You may have heard about the lovely islands in the heart of the Mediterranean which go by the name of Malta. This quiet little paradise has a population of just under half a million people, and it’s known widely as a great place to live and study in Malta. Official languages there are both the native Maltese as well as the universal English, which makes this a great place for international travelers and students.
For those looking to become a Maltese student, it’s worth keeping in mind the local education system is comparable to that in Britain - comprising a total of 11 years (6 primary and 5 secondary education). Usually, locals spend an additional 1-2 years in post-secondary education or junior college before pursuing a university degree.
There is a sizeable population of international students in Malta, not only because the weather is very inviting, but also because they actually have a good reputation in the academic fields. Many faculties in Malta are run by prestigious teachers from world class universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. The most notable areas of study there include fields such as history, diplomacy, economics and marine studies, and it’s also a good place to study environmental sciences, as well as pursuing some innovative degrees.
One of the best reasons to study in Malta is its location in the heart of the Mediterranean, with easy access to many countries in Europe as well as in North Africa and even the Middle East. Many students favor Malta as a perfect place to get a PHD in many different possible fields.
Looking at Tuition Fees and Cost of Living in Malta
You can find both private as well as state-run universities in Malta. Public schools are practically free to join, but private universities can be very costly. The actual tuition fees vary wildly depending on the school, but you may be looking at yearly expenses of around €2,000 for private universities - that’s excluding accommodation costs.
When it comes to housing, students usually choose one of the following options:
- Renting a flat, which should cost around €700 in fixed expenses depending the location
- Find a position as a paying guest in a local house, which should cost about €450
- Getting a room at a residence for students, with average cost around €250
- Some students also choose using hostels as their primary residence, to save money.
If you’re planning to study there, keep in mind you will need extra pocket money for travel expenses, for entertainment and similar expenses - local students on average tend to spend somewhere between €100-150 monthly in such activities.
In general terms, anyone who’s planning to study in Malta should plan to spend somewhere between €300-900 per month to cover all their expenses, including tuition, housing, travel and entertainment. You may want to consider getting a health insurance to cover any eventual health issues you may have while living in Malta.