A honey-coloured limestone dome rising above the Valletta waterfront, warm Mediterranean sunset light catching the harbour walls.

Study in Malta from Sri Lanka · Malta Destination Guide · Free Counselling

EU degree, English-medium, Mediterranean cost of living

Malta is the EU's lesser-known English-medium destination — every degree at the University of Malta and MCAST runs in English, tuition is €1,080–€11,000/year, and living costs are 30–40% below Dublin or Amsterdam. After graduation you get a 9-month job-search residence permit and full EU work mobility.

EU degree + work mobility
€1,080 Bachelor tuition / year (low end)
English medium of instruction everywhere
9 mo job-search permit after graduation

schedule Last reviewed:

Why Choose Malta?

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English Is Co-Official

Malta is the only EU member where English is a co-official language. Every university course runs in English, government paperwork is bilingual, and the country has a long Commonwealth/British administrative heritage Sri Lankan students find familiar.

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Lowest Tuition in the EU

University of Malta non-EU undergraduate tuition runs €1,080–€2,180/year for most subjects. Master's €5,400–€11,000/year. A fraction of Ireland or Netherlands.

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Mediterranean Climate & Safety

Average year-round temperature 18–22°C, one of the world's lowest crime rates, and 7,000 international students already on a 28km island — your Sri Lankan friends are 15 minutes by bus, not 4 hours by train.

What it costs to study in Malta

Malta is the cheapest EU destination by a wide margin. Tuition is low, rent is moderate (€500–€800/month for student accommodation), and food/transport are 30–40% below Dublin or Amsterdam.

check_circle Lanka Scholar's counselling, applications and visa prep are free. Universities pay us a commission when you enrol — you pay tuition and visa fees to the institutions themselves.

Note on Exchange Rates

Figures use an indicative rate of EUR 1 ≈ LKR 340. Identity Malta requires €11,200/year in proof of funds (or equivalent CHE accommodation + cash mix) for the student residence permit.

Average Annual Costs

Tuition (Bachelor's, per year) LKR 370k – 750k
Tuition (Master's, per year) LKR 1.8M – 3.8M
Living Expenses (per year) LKR 3.5M – 4.5M
Visa + residence permit ~ LKR 80,000
Estimated Total LKR 5M – 9M / year
See the full LKR cost breakdown arrow_forward

The National D Visa + Identity Malta eResidence — what you'll actually need

The four things every Sri Lankan applicant has to put together. We prepare and review every file before it goes in — refusals are rare when the application is properly prepared.

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Letter of Acceptance

A formal admission letter from the University of Malta, MCAST, or another licensed Maltese tertiary provider.

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National D-Visa

Apply at the Maltese Embassy via VFS in New Delhi (no Maltese consulate in Sri Lanka). Allow 4–8 weeks.

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Proof of Funds

€11,200/year in personal or sponsor bank account. Tuition paid before arrival, accommodation arranged.

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Identity Malta Residence Card

Within 90 days of arrival, register at Identity Malta in Hal Far for the eResidence card — required for banking, work, and second-year visa renewal.

What Sri Lankan students apply for in Malta

Hand-picked programs that Sri Lankan applicants are getting offers from this year.

Ask About Malta Programs

Scholarships open to Sri Lankan applicants

Most Malta scholarships aren't publicly listed. Send your academic profile and we'll return a personalised match list within 48 hours.

All Malta Scholarships arrow_forward
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Most Malta scholarships are not publicly listed — they're available through university merit pots and partner channels.

Send your academic profile on WhatsApp and we'll return a personalised list of Malta scholarship matches within 48 hours.

Request a Malta Scholarship Match

When to apply for 2026/27

Start your application 6–9 months before the intake you're targeting. Below are this academic year's windows for Malta.

OCT

October Intake (Primary)

Main academic year start at the University of Malta and MCAST. Widest course choice; deadline for non-EU applicants is end of June.

Deadline: Mar – Jun
FEB

February Intake

A smaller secondary intake at MCAST and select Master's programs — useful if you miss the October deadline.

Deadline: Sep – Oct prior year
ROLL

Private Institutions

Several private licensed providers (e.g. Global College Malta) run quarterly intakes.

Deadline: Varies

Common questions about studying in Malta

Don't see your question? WhatsApp a Malta counsellor — we usually reply within the hour, weekdays.

  • Is a Maltese degree recognised in Sri Lanka and the EU? expand_more
    Yes — Malta is a full EU member and its universities are accredited under the European Higher Education Area. Degrees are recognised by the Sri Lankan UGC. Medical and nursing qualifications register cleanly across EU member states.
  • Where does my visa application go? expand_more
    Maltese visas for Sri Lankan applicants are processed via VFS in New Delhi (no Maltese consulate in Sri Lanka). We coordinate the application bundle, the Identity Malta sponsorship letter, and the New Delhi appointment.
  • Can I work while studying? expand_more
    Yes — after the first 90 days of study you can work 20 hours/week with an employment licence from Jobsplus. Most Sri Lankan students work in hospitality and retail at €5–€9/hour.
  • What happens after I graduate? expand_more
    You qualify for a 9-month job-search residence permit, then full Single Permit work rights once you find a job. EU mobility means your Maltese degree opens job markets across all 27 member states.
  • Is the Maltese MD a real alternative to Sri Lankan medical training? expand_more
    Yes — the University of Malta MD is a 5-year EU-recognised medical degree taught entirely in English. It's significantly cheaper than UK/Ireland medical schools and articulates into the EU registration system. Strongly competitive admissions; talk to a counsellor about pre-med prep.

Ready to start your Malta application?

A 15-minute WhatsApp chat is enough to map out your timeline, shortlist 3–5 universities, and tell you what the realistic LKR budget looks like. Free for students — universities pay us, not you.

Message a Malta Counsellor
  • check_circle Free for students — universities pay us, not you
  • check_circle Average reply: under 1 hour, weekdays
  • check_circle Walk in to any of 4 offices across Sri Lanka

Prefer a callback?

Drop your number — a counsellor calls within one working day.

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