What are the Courses and Specialisations in Demand in the Job Market?

Choosing the right course or specialisation can be a highly stressful decision for many high school graduates. Because it not only determines the course of your tertiary education but also plays a significant role in future careers. 

In this article, we will explore the high-value jobs within the job market of Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States of America. Providing the recommended courses and specialisations needed to land the jobs listed. 

(Note: All lists are ranked in order)

Malaysia offers a melting pot of opportunities across various industries. According to recent data, the following jobs are currently in high demand in the Malaysian market.

(source: Jobstreet, Malaysia 2021)

1. Customer Service Specialist

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 2,900 to RM 3,600.

b. What you can study:

• Business Administration 
• Psychology
• Communications
• Hospitality 
• Tourism Management 
• Marketing 
• Social Sciences 

2. Online English Teacher

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 2,400 to RM 3,600.

b. What you can study:

• English Language and Linguistics 
• Education 

3. Company Nurse

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 2,300 to RM 3,000.

b. What you can study:

• Nursing 
• Occupational Health Nursing 
• Public Health
• Health and Safety 

4. Executive Assistant

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 3,000 to RM 4,500.

b. What you can study:

• Business administration 
• Office Administration 
• Communication 
• Database management 

5. Accounting Staff

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 2,200 to RM 3,000.

b. What you can study:

• Accounting 
• Finance 
• Auditing 
• Taxation 

6. Brand Assistant

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 3,200 to RM 3,400.

b. What you can study:

• Marketing 
• Public relations
• Advertising 
• Communication 
• Digital marketing/Digital media
• Business administration 

7. Multimedia Designer / Graphic Artist

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 2,200 to RM3,800

b. What you can study:

• Media studies
• Multimedia design
• Digital media 
• User Experience (UX) design 
• Graphic Design 

8. IT support

a. Estimated Salary (monthly): RM 2,800 to RM 3,800.

b. What you can study:

• Information Technology 
• Computer Science 
• Network Administration 
• Cybersecurity 
• IT service management 
• Information Science 

As the list states, customer service, teaching, and nursing remain in high demand. Other emerging demands include executive assistance, accounting, and brand assistance. Whilst graphic design and IT remains on the list of skills sought after.

Singapore is known for its vibrant economy and diverse job market, which offers excellent employment opportunities for Malaysian students. The following jobs are particularly in high demand.

(source: Ministry of Manpower, Singapore, 2022)

1. Management Executive

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$4,285

b. What you can study:

• Finance
• Leadership/management 
• Organisational psychology 
• Business Administration 
• Operations Management 
• Human Resources Management 
• Strategic Management 
• Entrepreneurial Studies

2. Software, Web & Multimedia Developer

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$6,201

b. What you can study:

• Computer Programming 
• Multimedia Computing 
• Software Engineering 
• Game Development 
• Human-computer Interaction 
• Computer Science

3. Commercial & Marketing Sales Executive

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$3,943

b. What you can study:

• Marketing 
• Sales
• Market research
• Communications
• Advertising 
• Brand management 
• Business Administration
• Digital Marketing 

4. Teaching & Training Professionals

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$4,059

b. What you can study:

• Education 
• Adult education 
• Instructional design 
• Communications 
• Business Administration 

5. Administration Managers

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$6,207

b. What you can study:

• Business Administration
• Economics
• Organisational Leadership 
• Office Administration 
• Project Management 
• Finance
• Strategic Management 

6. Software & Applications Manager

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$9,250

b. What you can study:

• Computer Science 
• Information Technology 
• Software Development Management 
• Software Quality Assurance
• Electrical Engineering 
• User experience (UX) design

7. Registered Nurses & Other Nursing Professionals

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$4,450

b. What you can study:

• Nursing 
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 
• Nurse practitioner 
• Nurse anaesthetist 
• Nurse educator 
• Nurse informatics  

8. Systems Analysts

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$6,370

b. What you can study:

• Information systems  
• Computer science 
• Business analysis
• Data Analytics 
• Systems engineering 

9. Business Development Manager

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$9,083

b. What you can study:

• Organisational development 
• Human resource management 
• Strategic management 
• Operations management 
• Business administration 

10. Mechanical Engineer

a. Estimated Salary (monthly median): SG$5,175

b. What you can study:

• Mechanical Engineering 
• Materials Science and Engineering 
• Mechatronics Engineering 

Management executive, marketing, and multimedia development continue to be in high demand within Singapore’s job market, with teaching, administration managing, and software application managing high tailing the top 3.

