Malta · Bachelor's
MCAST
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Software Development
MCAST
Course Overview
Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is Malta's vocational higher-education institution and the country's largest VET provider. Its Institute of Information and Communication Technology delivers the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Software Development at MQF Level 6 (EQF Level 6 — equivalent to a UK Bachelor's). The 3-year programme is applied / project-led, with strong industry placement components built into Year 2 and Year 3, and is partnered with the local Maltese tech and iGaming employers who recruit MCAST graduates directly.
Sri Lankan A-Level applicants who prefer an applied, industry-aligned programme (rather than a research-led university curriculum) choose MCAST. Fees are €9,000/yr — the lowest tier for an accredited EU Bachelor's in software. The curriculum covers programming (Java, Python, C#), web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks), databases, mobile development, software engineering principles, agile and DevOps practices, networking fundamentals, and a Year 3 dissertation / industry project. Returnees route into software engineering roles at WSO2, IFS R&D, Virtusa, MillenniumIT, Sysco LABS, Dialog Axiata, and the SLASSCOM-member software services firms in Colombo.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A-Levels: 2 A-Levels at any grade (Mathematics or Computing strongly preferred) plus 5 O-Level / GCSE passes including Mathematics and English.
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes in the Physical Science / Mathematics stream (ICT subject welcome).
- check_circle MCAST internal diploma or recognised foundation-level qualification in ICT also accepted.
- check_circle Mature applicants (21+) with relevant IT work experience accepted under a separate route.
- check_circle Portfolio of personal coding projects (GitHub) is strongly recommended.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.0 Overall (no band below 5.5).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 75 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English: B2 First grade C.
- check_circle MATSEC English or GCE O-Level English at grade C accepted.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan A-Level / IB applicants qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, non-EU) | €9,000 | Rs. 3,105,000 |
| Living Expenses in Paola / Msida (12 months) | €10,000 | Rs. 3,450,000 |
| Health Insurance, Visa & Residence Permit | €700 | Rs. 241,500 |
| Books, Cloud Subscriptions & Travel | €800 | Rs. 276,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | €20,500 | Rs. 7,072,500 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
MCAST Software Development graduates qualify for Malta's 6-month post-study job-search residence permit, with conversion to a Single Permit at a qualifying offer. Malta's EU Blue Card threshold (~€26,000/yr in 2025) is among the lowest in the EU. Local employment options include the iGaming engineering teams (Betsson, Tipico, Kindred, LeoVegas), HSBC Malta and Bank of Valletta tech functions, growing fintech start-ups, and Maltese SMEs. Median starting graduate salary €21,000-€28,000. Sri Lankan returnees route into junior software engineer / full-stack developer / DevOps engineer posts at WSO2, IFS R&D, Virtusa, MillenniumIT, Sysco LABS, Dialog Axiata, and SLASSCOM member firms.
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Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in Malta. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.
ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.