Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Malta

Vocational education in Malta prepares students for a trade or profession through courses that combine classroom learning with work placements. All qualifications, academic or vocational, are placed on the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), which runs from level 1 to level 8. The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) regulates and accredits further and higher education institutions and their programmes, so a vocational course in Malta can lead from a basic certificate up to a degree.

There are two state-funded vocational institutions. The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), founded in 2001, offers qualifications from MQF level 1 to level 8, with its main campus in Paola, further campuses in Mosta and Qormi, and a campus in Gozo. The Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS), founded in 1987, trains students for tourism and hospitality, from a foundation programme (MQF level 2) to master's degrees (level 7), at its campuses in Luqa, near the airport, and in Gozo. Private colleges licensed by the MFHEA add business, tourism and IT programmes, often aimed at international students.

How vocational education works in Malta

MCAST alone offers over 190 full-time and over 300 part-time vocational courses. The main levels are:

• Introductory and foundation certificates (MQF levels 1-2) for learners without qualifications
• Certificates at MQF level 3
• Advanced diplomas at MQF level 4, lasting two to three years and including work experience through apprenticeship schemes
• Higher diplomas at MQF level 5, lasting one to two years
• Bachelor's and master's degrees, including apprenticeship degrees introduced by MCAST in 2019

At MCAST, the academic year runs from September to the first week of July, in two semesters. ITS has a third semester from July to September that is usually reserved for work placements in the industry. Most day courses are full-time, and part-time courses usually take place in the evening. At ITS, teaching is in English.

Two private institutes show what is available to international students. EEC-ITIS Malta Tourism and Languages Institute in San Gwann offers tourism and hospitality programmes such as a Diploma in International Tourism and Hospitality Management. EIE, now called eie European Business School (formerly eie Institute of Education), is licensed by the MFHEA (licence no. 2005-TC-001) and offers programmes at EQF levels 5 to 7 in areas such as business, tourism and hospitality, IT and health and social care, with intakes in October, January, April and July.

Admission for international students

Students at MCAST and ITS must have finished compulsory education and be at least 16 by the end of their first academic year. Entry requirements depend on the subject and level; both vocational and general secondary school qualifications are generally accepted. ITS recommends that students whose qualifications are not aligned with the Bologna Process apply for an equivalency report from MQRIC, the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre.

International students must prove their English. At ITS, for example, a diploma at MQF level 4 requires about B1 (IELTS 4.0-5.0) and a bachelor's degree B2 (IELTS 5.5-6.5). According to Identità, Malta's visa agency, students from outside the EU need a national long-stay visa (D-visa) for any course longer than 90 days, even if they can normally visit Malta without a visa.

Costs and funding

Maltese and EU students on full-time undergraduate courses at MCAST and ITS do not pay tuition fees. Students from outside the EU normally pay higher fees, which depend on the institution and the course; at ITS, tuition fees vary by course and are listed on each course page. Extra costs can include uniforms, aprons and kitchen tools for culinary courses. ITS refunds tuition fees if a student's visa application is formally refused, but application fees are not refundable.

For living costs, the University of Malta's guide for international students gives about €550-700 a month for a room in a shared flat and about €450 for food.

How to choose a vocational school in Malta

• Level: the MQF level of the course and where it leads (work, a higher diploma or a degree)
• Accreditation: whether the institution is licensed and the course accredited by the MFHEA
• Work experience: apprenticeships and placements included in the course
• Fees: EU or non-EU rates, and extra costs such as uniforms and tools
• English level: the score your course requires
• Start dates: a September or October start at public institutions, or several intakes a year at some private colleges

Frequently asked questions

Which public vocational colleges are there in Malta?

There are two: MCAST, which covers most technical and creative fields, and the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) for tourism and hospitality. Private colleges licensed by the MFHEA also offer vocational programmes.

Can a vocational course in Malta lead to a degree?

Yes. The MQF covers vocational and academic qualifications, and MCAST and ITS offer courses from foundation level up to bachelor's and master's degrees.

Are vocational courses in Malta taught in English?

At ITS, English is the language of instruction, and international students must show their level; a bachelor's degree requires about B2. Check the language of each course with the school.

Do I need a visa for a vocational course in Malta?

Students from outside the EU need a long-stay D-visa for courses longer than 90 days. EU citizens do not need a student visa.