Canonical HTML: https://www.studyu.org/en/university-malta
Markdown URL: https://www.studyu.org/en/md/university-malta.md
Language: en
Meta title: University of Malta: Admission and Fees 2026/27
Meta description: University of Malta for international applicants: Foundation from $7,490 (€6,600), bachelor's from $9,650 (€8,500) a year, English scores, deadlines, housing.
Last modified: 2026-09-30

# University of Malta: Admission, Fees and Student Life for International Applicants

The University of Malta (UM) is the country's only comprehensive university and the main destination for international students: teaching is in English, and around 12,000 students are registered, about 2,800 of them from abroad. UM does not admit school leavers from Russia, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan straight into the first year; they first take a one-year Foundation programme costing $7,490 (€6,600), or $18,170 (€16,000) on the medical and dental stream. In 2026/27 a non-EU student pays $9,650 (€8,500) or $12,260 (€10,800) a year for a bachelor's degree, $29,520 (€26,000) a year for medicine and from $12,260 (€10,800) for a whole full-time master's. Applicants needing a visa for October 2026 had to apply by 1 July 2026.

The entrance to the Maths and Physics Building on the University of Malta's Msida campus. Photo: Christian Camenzuli / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Entrance_to_Maths_and_Physics_Building_in_the_University_of_Malta_Msida_campus.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Status and location | public university; main campus in Msida, further campuses in Valletta, Marsaxlokk and on Gozo |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Structure | 14 faculties, 16 institutes, 12 centres, 3 schools |
| Russian, Kazakh or Uzbek school certificate | entry via Foundation at the International School for Foundation Studies |
| English | Foundation IELTS 5.5; bachelor's 6.0; master's 6.5 |
| 2026/27 non-EU fees | Foundation $7,490 (€6,600); bachelor's $9,650 (€8,500) or $12,260 (€10,800) a year; MD $29,520 (€26,000) a year; PhD $12,490 (€11,000) a year |
| Application fee | $110 (€100); $230 (€200) for late applications |
| October 2026 deadlines | visa applicants by 1 July 2026; MD with overseas qualifications by 30 January 2026 |
| Housing | Campus Hub residence next to the main campus, from $24 (€21) a day |
| Rankings | QS World University Rankings 2027: 696th; THE 2026: 801–1000 band |

## Who the University of Malta suits {#section-1}

UM is worth considering if you want an English-taught European degree at a transparent price, in fields such as economics, law, IT, psychology, international relations, health sciences or engineering. By the standards of larger countries it is a mid-sized university, so niche subjects are limited, but English is the default language of every programme rather than a separate international track.

Look elsewhere if:

- you want to enter the first year straight after an 11-year school certificate without a preparatory year;
- your family budget cannot absorb Maltese rents: living costs matter more than the tuition figure suggests;
- you want medicine without learning Maltese: international MD applicants need the Medical Maltese certificate or a pass in the Foundation unit;
- a university in the global top 100 is a priority.

For a comparison with MCAST, the Institute of Tourism Studies and private campuses, see [universities in Malta](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-malta); for the country overview, see [studying in Malta](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-malta).

## Can you enter UM with a Russian school certificate? {#section-2}

Not directly. UM's pages for Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan say the same thing: holders of these national certificates are offered a pathway through the university's own International School for Foundation Studies, which alone decides on admission.

How Foundation works. One academic year in Msida, 62 ECTS, MQF level 4. Groups are small and English is part of every stream. Streams cover humanities, business (including a tourism option), science with physics or chemistry, engineering and ICT, medical and dental sciences, and health sciences. Successful students receive the Certificate in Foundation Studies and then apply for a bachelor's degree under the standard admissions calendar.

2026/27 fees: $7,490 (€6,600) for every stream except medical and dental sciences, which costs $18,170 (€16,000).

English for Foundation: IELTS Academic 5.5 with reading and writing at 5.0 or above, TOEFL iBT 61 with writing 17 (or 3.5 and 4 on the scale used since January 2026), Cambridge First at grade C, or PTE Academic 59. The medical stream may involve an interview or written test.