However, nursing, system analysis, business development, and engineering have been climbing up the ladder of demand within the Singaporean job market.

 

The United Kingdom is a popular destination for Malaysian students pursuing higher education and seeking job opportunities.

The following jobs are currently in demand in the UK. (source: Skilled Workers, UK Government, 2023)

1. Programmers and Software Developers 

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP34,000

b. What you can study:

• Software Engineering
• Computer engineering 
• Information technology 
• Data Science
• Electrical Engineering 
• Web Development 
• Computer Science

2. Cyber Security Specialists 

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP64,539

b. What you can study:

• Cyber Security 
• Computer Science 
• Network Security 
• Digital Forensics 

3. Health Services and Residential Care 

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP41,300

b. What you can study:

• Healthcare Administration
• Health Planning
• Health Regulation
• Health Science Ethics
• Gerontology 
• Social work 
• Health services management 

4. Architects 

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP32,900

b. What you can study:

• Architecture 
• Architectural Engineering 
• Urban planning 
• Landscape Architecture 
• Sustainable Design 

5. Graphic Designers 

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP23,000

b. What you can study:

• Graphic Design
• Visual communication design
• Digital media design 
• Illustration 
• User experience (UX) design 
• Branding and visual identity design 

6. Physical Scientists

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP32,600

b. What you can study:

• Physics 
• Chemistry 
• Geophysics 
• Meteorology 
• Astronomy/Astrophysics
• Environmental Science

7. Sales Assistant

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP26,700

b. What you can study:

• Business administration
• Communication studies 
• Retail management 
• Marketing 
• Psychology 

8. Operations Manager

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP35,000

b. What you can study:

• Business Administration 
• Operations Management 
• Supply Chain Management 
• Project Management 
• Operations Research 
• Human Resource Management
• Economics

9. Business Analyst

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP37,600

b. What you can study:

• Business Administration
• Business Analytics 
• Information Systems 
• Economics 
• Operations Management 
• Finance 

10. Customer Service Advisor

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): GBP24,600

b.  What you can study:

• Business Administration
• Communication Studies 
• Sociology 
• Marketing 
• Psychology

Programming, cyber security, and health service have emerged in significant demand within the UK. However, architecture, physical science, and graphic design continue to provide attractive opportunities for students. Sales, operations managing, business analysts, and customer service advisors are also areas of specialisation with growing demand.

Australia, known for its high-quality education system and thriving job market, attracts many Malaysian students. The following jobs are currently sought after in Australia. 

(source: Australian Government Department of Employment, 2023):

1. Registered Nurse

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$80,000 to $85,000. 

b. What you can study:

• Nursing 
• Nursing specialisations (pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, critical care nursing, mental health nursing, community health nursing, etc.) 
• Advanced practice nursing 

2. Software and Applications Programmers

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$110,000 to $130,000.

b. What you can study:

• Programming 
• Information Technology 
• Data Science 
• Computer Science 

3. School Teachers

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$90,000 to $100,000.

b. What you can study:

• Education 
• Elementary Education 
• Secondary Education 
• Early Childhood Education 
• Educational Psychology 
• or just having a subject-specific course

4. Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$70,000 to $135,000.

b. What you can study:

• Public Relations
• Communications
• Advertising 
• Journalism
• Public Affairs 
• Market Research 
• Media Studies

5. Construction Managers

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$160,000 to $180,000.

b. What you can study:

• Construction Management 
• Civil Engineering 
• Architecture 
• Construction Engineering Technology 

6. Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$75,000 to $85,000.

b. What you can study:

