Discover the heart of the Mediterranean Sea on the largest of the Maltese Islands. With over 7,000 years of history and culture, Malta is described as "one big open-air museum" because so much of its past is visible today. Visit the Megalithic Temples, which are the oldest free-standing structures in the world, and learn to snorkel in the magnificent Blue Lagoon.

Languages Spoken:

English, Maltese

Education System

HIGHER EDUCATION OVERVIEW

The University of Malta, established in 1592, is Malta's only university. Today, there are some 10,000 students including over 750 international and exchange students from nearly 80 different countries, following full-time or part-time degree and diploma courses. The University of Malta teaches courses in English, and is one of the oldest universities in the British Commonwealth.

University social life in Malta is quite different from campus life in the United States. Most Maltese students live at home and do not have cars. You will not see many planned student activities or university-sponsored parties. Therefore, it is essential to get to know people if you want to mix socially.

STUDYING IN MALTA

Courses

Full-time students at the University of Malta typically enroll in 30 ECTS units each semester. However, as an international student, your home university will determine the minimum number of units you can enroll in. The number of credits per course can vary, as can the length of the course. Courses may meet for only a portion of the semester, for six or nine weeks, while others meet for the duration of the semester. Additionally, class schedules may be a little different from what you are accustomed. For example, a class might meet for two one-hour sessions on a Monday and then for a one-hour session on Thursday.

Registration

All visiting students register with the International and EU Office, once they arrive in Malta. Students are advised to contact the respective department before arriving in Malta to confirm that the study-units they wish to take are being offered. Students register for study-units online at eSIMS usually within the first two weeks of the semester. It is recommended to attend classes before registering for them, as to make a more informed decision on the choice of study units. The students’ portal eSIMS, gives 24/7 access to registrations, results and online processes. Each study-unit is assigned a level of study indicated by the first digit in the code, e.g. MAL1000 denotes that this is a level one unit. Students are allowed to make changes to their initial registration, but must submit the appropriate forms to the International and EU office by the noted deadlines.

Course Load

Since the scheduling of classes at the University of Malta is more rigid than at U.S. institutions, students tend to spend longer periods together attending common classes and working on group projects. Emphasis is placed on working in groups and credit is awarded for team effort. Exchange of notes and study materials among students is a common practice within the various faculties.

Homework usually consists of keeping up with readings and reviewing lecture notes; professors question students on assigned readings. This style of learning may be more independent than you are accustomed. When in doubt, ask your local classmates about how they study and prepare for papers or exams.

Most students are enrolled in 30 ECTS per semester. The minimum number of ECTS that can be taken per semester at the University of Malta is 8 ECTS. Students spend on average 14 hours per week in class, and terms last 15 weeks.

Exams & Grading

All courses or study-unit at the University of Malta are allotted ECTS credits, which describe the student workload required to complete them. Students may be assessed through assigned coursework, examinations, fieldwork, practical placements, etc., as detailed in the syllabi. If students fail to complete the necessary requirements for the course they will not receive a grade. Students who do not sit for their examinations or fail to submit assignments on time (without a justifiable reason) will receive a failing grade on their transcripts. Some courses may only grade students using a final examination, so it is important to keep up with coursework and attend class regularly.

Grades are assigned between A+ (top mark) to F (failure). A grade of D is considered the lowest passing grade. More information on academics and grading is available from the International and EU Office .

Transcripts

Transcripts are issued approximately ten weeks after the assessments. Students expecting to graduate the semester following their program and students receiving financial aid should be aware that transcript issuance make take long to be issued some instances. Be sure to check with your host institution coordinator to ensure no action is required for the release of transcripts.

Visa and Residency

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE MALTA VISA: In recent months, there have been many changes to the visa requirements for students entering Malta. ISEP is utilizing the most recent updates surrounding visa guidance as of October 2024. New guidelines are subject to change at any time.

STUDENT VISA

SEMESTER & YEAR PROGRAMS

Type of Visa: Long stay (Type D)

Visa fee: about 300 euros

Expected processing time: 6-8 weeks

When to apply: Students should start gathering required documents as soon as they have received their acceptance package and visa instructions (via email) from the University of Malta. It is recommended that Full Year applicants submit their applications around Mid- July. Spring applicants should submit their applications by Early November.

