Why Malta for international students
Three structural advantages for non-EU students:
- English-language education — only EU member where English is official + medium of instruction at UoM and MCAST
- Affordable cost — €14-20K Year-1 total vs UK £22-35K vs Ireland €22-28K
- EU residence pathway — Study years count toward 5-year permanent residence; 10 years to citizenship
~15K
Int'l students
Across all institutions
€14-20K
Year-1 cost
All-in
82%
Visa approval
Properly documented
5 yr
To PR
Study time counts
Where to study
- University of Malta (UoM) — Oldest in the Commonwealth (1592). Bachelor's, Master's, PhD. 11,000+ students. Higher prestige + research focus.
- MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology) — State vocational college. 9,000+ students. EQF Level 4-6 diplomas. Practical employment focus.
- Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) — Specialized in hospitality + tourism management
- St. Martin's Institute, Global College Malta, Middlesex University Malta — NCFHE-licensed private colleges
- 40+ FELTOM ELT schools — English language teaching, IELTS prep, year programs
Popular programs for international students
| Program | Institution | Duration | Tuition (non-EU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Development (HND) | MCAST | 2 yr | €4,500/yr |
| Business Administration (HND) | MCAST | 2 yr | €4,000/yr |
| BSc Computer Science | UoM | 3 yr | €10,800/yr |
| BA Business Administration | UoM | 3 yr | €8,500/yr |
| BSc Engineering | UoM | 4 yr | €10,800/yr |
| MSc Digital Marketing | UoM | 1 yr | €10,000 |
| MBA | UoM | 2 yr | €12,000/yr |
| Diploma Hospitality Mgmt | ITS | 2 yr | €3,500/yr |
Medicine in Malta — limited non-EU quotas
University of Malta Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is highly prestigious but restrictive:
- Tuition: €30,000-37,000/year for non-EU students (5-year MD program)
- Total cost: ~€180K-220K including living expenses
- Annual non-EU quota: ~20-30 students out of ~150 total intake
- Entry requirements: A-Levels in Biology + Chemistry + 1 other science at AAB+ (or equivalent BMAT/UCAT); IELTS 7.0
- Application deadline: 31 January for September intake
- Alternative: MCAST + UoM Health Sciences (nursing, pharmacy tech) much more accessible
Medicine realism
Malta medicine is one of the toughest EU programs to enter as a non-EU student. For Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi students seeking medicine in Europe, Spain (state universities), Portugal, or Eastern Europe (Hungary, Czech Republic) typically offer better odds + value.
Engineering programs
Engineering is strong at both UoM (academic) and MCAST (vocational):
- UoM Faculty of Engineering — Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering. €10,800/yr non-EU.
- MCAST Institute of Engineering and Transport — Aircraft Maintenance, Marine, Automotive, Electrical. €4,500-5,500/yr non-EU.
- Career outlook: Malta's marine sector + aviation maintenance + manufacturing industries actively recruit non-EU engineering graduates.
- Strongest demand 2026: Aircraft maintenance (Air Malta, Lufthansa Technik Malta), marine engineering (yacht refit industry).
ICT + igaming careers
Best post-graduation employment outlook in Malta:
- Igaming sector employs 12,000+. Companies actively recruit non-EU graduates: LeoVegas, Tipico, Betsson, Kindred, Multilotto.
- Cybersecurity demand — Malta has strict gaming regulator (MGA) requiring certified InfoSec professionals.
- Blockchain/fintech — Malta positioned itself as "Blockchain Island" 2018+. DLT companies regularly hire non-EU developers.
- Typical starting salary: €25K-40K for new graduate developer. €30K-50K for cybersecurity. €18K-25K for customer support.
Tuition fees overview
See full breakdown in cost of studying guide and cost of living guide.
Summary by tier:
- MCAST diploma — €2K-3.5K/yr
- MCAST higher diploma — €3.5K-6K/yr
- UoM Bachelor's — €8.5K-10.8K/yr non-EU
- UoM Master's — €10K-14K/yr non-EU
- Medicine (UoM) — €30-37K/yr non-EU
- ELT (FELTOM) — €1.5K-5.4K depending on duration
Scholarship options for non-EU
- Malta Government Scholarship Scheme (MGSS) — Postgraduate research. Limited non-EU quotas.
- Endeavour Scholarship — Master's + PhD. Priority subjects (STEM, healthcare).
- Erasmus+ partnerships — If your home institution has Erasmus link with UoM/MCAST.
- Education loans from home country — Indian banks (HDFC Credila, Avanse) offer Malta tuition loans 8-11% interest.
Accommodation in Malta
See detailed breakdown in cost of living guide.
Most common options for international students:
- UoM student residences — On-campus halls. €350-550/month. Limited spots, apply early.
- Shared apartment in Gzira/Msida — €280-500/month per room. Near UoM campus.
- Studio in Sliema/St Julian's — €700-950/month. Premium location.
- Shared house in Birkirkara/Hamrun — €220-350/month per room. Most affordable.
Career outcomes for international graduates
Malta MCAST/UoM employment statistics:
- MCAST ICT — 92% employed within 6 months. Igaming-heavy.
- MCAST Engineering — 84% employed within 6 months.
- UoM Bachelor's — 75% employed or in further studies within 6 months.
- UoM Master's — 82% employed within 6 months.
Median starting salary: €22K-28K for graduates. €30K-45K for STEM/finance specialists.
FAQ
How much does it cost to study medicine in Malta for international students?
€30,000-37,000/year tuition for non-EU students. Total cost over 5-year MD: €180K-220K including living. Limited quota (~20-30 non-EU annually).
What programs does MCAST offer for non-EU students?
EQF Level 3-6 across 6 institutes: Engineering & Transport, ICT, Business, Health, Creative Arts, Applied Vocational. Diplomas + higher diplomas €2K-6K/yr.
Can international students study engineering in Malta?
Yes — UoM Faculty of Engineering and MCAST Institute of Engineering. €4.5K-10.8K/yr. Strong career outcomes in marine, aviation maintenance, manufacturing.
What's the best program for Indian students in Malta?
ICT/Computer Science most common — igaming demand absorbs graduates. MCAST HND Software Development → MCAST Bachelor's pathway is popular and affordable.
