Study In Malta:

This small southern European country is best known as a popular tourist destination – but if you’d like to stay longer than a two-week holiday, why not choose to study in Malta?. One of the world’s smallest and most densely populated countries, Malta is a group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea to the south of Italy. The three largest of these – Malta Island, Gozo and Comino – are inhabited, With a total resident population of roughly 420,000.

Far more people than this visit each year, attracted by the beautiful beaches and lagoons, diverse water sports, vibrant nightlife, archaeological sites and picturesque harbour towns. Malta boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic capital city Valletta, the seven megalithic temples and the hypogeum (a prehistoric underground structure). Valletta is also preparing to take on the mantle of European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Although just about 316 sq.kilometers in size, Malta has had quite a tumultuous and action packed with history. Several nations and kings fought wars and tried to control it before being overthrown by the next who ruled it for a period of time. Right from when the Stone Age man arrived here with the British who ruled the islands for 150 years from 1814 to 1964. Although Malta has a rich history that dates back to prehistory, It has a modern outlook and has stepped up to the times and kept pace with the world, Not just in terms of overall outlook but also in terms of being hospitable to foreign students arriving in Malta for further studies. One of the unique features for students desirous of furthering their studies is that they can study in Malta without IELTS if they can provide sufficient proof of their English language ability of at least being at an intermediate level.students who opt for Malta for their further studies are guaranteed to not just have a great time on off days relaxing on the many beaches, But also when they are busy studying. Thus, students who choose to study abroad in Malta are guaranteed of quality education through self awareness, combined with world recognition.

Why Study in Malta?

Malta is called the "hidden gem of the Mediterranean," Because it is surrounded by interesting geographical locations such as Sicily and Alexandria, as well as the fact that it is beautiful in and of itself. In addition, It is a great place to study that is set apart from the rest of the world due to its natural landscape, beautiful lakes, and ocean front views. Health insurance is entirely free to Maltese residents. International students would need some private insurance but the health care in Malta is widely considered to be the 5th best in the world. Malta is a relatively peaceful country surrounded by beauty and there is a wide variety of career choices students may choose to focus on. The electronics field and computer technology is becoming a very popular major, as is the field of Education, Engineering, and Medicine. Whatever the preference a student wants to focus on, they will find many options with an education from the University of Malta. Some students decide to take up permanent residence in Malta once they complete their educational requirements. There are many reasons for this, one of which is the free health care and other factors that attract many to make Malta their permanent home. Whether you just want to study there or live there for good, Malta has a lot to offer which will be the kind of educational experience you will not soon forget.

• The University of Malta is one of the world’s oldest and most respected institutes of learning

• Malta is a wonderful study abroad destination for students who are more comfortable in English-speaking regions

• The weather, culture and cuisine are extraordinary

• Malta is a mecca for outdoor activities

• Malta is one of the safest countries in the world

Higher Education System In Malta:

Higher education is mainly provided by the University of Malta.

• University level first stage:

Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor’s Degrees are awarded in such fields as nursing, diplomatic studies, management, administration, law, librarian science, religious studies, arts and political and social sciences after a course lasting from one to three years. A Bachelor’s (General) Degree is received in three years. A Bachelor’s (Honours) Degree is received in four or five years, depending on the field of study.

• University level second stage;

The second stage leads to a Master’s Degree after a period of one to two years.Candidates must hold an appropriate first degree with at least second-class Honours. In special circumstances, candidates without an Honours Degree may be admitted after taking a one-year preparatory course and successfully passing a qualifying examination. Master’s degree courses require candidates to submit a dissertation in addition to successfully completing the required courses.

• Doctorate’s Degrees:

Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Law (LLD) degrees are awarded by the faculties of Medicine and Law, respectively, at the end of a 5- or 6-year course. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is awarded after at least 3 years of study following the award of a Master’s degree. PhD candidates are required to submit a thesis after a period of research on an approved topic.

Tuition Fees:

The University of Malta has reviewed its Tuition fee schedule for short-term (one full academic year or one semester) for undergraduate visiting students as from 2012/13.Prior to arrival, at the stage where applicants are in receipt of the acceptance letter, students are authorized to pay a non-refundable deposit as stated;

• EU/ EEA Nationals: €240

• EU/ EEA Nationals applying for B.Sc. IT study-units: €640

• Non EU/ EEA Nationals: €1,080

On resuming, students are required to register for at least of eight ECTS per semester. In line with University of Malta principles, students can register for at most thirty ECTS per semester and at most 60 ECTS per year.

Scholarship:

The higher education system of Malta is open to international students. Currently there are over 600 full-time foreign students from some 75 countries. In addition, around 300 foreign students participate in semester exchanges. ESC Office could provides information and services regarding course requirements, accommodation, immigration, financial matters, health issues, procedures, regulations and qualifications to apply for university study in Malta. At present no scholarships are available, but it is possible to enrol in higher educational institutions in Malta.

Cost Of Living:

• Malta has a comparatively low cost of living compared with the rest of the EU. Typical costs are as follows:

• Bottle of water: €0.94

v Bread (500g loaf): €0.92

• 1kg of Rice: €1.71

• Cappuccino Coffee: €1.64

• Meal (university canteen): €5

• Meal off campus: €11

• Bus: €1.50

• Local Beer (0.5 litre): €1.37

Accommodation:

Students in Malta have various options when choosing accommodation. These are likely to include:

• University owned accommodation, which will be off-campus but administered by your university, offering a greater level of independence. Some of these options may even include such amenities as outdoor pools.

• Home stays, which involve living with a family in their home. This option can provide all the comforts of home, as well as allowing you to fully immerse yourself into the country’s culture and practice your language skills.

Visa:

• The eligibility requirements for student visas are relatively straightforward, but there is a long list of pieces of documentation required in order to receive a visa. Some of these are:

• An original passport recognized by the government of Malta

• A copy of specific data or informational pages

• A passport photo

• One signed student visa application form

• An invitation or official course confirmation letter from the school the student plans to attend

• Proof of payment of coursework planned

• An official declaration from the school or college in favor of the student applying

• Verification of current address

• Other information upon request

Because of the large amount of detailed documentation required by the Immigration Department in Malta, It is important that students gather all of this information several weeks or months prior to planning to attend, So that nothing will be missing that could hold up the process. As long as the paperwork is in order, A student visa is usually granted without further delay.