Study Abroad > Study in Malta

Why study in Malta

High-quality education: Malta offers an excellent standard of education, with a number of higher education institutions where students can study for degrees in English. The University of Malta, the country's largest institution with roughly 11,000 students, is one of the most well-known universities in Malta.
Affordable living costs: Malta offers an affordable standard of living, which is perfect for international students on a budget. Malta is a very affordable country to live in, with relatively low prices on everything from rent to food and entertainment.
English-speaking environment: English is widely spoken in Malta, which is a great advantage for international students. This means that students can easily communicate with locals and feel more at home in their new environment.
Beautiful weather: Malta has a Mediterranean climate, which means that it enjoys moderate weather all year round. The country is privileged to have approximately 300 sunny days in a year, making it a great destination for students who want to enjoy the outdoors and explore the country's natural beauty.
Career opportunities: Malta offers plenty of exciting career opportunities in industries of the future such as gaming, blockchain, and AI. The country values the importance of university graduates, which means that students who study in Malta may have an easier time finding employment after graduation.
Unique ecosystems: Geographically, Malta is fairly isolated, located between Italy and Tunisia. This means that its rocky nature and ecosystems are fairly unusual within Europe, making it a fantastic place to study science.

Education System in Malta

Malta's education system is divided into four stages: pre-primary (ages 3-5), primary (ages 5-11), secondary (ages 11-16), and tertiary (post-secondary) education. Pre-primary education is optional but fully funded by the state, and all children between the ages of 4 and 16 have the right to free education in all state schools, regardless of age, sex, and belief. In Malta, the level of education is high, and kids start taking tests at a young age.

All education institutions in Malta follow the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), to be generally English medium schools. The government subsidises tuition-free church schools and provides tax breaks to parents who send their children to private schools.

Malta's education system covers all levels, from primary to post-graduate, and both public and private schools are available. Higher levels are only taught in English, and there are already a lot of foreign students in this sector. The most important colleges and universities in the country are the University of Malta at Msida and the Malta College of Arts, Science, and Technology (MCAST).

In short, all children between the ages of 4 and 16 in Malta get a free education, and those between the ages of 3 and 5 can choose to go to pre-primary school. The education system is broken up into four levels, and each level has both public and private schools. All of Malta's schools offer qualifications that are recognized around the world, and all of the higher levels are taught only in English. There are a lot of foreign students in this sector.

Intakes

Malta offers two key intakes for higher education in October and February, with some universities providing additional intakes for international students in April, May, and June

Popular Programs

Malta is an excellent destination for international students looking to study in Europe. The country has a number of universities and colleges that offer a wide range of courses at affordable tuition fees. Here are some of the popular courses for international students in Malta:

Business Studies and Management: Business studies and management courses are some of the most popular courses for international students in Malta. The courses cover a wide range of topics, including accounting, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The University of Malta and Middlesex University Malta are some of the top institutions that offer business studies and management courses in Malta.
Hospitality and Tourism Management: Malta is a popular tourist destination, and as a result, hospitality and tourism management courses are in high demand. The courses cover things like how to run a hotel, how to plan and develop tourism, and how to run a food and beverage business. Some of the places in Malta that offer courses in hospitality and tourism management are the School of Tourism Studies and Global College Malta.
Information Technology: Information technology courses are becoming increasingly popular in Malta. The courses cover topics such as software development, computer networking, blockchain and cybersecurity. The University of Malta and Middlesex University Malta are some of the institutions that offer information technology courses in Malta.
Health and Medical Sciences: Health and medical sciences courses are also popular among international students in Malta. The courses cover topics such as nursing, medical laboratory sciences, and pharmacy. The University of Malta is one of the institutions that offer health and medical sciences courses in Malta.
Education: Education courses are in demand in Malta, with many international students seeking to pursue teaching careers in the country. The courses cover topics such as curriculum development, teaching methods, and classroom management. The University of Malta and EIE- Institute of Education are some of the institutions that offer education courses in Malta.

It is recommended for students to book a few weeks' stay in Malta to obtain proof of residence for visa submission purposes.

Tuition Fees and Living costs

Tuition and Living costs

On an average, non-EU international students can expect to pay around 2,000 EUR per academic year for tuition fees, which might differ based on the course and university.

In addition to tuition fees, students also need to consider living expenses. The cost of living in Malta isn't too high. For housing, food, and transportation, a student could spend as little as €300 per month. Students can choose to rent a flat or find a position as a paying guest in a local house for about €450. Another option is to get a room at a student residence, with an average cost of around €250.

Even though tuition fees for international students in Malta are usually not too expensive, it is still important to think about living costs and any other extra costs if you plan to study there.

