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Malta Applications for the October 2026 intake typically open early 2026 — non-EU deadlines fall around June/July

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.

University of Malta

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

Partial Fee Reduction (varies)

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Duration

1–2 yrs (taught Master's)

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Language

Taught in English

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.