Costs & Funding in Malta - Study in Malta

Costs & Funding for Studying in Malta

Malta gives you an English-language degree at Mediterranean prices, inside the EU and Schengen. Tuition is free or low for EU/EEA students (Maltese and EU students often receive a stipend rather than a bill), non-EU students pay around €10,800/year for undergraduate study at the University of Malta, and living costs run €700–1,100/month. This guide breaks down tuition by route, living costs by area, scholarships, part-time work, and the proof of funds you need for your residence permit.

Tuition Fees

Tuition depends on your nationality and where you study.

EU/EEA and Swiss students

Public Maltese institutions charge no or very low tuition for EU/EEA/Swiss students, including programmes taught in English. Maltese and many EU students even receive a maintenance stipend. Confirm your exact status with the institution, since stipend eligibility varies.

Non-EU/EEA students — University of Malta (UM)

The University of Malta (public flagship in Msida, founded 1592, ~11,000 students) teaches entirely in English. Fees sit at the lower end for most subjects and higher for specialised master's programmes.

Non-EU/EEA students — American University of Malta (AUM) and MCAST

AUM runs US-style programmes in English at higher fees; MCAST offers applied and vocational routes at lower cost. Compare routes in the programs and universities guide and run a personalised estimate with our cost-of-study calculator.

That is the headline figure — but Malta Government Scholarships and Erasmus+ can cut tuition and living costs substantially for eligible students. Real out-of-pocket costs can be far lower.

Monthly Living Costs

Living costs vary by area. Sliema and St Julian's are the priciest; Msida, Gzira, Cospicua, and Gozo are cheaper.

Sliema / St Julian's (highest costs)

Msida / Gzira / Cospicua / Gozo (cheaper)

Total Cost of a Degree

Realistic totals, tuition plus 12 months of living, for non-EU students:

For EU/EEA students, the per-year total is essentially living costs only: roughly €8,400–13,200, and often lower with a stipend. Even at full tuition, Maltese degrees compare favourably with UK, Irish, US, or Australian totals — and with scholarships, often dramatically so.

Scholarships

Malta's scholarship landscape is built around government-run, EU-co-funded schemes plus institutional awards.

Malta Government Scholarships (the big one)

Run by the Ministry for Education and co-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), these are the headline schemes:

• Master it! — funds master's-level study (tuition and a maintenance grant), the flagship postgraduate scheme
• Endeavour — supports master's and doctoral study and research, including stipends
• TESS (Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme) — supports undergraduate and postgraduate students, including part-time and mature applicants
• Reaching High — additional postgraduate research funding

Eligibility and priority vary by scheme — some favour EU/EEA or Maltese applicants, others are broader. Read each scheme's criteria carefully and note the application windows, which open ahead of the academic year.

Erasmus+ and exchange funding

• Erasmus+ — for EU students doing an exchange semester or year, and for joint master's mobility
• Erasmus Mundus joint master's — some programmes include Maltese partners with full scholarships

University and home-country scholarships

• University of Malta and AUM run their own merit and need-based awards — check each programme page
• Home-country government scholarships — many countries fund study abroad
• Private foundations and employer sponsorships — worth checking in your home country

Strategy: apply early and apply strong — a clean transcript and a sharp motivation letter put you in range for both government schemes and institutional awards. For master's applicants especially, Master it! and Endeavour are the routes to watch.

Part-Time Work

EU/EEA students can work freely with no restrictions. Non-EU/EEA students need a Jobsplus employment licence and may work up to 20 hours per week, typically only after the first 13 weeks of their course. Common student jobs:

• iGaming and customer support — Malta's signature sector, strong for English-only candidates
• Tourism and hospitality — restaurants, bars, hotels (peak in summer)
• Retail and customer service
• English language teaching (ELT) support roles — Malta's large language-school sector
• University and campus roles — research and teaching assistance

Pay for entry-level work is modest, so treat earnings as a supplement to your funding, not the foundation. The iGaming and English-language sectors make Malta unusually friendly for students who only speak English. Full detail in our work and career guide.

Proof of Funds for the Residence Permit

Non-EU/EEA students applying through Residency Malta / Identity Malta must show they can support themselves.

Minimum to budget:

• €700–1,100 per month in living costs
• For a full year, roughly €8,400–13,200
• Plus accommodation (paid or evidenced) and health insurance

Accepted proof typically includes:

• A bank statement in your name showing sufficient funds
• A scholarship confirmation letter (government or institutional)
• A sponsor letter with the sponsor's documentation

This is separate from tuition — you need to cover both. Confirm the current requirement with Residency Malta before applying. EU/EEA students do not need to demonstrate funds in advance but should still budget realistically. Full walkthrough in our student visa guide.

Health Insurance and Healthcare

• EU/EEA students: bring a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — covers necessary public healthcare during your studies
• Non-EU students: must hold comprehensive private health insurance for the residence permit (budget ~€150–400/year for a compliant student policy)
• Public healthcare in Malta is solid and English-speaking, centred on Mater Dei Hospital in Msida, next to the University

Private insurance is still useful for faster specialist access. Keep your policy documents handy — Residency Malta checks them at application and renewal.

Smart Ways to Cut Costs

Malta is already affordable for EU students and reasonable for non-EU, but students trim further in predictable ways:

• Share a flat — the single biggest saving on a small island with scarce studios
• Live in Msida, Gzira, Cospicua, or Gozo instead of Sliema/St Julian's — rent drops sharply
• Use the Tallinja bus — free or near-free for students; you rarely need a car
• Cook at home — eating out adds up fast in the tourist hubs
• Apply for Malta Government Scholarships and Erasmus+ — the biggest single lever on your total cost
• Avoid summer move-in — rents spike when seasonal demand peaks; secure housing earlier
• Open a local bank account quickly — direct rent payment avoids foreign-card fees

Together these keep a monthly budget comfortably in the €700–1,100 range, lower if you live away from the seafront hubs.

Budget Planning Checklist

Before you arrive, confirm:

• Tuition payment schedule (per semester or per year) and first instalment amount
• Scholarship outcome (government scheme or institutional award) — secured in writing
• Proof of funds secured (~€8,400–13,200 for a year) for non-EU students
• Accommodation reserved (shared flat where possible — secure early to avoid summer spikes)
• Health insurance arranged (EHIC for EU; comprehensive private cover for non-EU)
• A settling-in buffer (€700–1,500) for the deposit, transport, and first-week costs

Next Steps

1. Student visa — use your proof of funds to apply via Residency Malta
2. Living in Malta — housing, transport, and daily costs
3. Admissions and application — if you have not applied yet
4. Programs and universities — compare routes and find your field