Best Universities in Malta for International Students: 2026/2027 Guide

Malta doesn’t come up as often as the UK, Australia, or Canada when Nepali students start planning their study abroad journey but it probably should. It’s an English-speaking, EU member country with tuition well below Western Europe, a fast-growing international student population, and a real legal pathway to stay and work after graduation.

The catch is that Malta’s higher education landscape looks different from what most Nepali applicants are used to. There’s only one traditional public university, a public vocational college, and a handful of accredited private institutions each with its own price point, admissions process, and, importantly, its own scope of programs. Some names on “best of Malta” lists are much narrower than they sound one is a single-degree medical school, another only offers postgraduate arts programs. Getting this wrong costs time and money.

Why Malta Is Worth Considering for Nepali Students

• English is the primary language of instruction at all the institutions covered here.
• EU membership and recognition a degree from an institution licensed by MFHEA, Malta’s Further and Higher Education Authority, is recognized across the EU.
• Lower cost of entry than the UK, Ireland, or most of Western Europe, for both tuition and living costs.
• Legal part-time work rights during study, confirmed by Identità, Malta’s immigration agency (details below).
• A defined post-study option a 9-month residence permit specifically to look for work after graduating, also confirmed directly by Identità.

If you want the visa and cost breakdown we’ve already published, see our guide to studying in Malta from Nepal. This article focuses on where to study and what it actually costs, verified against primary sources.

A Word on Accreditation Before You Shortlist Anything

Malta has only one public university the University of Malta plus MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology) and the Institute of Tourism Studies, which are self-accrediting public institutions. Everything else is a private higher education institution licensed by MFHEA.

This matters more than it might seem. MFHEA has revoked or restricted licenses mid-operation before most recently confirming, in a Court of Appeal judgment on 6 May 2026, the revocation of one private provider’s license, and restricting a further provider from enrolling new students from April 2026 pending a license transfer. None of the seven institutions covered in this guide were affected by those 2026 actions, but the point stands: before applying anywhere in Malta, check the institution’s current status yourself on MFHEA’s list of licensed institutions. A polished website is not proof of a valid license.

The Best Universities in Malta for International Students: Verified Comparison

*Tuition figures marked  come directly from the institution’s own current fee page. Figures marked are drawn from third-party education-consultancy sources current in 2026 and are approximate these are provided as a starting estimate only. Programs, intakes, and fees change; always verify directly before applying.

University of Malta

Malta’s only public university, founded in 1592, ranks in the top 700 globally and top 300 in Europe on the QS World University Rankings, per badges published directly on UM’s own site. It offers the country’s widest range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, spanning business, engineering, medicine, law, IT, and the sciences.

Best for: students who want the widest program choice or a postgraduate/research degree, and who are comfortable with a traditional application process built around transcripts and program-specific entry requirements. Full admissions guidance is on UM’s International Applicants page.

MCAST (Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology)

MCAST is Malta’s main public applied and vocational institution, self-accrediting up to MQF Level 7 (Master’s), with degrees, diplomas, and certificates across engineering, IT, business, and skilled trades. Fees for international students are set per course and duration rather than as one flat rate MCAST publishes a specific fee schedule for non-EU candidates that you should check for your exact course, and applications from non-resident international students are typically accepted between April and mid-August per MCAST’s own admissions guidance.

Best for: students who want a hands-on, career-focused qualification, particularly in technical or trade fields, at public-institution pricing.

Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS)

The Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) is Malta’s leading public institution dedicated to tourism, hospitality, culinary arts, events, and related business disciplines. Established in 1987, ITS offers programmes from Foundation (MQF Level 2) through Master’s degree (MQF Level 7) and is licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). Unlike traditional universities, ITS places a strong emphasis on practical learning through training restaurants, professional kitchens, hospitality laboratories, industry placements, and international internship opportunities. The institute also maintains academic partnerships with several internationally recognised universities, allowing students to gain globally relevant qualifications and industry exposure.

Best for: students pursuing careers in hospitality management, tourism, culinary arts, events management, or hotel operations who want a career-focused education with extensive practical training and strong links to Malta’s tourism industry.

American University of Malta (AUM)

AUM is a private institution in Cospicua with a US-style curriculum, small class sizes, and a genuinely international student body. It is licensed by MFHEA to offer Bachelor (Level 6), Master (Level 7), and Doctorate (Level 8) programs, and is separately accredited by the U.S. Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) for its business programs. AUM’s own published fee structure lists tuition at €2,500 per semester (€5,000/year) for its standard undergraduate track.

