Study and find schools in Malta

Studying in Malta

Malta is a small archipelago in the central Mediterranean and a member of the European Union. For international students its main draw is language: English is one of Malta's official languages, alongside Maltese, and according to the Malta Tourism Authority most courses are delivered in English. That makes the islands a common choice both for English language courses and for degrees taught in English within the EU.

The higher-education sector is small and concentrated. Public tertiary education is provided by three institutions: the University of Malta, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS). The University of Malta has around 12,000 students, including approximately 2,800 international students from more than 144 countries. Private colleges and institutes, licensed by the national authority, complete the offer.

The education system

Compulsory education runs from age 5 to 16. After that, students follow an academic path (sixth form, leading to the Matriculation Certificate) or a vocational one. All qualifications are placed on the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), which is referenced to the European Qualifications Framework, so a Maltese bachelor's, master's or doctorate can be compared with degrees elsewhere in Europe.

• University of Malta: self-accrediting up to MQF level 8 (doctorate)
• MCAST: the main public vocational college, with courses from MQF level 1 to level 7
• Institute of Tourism Studies: hospitality and tourism, self-accrediting up to MQF level 7
• Private institutions: licensed and accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), which keeps a public register of accredited institutions
• English language schools: a large private sector of schools teaching English as a foreign language

Before choosing a private college, check that it appears on the MFHEA register; licensed status is what makes its qualifications recognised in Malta.

Admission and recognition

Local students enter higher education with the Matriculation Certificate (two A-level subjects, three intermediate subjects and Systems of Knowledge); other qualifications at MQF level 4 may also be accepted. The University of Malta treats applicants with overseas qualifications as international applicants: qualifications that give access to recognised universities in the home country are generally accepted if they are of a comparable standard and the course has no special entry requirements. Applicants who need to prove their English can take the university's International Student English Test (ISET). Courses start in October, and the application deadlines are published on the university's list of courses.

Foreign qualifications are recognised by the Malta Qualifications Recognition and Information Centre (MQRIC), part of the MFHEA and the Maltese member of the ENIC-NARIC network. MQRIC also helps with the recognition of Maltese qualifications abroad.

Student visa and residence

EU nationals do not need a permit to live and work in Malta. Students from outside the EU follow the rules of Identità, the government agency responsible for visas and residence:

• Courses of up to 90 days: a Schengen short-stay visa (C visa) for the length of the course, unless the student's nationality is visa-exempt
• Courses of more than 90 days: a national long-stay visa (D visa), which is also required for nationals who can otherwise visit visa-free for 90 days

Applications are submitted through an authorised external service provider, with an appointment booked in advance. The required documents are listed on the Identità website, and requirements can change, so check them before applying (information checked on 7 October 2026).

Costs

At the University of Malta, tuition fees for EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students are listed in the overview of each course. Full-time doctoral studies cost 600 euros a year for EU/EEA students and 11,000 euros a year for non-EU/EEA students. Applicants with overseas qualifications pay an application processing fee of 100 euros before the first deadline. Fees at MCAST, ITS and private colleges are set by each institution, and English language schools charge per week of tuition. No official figure for student living costs was found, so ask schools and colleges about accommodation options and prices.

Where to study

Msida is home to the main campus of the University of Malta, which traces its origins to the Collegium Melitense founded in 1592; the decree constituting the university was signed in 1769. Today it has fourteen faculties. MCAST's main campus is in Paola, with other sites including a campus on Gozo, and ITS has campuses in Luqa and in Qala, on Gozo.

English language schools cluster in the coastal towns around Sliema, St Julian's and San Gwann, such as inlingua Malta in Sliema, the Gateway School of English (GSE), which has been running courses since 2002, AClass Academy of English in Pembroke and English Plus Language Centre in St Julian's. Further north, Alpha School of English is in St Paul's Bay. Many of these schools offer exam preparation (for example Cambridge, IELTS or TOEFL), and programmes for juniors and teenagers. Tertiary colleges such as EEC-ITIS Malta Tourism and Languages Institute and EIE Institute of Education are also based in San Gwann.

Practical life

Malta is a member of the EU's Erasmus+ programme, and its universities and colleges take part in student exchanges. The Malta Tourism Authority describes a climate with an average of 300 days of sun a year, which also makes the islands a popular destination for short summer courses.

Non-EU students may be allowed to work, subject to conditions set by Jobsplus. Students on a full-time course leading to a higher education qualification recognised by MQRIC may work up to 20 hours a week from their first year; other students on courses longer than 90 days may work up to 20 hours a week after their first three months in Malta.

Frequently asked questions

Are university courses in Malta taught in English?

Yes, for the most part. English is an official language of Malta, and most courses are delivered in English, according to the Malta Tourism Authority.

How much does it cost to study at the University of Malta?

Fees are listed for each course and differ for EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students. Full-time doctoral studies, for example, cost 600 euros a year for EU/EEA students and 11,000 euros a year for others.

Do I need a visa to study English in Malta?

EU nationals do not. Students from outside the EU need a Schengen C visa for courses of up to 90 days (unless visa-exempt) and a national D visa for longer courses.

Can I work while studying in Malta?

EU students can. Non-EU students may work up to 20 hours a week, from the first year for recognised full-time higher education courses, otherwise after their first three months, subject to Jobsplus conditions.

How do I know if a private college in Malta is recognised?

Check the register of accredited institutions kept by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).