Scholarships for Malta 2026: Full Guide Guide

Malta's scholarship landscape splits by passport and by level of study. EU/EEA students already pay no or low tuition at the public University of Malta, and Maltese and EU students often draw a small maintenance stipend. Non-EU/EEA students pay tuition of around €10,800/year (undergraduate) up to €18,000 (postgraduate) at UM, and this is where Malta's funding system helps: the Malta Government Scholarship Schemes ("Master it!", "Endeavour", co-funded by the European Social Fund), TESS (the Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme), and Reaching High fund postgraduate and doctoral study, while Erasmus+ funds exchange students and university awards top up the rest. Most government schemes target master's and PhD level, so undergraduate non-EU students lean more on university awards and home-country funding. This guide maps every realistic funding route for 2026.

How Much You Need to Fund

Start by knowing the gap a scholarship has to close. EU/EEA: tuition is €0 or low, so funding only covers living costs (€700–1,100/month). Non-EU/EEA: tuition runs around €10,800/year (undergraduate), €10,800–18,000/year (postgraduate) at UM, and $16,000–22,000/year at AUM — see our cost of studying in Malta breakdown. Add proven living funds for the residence permit. Most Maltese government scholarships are merit-and-priority-field based, so a strong academic record plus a relevant subject is your biggest asset.

Malta Government Scholarship Schemes

This is the flagship public funding category, administered through Malta's education authorities and largely co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). The schemes mainly target postgraduate study.

"Master it!" Scholarship Scheme: supports students pursuing master's degrees, covering tuition and a maintenance contribution, often prioritising fields aligned with Malta's economic needs.
"Endeavour" Scholarship Scheme: an ESF-co-funded scheme supporting postgraduate (master's and doctoral) study, with tuition and stipend support.
Eligibility: typically aimed at students enrolling in eligible postgraduate programmes; specific national-residence and field criteria apply per scheme.
How to apply: through the official scholarship calls published by Malta's education authorities — watch the deadlines closely, as they open in fixed cycles.

These schemes are the backbone of postgraduate funding in Malta. Check the current call documents each year, since field priorities and amounts are updated per cycle.

TESS: The Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme

The Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme (TESS) is a major route for postgraduate funding.

Covers: tuition and a maintenance grant for eligible master's and doctoral students.
For: students pursuing postgraduate study, frequently in fields prioritised by national strategy.
Eligibility: strong academic record and enrolment in an eligible programme; residence and field conditions apply.
How to apply: via the official TESS call when it opens — applications are competitive and tied to fixed deadlines.

TESS and the Master it!/Endeavour schemes together form the core of Malta's public postgraduate funding. Read each call carefully — eligibility overlaps but conditions differ.

Reaching High Scholarships

The Reaching High Scholarships target advanced research and doctoral study.

Covers: doctoral-level tuition and a research/maintenance contribution.
For: PhD candidates, often in priority research areas aligned with national development.
Eligibility: admission to an eligible doctoral programme and a strong research proposal.
How to apply: through the official call; secure a supervisor and research project first, then apply within the cycle.

For research-focused students, Reaching High is the natural complement to a University of Malta doctoral place.

University of Malta Awards

Beyond government schemes, the University of Malta and its faculties offer their own bursaries and awards for strong applicants — including some aimed at international students. These vary by faculty and year, so check the specific department and the UM scholarships office. AUM also offers merit-based awards for its US-style degrees. Always ask the admissions office what institutional funding applies to your programme.

Erasmus+ and Exchange Funding

If your home university is in the EU or has a partnership with a Maltese institution, you can study in Malta as an Erasmus+ or exchange student for a semester or year:

No tuition at the Maltese host (your home tuition continues if applicable)
Erasmus+ monthly grant from your home country's national agency — typically €350–600/month depending on country bracket
Apply through your home university's international office, not the Maltese host
Bilateral exchanges exist with universities worldwide — check your home institution's partner list

Other Funding Routes

Beyond the main schemes, several targeted routes:

Your home government: Many countries fund their citizens to study abroad — China Scholarship Council, national merit schemes, and others list EU destinations including Malta as approved.
Commonwealth links: as a former British territory and Commonwealth member with English as an official language, Malta is an accessible destination for Commonwealth-scholarship applicants in some schemes.
Private foundations and employers: some firms in Malta's iGaming, finance, and maritime sectors sponsor relevant postgraduate study.
Research positions: some doctoral candidates hold funded research roles or assistantships at the University of Malta or its research institutes.