Best for: students interested in business, hospitality, or engineering who want a US-style format and a confirmed, relatively affordable tuition rate.

Global College Malta

Global College Malta delivers degrees awarded by the University of Chester in the UK through a partnership arrangement — a genuine UK-recognized qualification, delivered in Malta at lower cost. It focuses on business, hospitality, IT, and creative media, typically requiring IELTS 6.5 or equivalent for entry.

Best for: students who want a UK-affiliated degree without the tuition and visa complexity of studying in the UK directly.

St Martin’s Institute of Higher Education

St Martin’s is an officially recognized University of London Teaching Centre one of a limited number worldwide offering University of London-awarded degrees in business administration and computing. Founded in 1985, it teaches in small groups and has built a strong reputation in its two core subject areas.

Best for: students who specifically want a University of London-awarded degree, in-person, at a lower cost than studying in the UK.

Queen Mary University of London, Malta Campus

This is worth stating plainly because it’s often listed alongside general-purpose institutions when it isn’t one: Queen Mary’s Malta campus offers one program only a five-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) taught by Queen Mary’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, following the same curriculum as the London campus, per QMUL’s own FAQ page. Entry requires the UCAT admissions test, strong grades in Biology and Chemistry, and an interview. Official fees for students starting September 2026, confirmed on QMUL Malta’s programme costs page, are €39,500 per year for all students UK, EU, and international alike.

Best for: students specifically pursuing medicine who want a Queen Mary-awarded MBBS at a fraction of the competition for UK medical school places this is a premium, specialized option, not a general study-in-Malta route.

European Graduate School (Malta)

EGS operates a Valletta campus (alongside its original Saas-Fee, Switzerland campus) and is licensed by MFHEA as a Higher Education Institution. It is postgraduate only Master’s and PhD programs in fields like Philosophy, Art and Social Thought, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Conflict Transformation, per EGS’s own accreditation page. There is no undergraduate program.

Best for: postgraduate students specifically interested in its niche fields not a fit for undergraduate applicants or students seeking business/IT/engineering programs.

Admission Requirements for Nepali Students

Requirements differ by institution and program, but most ask for:

• Completed +2 or equivalent academic transcripts (with English translations where needed)
• English proficiency proof — IELTS is widely accepted; typical undergraduate requirements start around 5.5–6.5 depending on the institution, higher for postgraduate or for programs like Global College Malta. If you need to prepare, our IELTS or PTE programs can help you hit the required band.
• A Statement of Purpose
• Passport copy
• Proof of financial capacity (see the cost breakdown below for the specific figure Malta’s visa authorities require)
• Some private institutions may require a foundation year if your academic background doesn’t directly meet entry requirements

Realistic Total Cost of Study for Nepali Students

Most published “cost of studying in Malta” figures use rough averages. Here’s a calculation built from the University of Malta’s own official living-cost breakdown for international students, combined with the verified tuition figures above, so you can budget against real numbers rather than a single blended estimate.

Official monthly living costs (University of Malta International Office)

Realistic monthly total, shared accommodation: approximately €1,360–€1,630/month → €16,320–€19,560/year

One-time/setup costs

Worked annual cost examples (tuition + living costs)

These figures exclude one-time setup costs above and any dependents, and assume shared accommodation. Students choosing single/private accommodation should add several thousand euros more per year. Always request a written, program-specific fee quote from your target institution before finalizing your budget — our services team can help you build a full, program-specific budget as part of a free consultation.

Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Options

This is the section most guides get vague or wrong. Here’s what’s confirmed directly by Identità, Malta’s immigration agency, and its Central Visa Unit.

Visa process

• Non-EU/EEA nationals (including Nepali citizens) need a National Long-Stay (D) visa for courses longer than 90 days, applied for before travel through the Central Visa Unit.
• For Nepali applicants, this is processed through VFS Global’s Malta Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu (Thamel). The visa fee is paid via Demand Draft in Indian Rupees, payable to the High Commission of the Republic of Malta, New Delhi, plus a VFS service charge of approximately NPR 8,882 (~€50) and a bank charge of NPR 1,375 for the Demand Draft.
• After arrival, you must apply in person for a student residence permit through Identità’s Expatriates Unit within the timeframe specified for your visa category. This cannot be completed before arriving in Malta.
• Proof of financial means is required as part of the application commonly cited at roughly 75% of Malta’s national minimum wage (€994/month, effective from January 2026) per month of study, i.e. approximately €745/month, though you should confirm the exact current requirement with the Central Visa Unit or VFS Global directly, since these thresholds are reviewed periodically.