• Psychology 
• Social Work 
• Community Development 
• Arts Administration/cultural Management 
• Non-profit Management 
• Communications 

7. Psychologists

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$90,000 to $105,000.

b. What you can study:

• Psychology 
• Clinical Psychology 
• Counselling Psychology 
• Development Psychology 
• Cognitive Psychology 

8. Intelligence and Policy Analysts

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$85,000 to $105,000.

b. What you can study:

• Security/intelligence studies 
• Economics 
• Public Administration
• International Relations 
• Political Science

9. Advertising and Marketing Professionals

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$70,000 to $90,000.

b. What you can study:

• Marketing 
• Communications 
• Digital Marketing 
• Market Research  
• Media Studies

10. ICT Managers

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): AUD$125,000 to $145,000.

b. What you can study:

• Information Technology 
• Management Information Systems
• Software Engineering
• Cybersecurity 
• Computer Science 

Nursing remains a high-demand field in Australia, with a substantial number of job openings. Programming, teaching, advertising, and construction managing also offer appealing prospects for Malaysian students. Welfare, psychology, and all other fields can also be considered in providing ample job opportunities in Australia. 

The United States, with its diverse job market and world-renowned universities, remains an appealing destination for Malaysian students seeking employment opportunities. The following jobs are currently in demand in the US. 

(source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)

1. Nurse Practitioner

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$89,010

b. What you can study:

• Nursing 
• Advanced practice nursing 
• Clinical Experience

2. Data Scientist

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$115,240

b. What you can study:

• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Mathematics/applied mathematics
• Data Engineering/database management 

3. Information security analyst

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$119,860

b. What you can study:

• Cybersecurity 
• Computer Science
• Information Technology 

4. Umpire, referee or other sports official

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$49,030

b. What you can study:

*This field of profession does not require any specific university course or major. However, to enter this profession, we recommend developing the following areas:

• Sport-specific knowledge
• Officiating techniques and mechanics (signalling fouls, officiating scrimmages or local games, making accurate calls, etc.) 
• Quick decision-making skills
• Physical fitness
• Continuous learning/evaluation of rules and conduct 

5. Web developer

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$87,580

b. What you can study:

• Web Development 
• Computer Engineering 
• Full-stack development 

6. Choreographer or dancer

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$54,050

b. What you can study:

• Dance
• Choreography 
• Dance Education 
• Dance Performance 
• Dance Ethnology 

7. Physician Assistant

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$125,270

b. What you can study:

• Family medicine and general practice 
• Psychiatry 
• Biology 
• Biochemistry 

8. Home health aide

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$30,930

b. What you can study:

• Geriatric care
• Aging studies 

*Formal education requirements are typically minimal to become a home health aide. However, the following certifications and training programs can enhance your skills and employability within this area of profession: 

• Highschool diploma
• Certified nursing assistant 
• Home health aide training program
• First aid and CPR certification 

9. Travel Agent

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$48,250

b. What you can study:

• Tourism 
• Hospitality Management 
• Communication 
• Public Relations 
• Area Studies
• Geography 
• Foreign language studies

10. Animal care specialist

a. Estimated Salary (Annual): US$32,780

b. What you can study:

• Animal Science
• Veterinary Technology 
• Veterinary Nursing 
• Zoology 
• Animal Behaviour

Nursing, data science, and information security offer many job openings for Malaysian students. Sports officials, web developers, choreographers, physicians, home health aides, tourism, and animal care are also fields to be considered due to their steady growth in demand. 

 

In Conclusion,

Choosing the right course or specialisation is a significant decision that can shape a student’s future career. And as shown within the lists, fields such as computer science, nursing, business administration, and information technology consistently appear as in-demand courses across multiple countries. 

However, it is important to note that market trends can change over time. Hence, students should preferably stay vigilant about the latest developments to make better decisions for their future. 

It is also important to note that thorough research on courses and universities should also be a priority, as provided content may differ depending on the country and selected university. 

Remember, while job market demand is an important consideration, it is equally important to pursue a field that matches one's passion and strengths, which can take a great deal of reflection. 

 

Written by: Julia Tay