University of Malta Master's Bursary
The University of Malta (UM) is the oldest university in the Commonwealth outside Britain, founded in 1592, and teaches in English. Its Master's bursaries are partial fee reductions offered to strong international fee-paying postgraduates — value is not fixed and varies by faculty and intake, so treat this as a partial tuition discount rather than a full ride. UM tuition for non-EU Master's students typically runs EUR 1,080–4,500 per year depending on programme, already low by European standards, and Malta's cost of living is gentler than mainland EU capitals. For Sri Lankan applicants, Malta offers an affordable English-medium EU entry point; a first-class or strong second-class degree from a Sri Lankan state university (Colombo, Peradeniya, Moratuwa, SLIIT and similar) is a competitive base. Confirm the exact bursary value and availability with the relevant UM faculty before applying — published amounts change year to year.
Applications for the October 2026 intake typically open early 2026 — non-EU deadlines fall around June/July
University of Malta
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Partial Fee Reduction (varies)
Duration
1–2 yrs (taught Master's)
Language
Taught in English
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Malta — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
Partial Fee Reduction (value varies by faculty). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Strong Bachelor's Degree
A good Bachelor's degree — UM looks for the equivalent of a UK upper-second (2:1) or first class. A second-upper or first-class honours from a Sri Lankan university generally satisfies the academic threshold; some faculties set higher class requirements for popular programmes.
Admission to a Fee-Paying Master's
You must hold (or be in the process of securing) an offer for an eligible taught postgraduate programme as a fee-paying international student. The bursary supplements admission — it does not replace the programme application.
English Proficiency
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 5.5) or TOEFL iBT 90+ for most programmes. Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degree programmes can often qualify via a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter — confirm acceptance with the UM admissions office.
Faculty Confirmation Required
Bursary value, number of awards, and eligibility differ by faculty (ICT, Science, Economics, Health, Humanities). Because amounts are not standardised, request written confirmation of the bursary you qualify for from your faculty before relying on it for your visa funds plan.
account_tree Application Process
Apply for admission to UM
Submit your postgraduate application through the University of Malta online admissions portal with transcripts, degree certificate, CV, and English evidence. Apply early — non-EU applicants need time for the residence permit.
Request bursary consideration from your faculty
Contact the admitting faculty's postgraduate office to ask about the Master's bursary / fee-reduction options for your intake and confirm the value and any separate form required.
Secure your offer and confirm funding
On receiving an offer, accept it and obtain written confirmation of any bursary so you can show net tuition for your Maltese student residence-permit funding evidence.
Apply for the Maltese student visa / residence permit
Use your offer, bursary confirmation, and financial evidence to lodge your national (D) visa and residence-permit application. Malta processes non-EU student applications via Identità — start at least 3 months before the intake.
Why University of Malta?
UM is a small, English-teaching public university on a safe, sunny Mediterranean island that is a full EU member. Tuition and living costs are among the lowest in the EU, and the campus at Msida sits minutes from Valletta and Sliema. For Sri Lankan students it is an accessible route into a European degree and the Schengen area.
1592
Founded (oldest in Commonwealth outside UK)
EU
Full Member State
English
Language of Instruction
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.
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Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology (MCAST)
University of Malta International Master's Scholarship
University of Malta