Tuition Fees and Cost of Living for Students in Malta
By Muntasir • Published May 01, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Study Abroad, Study in Europe, Country & City Guides, Money & Budgeting
EU and EEA students pay far less than non-EU students at University of Malta, and rent, not tuition, is the biggest cost most students face on the islands.
💶 A full-time doctorate costs EU/EEA students EUR 600 a year against EUR 11,000 a year for non-EU/EEA students.
🎓 Bachelor's and master's tuition varies by course and applicant category, listed on each course's own fee page.
📩 Application fees run EUR 35-75 for local qualifications and up to EUR 200 for others, and a study extension costs EUR 400 (master's) or EUR 600 (doctoral).
🏠 Housing costs more near Msida, Sliema, and St Julian's, close to the main UM campus.
Tuition fees at University of Malta
Malta's public university sets tuition by both course and applicant category. EU/EEA and Swiss students pay a fraction of what non-EU/EEA students pay at every level. The clearest published example is doctoral study, shown below.
| Level | EU/EEA students | Non-EU/EEA students |
|---|---|---|
| Doctoral, full-time | EUR 600 / year | EUR 11,000 / year |
| Doctoral, part-time | EUR 1,350-2,000 / year | EUR 5,500 / year |
Source: University of Malta fees and funding page . Part-time doctoral fees depend on subject area, EUR 1,350 a year for arts and business fields, EUR 2,000 a year for science-based fields. The published gap between EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA doctoral fees runs close to eighteen times the cost, which reflects how heavily Malta subsidises EU/EEA study compared with non-EU applicants.
Bachelor's and master's fees are not published as one flat table. UM lists tuition on each course's own page, since costs depend on the subject and your applicant category. Check the fee shown on your specific course before you apply, and treat the doctoral fee gap above as a rough guide to how much less EU/EEA students pay compared with non-EU applicants at other levels too.
Other compulsory costs
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee, local qualifications | EUR 35-75 |
| Application fee, qualifications from outside Malta | EUR 100-200 |
| Change of course | EUR 25-45 |
| Study extension, master's | EUR 400 |
| Study extension, doctoral | EUR 600 |
You only pay the change-of-course fee if you switch programs after starting, and the study extension fee only applies if you need extra time to finish your dissertation or thesis beyond your course's standard length. Application fees rise closer to the late deadline, so apply early to pay the lower end, per the same UM source.
Cost of living in Malta
Housing takes up the largest part of most students' budgets in Malta. UM's main campus sits in Msida, and students commonly rent in the surrounding towns, including Msida itself, Gzira, Sliema, St Julian's, and Birkirkara. Areas closer to the coast and to nightlife hubs like Sliema and St Julian's cost more than inland towns.
| Area | Distance from UM campus | Relative rent level |
|---|---|---|
| Msida | Walking distance | High |
| Sliema / St Julian's | Short bus ride | Highest |
| Gzira | Short bus ride | High |
| Birkirkara / Hamrun | Short bus ride | Medium |
Malta does not run large on-campus halls of residence at UM, so most students, local and international, rent privately or share apartments. Build your budget around three blocks: rent, daily living costs, and one-off compulsory fees at enrolment. Renting outside Sliema and St Julian's, in towns like Birkirkara or Hamrun, lowers your biggest cost without adding much commute time, given Malta's small size and dense bus network.
On top of rent, budget for groceries, mobile data, and household bills. Malta's public transport runs on a flat-fare bus network across both main islands, which keeps commuting costs predictable regardless of which town you live in.
Planning around the academic year
Split your budget by semester rather than by month alone, since compulsory fees, deposits, and any course materials tend to land at the start of each term rather than spread evenly across the year. Set aside your rent deposit and first month's rent before you travel, alongside your application and enrolment fees, so your first weeks in Malta do not depend on a delayed payment or transfer.
Financial support that offsets costs
Malta runs a state stipend and grant scheme for full-time students up to first degree level, paid as an annual grant plus a stipend every four weeks, according to Eurydice . Malta also runs course-linked schemes such as Get Qualified, a tax-based benefit for approved courses. Check the scholarships and financial aid guide for the full list of support options and how to apply for each.