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Study in Malta

English-taught study in an EU, Schengen and euro-area country

Malta joined the European Union in 2004, the Schengen area in 2007 and the euro area in 2008, and is part of the European Higher Education Area.

Get free Malta counsellingBrowse Malta universities
Malta334 programmes · 29 universities
10Universities listed
$1,100Avg. monthly living cost
IELTS 5.0–6.5 overall, depending on programmeEnglish requirement
VallettaCapital city
334English-taught programmes

Overview

Why study in Malta?

Explore all programmes

Malta joined the European Union in 2004, the Schengen area in 2007 and the euro area in 2008, and is part of the European Higher Education Area. Maltese and English are the official languages, and English is the language of instruction. Degrees follow the Bologna three-cycle structure of bachelor, master and doctorate, with credits counted in ECTS; 60 ECTS is one full academic year. Courses sit on the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), levels 1 to 8, referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF): MQF 5 is the undergraduate diploma level, MQF 6 the bachelor and MQF 7 the master. The MQF level of your course decides which permit you study on. The University of Malta, established in 1769, and MCAST, established in 2001, are public, and applications to both go through Apply Malta. Private colleges run multiple intakes, so confirm the intake for each programme. In 2020–2025 data for the Valletta area, January averaged a low of 12.0 °C and a high of 15.9 °C, and July a low of 24.4 °C and a high of 31.5 °C, with about 340 mm of rain a year and no snow.

Quick facts

Everything you need to know at a glance.

Language of instruction
Maltese and English (English is the language of instruction)
Tuition fees
EUR 1,687.5 – 27,000 / year
Avg monthly cost
$1,100 / month (approx.)
English test
IELTS 5.0–6.5 overall, depending on programme
Top student cities
Valletta, Msida, Sliema, St Julian's
Currency
EUR
Valletta · Wikimedia

Before you travel

Student visa

Get your student visa with a simple and transparent process.

For a course recognised by MQRIC at MQF level 5 or above at an MFHEA-licensed institution, you enter on an education visa, then apply in person in Malta to Identità for a study residence permit; your passport needs 6 months' validity when you apply. Below MQF 5, you study on a one-year national Type D visa.

Read the full guidance

For the permit you must show financial means of 60% of the annual national minimum wage or the poverty line, whichever is higher, pro-rated to the length of study, plus your last three months of bank statements, and medical cover of at least EUR 100,000 (University of Malta, MCAST and ITS students are exempt from private insurance). A decision typically takes a few weeks, but times vary.

  1. 1Apply to a universitySecure your admission offer
  2. 2Prepare your documentsWe check every page with you
  3. 3Submit the applicationLodged with the consulate or online
  4. 4Receive your permitTravel with your study permit in hand

Documents we prepare with you

  • Valid passport
  • Admission letter
  • Proof of funds
  • Academic certificates
  • Passport photos

While you study

Work while studying

Earn, gain experience and build your future.

  • The work allowance is for full-time students on courses at MQF level 5 or above: up to 20 hours a week after 90 days.
  • Before any job starts, the employer must obtain an employment licence from Jobsplus, and you must keep up full-time enrolment (at least 15 study hours a week) and attendance.
More on working here
  • After graduating from a course at MQF level 5 or above, you may apply for a permit of up to 9 months to look for work, granted once and not renewable.
  • It is not a work permit: a job needs an employer to sponsor a Single Permit, and you must again show financial means, calculated for 9 months.

Work today, build tomorrow

Our counsellors explain the hours, permits and paperwork before you land.

Funding

Scholarships and funding

Programmes in Malta that list a scholarship on our catalogue.

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  • GBS Malta (Global Banking School)GBS Malta offers several scholarships that vary by intake and eligibility: up to 90% off (Excellence Scholarship, GPA 3.8-4.0, 3 places), up to 50% off (Oct 2026 EU intake, Foundation/Bachelor's/Master's), up to 15% off first-year (Feb 2027 International intake, Master's only), 50% off first-year (Seeds of Peace Scholarship, conflict-affected regions), plus a Global Citizen discount for international students. Amounts and deadlines change per intake - see gbs.edu.mt/student-life/scholarships/ for current details.Award in Business Management and Study Skills

Programmes

Top programmes in Malta

Popular programs from our catalogue — Empire Overseas Education verified ones carry a verified badge

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  • BusinessBusinessVerified

    Award in Business Management and Study Skills

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School) logo

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School)

    • UG Diploma
    • 1 year
    • EUR 5,000/year
    • IELTS 5
    View course
  • TechnologyTechnologyVerified

    Award in Information Technology and Study Skills

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School) logo

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School)

    • UG Diploma
    • 1 year
    • EUR 5,000/year
    • IELTS 5
    View course
  • BusinessBusinessVerified

    BSc (Hons) Business Management

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School) logo

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School)

    • Bachelor
    • 3 years
    • EUR 6,000/year
    • IELTS 5.5
    View course
  • TechnologyTechnologyVerified

    BSc (Hons) Computer Science and Information Technology

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School) logo

    GBS Malta (Global Banking School)

    • Bachelor
    • 3 years
    • EUR 6,000/year
    • IELTS 6
    View course

Institutions

Top universities in Malta

Institutions we can apply to on your behalf.

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Compare Malta with other countries

Tuition, living costs and work rights, side by side.

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Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common questions about studying in Malta.

What are the tuition fees in Malta?
Programmes on our catalogue for Malta range from EUR 1,687.5 – 27,000 per year. Fees are set by each university and programme.
What are the living costs in Malta?
Budget around $1,100 a month for accommodation, food and transport. Costs vary by city.
Is IELTS required for Malta?
IELTS 5.0–6.5 overall, depending on programme. English-test requirement derived from 50 of our 52 verified Malta programmes. Individual programmes set their own; your counsellor confirms the exact score.
Can I work while studying in Malta?
The work allowance is for full-time students on courses at MQF level 5 or above: up to 20 hours a week after 90 days. Before any job starts, the employer must obtain an employment licence from Jobsplus, and you must keep up full-time enrolment (at least 15 study hours a week) and attendance. After graduating from a course at MQF level 5 or above, you may apply for a permit of up to 9 months to look for work, granted once and not renewable. It is not a work permit: a job needs an employer to sponsor a Single Permit, and you must again show financial means, calculated for 9 months.
Which cities do international students choose?
Valletta, Msida, Sliema, St Julian's, Kalkara
How does the student visa work for Malta?
For a course recognised by MQRIC at MQF level 5 or above at an MFHEA-licensed institution, you enter on an education visa, then apply in person in Malta to Identità for a study residence permit; your passport needs 6 months' validity when you apply. Below MQF 5, you study on a one-year national Type D visa. For the permit you must show financial means of 60% of the annual national minimum wage or the poverty line, whichever is higher, pro-rated to the length of study, plus your last three months of bank statements, and medical cover of at least EUR 100,000 (University of Malta, MCAST and ITS students are exempt from private insurance). A decision typically takes a few weeks, but times vary.