Short answer: studying in Malta usually means one of three things: an English language course at one of the schools licensed by the ELT Council (33 in Malta and Gozo on the council’s July 2026 list), a degree at the University of Malta in Msida, or a vocational course at MCAST. Teaching is in English, the island is small and safe-feeling, and student life is easy to find. The main costs are rent and food: the University of Malta’s own estimate puts food and drink at about €450 a month and a room in a shared flat at €550 to €700, with buses free for residents who hold a personalised tallinja card. Below are the options, a monthly budget table, an admin checklist and how to build a social life once you land.
Every September and every spring I watch a new wave of students arrive in Msida, Gżira and St Julian’s. Some stay a month for an English course, others stay three or four years for a degree. The ones who enjoy it most sort out three things early: a realistic budget, a place to live close to classes, and a weekly routine that includes people.
Your options for studying in Malta
English language schools
Malta is one of Europe’s best-known destinations for learning English, and the sector is regulated. The ELT Council publishes the official list of licensed English Language Teaching schools; its July 2026 printable list counted 33 licensed schools across Malta and Gozo. Many are in the Sliema and St Julian’s area, with others elsewhere in Malta and on Gozo.
Courses run from one week to a full academic year: general English, intensive courses, exam preparation and business English. Some schools run adult-only or 30-plus programmes, which matters if you are studying in Malta at 30 or older and do not want to share a classroom with teenagers on summer camps. Always check that a school is on the current ELT Council list before you pay. For what to budget, see our guide to Malta English course costs. A full comparison of licensed schools is coming soon on this site.
University of Malta
The University of Malta is the country’s main public university, with its main campus in Msida. It runs undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across most fields, and its International Office supports students from abroad. Tuition fees depend on your status: the university distinguishes between home and international students, and fees are listed per course. Check the fee for your specific course on the university’s fees and funding page rather than relying on figures from agents.
MCAST
MCAST, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, is the main vocational college, with its main campus in Paola. It offers diplomas and degrees in applied subjects such as IT, engineering, business, the creative arts and maritime studies. If you are looking at MCAST as an international student, check the entry and fee rules for your nationality on its website.
Erasmus and exchange
Both the University of Malta and MCAST take part in exchange programmes. If you are coming for a semester through Erasmus or a similar scheme, your home university will handle most of the paperwork with the host institution. A dedicated guide to Erasmus in Malta is coming to this site.
How much does it cost to study in Malta per month?
Tuition varies so much by course that it is best checked case by case. Living costs are easier to pin down. The University of Malta’s International Office publishes approximate monthly costs for students, which are the most reliable official estimate I have found.
| Monthly cost | University of Malta estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared accommodation | €550 to €700 | Based on 2 or 3 people sharing an apartment |
| Single accommodation (residence or apartment) | €800 to €1,600 | Depends heavily on area and season |
| Food and drink | about €450 | Excludes eating out and takeaways |
| Electricity and water | about €50 | Basic rate; can be higher with heavy use (air conditioning) |
| Mobile and wifi | about €30 | |
| Laundry | €80 to €100 | |
| Other living expenses | €200 to €300 | Toiletries, detergents, stationery and similar |
| Public transport | free for e-residence permit holders | With a personalised tallinja card (Student card registration free until 30 October 2026, normally €25) |
Source: University of Malta International Office, living costs (the page gives no date); tallinja fee from Malta Public Transport. Last checked October 2026.
Add those lines up and a student sharing a flat is looking at roughly €1,350 to €1,650 a month before eating out, travel home and course materials. That is a realistic figure, not a scary one: you can bring it down by sharing with more people, cooking at home and living in Msida or Gżira rather than right on the seafront.
For a second view on rent, the Housing Authority’s registered-lease data for the first half of 2025 showed that about a third of newly registered shared contracts were €200 to €299 a month per tenant. Cheaper rooms exist, but they tend to be in larger shared houses and further from the harbour.
Ways students keep costs down
- Get the student tallinja card. Malta Public Transport offers a Student card for people aged 17 to 59 on an approved full-time course of more than three months. Registration is normally €25, but Malta Public Transport was offering free registration for Child and Student cards until 30 October 2026. The card gives free travel on day and night routes, the Valletta ferries and the Barrakka Lift.
- Share and cook. The food line above assumes you cook. Eating out every day doubles it quickly.
- Live near campus or school. Walking saves time more than money, and time matters in exam season.
- Ask about discounts. Many museums, gyms and shops offer student prices. Carry your student ID and ask; I will cover verified schemes in a separate guide.
Where students live
The classic student areas are Msida (next to the university and Mater Dei Hospital), Gżira, Sliema and St Julian’s (close to most English schools). Swieqi and San Ġwann are quieter and popular with university students who want a bit more space. Our guide to moving to Malta step by step has an area table with rents and bus links, and a section on renting safely.
| Accommodation type | Best for | Social life | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student residence | First months, short courses | Very easy: people on every floor | House rules, higher price per square metre |
| Homestay | Language students, under-25s, short stays | Practice with a local family, quieter evenings | Commute and curfew-style rules vary |
| Shared flat | Degree students, longer stays | Depends on your flatmates | Deposits, inventories, lease registration |
| Studio or one-bed | Postgraduates, couples | You have to make the effort | Highest cost per person |
General guide, October 2026. Prices depend on the provider; check current rates directly.