Student Accommodation

When it comes to finding suitable accommodation, there are many options available for students. Here are some of the student accommodation options in Malta:

Student Residencies: Student residencies are one of the most popular options for international students in Malta. These residencies offer independence and integration with a vibrant international student community. The price includes cleaning once a week, change of linen, sheets and towels, gas, water, electricity, access and TV/lounge area at the reception.
Shared Apartments: Shared apartments are a cost-effective option for students who want to live in a group. There are a variety of options available, from shared apartments to private rooms in a student residence. Once you have a good idea of what you are looking for, you can start searching online and contacting landlords. There are a number of websites that list student accommodations in Malta.
Host Families: Living with a host family can be a great option for students who want to experience local culture and improve their language skills. NSTS Malta offers host family accommodations in Malta.
Partner Hotels: If you prefer to live in a hotel, there are partner hotels available in Malta. NSTS Malta offers partner hotel accommodations in Malta.
Private Apartments: There are many private apartments available for rent in Malta.

It's important to know that the price and availability of student housing in Malta can change based on where you are and what time of year it is. It is recommended to start your search early and to contact the accommodation provider directly for any specific questions or requirements.

To book your off campus student accommodation in Malta, contact us.

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Top Study Locations

The top study locations in Malta are clustered around the capital city of Valletta

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements for Admissions

International students who wish to study in Malta must meet certain academic criteria in order to be eligible for admission to universities in Malta and to obtain a student visa. Here are some of the academic criteria that international students must fulfil to study in Malta:

Qualifications: International students must have a bachelor's or an equivalent degree, depending on the level of study they are applying for. They must also provide proof of previous degrees when applying to universities in Malta.
English language proficiency: International students must demonstrate their proficiency in the English language by providing their TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or other language test scores. They must have the minimum required scores in order to be eligible for admission to universities in Malta.
GCSE or O-Level qualifications: International students applying for undergraduate programs must have Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, English Language, and Mathematics (or Additional Mathematics or Statistics) at GCSE level, at grades AAABBB (777666 for GCSEs taken from 2015) or above, in any order. The Science Double Award may substitute all sciences at GCSE.
Tuition fees: International students must pay tuition fees for their academic programs in Malta. Tuition fees may vary depending on the course and the university, and there are different fee schedules for visiting students and degree-seeking students

Documents for Applications

If you are an international student who wants to take a course in Malta, you will need to send in certain documents to meet the university's requirements and to apply for a visa. Here is a list of some of the key documents you may need to provide:

Proof of acceptance by the university: You will need to submit proof that you have been accepted into the course you wish to study at the university. This can be in the form of an offer letter or acceptance email from the university.
Passport: You will need a valid passport to enter Malta and stay there for the duration of your studies. Make sure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your stay.
Passport-sized photos: You will need two recent passport-sized photos (taken within the last six months) to submit with your visa application. Proof of sufficient funds: You will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Malta. This can be in the form of a recent bank statement or an international credit card statement.
Language proficiency test scores: As the language of instruction and communication at most universities in Malta is English, you will need to satisfy the university's English language requirement. You may need to submit scores from standardised language proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or SAT.
Academic transcripts and certificates: You may need to submit transcripts and certificates from your previous educational institutions, especially for graduate studies.
Visa application form: You will need to fill out a Malta visa application form, which can be obtained from the Malta embassy in your country or online.
Visa application fee: You will need to pay a non-refundable visa application fee, which can be paid in cash or by Visa/Mastercard/Rupay card.
Proof of residence in Malta: It is recommended that you book accommodation in Malta for at least two to three weeks to obtain proof of residence in Malta for visa submission purposes.

Keep in mind that the exact documents you need may change depending on the course and university you want to attend. It is best to check with the university's international admissions office for more information.

Post Study work rights

As a member of the European Union, Malta backs the idea that there should be no borders between member states. EU students can study and work in Malta without a visa, but if they plan to stay longer than 90 days, they will need to get a residence document. To study in Malta, students from outside the EU need to get a student visa, preferably a Schengen visa.

After completing their studies, international students can extend their stay in Malta for six months to look for work. Students from outside the EU who are taking a higher education course for more than 90 days can work 20 hours a week while they are in school. International graduates can also apply for a work visa after they finish school.

To get a post-study work visa in Malta, international students must have enough money to pay for their own living expenses while they are there. The requirement for international students is 75% of the minimum wage in Malta, which is €792.3 in 2022. This means that as an international student, you should have at least €594/month.

The process of obtaining an employment license in Malta takes approximately 4-6 weeks, after which the student can begin working, provided they have been studying in Malta for a minimum of 90 days. After 21 days in Malta, international students can ask to have their visas extended. They should do this at the Central Visa Unit in Floriana.