Language
EnglishFull degrees taught in English
01 — Overview
Why Sri Lankan students choose Malta
The only English-speaking country in the European Union’s Mediterranean.
Malta is an English-speaking member of the European Union — English is an official language, not merely a language of instruction — which removes an entire category of friction from daily life, part-time work and internships.
It is a small country with a concentrated economy: iGaming, maritime logistics, financial services and tourism. Those sectors hire in English and they hire students, which is why the twenty-hour work allowance goes further here than the number suggests.
We represent five Maltese institutions, from the national university to specialist colleges in tourism and the applied sciences. The residence permit is filed at VFS Colombo.
- 01English is an official language, not just the language of instruction.
- 02Five partner institutions, including the national university.
- 03Visa filed in Colombo, with no third-country appointment required.
- 04iGaming, maritime and financial services sectors that recruit in English.
- 05A nine to twelve month job-search period after graduation.
- 06EU-recognised qualifications under the Bologna framework and the ECTS credit system.
- 07Schengen mobility across twenty-nine countries on your residence permit.
- 08Mediterranean climate — the mildest winter of any destination on this list.
02 — Institutions
The five universities we represent
Msida · Featured
University of Malta
The national university, founded in the sixteenth century and one of the oldest in the Mediterranean, teaching the full range of disciplines in English on a single large campus.
PaolaMCAST — Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology
Malta’s principal vocational and applied institution, running technical and professional programmes with employer involvement written into the curriculum.
- Smart City
Institute of Tourism Studies
A specialist institution for hospitality, culinary arts and tourism management, on a purpose-built campus, in a country where tourism is a principal industry.
- Ħamrun
Saint Martin’s Institute of Higher Education
A long-established institute offering University of London degrees in computing and business, giving a British qualification from a Maltese campus.
- Smart City
Global College Malta
A private college in Malta’s technology park offering business and computing programmes with a small, international cohort.
Missed September? See which universities start in February →
03 — At a glance
The facts, in one place
Capital
Valletta
Language of instruction
English
Currency
Euro
Bachelor’s
3–4 years
Master’s
1–2 years
Credit system
ECTS · Bologna
Visa route
VFS Colombo
Dependents
After studies
Intakes
On enquiry
Work rights
What you are allowed to work
20
Hours a week during undergraduate study.
20
Hours a week for postgraduate students.
9–12
Months to look for work after you graduate.
After
Dependents may join once studies conclude.
04 — Entry
What Malta asks you for
Requirements vary by institution and by programme. These are the documents every file needs.
- Completed secondary education, or equivalent, for bachelor’s entry
- A recognised bachelor’s degree for master’s entry
- Academic transcripts, translated and attested
- Evidence of English proficiency
- Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
- Statement of purpose or motivation letter
- Financial documentation for the residence permit
- Health insurance valid in Malta
Send us your transcripts
We will tell you what is missing and which programmes you qualify for.
05 — Costs
What a year in Malta actually costs
Malta is mid-range for the European Union, with accommodation the main variable.
Tuition varies widely by field, and each university sets its own fees. Living costs depend on the city, on whether you take university accommodation or a private flat, and on how much you cook. The residence permit carries its own financial requirement, set by the migration authority and reviewed periodically.
We prepare a written cost estimate for every student we work with. Tuition for your specific programme, realistic monthly costs for the city you will actually live in, the current requirement for the permit, and the scholarships you may be eligible for. Built around your circumstances rather than a generic table — and there is no charge for it.
06 — Living
Living in Malta
Malta is small — the whole country is smaller than most European cities — and everything is within a bus ride. Most students live around Sliema, Msida and the university corridor, close to campus and to the sea.
The climate is the mildest of any destination we represent: winters are short and rarely cold, summers are long and hot. For students coming from Sri Lanka, the adjustment is far smaller than moving to the Baltics or Scandinavia.
English is everywhere, in the shops as much as the lecture halls, which makes part-time work and internships accessible from the first week rather than the second year.
07 — Our work
What we handle for Malta
- 01University and programme selection
- 02Application filing and follow-up
- 03Statement of purpose guidance
- 04Document preparation and attestation
- 05Financial documentation review
- 06Scholarship search
- 07Residence permit filing at VFS Colombo
- 08Accommodation support in Valletta
- 09Pre-departure briefing
- 10On-arrival registration support
08 — Questions
What students ask us
Can I study in Malta in English?
Yes, and more than that — English is an official language of Malta, used in government, business and daily life. You are not studying in English in a non-English-speaking country.
Where is the Maltese student visa processed for Sri Lankans?
At VFS in Colombo. Malta is one of the destinations that does not require a New Delhi appointment.
Can I work while studying in Malta?
Yes. Undergraduates may work up to 20 hours a week during term, and postgraduates up to 20 hours. Hours are counted across the academic year, and we will explain how that works for your programme.
Can I stay in Malta after I graduate?
Yes. Graduates can apply for a permit of nine to twelve months to remain in Malta and look for work.
Is Malta too small to study in?
It is genuinely small, and that cuts both ways. Everything is close, the international community is tight and you will not get lost in it. But if you want a large anonymous city with a dozen universities, Malta is not that, and it is better to know so before you apply.
Can my spouse or family join me?
Dependents can join once your studies conclude rather than during them. If bringing family during your degree matters, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Spain all allow it.
Are Maltese degrees recognised internationally?
Yes. Malta is part of the Bologna Process and uses the ECTS credit system, so qualifications are recognised across the European Higher Education Area and transfer readily for further study or professional registration.
Can I travel elsewhere in Europe on my permit?
Yes. Malta is a full member of the Schengen area, so your residence permit allows short-stay travel across the zone without a separate visa.
How much will it cost me in total?
That depends on the programme, the university and the city, and a generic figure would mislead you. We prepare a written estimate for each student — tuition, living costs, permit requirements and any scholarships you qualify for — at no charge. Request yours here.
From the newsroom
Latest from Malta
09 — News
Events for Malta
10 — Elsewhere
Fifteen other countries
🇱🇰 For Sri Lankan Students
Apply from Sri Lanka, hassle-free
Here is exactly what you need to qualify from Sri Lanka, and how Ahasa handles the entire process for you.
📝 Entry Requirements
Bachelor’s Degrees: You will need your G.C.E. O/Level and A/Level certificates. Universities in Malta generally require at least 3 passes at A/Levels.
Master’s Degrees: A recognized Bachelor’s degree from a Sri Lankan university.
Note: All academic documents must be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo. Our team will guide you on how to get this done quickly.
🗣️ English Proficiency
To study in Malta, IELTS (usually 5.5 – 6.5 overall) or PTE Academic are strongly recommended for a smooth visa approval. We will advise you on the exact score needed for your chosen university.
🛂 Visa Process
Sri Lankan students must apply for a student visa. Do not worry about the complex paperwork—we handle your university invitation and visa application process. We also prepare you for any online video interviews required by the embassy.
💡 Why Apply with Ahasa?
We are official university representatives in Sri Lanka. That means we do not charge any agency or consultation fees. You only pay your official university tuition and standard visa application costs.
