The Complete Guide to Studying E-Commerce in Malaysia
Where can you study e-commerce in Malaysia? Explore the programme, its entry requirements, fees and more in this comprehensive programme guide.
Have you ever made a purchase on Shopee? Ever booked a ride on Grab? What about ordering food on Foodpanda? You may not realise it but e-commerce is an integral part of our life.
Short for electronic commerce, e-commerce is a term that refers to a business model where companies and individuals partake in the transaction of goods and services over the internet. It encompasses a wide range of businesses across a variety of industries. And as technology continues to expand over the years, so too will the e-commerce field.
In short, e-commerce is the future.
So if you’re looking for something that will guarantee your relevance in the coming decades, e-commerce is the field to go for. But what exactly will you learn in an e-commerce course? What are the entry requirements for studying e-commerce? And what kind of jobs can you expect?
Read this guide on studying e-commerce in Malaysia to learn more about it.
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
BA (Hons) in Business Management (E-Business)
✓Dual-award degree – one from De Montfort University, UK, and one from APU
#1. What is E-Commerce?
An e-commerce course is primarily concerned with the study of the e-commerce business model. Specifically, it looks at the concepts and theories related to the e-commerce field and how they can be applied to optimise and maximise business outcomes (e.g. attract and retain customers using digital channels).
In today’s world where almost everything can be done online, you can see examples of e-commerce everywhere. From online shopping to customer service and online banking, e-commerce has dominated much of our life, making it an important field.
The study of e-commerce is typically part of the business field. As such, studying an e-commerce programme will expose you to a wide variety of business-related modules, with special emphasis being placed on its role in the digital and online space. In your study, you will encounter topics like marketing, economics, business ethics and law, accounting and finance.
DID YOU KNOW
E-commerce is a relatively new field, and as such, it is not offered in many universities in Malaysia. However, it is sometimes available as a specialisation within a business programme.
#2. Entry Requirements for E-Commerce
a) Subjects required
To study e-commerce, you must have studied these subjects for SPM or equivalent:
- Mathematics
b) Requirements for Diploma in E-Commerce
These are the general entry requirements for a Diploma in E-Commerce:
- SPM (or equivalent): Minimum 3Cs
c) Requirements for Degree in E-Commerce
To pursue a Degree in E-Commerce, you need to complete a pre-university programme and meet the entry requirements.
- A Levels: Minimum 2Ds
- STPM: Minimum 2Cs
- Foundation in Arts or Foundation in Business: Minimum CGPA of 2.00
- Diploma: Minimum CGPA of 2.00
Take Note: Entry requirements for some universities may be higher, so do make sure you check the details carefully.
#3. Studying an E-Commerce Course
a) What subjects will you study in e-commerce?
An e-commerce course will provide you with a solid understanding of the role of e-commerce in today's fast-paced business environment. You will learn not only general business-related modules that will broaden your business knowledge but also specialised e-commerce topics that will enable you to successfully manage an e-commerce brand.
In your study, you can expect to learn:
- Financial Accounting
- Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
- E-commerce Systems and Management
- Financial Management
- Business Communication
- Supply Chain Management
- Digital Marketing
- Online Consumer Behaviour
- Entrepreneurship
- Business Law and Ethics
b) How long is an e-commerce course?
A Diploma in E-Commerce that’s accredited by MQA typically takes 2 to 2.5 years to complete. A Degree in E-Commerce is usually 3 years long.
c) How much does it cost to study e-commerce in Malaysia?
The total estimated fees to pursue an E-Commerce Diploma in Malaysia can range from RM12,000 to RM35,000. Meanwhile, an E-Commerce Degree can range from RM32,400 to RM120,140.
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
BA (Hons) in Business Management (E-Business)
✓Dual-award degree – one from De Montfort University, UK, and one from APU
#4. Your Education Pathway for E-Commerce
First, you’ll need to complete a pre-university (e.g. A Levels, STPM) or Foundation after SPM. Subsequently, you can enrol in a Bachelor of E-Commerce. Completing this degree will allow you to enter the field of e-commerce in a variety of roles.
Alternatively, you can also pursue a Diploma in E-Commerce. A diploma qualification will give you the option of either entering the workforce upon graduating or continuing with a Degree in E-Commerce.
#5. Should You Study E-Commerce?
a) Is e-commerce right for you?
If you’re wondering whether you should study e-commerce, here are some questions to think about:
- Do you thrive in a constantly changing environment?
- Do you want to be part of an industry that grows with technology?
- Do you consider yourself a creative person with strong analytical skills?
- Are you an innovative thinker?
- Are you curious about online consumer behaviour?
- Are you a proficient communicator across various media?
- Are you interested in starting your own business?
If you answered yes to most of these questions, e-commerce may be right for you!
b) Skills required to work in e-commerce
Here are some key skills a good business person should have:
- A strong business acumen
- An innovative and creative thinker
- Able to work well under pressure
- An adept communicator
- Loves to experiment
- Ability to see opportunities in everything
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
BA (Hons) in Business Management (E-Business)
✓Dual-award degree – one from De Montfort University, UK, and one from APU
#6. Job Options With E-Commerce
There are many work options for you if you have an e-commerce qualification. You can work with retail brands, advertising agencies, digital marketing firms as well as travel, hospitality and media sectors. Furthermore, many companies across a wide range of industries have in-house digital marketing and communications departments, which you can apply to as well.
Here are some careers that you can pursue upon graduating:
- E-commerce specialist/planner
- Digital marketing specialist
- E-business manager
- Web development specialist
- Market research analyst
- Entrepreneur
- Business consultant
#7. Best Universities for E-Commerce in Malaysia
If you're interested in studying e-commerce, take a look at some of the best universities that offer the programme here.
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur
BA (Hons) in Business Management (E-Business)
Intake
Mar, Jul, Sep, Nov
Tuition Fees
RM96,600
A rebate of RM500 is available for all EduAdvisor students enrolling in this programme. Contact us to find out more.
Malaysia's award-winning Premier Digital Tech University
View other institutions
Where else can you study E-Commerce in Malaysia? Check out our comprehensive comparison table for E-Commerce degrees! You can also compare institutions for E-Commerce diplomas.