UM admits holders of the IB Diploma and European Baccalaureate, which it treats as local qualifications, and applicants with British A-levels directly to bachelor's programmes. The step-by-step route, documents and common pitfalls are in our guide to [applying to Maltese universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-maltese-universities).

## Faculties and programmes {#section-3}

UM's 14 faculties include medicine, dental surgery, law, economics with management and accountancy, ICT, engineering, the built environment, health sciences, the sciences and humanities, education, media, social wellbeing and theology. Separate institutes focus on digital games, European studies, climate change, aerospace technologies and sustainable energy, and the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies runs master's programmes in diplomacy.

Non-EU bachelor's fees for 2026/27 fall into three bands:

| Area | Sample programmes | Annual fee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| International relations, business, law | European Studies and International Relations; Commerce; Laws (LL.B., 4 years); Business and IT; Psychology and Sociology | $9,650 (€8,500) |
| IT, psychology, health, pharmacy | IT (Software Development, Information Systems); Psychology (Honours); Physiotherapy (4 years); Pharmaceutical Technology | $12,260 (€10,800) |
| Medicine and dentistry | Doctor of Medicine and Surgery; Master of Dental Surgery (5 years) | $29,520 (€26,000) |

Most bachelor's degrees take three years and 180 ECTS; honours programmes and law take four years and 240 ECTS.

## How to apply to UM {#section-4}

Applications open in November, about 11 months before the October start. For October 2026 the deadlines were 1 July for visa applicants, 22 July for everyone else and 15 September for late applications on programmes that accept them. MD applicants with overseas qualifications, including British A-levels, had to apply by 30 January. Expect the same logic for October 2027 and check the dates on UM's Dates and deadlines page.

The process:

1. Complete the online form, list up to two programmes in order of preference and choose "Overseas qualifications".
2. Upload certified copies of your certificate or degree and transcript, certified English translations, your English test result or confirmation of the test date, a CV and any programme-specific documents.
3. Pay the $110 (€100) fee, or $230 (€200) for a late application. An unpaid application is not considered submitted.
4. Receive the decision and accept the offer. UM states the first payment and its deadline in the acceptance letter.
5. For the visa, request a support letter from the International Office and book a visa-centre appointment.
6. After arrival, present your original documents at the Help Hub.

Visa applicants must submit their English test result by the same date as the application, 1 July. Without it UM will not admit you, even if you meet every other requirement.

## Tuition and living costs {#section-5}

Fees are charged per year at bachelor's level and per course for most master's programmes. International students also need to budget for living costs, which UM puts at $1,540–1,850 (€1,360–1,630) a month in shared accommodation, noting that these are higher than the visa minimum.

| What you pay | Non-EU amount |
| --- | --- |
| Foundation | $7,490 (€6,600) or $18,170 (€16,000) for the year |
| Bachelor's | $9,650 (€8,500) or $12,260 (€10,800) a year |
| MD and dental surgery | $29,520 (€26,000) a year |
| Full-time master's | most often $12,260 (€10,800) or $15,220 (€13,400) for the course |
| PhD, D.Mus, S.Th.D | $12,490 (€11,000) a year full-time |
| Repeating a bachelor's year | the full annual fee |
| Master's or doctoral extension | $450 (€400) or $680 (€600) per extra year |
| Change of course after applying | $28–51 (€25–45) depending on timing |

You can pay through UM's online form or by bank transfer. First-year budgets for different scenarios, minimum bank balances and ways to save are in our guide to the [cost of studying in Malta](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-malta). If you are paying from Russia, check the legal routes in [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia) before you accept an offer.

## Scholarships {#section-6}

UM does not publish dedicated bachelor's or master's scholarships for nationals of Russia, Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan. Its scholarship page currently lists schemes for Tunisian and Palestinian nationals and Islands and Small States Institute scholarships. For research master's and PhDs, UM research units periodically announce funded places within projects. Maltese government scholarships are aimed at local students.

