Study in Malta

No/low tuition for EU students, scholarships for non-EU students, every degree taught in English, and a sunny EU island. The honest case for Malta — including the trade-offs of small-island life.

• Tuition is no/low for EU/EEA students (often with stipends); non-EU students pay around €10,800/year but scholarships are available.
• The University of Malta (founded 1592), MCAST, and the American University of Malta lead a small but English-speaking system.
• Every degree is taught in English — Maltese and English are both official languages, so there is no language barrier.
• Honest trade-off: a small island and hot summers in exchange for ~300 sunny days, mild winters, and an EU/Schengen/Eurozone base.

A clear roadmap for international students — from choosing your programme to enrolment in Msida, Valletta, or Cospicua. Every step in order, with realistic timelines, the National Long-Stay (D) visa, and arrival logistics.

• Start about 9-12 months before your intended intake; the main October intake usually closes over the summer beforehand.
• Apply directly to each institution — the University of Malta, MCAST, or AUM — there is no central portal.
• Non-EU students need a National Long-Stay (D) visa and residence permit via Residency Malta before travel; EU students just register after arrival.
• Budget for proof of funds, tuition (~€10,800/year for non-EU at UM), the visa fee, and health insurance.

Compare Malta's higher education institutions — the University of Malta (founded 1592), MCAST, and the American University of Malta — plus the large English-language sector. Find English-taught Bachelor's and Master's.

• Three routes: the University of Malta (research), MCAST (applied/vocational), and the American University of Malta (private, US-style).
• The University of Malta, founded 1592, is the public flagship with ~11,000 students on its Msida campus.
• Every degree program is taught in English — Maltese and English are both official languages.
• All Maltese degrees follow the European Bologna structure: 3-year Bachelor's, 1-2 year Master's.

How to apply to study in Malta — direct applications to the University of Malta, MCAST, or AUM, the October intake deadlines, English requirements, documents, and the National Long-Stay (D) visa process.

• Apply directly to each institution — the University of Malta, MCAST, or AUM — there is no central portal.
• Main intake: October, with applications generally closing over the summer (earlier for non-EU students).
• English requirement is typically IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL 79–90, higher for competitive courses like medicine.
• After your offer, non-EU students apply for the National Long-Stay (D) visa via Residency Malta — EU students just register on arrival.

Budget your studies in Malta — no or low tuition for EU/EEA students, ~€10,800/year for non-EU at the University of Malta, living costs €700–1,100/month, and the Malta Government Scholarships that cut the bill.

• Tuition: free or low for EU/EEA students (stipends common); non-EU pay ~€10,800/year undergrad at the University of Malta, €10,800–18,000 for postgrad.
• Malta Government Scholarships (Master it!, Endeavour, TESS) and Erasmus+ cover tuition and living costs for eligible students.
• Living costs: €700–1,100/month, with rooms €450–900 — Sliema and St Julian's sit at the top of the range.
• Proof of funds for the residence permit covers living costs and health insurance, separate from tuition.

The Maltese student route, step by step — the National Long-Stay (D) visa and residence permit via Residency Malta / Identity Malta, proof of funds, health insurance, and your first weeks on the island.

• EU/EEA students enter freely and only register for residence after arrival via Identity Malta.
• Non-EU students need a National Long-Stay (D) visa, then a residence permit via Residency Malta / Identity Malta.
• Documents: acceptance letter, proof of funds, paid accommodation, and comprehensive health insurance.
• Apply the moment you have your acceptance letter — processing takes several weeks, sometimes longer.

Daily life as a student in Malta — housing in Sliema and Msida, banking, the honest truth about hot summers and mild winters, getting around on the Tallinja bus, and settling into an English-speaking Mediterranean island.

• Living costs run €700–1,100/month, with rooms €450–900 — Sliema and St Julian's sit at the top of the range.
• Public buses on the Tallinja network are free or near-free for students — Malta is small, so you rarely need a car.
• Maltese summers are hot (30–35°C) and dry; winters are mild (10–16°C) with some rain — no real cold season.
• Everything runs in English — official language alongside Maltese — so daily life is friction-free for newcomers.

The honest picture on working in Malta — 20 hours/week for non-EU students after the first 13 weeks, the Jobsplus employment licence, and career paths in iGaming, financial services, tourism, and English teaching.

• EU/EEA students work freely; non-EU students need a Jobsplus employment licence and may work up to 20 hours per week.
• Non-EU work usually starts only after the first 13 weeks of the course.
• Strong sectors: iGaming, financial services and fintech, tourism and hospitality, English language teaching, IT, and maritime/aviation.
• English-everywhere economy makes Malta unusually friendly for graduates who only speak English.