - where there is a major difference between the two. For your second question, I cannot comment on the salary scale for Malaysia.
16. When I come to Manitoba, will my CGPA start from zero again or will I continue with my CGPA from Sedaya?
Your GPA from UCSI carries over to the University of Manitoba - so it does apply to the final CGPA.
17. What is the difference between civil engineering and civil-environmental engineering? Which one has a broad knowledge base? If I want a variety of work opportunities, which one should I choose? Have I been fixed in choosing either civil or civil-environmental engineering at UCSI now? Or must it be chosen after transferring?
If you want a civil degree with a broader range, then take the civil engineering - not the environmental option. With just the civil program, you will get a good foundation in all the major areas of civil engineering - plus, with the technical electives you take in the final year, additional learning in areas of civil you like more. Everything you take at UCSI is common to both - you only choose the environmental option once you get here to U of Manitoba. So just follow the program at UCSI and you will be OK.
18. I am planning to stay in the on-campus residential housing and I found out that it is only going to open when the semester starts. So if I arrive a few days before the semester starts will the university provide me with a temporary accommodation for the few days?
If the residence is not available for you to move into, then we can arrange temporary accommodation for you - either through the International Centre for Students, or with the senior students. Depending on availability, you may also be able to stay in residence and pay a per night rate until you get into your assigned room.
19. Since the Aerospace option is a newly-established program in UM, I would like to know some detail and comprehensive information pertaining to the facilities and equipment in the Engineering Lab for Aerospace students as well as the recognition from the Canadian Government and aircraft companies?
First, the Aerospace Option has been around since 1997. It was developed in consultation with the local Aerospace industry in response to their requirements. The program is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) and has the labs necessary for such a program option. For information about the labs, research, etc., you can visit the UM Engineering website under the Dept of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. If you work your way around the site you can collect the information you want.
20. What about textbooks? Should I try to buy my textbooks here in Malaysia before I go to The U of Manitoba?
Definitely. Textbooks are essential to your studies in engineering - at UCSI and here at The U of Manitoba. The average engineering textbook here will cost you CAN$150. I am sure that the same textbook there will not cost you near that much. If you want to know what textbooks you will need at The U of Manitoba, you can contact Mr. J.P. Burak for an updated list, or if you are pre-registered for some of your courses, then you can get the list for what you are registered in from your Aurora account. You can also contact senior students who can also get a list to you.
Prepared by:
Mr. J.P. Burak, P.Eng.
Coordinator, UM/Sedaya International Programs
Faculty of Engineering
Have a question?
Contact Mr. J.P. Burak at burakjpw@cc.umanitoba.ca