Step 1 of 10
Understand Why Students Choose Malta
Malta offers English-taught degrees (English is an official language), EU-recognized qualifications, affordable tuition and living versus Western Europe, a sunny Mediterranean setting, and strong graduate sectors (iGaming, fintech, tourism).
English-speaking — EU country
Affordable — vs. UK/Ireland
Strong sectors — iGaming, fintech
How to help: Weigh Malta’s English-language, EU-recognized study against the trade-offs of small-island life — for English speakers wanting an EU degree affordably, it’s a compelling choice.
Good to know: Malta is one of the few English-speaking EU countries, so language is no barrier — a big draw for international students.
Step 2 of 10
Understand the System
Malta’s institutions include the University of Malta (the main, most renowned public university), MCAST (vocational/applied), the American University of Malta (AUM), and licensed private colleges — all teaching in English. Verify your institution is MFHEA-accredited.
University of Malta — the flagship
MCAST / AUM — + private colleges
MFHEA — check accreditation
How to help: Choose among the University of Malta, MCAST, AUM, and accredited private colleges, confirming your institution is MFHEA-registered — all teach in English.
Good to know: Confirm your institution is MFHEA-accredited — it determines whether your qualification is recognized.
Step 3 of 10
Get the National Long-Stay (D) Visa
Non-EU/EEA students need a National Long-Stay (D) visa, applied for at a Maltese embassy, consulate, or visa centre before travel. Your acceptance/enrolment letter from the University of Malta, MCAST, or AUM is the anchor document. (Online/distance programs don’t qualify for the D visa.)
National Long-Stay (D) — before travel
Acceptance letter — the anchor doc
Full-time — on-site only
How to help: Apply for the National Long-Stay (D) visa as soon as you accept your offer, with your enrolment letter, funds proof, accommodation, and insurance — start early, as processing takes weeks.
Watch out: The D visa requires a full-time, on-site program — online/distance/hybrid courses don’t qualify for it.
Step 4 of 10
Get Your Residence Permit
After arriving, you convert the D visa into a student residence permit through Identity Malta (Identità). Apply as soon as you receive your offer/arrive; processing runs 4–8 weeks. The permit also serves as a Schengen visa for travel within the EU.
Residence permit — via Identity Malta
4–8 weeks — processing
Schengen — travel included
How to help: Apply for your residence permit via Identity Malta promptly (processing 4–8 weeks), and enjoy that it doubles as a Schengen visa for EU travel.
Good to know: Start the residence-permit process as soon as you have your offer — it takes 4–8 weeks, so don’t wait.
Step 5 of 10
Plan for Tuition & Funding
EU/EEA students pay no or low tuition. Non-EU students pay roughly €6,000–18,000/year (University of Malta undergrad ~€10,800; postgrad up to ~€18,000; private colleges vary). Malta Government Scholarships and university bursaries can cut the bill.
EU — no/low tuition
Non-EU — ~€6,000–18,000/yr
Scholarships — Malta Govt & bursaries
How to help: Budget the non-EU tuition plus living costs, and pursue Malta Government Scholarships, university bursaries, and (for eligible students) Commonwealth scholarships.
Good to know: Tuition and living in Malta are far lower than the UK, Ireland, or Northern Europe — a cost-effective English-language EU route.
Step 6 of 10
Meet the Financial Requirement
You must prove you can support yourself — budget roughly €700–1,100/month (~€8,400–13,200/year) for living, plus confirmed accommodation and comprehensive health insurance. The University of Malta suggests around €550 accommodation + €450 food monthly.
Funds — ~€700–1,100/month
Accommodation — confirmed
+ insurance — comprehensive
How to help: Prepare proof of funds at the current level, confirmed accommodation, and comprehensive health insurance — all required for the visa and residence permit.
Watch out: Weak financial or accommodation evidence causes delays — prepare clear, sufficient documents above the minimum.
Step 7 of 10
Meet Language Requirements
Since English is an official language of Malta, everything in higher education runs in English. You’ll prove English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or prior English-medium education), which for many applicants is a low hurdle.
English — official language
IELTS/TOEFL — or prior English study
Low barrier — for many
How to help: Prove English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or prior English-medium study) as your program requires — the English-language environment makes Malta especially accessible.
Good to know: With English an official language, Malta is unusually accessible for English-speaking students — no local-language study needed.
Step 8 of 10
Prepare for the Move
After arriving, register and collect your residence permit (Identity Malta), open a bank account (BOV, HSBC Malta, APS), get a local SIM, register with a GP, and confirm health cover. Housing clusters in Sliema and Msida. Summers are hot; the island is small but well-connected.
Identity Malta — residence permit
Bank + SIM + GP — set up
Housing — Sliema, Msida
How to help: Handle arrival admin — residence permit, banking, SIM, GP registration, insurance — and sort housing early (Sliema/Msida are popular); prepare for a hot Mediterranean summer.
Good to know: You’ll be asked for certified document copies repeatedly — bring multiple sets and passport photos.
Step 9 of 10
Understand Work Rules
Non-EU students may work up to 20 hours per week after the first 13 weeks of study, once they obtain a Jobsplus employment licence (work permit). English-language sectors — iGaming, fintech, tourism, hospitality — offer real part-time opportunities.
Work — 20 hrs/week after 13 weeks
Jobsplus licence — required
English sectors — iGaming, tourism
How to help: Plan to work after the first 13 weeks (with a Jobsplus employment licence), up to 20 hours/week — Malta’s English-language sectors make part-time work genuinely accessible.
Good to know: You need a Jobsplus employment licence to work, and only after the first 13 weeks — arrange it in good time.
Step 10 of 10
Thrive & Work After Study
After graduating, you can pursue a Single Permit to live and work in Malta. Its iGaming, fintech, financial services, maritime, and tourism sectors actively hire international graduates in English — a genuine post-study pathway.
Single Permit — post-study work
Hiring sectors — iGaming, fintech, tourism
In English — graduate jobs
How to help: Plan for the Single Permit after graduating, and target Malta’s English-language sectors (iGaming, fintech, tourism) — which actively recruit international graduates.
Good to know: Malta’s English-language economy (iGaming, fintech, tourism) offers real graduate opportunities — the Single Permit is the route to work there.
Quick Reference
Studying in Malta: The Essentials
A snapshot — figures change, so confirm everything with the Maltese mission, Identity Malta, and your institution.
- The systemUniversity of Malta (flagship), MCAST, the American University of Malta, and licensed private colleges; all degrees taught in English; verify MFHEA accreditation.
- Visa & permitNon-EU students need a National Long-Stay (D) visa (before travel; on-site full-time programs only), then a student residence permit via Identity Malta (which also serves as a Schengen visa).
- TuitionEU pay no/low tuition; non-EU ~€6,000–18,000/year (University of Malta undergrad ~€10,800, postgrad up to ~€18,000); Malta Government Scholarships and bursaries help.
- Money & languageProve ~€700–1,100/month plus accommodation and comprehensive insurance; English is an official language, so all study is in English (IELTS/TOEFL or prior English-medium).
- Work & afterWork up to 20 hrs/week after the first 13 weeks (with a Jobsplus licence); a Single Permit supports post-study work in iGaming, fintech, and tourism.
Official & Trusted Sources
Where to learn more
About this guide. This guide is a general, plain-language overview compiled by K12 Academics, current as of 2025–26, and is not legal or immigration advice. Maltese rules, tuition, and funds change; confirm all details with the Maltese mission, Identity Malta (Identità), and your institution.
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