ALL Students – Semester and Academic Year

All Students must acquire a Long-Stay (type D) Visa for any program longer than 90 days. Please see an overview of the Long-Stay Visa application process here. (Please note, this process can sometimes be referred to as the extended visa service).

Students who will not need a visa include:

- Nationals of the European Union and the European Economic Area

- Swiss nationals

- Students in possession of a valid residence permit issued by a Schengen state

Please review this this guide with detailed information on the required documents and procedures for ISEP students.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS- Long-Stay (type D) Visa

Students will need to collect the following documents in support of their Maltese Long-Stay D Visa Application. Shortly after students receive their ISEP Acceptance Package, they will receive an updated list of required documents from their Host ISEP Coordinator. Students should always consult the list sent to them by the University of Malta as the list of official required documents may change at the discretion of the Central Visa Unit (CVU).

IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT that you submit ALL documents with your application and all questions are completed in their entirety. Any missing documents or incomplete information will result in delays issuing your visa.

VISA APPLICATION SUBMISSION PROCESS

Central Visa Unit (CVU) Instructions:

****Please make sure you are frequently checking your email in case you are notified by the University of Malta and/or the CVU that you are missing/need to re-submit any documentation.*****

VISA FEES

Visa fees as of October 2024 are as follows and subject to change at the discretion of the CVU:

- EUR 150 appointment fee, paid via credit card when booking your appointment online.

Note: If you miss an appointment you will have to re-do the booking process, and another application fee of EUR 150 would be applicable.

- EUR 150 visa fee, paid when you visit the VFS office for your appointment.

Note: Long-stay visa applications fees are not refundable regardless of the circumstances, including refusal of the application or withdrawal from your ISEP program.

RESIDENCE PERMIT – ACADEMIC YEAR STUDENTS ONLY

All non-EU/EEA students who will be studying at the UM for at least one academic year are required to apply for a residence permit within the first 3 months (90 days) of their arrival in Malta.

The coordinators at the University of Malta will provide you with additional instructions on the Residence Permit process after arrival. You will need most of the same documents you used to apply for your Long-Stay Visa. More information on the Residence Permit process can be found on the UM website (see e-Residence Permits for non-EU/EEA nationals).

Please note that the Residence Permit requires proof of certain immunizations. More information can be found here. Students who are traveling from certain countries may also be required to obtain a Chest X-Ray after arrival.

RESOURCES

University of Malta Visa Information: https://www.um.edu.mt/international/students/visas/

Central Visa Unit website: https://identita.gov.mt/central-visa-unit-main-page/

Last Updated: November 2024

Culture

CULTURE

Maltese culture has been influenced by a number of groups throughout its thousands of years of history, including Phoenicians, Moors, British, Italians, French and Spanish.

RELIGION

The official religion of Malta is Roman Catholicism, and it is reported that 98% of Maltese are Catholic.The older population of Malta can be quite spiritual; however, the younger generation is moving further away from regularly practicing their religion. Religious holidays and traditions still play a role in society though, and some national holidays are based on the feast days of saints or other religious-based events. Other religious groups are also found in Malta, but their congregations are quite small.

HOLIDAYS

There are many holidays throughout the year, including some familiar ones like an Independence Day and Labor Day, and some more unique ones, such as St. Paul’s Shipwreck Day. Carnival is widely celebrated on the islands of Malta. The festivals usually include masked balls, costume and mask competitions, parades and many parties. Mnarja, another important holiday, celebrates the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. Having been celebrated since the 16th century, some of the traditions surrounding this holiday have changed over time. Today, it is celebrated with food, music, parties and a torch-lit procession.

SPORTS

Football (soccer) and rugby are the two most popular national sports in Malta. In larger international competitions, the country tends to divide almost evenly between England and Italy when choosing a football team to root far, due to the historical and cultural influences of these countries. As for amateur sports, rock climbing is growing steadily in popularity. This is due to the natural terrain of Malta and because of Malta’s small size, the rock climbing is easily accessible to the population.

