Academic Structure

Understanding the Malta Education System

Gain insights into the Malta higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.

Levels in Malta

Foundation year (MQF level 4)

1 year

A one-year course before a bachelor's at the University of Malta (UM), for Class 12 (India) and Intermediate (Pakistan) students. MQF is Malta's scale of study levels.

Bachelor's (MQF level 6)

3 years (180 ECTS study credits) at UM, for example

The first university degree.

Master's (MQF level 7)

3 semesters (90 ECTS) at UM, for example

Learn in classes, or do your own research.

Malta sorts every course into a level on the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), from level 1 up. Credits are counted in ECTS (European study credits).

Higher Education Framework

Degrees and Schools

The main levels and the main schools for international students.

Types of Higher Education Institutions

University of Malta (UM)

Malta's public university, in Msida.

•Foundation, bachelor's, master's and doctoral courses.

MCAST

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, a public vocational college with its main campus in Paola.

•Courses from MQF level 1 to level 7.

American University of Malta (AUM)

A private university in Bormla.

•Bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS)

A public institute for tourism studies.

•Its students do not need private health insurance for the permit.

Academic Degree Structure

Bachelor's degree (MQF level 6)

3 years (180 ECTS) at UM, for example

The first degree.

Key Characteristics:

Bachelor's courses at level 6 at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) last 3 or 4 years.

Master's degree (MQF level 7)

3 semesters (90 ECTS) at UM, for example

Learn in classes, or do your own research.

Key Characteristics:

MCAST level 7 courses last 18 months or 2 years.

Academic Experience

How Study Works

Lectures are in English, and attendance matters.

Malta Academic Culture

What Is Expected

You must stay a full-time student and pass your exams.

Continuous Assessment

•
UM exam periods: January to February and May to June.
•
September exam retake session (a second chance at failed exams).

Attendance

Attending lectures at UM is compulsory and UM checks it. Your residence permit depends on it.

Academic Calendar

The Academic Year

UM runs two main semesters and a summer semester. The dates below are for 2026-27. Your own year starts in October 2027.

UM 2026-27

Two main semesters plus summer. The summer period starts before the Semester 2 exams end.

Semester 1

Began on 5 October 2026 and ends on 6 February 2027

The semester for first-year students.

Semester 2

8 February to 25 June 2027

Summer semester

14 June to 30 September 2027

Key Academic Dates

Application Deadlines

•UM, October 2027 (non-EU visa applicants): 1 July 2027, 14:00

Registration Periods

•UM check of original papers: On days UM sets before the term starts, at the Help Hub; late arrivals go to Room 103

Major Academic Events

•UM opening ceremony: 5 October 2026 (already held)

Credits (ECTS)

Course size is shown in ECTS credits, for example 180 ECTS for a 3-year UM bachelor's and 90 ECTS for a UM master's.

Tip

Arrive in time to check your original papers at UM before you enrol.

Institutional Quality

Licensed Schools and Recognition

Higher education schools in Malta are licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).

Institutional Accreditation

Recognising Foreign Qualifications

The Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) compares foreign qualifications. UM considers its statement but makes its own decision.

How to Check a School

Check before you apply.

MFHEA list of licensed institutions

The full list of licensed and accredited schools.

Visit site

Check the Licence

For a student residence permit, your university or college must be licensed by the MFHEA and your course must be full time, at MQF level 5 or higher. A foundation year is level 4, so it does not qualify.