Stand at the Msida waterfront on a October morning and you can see both sides of Malta's student life at once: the University of Malta campus on the hill, and Marsamxett Harbour glittering below it. For a growing number of students from Bangladesh, this small English-speaking EU island is becoming a serious alternative to the UK. This guide covers the top universities in Malta for Bangladeshi students in 2027 — who they are, what they cost, what English scores they ask for, and how the October and February intakes actually work.
Malta has two main public institutions for international students: the University of Malta (QS World Top 700, QS Europe Top 300) and MCAST, which waives final-year tuition for bachelor's students who pass on time. Intakes open in October and February. Plan for roughly €7,000–€12,000/year tuition (verify per course) plus €950/month living funds.
Which are the top universities in Malta for Bangladeshi students?
Malta's higher-education market is compact: two public institutions dominate, and that simplicity is actually good news for applicants. The University of Malta (UM) in Msida is the island's flagship research university, while MCAST — the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, with its main campus in Paola — is the applied, career-focused alternative offering bachelor's and master's degrees in technology, engineering, business, health and creative fields.
Unlike the UK or Malaysia, where you compare dozens of universities, in Malta your real decision is UM vs MCAST: academic depth and research on one side, hands-on applied learning with a generous fee scholarship on the other. Choosing well comes down to your subject, budget and career plan — not brand confusion.
A number of smaller private and international institutes also operate in Malta, but for most Bangladeshi students seeking a recognised degree with a clear visa route, the two public institutions are where the serious comparison starts.
Is the University of Malta a good university in 2027?
Yes — and you don't have to take an agent's word for it. UM's own website carries its current badges: QS World University Rankings 2027 Top 700 globally, and QS Europe Rankings 2026 Top 300. Founded in 1592, it is one of the oldest universities in the Mediterranean, with around 11,000 students including international students from over 100 countries.
Every degree is taught in English, which is an official language of Malta — a real advantage over Italy or Cyprus public universities, where many undergraduate programmes run in the local language. UM offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across law, medicine, engineering, ICT, business, health sciences and the humanities, searchable on the university's course finder at um.edu.mt.
What makes MCAST different — and why does its scholarship matter?
MCAST is Malta's vocational and applied-sciences institution, and it has one concrete advantage that gets Bangladeshi families' attention: according to MCAST's official fee page, students on a 3-year or 4-year bachelor's degree are exempted from tuition fees for their final year of study — provided they pass their modules on schedule. Fail and repeat a year, and the scholarship is forfeited.
Two more MCAST rules matter for visa planning. First, you must pay your first tuition instalment before MCAST issues the documentation you need for the student visa. Second, MCAST itself advises applying for your visa at least 75 days before your course starts — late arrivals are not accepted onto programmes. There is also a longer-term sweetener: Malta's Get Qualified scheme can refund up to 70% of tuition as a tax rebate if you work and pay tax in Malta after graduating.
What English test scores do top universities in Malta require?
For the University of Malta the answer is precise, because UM publishes its Secure English Language Test (SELT) requirements. If you completed secondary education outside an English-speaking system — as Bangladeshi HSC students have — a SELT result is mandatory, and these are the current bars from UM's English language requirements page:
| Level | IELTS (Academic) | TOEFL iBT* | Pearson PTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation / Junior College | 5.5 overall (W 5.0, R 5.0) | 61 (old) / 3.5 (new) | 59 (min 53 each) |
| Bachelor's (Undergraduate) | 6.0 overall (W 6.0; R, L, S 5.5) | 80 (old) / 4 (new) | 65 (min 59 each) |
| Master's / PhD | 6.5 overall (W 6.0; others 6.0) | 95 (old) / 5 (new) | 71 (min 65 each) |
*TOEFL iBT switched to a new grading scale in January 2026 — UM accepts scores under both the old and new systems, and test results are valid for 2 years from your course start date. IELTS UKVI and the IELTS One Skill Retake are also accepted. Cambridge, Trinity ISE and UM's own on-campus ISET test are alternative routes. MCAST publishes its own English requirements separately; IELTS is the test Bangladeshi applicants most commonly use for both institutions.
When are the 2027 intakes and what are the real deadlines?
Malta runs two intakes — October (the main one) and February — and for visa-required students like Bangladeshis, the deadline that bites is the English-test submission date, straight from UM's official page: 1 July for the October intake and 10 November for the February intake. Miss it and, in UM's own words, you will not be admitted even if every other entry requirement is satisfied.
Students often plan around the application deadline and forget the SELT deadline arrives first. For October 2027 entry, your IELTS must be done and submitted by 1 July 2027 — which means booking your test in Bangladesh by spring 2027 at the latest, leaving room for a retake.
Here is the timeline we recommend for the October 2027 intake:
How much does studying in Malta cost from Bangladesh?
Tuition is the number families ask about first, and it is also the number to treat most carefully — Maltese institutions publish fees per course, not as one flat rate.
For the e-Residence Permit, Malta expects you to show at least €950/month (around ৳১.৩ lakh) in living funds — UM itself warns real living costs run higher. The good news: public transport in Malta is free for e-Residence Permit holders, and at ~€1 = ৳১৪১ (indicative, fluctuates daily) Malta remains cheaper than the UK for most students.
For a full monthly breakdown — rent, food, transport and the habits that keep costs down — see our dedicated Malta cost guide linked below.
What documents should you prepare from Bangladesh?
What we see at Eduvisa, file after file, is that Malta applications rarely fail on grades — they fail on documentation details: an SSC certificate without proper attestation, a bank statement in the wrong format, an IELTS booked too late. The core set you will need:
- SSC and HSC certificates and transcripts (plus bachelor's documents for master's applicants), attested as required
- Valid passport — renew early if it expires before late 2028
- IELTS / accepted SELT result meeting the table above
- Offer letter and tuition first-instalment receipt (MCAST requires payment before visa documents)
- Proof of funds covering tuition balance plus €950/month living costs
- Accommodation evidence, insurance and visa forms for the Malta student-visa file
Each item has country-specific pitfalls for Bangladeshi documents — attestation chains, statement formats, sponsor rules — which is exactly the personalised work our Malta team handles case by case.
Why do Bangladeshi students choose Eduvisa for Malta?
Because most consultancies disappear the day your visa is stamped. Our model is the opposite: Eduvisa stays with you after you land — airport arrival, housing, e-Residence Permit paperwork, opening a bank account, finding your feet in Msida or Paola. Your first weeks in a new country decide how your first semester goes, and no one should navigate them alone.
Related guides: Malta Student Visa Guide for Bangladeshi Students · Malta Cost of Living & Student Budget
Planning Malta for 2027?
UM or MCAST? October or February? Whether your grades fit, what it will really cost your family, and how to hit the 1 July deadline — bring your questions and your documents, and our Malta team will map your route honestly, from application to your first weeks on the island.
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