Funding Without a Scholarship

If you do not land a major award, here is the honest reality:

EU/EEA students: No or low tuition means living costs are the only major bill. Part-time work covers a meaningful share, especially outside Sliema.
Non-EU/EEA students: Tuition is real money — self-funding a UM master's without any award means €10,800–18,000 for tuition plus living. Apply to government schemes and university awards, and budget realistically.
Part-time work: EU students work freely; non-EU students need a Jobsplus employment licence and may work up to 20 hours per week after the first 13 weeks. At €6–9/hour, that brings in €500–700/month gross.
Instalment plans: some programmes let you pay tuition per semester rather than upfront — ask admissions.

Model your full budget with the cost-of-study calculator.

How to Write a Winning Application

Maltese government schemes are competitive and deadline-driven. The pattern that wins:

Lead with your academic record. Most awards are merit-based — make your GPA, prizes, and any research output easy to find.
Align with priority fields. Master it!, Endeavour, and TESS often favour fields tied to Malta's economy — iGaming, fintech, maritime, IT, health. Show how your subject fits.
Be concrete about your plan. Name the programme, the faculty, and what you will do with the degree in or beyond Malta.
Get references that say something. A supervisor who can describe your work in detail beats a famous name who barely knows you.
Submit before the deadline. Scholarship calls close hard — late applications are not considered.

Timeline for a September 2026 Intake

August–November 2025: Shortlist programmes at UM, MCAST, or AUM; check government scholarship calls and university awards; line up references and transcripts.
Autumn–winter 2025: Submit your university application (see our how to apply guide).
Winter–spring 2026: Watch for and apply to the Malta Government Scholarship and TESS calls when they open.
Spring 2026: Receive admission and scholarship decisions; accept your award and confirm your place.
Summer 2026: Apply for the D visa and residence permit (your scholarship strengthens the proof-of-funds requirement — see our Malta student visa guide).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most generous scholarship for Malta?

For postgraduate students, the Malta Government Scholarship Schemes — "Master it!" and "Endeavour" (ESF co-funded) — and TESS are the standout routes, covering tuition plus a maintenance grant. Reaching High supports doctoral research. University of Malta faculty awards add further options.

Do EU/EEA students need scholarships for Malta?

Not for tuition — EU/EEA students pay no or low tuition at the University of Malta, and Maltese and EU students often receive a small stipend. Living-cost funding (Erasmus+, home-country awards) helps, but many EU students cover living costs with savings plus part-time work.

Can non-EU undergraduates get scholarships in Malta?

The main government schemes (Master it!, Endeavour, TESS, Reaching High) target postgraduate and doctoral study, so non-EU undergraduates rely more on University of Malta and AUM merit awards plus home-country funding. Apply to institutional awards and check your home government's study-abroad schemes.

When are Malta scholarship deadlines?

The government schemes open in fixed annual calls with hard deadlines, usually published by Malta's education authorities ahead of each academic year. Erasmus+ runs through your home university's cycle. Check each official call early and apply before the deadline.

Are Malta scholarships merit-based or need-based?

Mostly merit-and-priority-field based. The Malta Government Scholarships, TESS, and Reaching High reward academic strength and alignment with national priority fields like iGaming, fintech, maritime, and IT. Some schemes apply residence conditions; check each call's criteria.

How do I fund a PhD in Malta?

Doctoral candidates can target Reaching High Scholarships and the postgraduate government schemes, plus any funded research positions or assistantships at the University of Malta. Secure a supervisor and research project first, then apply within the relevant scholarship cycle.

Does Erasmus+ work for Malta?

Yes. If your home university has an Erasmus+ agreement with a Maltese institution, you study in Malta with no host tuition and receive a monthly Erasmus+ grant (typically €350–600). Apply through your home university's international office, not the Maltese host.

For the complete funding and cost picture, see Study in Malta, our why study in Malta guide, and the step-by-step how to apply to Maltese universities walkthrough.

Scholarships for Malta 2026: Full Guide