Short answer: An Erasmus semester in Malta means studying in English on a small, sunny island where everything is a bus ride away. Most exchange students go to the University of Malta in Msida. Your home university nominates you first, then you apply to Malta by 1 May for semester 1 or a full year, or by 1 October for semester 2, according to the University of Malta. Budget mainly for rent: the university estimates €550 to €700 a month for shared accommodation. Your Erasmus+ grant is set by your home country’s National Agency, not by Malta. Socially, ESN Malta runs events and trips from the first week, and the fastest way to a real circle is to join something recurring early. This guide covers applying, costs, housing, the paperwork after you land, and how to make friends quickly.
My first Erasmus friends in Malta were the people from my orientation session I kept seeing at the same bus stop. By week three we had a group chat, a Friday swim and a Sunday trip. It happened fast because we said yes to small plans early, before everyone settled into their own routines.
Why Erasmus in Malta?
- Teaching in English. Courses at the University of Malta are generally taught in English, so you do not need to learn a new language to follow lectures. Check the English level required: partner fact sheets have listed B2.
- Small distances. The main campus is in Msida, close to the harbour towns where most students live.
- Weather and the sea. Semester 1 starts with warm swimming weather; semester 2 ends with early summer.
- An international crowd. You will meet other exchange students, international degree students and English-language learners, as well as Maltese classmates.
The trade-offs: rents in popular areas are high for a student budget, buses can be slow at peak times, and winter homes can be cold and damp. Our studying in Malta guide covers the wider picture.
How to apply: the University of Malta process
If your home university has an exchange agreement with the University of Malta, you are an exchange student. Full-degree students apply differently; our University of Malta guide for international students covers that route. The process, according to the University of Malta’s visiting students pages:
- Get nominated by your home university. Exchange students must be nominated before sending their application documents.
- Choose your study-units and agree your learning agreement with your home university. A full semester load at the University of Malta is 30 ECTS.
- Submit your application through the university’s online form by 1 May (semester 1 and full year) or 1 October (semester 2).
- Upload your documents: a copy of your passport, the student health information sheet, your official transcript (with a certified English translation if needed) and proof of insurance.
- Book accommodation once you have your letter of acceptance.
- Attend the compulsory orientation session. For semester 1 of 2026-27, it was held on 24 September 2026.
If your university has no agreement with Malta, you can still come as a fee-paying visiting student for a semester or a year; the university publishes tuition fees per ECTS for that route. Questions go to the International Office (studyabroad@um.edu.mt).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application deadline, semester 1 or full year | 1 May |
| Application deadline, semester 2 | 1 October |
| Full semester load | 30 ECTS |
| English level | Check with UM; partner fact sheets have listed B2 |
| Health cover (EU students) | A valid EHIC plus health insurance |
| Travel insurance | Required for the whole mobility period |
| Exams | You must stay until the end of your semester exams |
Source: University of Malta visiting students pages, last checked October 2026. Requirements can change each year; always check the current page and your home university’s guidance.
Semester 1 or semester 2?
Both work, but they feel different. Semester 1 runs through autumn into winter. You arrive to warm seas and long evenings, when beach days and outdoor plans are easy, and you finish in the cooler, wetter months, when social life moves indoors and homes can feel damp. Exams come at the end of the semester, and you must stay until you have sat them. Semester 2 runs from late winter into early summer. The first weeks can be grey and windy, but by April and May the island is green, warm and perfect for hiking and swimming, and the semester ends with the start of summer. Pack for both seasons either way: light clothes for the sun, and a jumper and slippers for cold stone flats. If you have a choice, semester 1 suits people who want to settle in socially while the weather is outdoors-friendly; semester 2 suits people who want to leave on a high, with beach season in full swing.
Insurance and health
The University of Malta asks EU students for a copy of their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and says the EHIC provides basic coverage. It does not organise health insurance for you, so you must arrange full health cover and travel insurance for your whole stay. Non-EU students who need a visa must have medical and travel insurance valid throughout the Schengen Area, with minimum medical coverage of €30,000, covering the full mobility period and valid for study purposes, according to the university.
Once you arrive, find your nearest health centre and pharmacy, and save 112, the emergency number. Many students use private GP clinics for minor issues.
What an Erasmus semester in Malta costs
| Monthly item | Guide figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared accommodation | €550 to €700 | University of Malta estimate; rooms further from the harbour can be cheaper |
| Single room in a residence or apartment | €800 to €1,600 | University of Malta estimate |
| Food and drink | about €450 | University of Malta estimate |
| Mobile and wifi | about €30 | wifi often included in residences |
| Transport | €0 on buses with a personalised tallinja card | after the one-off card registration |
| Social life and trips | your choice | ESN trips, beach days, Gozo, the occasional night out |
University of Malta living-cost estimates, last checked October 2026.
Your Erasmus+ grant is paid by your home university and its amount is set by your home country’s National Agency, depending on the destination’s cost-of-living group. Check the rate with your home international office. For most students, the grant covers part of the costs, not all of them, so plan your rent first.
A tip on transport: the Student tallinja card is for people aged 17 to 59 on a full-time course approved by Malta’s Ministry of Education lasting more than three months, and it gives free travel on buses. Apply as soon as your enrolment is confirmed, and check Malta Public Transport for any registration offer running when you apply.