## Where to live {#section-7}

UM urges students to book housing as soon as they receive their acceptance letter because demand is high. It recommends the Campus Hub residence next to the main campus in Msida to international students. The reason is practical: renting a private flat means providing a registered lease, a lawyer-certified form and a Housing Authority letter for the residence permit, and gathering them delays the application. Campus Hub is run by a third-party operator, and your contract is with the operator, not the university.

Campus Hub's September 2026 prices started at $49 (€43) a day for a studio with its own bathroom and kitchen, $26 (€23) for a single room sharing facilities and $24 (€21) for a place in a twin room, bills included. UM estimates a room in a shared flat at $620–790 (€550–700) a month.

## Master's and PhD study {#section-8}

UM assesses every master's application individually: you need a relevant bachelor's with at least Second Class Honours or Category II and IELTS 6.5. Most full-time programmes run for three semesters and 90 ECTS. Research master's and doctorates accept applications at several points in the year, with a research proposal. Programmes, fees and requirements are in our guide to [master's degrees in Malta](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-malta).

## Medicine at the University of Malta {#section-9}

The Doctor of Medicine and Surgery is a five-year, 300 ECTS programme costing $29,520 (€26,000) a year for non-EU students. Applicants with a Russian school certificate are offered the medical and dental Foundation stream. Because clinical training takes place in Maltese hospitals, international applicants without a school-level pass in Maltese must, before the course starts, hold the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate or pass the Medical Maltese unit included in the medical Foundation programme. The MD deadline for applicants with overseas qualifications comes earliest, at the end of January; a police certificate of conduct is required, and late MD applications are not accepted. Dentistry is even more selective: the 2026 Master of Dental Surgery intake had up to 12 places, and only two were set aside for non-EU/EEA nationals.

## Visa, work and life after graduation {#section-10}

Study for more than 90 days requires a national D visa and, after arrival, a study residence permit issued by Identità and renewed every year. UM students do not need private insurance of $113,550 (€100,000) for the residence permit, but a policy of at least $34,070 (€30,000) is required for the visa. Students on MQF 5+ programmes may work up to 20 hours a week under a Jobsplus licence; do not count on earnings in the first three months. After graduating you can, once, obtain a permit to stay up to nine months to look for work. Documents, timing and required funds for the visa and permit are set out in our [Malta student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-malta-student-visa).

## Rankings {#section-11}

In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, UM entered the world's top 700 for the first time, ranking 696th, up from the 741–750 band a year earlier. Times Higher Education places UM in the 801–1000 band of its 2026 table. Rankings give only a general orientation: programme content, entry requirements and total cost matter more for your choice.

## Costly mistakes {#section-12}

1. Assuming a school certificate gets you straight into a bachelor's. The Foundation year adds both time and cost.
2. Applying in July. The deadline for visa applicants is 1 July.
3. Renting a flat without checking the residence permit paperwork. Without a registered lease Identità will not accept the application.
4. Planning an MD without Maltese. Admission is impossible without the Medical Maltese Proficiency Certificate or a pass in the Foundation unit.
5. Choosing an evening master's to combine with work. A study residence permit requires a full-time programme.

## FAQ {#section-13}

### Can I enter the University of Malta without a Foundation year?

Not with a Russian, Kazakh or Uzbek school certificate: UM offers Foundation instead. Direct bachelor's entry is open to holders of the IB Diploma, European Baccalaureate, British A-levels and UM's own Foundation certificate.

### How much does the University of Malta cost for Russian students?

Russian nationals pay the non-EU rate: in 2026/27 a bachelor's costs $9,650 (€8,500) or $12,260 (€10,800) a year, medicine $29,520 (€26,000) a year and Foundation $7,490 (€6,600) or $18,170 (€16,000). Living on the island adds $1,540–1,850 (€1,360–1,630) a month in shared accommodation.

### When should I apply to the University of Malta for 2027?

Based on previous cycles, applications for October 2027 will open in November 2026. In the 2026 cycle, visa applicants applied by 1 July and MD applicants with overseas qualifications by the end of January. UM publishes exact dates on its Dates and deadlines page.

