Malta has become a popular destination for international education, with English-taught courses at a fraction of the cost of the UK or USA. For the academic year 2026-2027, the Maltese government and individual universities have announced a number of high-value funding schemes.
1. Government Scholarships Schemes (2026 Calls)
These are the most prestigious and competitive awards and generally involve postgraduate studies (MQF Levels 7 and 8).
- 5th Call of the ENDEAVOUR II Scholarships Scheme:
- The Award: EU-funded scholarships for Master’s programmes (MQF Level 7).
- • Deadline: June 5, 2026
- Focus: Upskilling the Maltese workforce; very competitive across all disciplines.
- Tertiary Education Scholarship Scheme (TESS – 9th Call).
- The Award: For MQF Level 7 (Master’s) and MQF Level 8 (PhD) programmes only.
- • Application Period: April 27, 2026 – June 5, 2026 (12:00 PM local time)
- Benefit: Significant funding to address skills mismatch in priority economic sectors.
- Malta Arts Scholarship Scheme (Call 2026)
- • The Award: Students studying theatre, music, dance, design, creative writing and film
- • Deadline: 13 May 2026.
- Bonus: €3,000 “Full-time Abroad Allowance” per academic year to those studying on campus in a foreign country (if arts is outside Malta).
- Malta Sports Scholarship Scheme:
- Target Audience: Elite athletes, coaches and sports administrators.
- • Deadline: Usually coincides with Arts/TESS deadlines in May/June 2026.
2. Funding for Universities (International Students)
The best universities in Malta offer waivers on the basis of merit to non-EU country students.
University of Malta (UM)
UM, the nation’s oldest and highest teaching institution, offers a number of “fee waiver” scholarships for Master by Research and PhD students.
- Coverage: 40%-100% tuition fee depending on performance.
- 80–100% Score: Zero Fee Waiver.
- 70–79% Score: 80% Waiver.
- • Cycle Dates: January 31, April 30, and October 31, 2026 (three cycles per year)
- • Only available to non-EU/EEA students.
GBS Malta (Global Business School)
GBS provides various discounts for its MBA and business programmes in St Julian’s.
- • Excellence Scholarship: up to 90% tuition discount for top students (GPA 3.8-4.0).
- Global Citizen & Early Bird – 20% to 35% discount on first-year tuition for overseas students.
- Seeds of Peace: This programme is for students from conflict-affected areas (Lebanon, Palestine, Ukraine, etc.).
3. Specialist language and vocational awards
- Maltalingua English Institute Scholarship:
- The Award An exclusive 4-week fully funded study English course in Malta.
- It covers IELTS preparation, accommodation in a shared flat and airport transfers.
- • Deadline: Usually April 30, 2026.
- Middlesex University, Malta
- Partial scholarships are offered to their own graduates undertaking further postgraduate study, usually between 10% and 20% tuition reductions.
Malta Scholarship 2026: Application Process
- MQF Level Check: Most Maltese state funding is linked to the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF). Master’s degrees are Level 7. Doctorates are Level 8
- The “Economic Contribution” Essay: For schemes such as TESS and ENDEAVOUR, the selection board wants to know how your degree will contribute to the Maltese economy or its priority sectors (tech, health, finance).
- Get your MQRIC evaluation early. If you have degrees from outside of Malta, you need to have them recognised by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) before you can officially apply for most government funds.
- Focus the Interview: For the University of Malta, your fee waiver percentage is essentially based on your interview score. Be ready for technical questions on your research proposal.
Conclusion: Sun, Sea and Scholarships
Malta is one of the few places in the world where you can get a world-class degree, in English, funded by the EU.
Action Plan 2026:
- Researchers at the University of Malta are asked to prepare their motivation letters by the deadlines of April 30 or October 31.
- Arts/Sport Schemes: Application deadline is May 13, 2026.
- TESS/ENDEAVOUR: Prepare MQRIC paperwork for the June 5, 2026 deadline.
