01
English-Taught Programs
Almost all major higher education programs are offered entirely in English.
Study destination
Study in Malta
Malta, a small but strategically located island nation in the Mediterranean Sea, is a hidden gem for international students. With its rich history, bilingual population, and EU/Schengen membership, Malta offers a perfect blend of academic excellence and an incredible sunny lifestyle.
At a glance
Key facts
Everything you need to know about Malta before you start planning.
Continent
Europe (Mediterranean)
Capital
Valletta
Languages
Maltese and English
Currency
Euro (€)
Population
~520,000
Safety
Very High
Climate
Mediterranean (300+ sunny days)
Work During Study
Up to 20 hours/week
Why this destination
Why study in Malta?
Discover the benefits of choosing Malta for your education.
02
Affordable Education
Tuition fees (€3,000–€11,000/year) and living costs are lower than other EU countries.
03
EU-Recognized Degrees
Maltese qualifications (Bologna Process) are recognized across Europe and globally.
04
Sunny Lifestyle & Safe
Over 300 days of sunshine per year in a highly safe, welcoming international community.
Education system
How studying in Malta works
The levels of education and how your work is graded.
Levels of education
1
Bachelor's Degree
3–4 yearsUndergraduate programs (MQF aligned)
2
Master's Degree
1–2 yearsPostgraduate programs
3
Doctorate (PhD)
3–5 yearsAdvanced research programs
Grading system
Excellent / Outstanding
First Class / 4.0 GPA
Very Good / Above Average
Upper Second / 3.5 GPA
Good / Average Performance
Lower Second / 3.0 GPA
Satisfactory / Pass
Pass / 2.0–2.5 GPA
Fail (Further work required)
Fail / 0.0 GPA
Essential guide
Costs & key aspects
Tuition, living costs, intakes and other essentials at a glance.
| Key aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Fees (Undergraduate) | €6,000–12,000 |
| Annual Tuition Fees (Postgraduate) | €7,000–15,000 |
| Estimated Monthly Living Costs | €700–1,100 (covers accommodation, food, transport, and utilities) |
| Part-Time Work Rights | Up to 20 hours/week during academic semesters, full-time during scheduled university vacations. |
| Post-Study Work Opportunity | Eligible graduates can apply for a Post-Study Work (PSW) or Job Seeker visa ranging from 1 to 3 years. |
| Main Admission Intakes | Primary intake in September/October (Autumn/Fall) and secondary intake in January/February (Winter). |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS (6.0–6.5 average), TOEFL iBT (80–90+), or PTE Academic (58–65). Duolingo accepted by select universities. |
Entry requirements
What you need to get in
Academic and English language requirements for international students.
| Program level | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation / Pathway | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 50%–60% marks from a recognized board. | IELTS 5.0–5.5 / TOEFL 60 / PTE 45 |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 65%–85% aggregate marks in relevant subjects. | IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL 80+ / PTE 58+ |
| Postgraduate (Master’s) | Recognized Bachelor’s degree with 60%–75% aggregate marks (First/Second Class). | IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL 90+ / PTE 65+ |
| Doctoral (PhD / Research) | Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with strong research proposal and faculty mentorship. | IELTS 6.5–7.0+ / TOEFL 95+ / PTE 68+ |
Institutions
Types of institutions
Understanding the different kinds of universities and colleges available.
Public University
University of Malta is the main public institution offering a wide range of degrees.
Private Institutions
E.g., American University of Malta, Global College Malta, offering specialized programs.
Vocational & Technical
MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology) focuses on applied sciences.
Funding
Scholarships & aid
Financial aid opportunities for international students.
Malta Government Scholarships
For Master's/PhD. Covers full/partial tuition fees + living stipend and travel grants.
University of Malta Scholarships
Full or partial tuition fee waivers and monthly stipends for postgraduate researchers.
Private Institution Scholarships
Merit-based partial fee reductions (up to 30-50%) at Global College Malta and LSC Malta.
Erasmus+ Scholarships
Monthly stipend (€850–€1,200) plus travel allowance for exchange semesters.
Sports & Arts Scholarships
Partial tuition grants for national/international level performers.
Intakes
When you can start
Admission cycles for international students in Malta.
Main Intake (October)
Full range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs are available.
Best for: Most students, especially first-year applicants.
Secondary Intake (February)
Limited programs, mostly focused on business, IT, and certain postgraduate courses.
Best for: Students who missed the fall intake.
Rolling/Modular Intakes
Private institutions and vocational colleges often offer intakes in Jan, May, July, and Sept.