Where Erasmus students live
Most exchange students live in one of three ways:
- Student residence. The university’s international pages point students to the Campus Hub Residence next to the Msida campus, bookable online. It is run by a third party. Residences are the easiest social start: people on every floor, shared kitchens and events.
- Shared flat. Popular areas include Msida, Gżira, Sliema, St Julian’s and San Ġwann. Ask for a written lease registered with the Housing Authority.
- Student housing through ESN partners. ESN Malta’s website lists accommodation partners; compare prices and terms carefully.
Our student accommodation guide compares the options in detail. Whatever you pick, never pay a deposit for a flat you have not seen or verified.
Paperwork after you land
- Residence: EU students staying longer than three months should check the residence document rules on the official Identità site. Non-EU students need the right visa and residence permit; the University of Malta links to the current requirements on its visiting students page.
- tallinja card: apply for the Student card as early as possible.
- SIM card: a local prepaid SIM is cheap and makes everything easier.
- Bank account: for a single semester, many students manage with their home card or an app-based account. If you are staying a year or working part-time, see our guide to opening a bank account in Malta.
- Academic admin: confirm your study-units, check timetables and results on the university’s online systems, and keep your learning agreement up to date.
Making friends on Erasmus in Malta
An Erasmus semester is short. The friendships you build in the first three weeks often shape the whole stay, so it pays to be deliberate.
Start with ESN Malta
ESN Malta, the local section of the Erasmus Student Network, organises events, trips and parties for international exchange students, and offers an ESNcard. Go to the first events even if you are tired or shy. Everyone is new at the same time, and that window does not last long.
Use the orientation and your classes
The compulsory orientation session is your first chance to meet other visiting students. Sit next to someone, swap numbers and suggest something simple afterwards, like coffee on campus. In class, group work is a natural way to meet Maltese students, who can show you a side of the island exchange students often miss.
Join one thing that is not a party
A sports team, a society through the student council (KSU), a volunteering project or a language exchange gives you a weekly fixed point and friends who are not only from the Erasmus bubble. Learning a few Maltese words is a small effort that locals appreciate; our learning Maltese guide has phrases and courses.
Make small plans yourself
Do not wait for the big organised trips. Suggest a Saturday swim at a beach, a sunset walk on the Sliema promenade, a study session followed by pastizzi, or a ferry to Valletta. Small, specific plans (a place, a time, a few people) are easy to say yes to and turn acquaintances into friends. Our student life guide has a sample weekly plan.
Classic Erasmus trips
- Gozo for a weekend: hikes, salt pans and quiet villages.
- Comino and the Blue Lagoon (go early or out of peak season).
- Mdina and Rabat on a weekday afternoon.
- Golden Bay or Għajn Tuffieħa for sunsets.
- The Marsaxlokk Sunday market.
- Valletta’s museums, gardens and harbour views.
Safety box for exchange students
- Meet new people in public places first, and tell a flatmate where you are going.
- Plan your way home before a night out: check the night bus or have a ride-hailing app ready, and stick with your group.
- Swim where others are around and respect flags and warnings; seas can be rough after strong winds.
- Never pay a deposit for a room you have not seen or verified, and keep a copy of your lease.
- Watch your drink and look out for each other at parties and boat events.
- In an emergency, call 112. If you feel low, the Richmond Foundation’s free helpline is 1770, available at any time of day or night.
A first-month timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before you fly | Learning agreement, insurance, accommodation booked, copies of documents |
| Week 1 | SIM card, orientation, campus tour, first ESN event, find your bus routes |
| Week 2 | Apply for the Student tallinja card, confirm study-units, join a club or team |
| Week 3 | Host your first small plan, book a Gozo weekend |
| Week 4 | Check your budget, sort residence paperwork if staying longer than three months |
Frequently asked questions
When is the deadline to apply for Erasmus at the University of Malta?
According to the University of Malta, applications are due by 1 May for semester 1 and full-year stays, and by 1 October for semester 2. Your home university must nominate you first.
How much does an Erasmus semester in Malta cost?
Rent is the biggest cost. The University of Malta estimates €550 to €700 a month for shared accommodation and about €450 for food. Buses are free with a personalised tallinja card. Your Erasmus+ grant covers part of the cost.
How much is the Erasmus grant for Malta?
It depends on your home country. The National Agency in your home country sets the monthly rate according to the destination’s cost-of-living group, and your home university pays it. Ask your home international office for the current rate.
Do I need health insurance for Erasmus in Malta?
Yes. The University of Malta asks EU students for a valid EHIC and says students must arrange full health insurance and travel insurance for the whole stay, as it does not organise health cover.
Where do Erasmus students live in Malta?
Mostly in student residences, such as the Campus Hub Residence next to the Msida campus, or in shared flats in Msida, Gżira, Sliema, St Julian’s and San Ġwann.
How do Erasmus students make friends in Malta?
Go to ESN Malta events and the orientation session early, join one recurring activity such as a sports team or society, and start making small plans yourself in the first three weeks.
Want to turn this into an actual plan? MeetNow is a free app for meeting people in person: a host posts a plan at a public place, says who pays (host pays, split, pay your own or free) and picks who joins. It works in your browser and on Android through Google Play, starting in Malta; the iPhone app is not in the App Store yet. Open MeetNow and see the plans in Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s.
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