Study in Malta

The table above lists dozens of accredited programmes across seven fields and four schools, which can feel like a lot to compare at once. This guide breaks the decision down into three simple questions: which qualification level do you need, which framework is it awarded under, and which school fits your budget and goals. Once you know the answers, you can go back and browse available programmes with a much clearer idea of what you're looking at.

Start with the qualification level: MQF 5, 6, or 7

Every programme in Malta is mapped to the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), which aligns directly with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) used across the EU. The level tells you how advanced the programme is and roughly how long it will take:

• MQF Level 5 — Diploma or Higher Diploma. Typically 1–2 years. A good starting point if you're coming straight from secondary school or want a faster, more affordable route into a field like Accountancy & Finance, Business Administration, or IT.
• MQF Level 6 — Bachelor's degree. Typically 3 years. The standard undergraduate route, and in several programmes on this page you can progress directly from a related Diploma into Year 2 or Year 3 of the Bachelor's, shortening the total time to graduation.
• MQF Level 7 — Master's or MBA. Typically 1–2 years and intended for candidates who already hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

As a rough tuition guide across the schools listed above: Diploma programmes generally start from around €5,000 per year, Bachelor's degrees from around €7,500 in the first year, and Master's or MBA programmes typically range from €6,950 to €10,000 for the full programme, depending on the school. Exact figures for each course are shown in the table, so always check the specific row before budgeting.

Understanding MQF, OTHM, and FHEQ on the same table

You'll notice the Qualification column doesn't always say "MQF" — some rows show OTHM or FHEQ instead. That's because a few private colleges in Malta are licensed to deliver qualifications under UK-regulated frameworks alongside Malta's own MQF-accredited programmes:

• OTHM is a UK, Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation. Diplomas and Extended Diplomas awarded under OTHM are internationally recognised and commonly used as a route into a related Bachelor's or Master's programme.
• FHEQ (the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) is the UK's university-level framework, used here for London School of Commerce Malta's Bachelor's and MBA programmes.

Both frameworks are widely recognised, but which one applies can matter for how a qualification is treated for further study or work in a specific country — if you're not sure, ask us before you apply and we'll check it against your plans.

Matching a programme to your field

The table groups programmes into seven categories. A few pointers if you're still deciding between fields:

• Accountancy & Finance — from a Higher Diploma through to an MBA in Accounting and Finance, suited to students aiming for accounting, audit, or finance roles across the EU.
• Business Administration — the broadest category on the page, with Diploma, Bachelor's, and MBA options from four different schools, useful if you want flexibility on school and budget.
• Health and Social Care — Diploma and Master's in Public Health routes for students moving toward healthcare management or social care careers.
• Information Technology — Diploma through to a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science and an MSc in IT Management, for students targeting tech and data careers.
• Tourism and Hospitality — Diploma, Bachelor's, and MBA routes, a natural fit given Malta's own tourism industry and the hospitality vacancies listed on our Hospitality Jobs in Malta page.
• Logistics — an Extended Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management for students aiming at operations and supply-chain roles.

Comparing the schools

Four schools appear across the table, each with a different focus:

• European Business School (Outreach Recruitment's own MQF-accredited programmes) — the only school offering the full Diploma → Bachelor's → Master's pathway in both Accountancy & Finance and Business Administration, plus dedicated Health & Social Care, IT, and Tourism & Hospitality degrees.
• SBA Malta — OTHM-awarded Diplomas and Extended Diplomas across Accountancy, Business, Health, IT, and Logistics, generally the lower-cost entry point at each level.
• GBS Malta — Award-level Diplomas plus a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science and IT, an MBA, and a Master's in Public Health, several with country-specific scholarships — contact us for the current offers.
• LSC Malta (London School of Commerce Malta) — FHEQ-awarded Bachelor's and MBA programmes, plus a full range of General, Academic, and one-to-one English courses for students who need to build up their English level first.

Do you need an English course first?

Most degree programmes expect at least a B1 English level. If you're not there yet, LSC Malta and English Path both run General and Academic English courses in Malta, priced by course length or by the week, with options ranging from a few weeks to a full academic year. Many students combine a short English course with their degree application, so the visa and enrolment timelines line up. Full pricing for these courses is shown when you select the English filter above.

Budgeting for tuition and living costs

Beyond tuition, plan for living costs in Malta of roughly €700–€1,100 per month, covering accommodation, food, and local transport. Several programmes above also list country-specific scholarships or discounts for paying part or all of the tuition upfront — where a note appears under a programme, it means a scholarship may be available, so it's worth asking us for the current terms before you apply.

How to apply, step by step

1. Compare programmes in the table above and shortlist two or three options — view all study programmes in Malta if you want to start over.
2. Not sure which one fits? Join our free Study in Malta webinar or contact us directly for a free consultation.
3. Prepare your academic transcripts, passport copy, and proof of English proficiency (see our complete Malta study guide for the full document checklist).
4. Start your application for your chosen programme.
5. Once accepted, we guide you through the student visa and residence permit process — non-EU nationals should budget 15–30 working days for visa processing.

Still deciding? Apply now to start the process, or read our Malta Study Guide for a complete walkthrough of visas, accommodation, and student life. You can also join our free webinar if you'd rather talk it through first — either way, our team reviews every application and points out if a different programme or school would be a better fit before you commit.