Work rights while studying

Confirmed directly by Identità’s Central Visa Unit:

• Non-EU/EEA students on a valid student residence permit may work up to 20 hours per week, but only after completing the first three months (90 days) of their course.
• Work access is subject to a Jobsplus employment licence and sector conditions.
• EU/EEA and Swiss students can work without restriction from day one and do not need a separate permit.

Post-study options

This is a genuinely useful, verifiable detail that many guides omit or get wrong: Malta offers a 9-month post-study residence permit specifically for international graduates. Per Identità’s official FAQ:

• It functions as a bridge between finishing your studies and finding qualifying employment or starting a business in Malta.
• You must apply using Form CEA N.03 through Identità’s Expatriates Unit while your student permit is still valid not after it expires.
• If you secure a qualifying job offer and your work permit is approved during this window, your status converts to an employee residence permit and the 9-month countdown stops.
• If the 9 months lapse without securing a new status, you are not eligible for a second post-study permit on the same or another course.

This is Malta’s rough equivalent to schemes like Canada’s PGWP, though narrower in scope it’s a job-search bridge, not an open, multi-year work permit.

How to Choose the Right University in Malta

1. Do you want the widest possible program choice, or a specific specialization? University of Malta wins on breadth; AUM, MCAST, Global College, and St Martin’s are stronger for specific fields.
2. Does the name on your degree matter for your career plans? St Martin’s (University of London) and Global College (University of Chester) both offer genuine UK-awarded degrees at lower cost than studying in the UK directly.
3. What’s your budget? MCAST and AUM sit toward the lower end of confirmed tuition; Queen Mary Malta is a different tier entirely and only relevant if you’re specifically pursuing medicine.
4. Undergraduate or postgraduate? European Graduate School is postgraduate-only in niche arts/philosophy fields — rule it out early if you’re applying for a bachelor’s degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Malta a good university?

Yes. It’s Malta’s only public university, founded in 1592, and it appears in global rankings  UM’s own published data places it in the top 700 worldwide and top 300 in Europe on QS rankings for 2026/27.

Does Queen Mary University of London’s Malta campus offer general degrees?

No. Its Malta campus offers a single program, a five-year MBBS (Medicine) degree, confirmed on QMUL’s official site, with tuition of €39,500/year for the 2026/27 intake. It’s not a general-studies branch campus.

Do I need IELTS to study in Malta?

Most institutions require proof of English proficiency for non-native speakers, and IELTS is widely accepted. Requirements vary typically starting around band 5.5–6.0 for undergraduate programs at institutions like AUM or St Martin’s, and around 6.5 for Global College Malta. Our IELTS preparation program can help you get there.

Can international students work while studying in Malta?

Yes, confirmed by Identità’s Central Visa Unit: non-EU students can work up to 20 hours per week, but only after their first three months of study, and subject to a Jobsplus employment licence.

Is there a post-study work option in Malta?

Yes. Identità offers a 9-month post-study residence permit specifically to help international graduates find qualifying employment or start a business, applied for while your student permit is still valid.

Are private universities in Malta recognized and safe to attend?

Yes, as long as they’re currently licensed by MFHEA check the live register before applying anywhere, since licenses have been revoked or restricted from some providers as recently as 2026.

How much does it cost to study at a university in Malta in total?

Combining tuition and University of Malta’s own published living-cost data, total annual costs for a Nepali student in shared accommodation typically range from about €20,000/year at the more affordable institutions (MCAST, St Martin’s) to €24,000–€30,000/year at the University of Malta, excluding one-time visa and travel costs. Medicine at Queen Mary Malta is a different tier, around €56,000–€59,000/year all-in.

Choosing With Confidence

Malta’s university landscape is smaller than the UK’s or Canada’s, which makes it manageable but the differences between institutions matter more here, including some, like Queen Mary Malta and European Graduate School, that are far narrower in scope than general “best universities” lists suggest. Whether you’re drawn to the University of Malta’s breadth, AUM’s confirmed and relatively affordable tuition, or a UK-awarded degree through St Martin’s or Global College, the right choice comes down to matching the institution to your program, budget, and long-term plans verified against the institution’s own current figures, not aggregator averages.

If you’d like help shortlisting the right university, checking your eligibility, or preparing your visa application, Hardford Education offers free consultations for students exploring study in Malta and other destinations. Get in touch and we’ll help you map out your next step.