Whatever you choose, ask for a written contract, an inventory of the furniture and, for a flat, proof that the lease is registered with the Housing Authority.
Admin checklist for international students
This site does not give visa or immigration advice. These are the steps most students go through; the official pages decide the details.
EU and EEA students
- ☐ Confirm your place and enrolment documents with your school or university.
- ☐ If you will stay longer than three months, apply for a residence document through the Expatriates Unit at Identità.
- ☐ Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- ☐ Apply for a Student tallinja card once you have your documents.
Non-EU students
- ☐ Check visa and residence requirements for your course length on the Identità website and with your institution’s international office before you book flights.
- ☐ Arrange health insurance that meets the requirements of your permit.
- ☐ Keep proof of funds, enrolment and accommodation in one folder; you will be asked for them more than once.
- ☐ Apply for your residence permit after arrival as instructed, then for the Student tallinja card.
Part-time work while studying
EU and EEA students can generally work as other EU citizens do. For non-EU students, the rules are tighter. The University of Malta’s International Office says students who want to work need an e-residence permit and must not exceed 20 working hours a week, and the ELT Council’s published procedure also sets a 20-hour weekly limit for non-EU students on licensed English courses, with conditions on course length. Employment requires a licence through Jobsplus. Check the University of Malta’s working in Malta page and Jobsplus for the current rules before accepting a job.
Getting around as a student
Most students live without a car. Msida is on a large number of bus routes into Valletta, and the Sliema and St Julian’s language-school area is well served too. Route 150 runs between Valletta and MCAST on weekdays. Our guide to Malta bus routes, fares and the tallinja app lists the key lines and the Airport Direct buses for your first arrival.
Two student-specific tips: download the tallinja app before you land, and get your Student card as soon as your paperwork allows. Until then, the 12 Single Day Journeys card (€19, shareable, checked October 2026) is better value than paying per trip.
Is studying English in Malta worth it? Pros and cons
Pros
- English is an official language, so you use it in shops, buses and offices, not just in class.
- Short distances: school, beach and home can all be within one bus ride.
- A big international student community, so making friends is easy if you show up.
- Mild winters and a long outdoor season.
Cons
- Rent in Sliema and St Julian’s is high for what you get.
- In summer, schools and buses are crowded and the heat is intense.
- It is easy to spend your whole stay speaking your own language with people from home. You have to choose to mix.
- Paceville nightlife can eat your budget and your sleep if you let it.
Best time to study English in Malta
For adults, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spot: warm enough for the sea, quieter than July and August, and often better accommodation availability. Winter is the cheapest and calmest time, and the best for concentrating, though some evenings feel damp indoors.
What to do after your English course
Plenty of people come for a four-week English course and end up staying for years. If you are thinking about it, plan the switch rather than drifting into it. Decide what you would actually do here (a job, a degree, a longer course), then check what that means for your residence status on the official Identità pages before your course ends, especially if you are a non-EU national whose permit is tied to study. EU citizens have more freedom, but still need a lease, a residence document and, if working, an employer who registers the job with Jobsplus. Use your last weeks of school to ask teachers and classmates about jobs and flats: in Malta, a surprising number of opportunities still travel by word of mouth.
Social life as a student
Student life in Malta is lively, but the good part is not the nightlife. It is the weekly routine: the same classmates at the same café after class, a Saturday swim, a Sunday hike, a language exchange on a weeknight. Schools often run social programmes, and the University has student organisations and societies you can join in your first weeks.
The trick is to say yes early and to suggest small plans yourself. Our 30-day plan for making friends in Malta has a sample week that works well for students too. A dedicated student life guide is coming soon.
Safety when meeting new people
- Meet new people in public places first: a café, the promenade, a busy beach.
- Tell a flatmate or friend where you are going.
- Know your way home, whether that is the bus, the night route or a ride-hailing app.
- Leave if you feel uncomfortable; you do not need a reason.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Malta per month?
The University of Malta estimates about €550 to €700 for shared accommodation, about €450 for food, about €50 for electricity and water and about €30 for mobile and wifi, plus laundry and other expenses. Public transport is free for residents with a personalised tallinja card. Tuition is extra and depends on your course and status.
How many licensed English schools are there in Malta?
The ELT Council’s July 2026 list counted 33 licensed English Language Teaching schools in Malta and Gozo. Always check the current list on the ELT Council website before paying for a course.
Can international students work in Malta?
EU and EEA students generally can. Non-EU students face limits: the University of Malta says you need an e-residence permit and must not exceed 20 working hours a week, and a Jobsplus licence is required. Check the official pages for the current conditions.
Do students get free buses in Malta?
Students aged 17 to 59 on an approved full-time course of more than three months can apply for a Student tallinja card. Registration is normally €25, with a free-registration offer for Student cards running until 30 October 2026, and the card gives free travel on day and night routes, the Valletta ferries and the Barrakka Lift.
Where do students live in Malta?
University students often live in Msida, Gżira, San Ġwann or Swieqi; English language students tend to live in Sliema and St Julian’s, close to the schools. Residences and homestays are common for short courses, shared flats for longer stays.
Is Malta good for studying English at 30 or older?
Yes. Several licensed schools run adult-only or 30-plus programmes, and autumn and spring courses tend to have more adult learners. Ask each school about its age policy and typical class mix before you book.
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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