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🇲🇹 Malta

Education

Malta has a well-developed bilingual (English/Maltese) education system. Public schools are free and teach in both languages; private and Church schools offer additional options.

€5,000–€20,000/yr

International School Fees

Wide range; British/IB curricula; Pembroke, St Julian's, Birkirkara

Free

Public School

Bilingual English/Maltese; quality varies; good for long-term families

~€950/yr (EU)

University of Malta

Public university; primarily English-medium; 11,500 students

€200–€400/week

ELT Schools

50,000+ students/year; EU-quality English courses

Overview

Malta has a well-developed bilingual (English/Maltese) education system. Public schools are free and teach in both languages; private and Church schools offer additional options. For expat families, the international school network is strong — particularly in the Sliema/St Julian's/Pembroke area — with British, American, and IB curricula from pre-school through A-levels. Malta is also a major English-language teaching destination, attracting 50,000+ students annually to ELT schools. The University of Malta is Malta's main public university and teaches primarily in English.

Key Takeaways

  • Verdala International School (Pembroke): oldest international school in Malta; Pre-K through IB Diploma; 600+ students from 50+ nationalities; fees approximately €10,000–€20,000/year
  • University of Malta (Msida): public university; 11,500 students; undergraduate tuition ~€950/year for EU students; strong in law, medicine, arts, IT, and social sciences; campus is walkable from Msida
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International Schools

Malta's international school sector caters to the island's large expat community and the children of the many foreign professionals working in iGaming, financial services, and aviation. Most international schools teach in English with Maltese as a second language subject and are accredited by UK or international bodies.

  • Verdala International School (Pembroke): oldest international school in Malta; Pre-K through IB Diploma; 600+ students from 50+ nationalities; fees approximately €10,000–€20,000/year
  • QSI International School of Malta (Pembroke): American curriculum; PreK–Grade 12; accredited by QSI International; fees approximately €10,000–€18,000/year
  • St Edward's College (Birgu): private Catholic boys' school; MATSEC and A-level curriculum; also accepts foreign students
  • Aquinas College (Pembroke): 6th form (post-16) private college; popular with expat families for A-levels
  • Various Church schools: heavily subsidised by the Catholic Church (approximately half of Maltese primary schools are Church schools); English-medium; open to non-Catholics; fees €500–€2,000/year — excellent value
  • Fees overview: truly international IB/American accredited schools: €10,000–€20,000/year; smaller private bilingual schools: €4,000–€8,000/year; Church schools: €500–€2,000/year
  • Admission: most schools have waiting lists — apply 6–12 months ahead for September intake; mid-year transfers are possible but space is limited
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Higher Education and ELT

The University of Malta is the primary public university and offers a wide range of English-medium undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Malta is also Europe's leading English-as-a-foreign-language (ELT) destination, hosting dozens of accredited language schools.

  • University of Malta (Msida): public university; 11,500 students; undergraduate tuition ~€950/year for EU students; strong in law, medicine, arts, IT, and social sciences; campus is walkable from Msida
  • Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST): vocational and applied qualifications; Paola campus; EU-level tuition fees
  • IESEG School of Management Malta: MBA and executive education; French business school with a Malta campus
  • ELT schools: Malta has 40+ EAQUALS or British Council-accredited English language schools; 50,000+ students annually (primarily from Italy, Libya, Japan, Germany, Turkey); intensive English courses €200–€400/week; General English, IELTS, and Business English programmes
  • Distance learning: many expats pursue UK Open University, University of Edinburgh Online, or similar remote degrees while based in Malta — no specific restriction; reliable internet throughout the island
FAQs

Common Questions — Education in Malta

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