### Does the University of Malta have student housing?

UM directs international students to the Campus Hub residence right next to the main campus. It is run by a third-party operator, and your contract is with the operator. A twin-room place cost from $24 (€21) a day in September 2026, bills included.

### Do I need IELTS for the University of Malta?

Yes, unless you completed school in Malta or in one of the English-speaking countries on UM's list. Foundation requires IELTS Academic 5.5, a bachelor's 6.0 and a master's 6.5. TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, PTE Academic and UM's own ISET test are also accepted.

### Can I work while studying at the University of Malta?

Students on MQF 5+ programmes may work up to 20 hours a week under a Jobsplus licence requested by the employer. Foundation students may not work on a study permit.

### Is a University of Malta degree recognised?

Malta is part of the Bologna Process, and UM degrees are first- or second-cycle European qualifications. Working in a regulated profession in another country requires recognition by that profession's regulator; in Russia, foreign qualifications go through the standard recognition procedure.

## Sources {#section-14}

- [University of Malta: about](https://www.um.edu.mt/about/), [facts and figures](https://www.um.edu.mt/about/facts/), [history](https://www.um.edu.mt/about/history/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [University of Malta: requirements for Russia](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/admissionsadvice/international/country-specificqualifications/russia/), [Kazakhstan](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/admissionsadvice/international/country-specificqualifications/kazakhstan/), [Uzbekistan](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/admissionsadvice/international/country-specificqualifications/uzbekistan/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [University of Malta: English language requirements](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/admissionsadvice/international/englishlanguagerequirements/) and [exemptions](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/admissionsadvice/international/exemptions/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [University of Malta: dates and deadlines](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/datesdeadlines/), [fees and funding](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/feesfunding/), [scholarships](https://www.um.edu.mt/study/feesfunding/scholarships/) — checked 29.09.2026
- University of Malta 2026/27 programme pages with non-EU fees: [Foundation Humanities](https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/ucfshumft-2026-7-o/), [Foundation Medical and Dental](https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/ucfsmddft-2026-7-o/), [European Studies and IR](https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/ubestirli-2026-7-o/), [Laws](https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/ublawhft-2026-7-o/), [IT Software Development](https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/ubscithsdvft-2026-7-o/), [Physiotherapy](https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/ubschpht-2026-7-o/), [MD](https://www.um.edu.mt/courses/overview/umdft-2026-7-o/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [University of Malta: accommodation](https://www.um.edu.mt/international/students/accommodation/), [living costs](https://www.um.edu.mt/international/students/livingcosts/), [visa and e-Residence](https://www.um.edu.mt/international/students/visa/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [Campus Hub residence: room types and prices](https://campushubmalta.com/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [UM news on its QS World University Rankings 2027 result](https://www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/academia/2026/universityofmaltacontinuesupwardtrajectoryinqsworlduniversityrankings2027.html) and [UM in international rankings](https://www.um.edu.mt/about/qualityassurance/um-internationalrankings/) — checked 29.09.2026
- [Identità: Form N.01 (PDF)](https://identita.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FORM-N.01.pdf) — checked 29.09.2026
- ECB rate of 29.09.2026: €1 = $1.1355. Rounding step: $1 below $100, otherwise $10.

Programme and Foundation stream selection, document checks, University of Malta applications and visa support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission decisions are made by the university; visa and residence permit decisions are made by Identità.

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Master's Degrees in Malta for International Students: Programmes, 2026/27 Fees, Entry Requirements and Deadlines](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-malta)
- [Applying to Maltese Universities: Routes After School and After a Degree, Documents, English and Deadlines](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-maltese-universities)
- [Cost of Studying in Malta in 2026/27: University Fees, Living Costs and a First-Year Budget](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-malta)
- [Malta Student Visa for University Study: D Visa, Residence Permit and Work Rights](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-malta-student-visa)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Studying in Malta for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-malta)

Updated: September 2026