FAMILY LIFE

Most Maltese students will live at home. It is rare for adult children to leave their parent's home before marriage. Families are tight knit and important in Maltese culture.

GENDER ROLES

Until recently, traditional gender roles in Malta were very pronounced, with women working primarily in the home, and men as the breadwinners. However, more women now remain in the workplace after marriage. Some female ISEP participants have reported men hissing at them to attract attention. The best strategy is to ignore this behavior.

Daily Life

CULTURE

Maltese culture has been influenced by a number of groups throughout its thousands of years of history, including Phoenicians, Moors, British, Italians, French and Spanish.

RELIGION

The official religion of Malta is Roman Catholicism, and it is reported that 98% of Maltese are Catholic.The older population of Malta can be quite spiritual; however, the younger generation is moving further away from regularly practicing their religion. Religious holidays and traditions still play a role in society though, and some national holidays are based on the feast days of saints or other religious-based events. Other religious groups are also found in Malta, but their congregations are quite small.

HOLIDAYS

There are many holidays throughout the year, including some familiar ones like an Independence Day and Labor Day, and some more unique ones, such as St. Paul’s Shipwreck Day. Carnival is widely celebrated on the islands of Malta. The festivals usually include masked balls, costume and mask competitions, parades and many parties. Mnarja, another important holiday, celebrates the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. Having been celebrated since the 16th century, some of the traditions surrounding this holiday have changed over time. Today, it is celebrated with food, music, parties and a torch-lit procession.

SPORTS

Football (soccer) and rugby are the two most popular national sports in Malta. In larger international competitions, the country tends to divide almost evenly between England and Italy when choosing a football team to root far, due to the historical and cultural influences of these countries. As for amateur sports, rock climbing is growing steadily in popularity. This is due to the natural terrain of Malta and because of Malta’s small size, the rock climbing is easily accessible to the population.

FAMILY LIFE

Most Maltese students will live at home. It is rare for adult children to leave their parent's home before marriage. Families are tight knit and important in Maltese culture.

GENDER ROLES

Until recently, traditional gender roles in Malta were very pronounced, with women working primarily in the home, and men as the breadwinners. However, more women now remain in the workplace after marriage. Some female ISEP participants have reported men hissing at them to attract attention. The best strategy is to ignore this behavior.

Health and Safety

Your health and safety is our number one priority. Please read and reference the Health and Safety section of the ISEP website for general information regarding health and safety abroad.

-Detailed information about Malta can be found here. Please pay special attention to the Safety and Security, Local Laws and Special Circumstances and Health sections.

Note: Information sourced on this page is provided by the U.S. Department of State. Non-U.S. nationals should disregard the Embassies and Consulates and Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements sections.

-If you’re planning to bring your prescription or over-the-counter medicine on your trip, you need to make sure your medicine is travel-ready. More information can be found here, and please contact your Student Services Coordinator and ISEP Coordinator with any additional questions.

Currency

MONEY MATTERS

The official currency of Malta is the Euro (€). It is a good idea to know the general exchange rates between the Euro and your home currency.

Foreign exchange facilities are available at Malta International Airport, 24 hours a day for incoming and outgoing passengers. There are also currency converter machines that are situated in the main tourist areas, including hotels and local tourist offices. However, the best exchange rates will most likely be found at the bank.

If you would like to withdraw money, ATMs, which accept foreign debit cards, including VISA, MasterCard, Switch Maestro and Cirrus, are available throughout the area. Whenever possible, use an ATM that is part of a branch, not a stand alone.

Major credit cards, including VISA, MasterCard and American Express, are widely accepted. However, as in America, they may not be accepted for smaller purchases, so it is best to carry some cash on you.

BANKING

Most banks are open between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Summer and winter hours may vary.

For foreign visitors wishing to open bank accounts on the island, most branches have a "New A ccounts" section open to the general public. A popular option is the HSBC branch in Tower Road, Sliema, which has a very good range of international accounts and knowledgeable staff. You will have to provide details of your home bank. The local bank will contact them asking for a Bankers reference and as soon as it is received your account will be operative.