Best for: Working professionals or diploma students.
Top universities
Where to apply
Leading universities in Malta, ranked by the QS World University Rankings.
| Rank (QS) | University | UG fees / year | PG fees / year | Popular courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800–1000 | University of Malta | €2,500–€11,000/yr | €2,500–€11,000/yr | Medicine, Engineering, Law |
| - | Malta College of Arts, Science & Tech (MCAST) | €3,000–€6,000/yr | €3,000–€6,000/yr | Business, IT, Applied Sci |
| - | American University of Malta | €8,000–€12,000/yr | €8,000–€12,000/yr | Business, Engineering, Game Dev |
| - | Global College Malta | €6,500–€9,000/yr | €6,500–€9,000/yr | MBA, Business Management |
| - | London School of Commerce, Malta | €6,950–€8,500/yr | €6,950–€8,500/yr | Business, MBA, IT |
| - | LearnKey Institute of Technology | €3,000–€5,500/yr | €3,000–€5,500/yr | ICT, Software Development |
| - | STC Higher Education | €3,000–€6,000/yr | €3,000–€6,000/yr | Computing, Business |
*Fees vary by course. Tuition fees are per year for international students.
Admission requirements
Your application checklist
What you need to apply to universities in Malta.
October Intake
Apply: March - July.
February Intake
Apply: September - Nov/Dec.
Important Note
Apply for a visa as soon as you receive your offer letter and pay the tuition deposit (takes 3-6 weeks).
Careers
Career growth & post-study work
High-demand sectors and the work options open to you after graduation.
Post-Study Residence Permit (Up to 12 Months)
International graduates can apply for a Job Search Visa extending up to 12 months after graduation to find employment.
Information Technology & iGaming
- Outlook: Global hub for online gaming & blockchain
- Roles / employers: Betsson, Tipico, Tech Startups
High Demand
Financial Services & Accounting
- Outlook: Strong regulatory framework
- Roles / employers: Audit & Advisory Firms
High Demand
Tourism & Hospitality
- Outlook: Over 2 million tourists annually
- Roles / employers: Luxury Hotels, Event Mgmt
High Demand
Maritime & Logistics
- Outlook: Largest shipping registries in the EU
- Roles / employers: Ports, Shipping Companies
High Demand
Healthcare & Medical Sciences
- Outlook: Expanding private health sector
- Roles / employers: Hospitals, Clinics
High Demand
Permanent residency
The road to PR
Malta offers several straightforward routes to Permanent Residency for international students who stay to work.
1
Student Visa & TRP
Hold a Long-Stay National Visa (Type D) and apply for a Residence Permit for Studies.
2
Post-Study Job Search
Apply for a Post-Study Residence Permit (up to 12 months) to find a job.
3
Employment License
Switch to an Employment License (Work Visa) once you secure full-time employment.
4
Permanent Residency (5 Years)
Eligible after 5 continuous years of legal residence. Requires stable income and basic English/Maltese.
5
Citizenship by Naturalization
Apply after 7 years of legal residence, requiring strong integration and language knowledge.
Visas
Malta visa types
A quick overview of the visas international students use.
| Visa type | Purpose | Work allowed? | PR pathway? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-Stay National Visa (Type D) | Full-time degree programs | 20 hrs/week (after 90 days) | 1 year (renewable) |
| Post-Study Residence Permit | Job search after graduation | No (until employed) | Up to 12 months |
| Employment License / Work Visa | Full-time employment | Full-time | 1 year (renewable) |
| Short-Stay Visa (Type C) | Short courses/tourism | No | Up to 90 days |
01 Is there a Post-Study Work visa in Malta?
Yes, international graduates can apply for a post-study residence permit extension for up to 12 months to search for employment in Malta.
02 Are there fully funded scholarships in Malta?
Yes, the Malta Government Scholarships provide full or partial tuition fees, a living stipend, and travel grants for postgraduate research programs.
03 Can international students get Permanent Residency in Malta?
Yes, after 5 continuous years of legal residence in Malta (with stable income and basic language knowledge), you can apply for a Long-Term Residence Permit.
04 Do I need to speak Maltese to study in Malta?
No. English is an official language alongside Maltese, and almost all higher education programs are taught entirely in English.
Free counselling
Begin your
journey today
Share a few details and a Dreams International advisor will call you back to map out universities, budget, intakes and visa — one honest conversation, no obligation.
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- Write info@dreamsinternational.co.in
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