Malta Government Postgraduate Scholarships Scheme (MGSS)
The Malta Government Postgraduate Scholarships Scheme (MGSS) is a publicly funded grant that supports Master's and doctoral study, helping with tuition and related costs at the University of Malta or abroad. It is important to be honest about who it is for: like Malta's Endeavour, Reach High, and TESS schemes, MGSS is built around Maltese residency and is primarily aimed at residents of Malta — so most Sri Lankan students applying directly from Sri Lanka will not qualify. It becomes relevant only if you establish a genuine Maltese residency basis first (for example, after completing earlier study in Malta and meeting the residency conditions). We list it for completeness and transparency rather than because it is an easy win for international applicants. If you are in Sri Lanka now, university-administered merit scholarships and bursaries in Malta are the realistic routes; confirm MGSS eligibility, residency rules, and deadlines with the Maltese authorities only if you already have a local basis.
Opens in annual rounds for eligible Maltese residents — most Sri Lankan applicants will not qualify directly
Ministry for Education (Malta)
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Government Grant Toward Costs
Level
Master's & Doctoral
Note
Residency-Linked Scheme
info How this award actually works
This is a separate, highly competitive application
Government awards like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.
Who awards it
Ministry for Education (Malta) — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.
What it covers
Government grant toward Master's and doctoral study — primarily for Maltese residents. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.
Where we come in
We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Residency Requirement
MGSS is aimed at Maltese residents. Sri Lankan students applying directly from Sri Lanka generally do not meet the residency basis and will not qualify.
When It Could Apply
It may become relevant only if you first establish a genuine Maltese residency basis — for instance after earlier study in Malta — and meet the published conditions.
Postgraduate Admission
Eligible applicants must be pursuing a recognised Master's or doctoral programme at the University of Malta or an approved institution.
Honest Alternative
If you are in Sri Lanka now, prioritise university merit scholarships and bursaries in Malta — these are the realistic funding routes for you.
account_tree Application Process
Check whether you have a Maltese basis
Confirm honestly whether you meet the residency conditions. If you are applying from Sri Lanka with no Maltese basis, MGSS is not the right route.
Review current scheme rules
If eligible, read the current MGSS guidelines for the round, including covered costs, conditions, and any return-service obligations.
Prepare and submit
Eligible residents prepare admission evidence, a study plan, and supporting documents, then submit by the round's deadline.
Plan a realistic alternative
If MGSS does not apply, focus your application energy on Malta's university merit scholarships and bursaries instead.
About Malta's Postgraduate Funding
MGSS is part of Malta's public investment in postgraduate skills, but its residency basis means it is designed for people already living in Malta. We present it transparently so Sri Lankan students focus their effort where it can actually pay off — university-level awards.
Govt
Publicly Funded
Residency
Eligibility Basis
Master's/PhD
Levels Supported
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat Malta actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for Malta, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Endeavour Scholarship Scheme
Maltese Government (ESF co-financed)
Malta Master it! Scholarship Scheme
Government of Malta (Ministry for Education)
American University of Malta Graduate Merit Scholarship
American University of Malta (AUM)