Foreign qualifications can be compared against Malta’s MQF.
MQRIC, Malta’s official ENIC-NARIC centre, evaluates foreign academic and vocational qualifications and issues recognition statements where needed.
Malta Guide · Bangladesh Applicants
Study in Malta
Study in Malta
from Bangladesh.
A complete 2026 guide to Maltese study: Bangladesh qualification recognition, MQF levels, University of Malta, MCAST and licensed institutions, tuition, national D visa through VFS Dhaka, study residence permits, financial evidence, 20-hour work rights, family rules, healthcare and the 9-month graduate job-search route.
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For higher education, always verify the institution and qualification in Malta’s official register
A Maltese study residence permit for higher education is intended for full-time study leading to a qualification at MQF Level 5 or above, delivered by an institution licensed by MFHEA and recognised by MQRIC. An attractive-looking private school is not enough by itself.
MFHEA licensed institutions & qualifications ↗Malta Navigator
Malta Guide
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Searches recognition, institutions, tuition, visa, residence, family, work and graduate topics.
BANGLADESH ELIGIBILITY
Malta uses qualification level and institution recognition, not one national Bangladesh HSC percentage.
Bachelor admission remains institution-specific.
The receiving Maltese institution decides whether Bangladesh HSC and supporting academic records meet its programme requirements. MQRIC recognition can be requested where necessary.
A recognised relevant Bachelor is normally required.
The institution assesses degree level, subject relevance, grades, credits and English competence. There is no Malta-wide Bangladesh CGPA threshold.
This is the key higher-education immigration threshold.
For the higher-education study residence route, the course must lead to a recognised qualification at MQF Level 5 or above and be delivered by an MFHEA-licensed institution.
Malta is English-speaking, but universities still set proof requirements.
IELTS, TOEFL, previous English-medium study or other evidence can be accepted depending on the institution and programme.
Check the licence and qualification database.
Before paying a private provider, verify both the institution and the exact qualification in MFHEA’s official register.
MALTESE HIGHER EDUCATION
University, vocational and private higher education all coexist in Malta.
University of Malta
Malta’s main public university with Bachelor, Master and doctoral study across a wide range of disciplines.
MCAST
Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology focuses strongly on technical, vocational and applied higher education.
Institute of Tourism Studies
Public specialist institution for tourism, hospitality and related management education.
Private licensed institutions
Malta has a large private sector. Quality and immigration eligibility depend on MFHEA licensing and the specific accredited programme.
INSTITUTION EXPLORER
Start with the institution type, then verify the exact programme.
University of Malta
Msida · Malta’s main public research university.
Official ↗MCAST
Paola and other campuses · engineering, ICT, business, applied science, creative arts and vocational higher education.
Official ↗Institute of Tourism Studies
Luqa / Gozo · tourism, hospitality, culinary and visitor-economy education.
Official ↗American University of Malta
Cospicua · private higher-education institution with business, engineering and related programmes.
Official ↗Global College Malta
Private higher-education provider focused on business, management and related programmes.
Official ↗Saint Martin's Institute of Higher Education
Private higher-education provider offering computing, business and related programmes.
Official ↗INTAKES
October is the main academic start, but private providers can have more flexible intakes.
Main university startOctPrimary University of Malta academic intake.
Other institutionsVariesMCAST, ITS and private-provider dates differ.
D visaApply 8+ weeks earlyIdentità recommends submission at least eight weeks before course commencement.
Maximum early filing6 monthsStudy D visa applications can be lodged up to six months before the course starts.
IELTS · ENGLISH
English is a major advantage of Malta, but proof remains programme-specific.
University programmes
Universities and higher-education providers decide accepted IELTS, TOEFL and other proof. Competitive programmes can set higher standards.
English-language courses are different
Language schools and sub-degree study can fall below MQF Level 5 and follow different immigration and work rules from higher-education students.
MONEY & FINANCIAL EVIDENCE
Malta uses percentage-based financial tests rather than one universal student bank-balance figure.
Residence permit standard
FormulaAt least 60%
ReferenceNational equivalised income threshold
EvidenceRecent 3 months
Tuition / housingAdditional
Do not market one fake fixed amount.
Identità says the exact required residence-permit amount cannot be confirmed in advance because it is calculated against the applicable household threshold and assessed case by case. Applicants should show consistent funds and legal access to them in Malta.
For D-visa and visa-extension documentation, Maltese guidance also uses a percentage of the national minimum wage. Always use the latest Identità/VFS checklist at the actual submission date.
TUITION
Malta has no single national international tuition fee.
University of Malta Bachelor example
Many non-EU humanities-style Bachelor programmes for 2026/27 are around €8,500 per academic year, though programme fees vary substantially.
University of Malta Master examples
Many taught postgraduate programmes currently show totals around €10,800, while ICT and specialist programmes can be higher.
Private institutions
Private tuition varies widely by provider and programme. Always verify the exact MFHEA-accredited qualification and full course fee.
MCAST / applied study
International programme fees differ by award level and course. Use the current MCAST international fee schedule for the exact intake.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Funding is mainly institution and programme-specific.
University scholarships
University of Malta faculties and research programmes can offer fee waivers, research funding or scholarships for selected international students.
Research funding
Doctoral and research routes can have funded positions tied to projects, departments or external grants.
Erasmus+
Mobility and joint-programme funding can be relevant for selected international students.
STUDENT D VISA · VFS DHAKA
Bangladesh students can submit Malta long-stay study visas locally in Dhaka.
Admission
Obtain a formal acceptance letter from the Maltese educational institution showing programme, dates, fees and study details.
Verify course level
For higher-education residence, confirm the programme is licensed and recognised at MQF Level 5 or above.
Tuition payment
Prepare proof of tuition payment according to the institution and current student D-visa checklist.
Finance & insurance
Prepare recent bank evidence, sponsor evidence where used, travel medical insurance and accommodation documentation.
Book VFS Dhaka
Dhaka is an official Identità Extended Service branch for Malta D visas. The Malta VFS centre is in Banani.
Submit biometrics & documents
Submit the national D-visa application through the authorised VFS service. Identità’s Central Visa Unit processes Malta D visas.
Travel
Students on courses of 105 days or more require the national D visa before travel.
Residence permit after arrival
Students on recognised higher-education courses at MQF Level 5 or above should apply for the Maltese study residence permit through Identità after arrival.
VISA & RESIDENCE COSTS
Visa and residence fees are separate.
Study D visa
The current national student D-visa checklist lists €100 for applicants aged 12+ under the standard appointment option and €150 under the extended appointment option.
Study residence permit
Identità’s current non-EU study permit page lists an application fee of €50 for study residence permits under S.L. 217.22.
VFS charges
VFS administration, courier and optional-service charges are separate and can change.
DOCUMENTS · BANGLADESH
Use the latest Identità checklist together with the institution’s academic file.
Academic admission
SSC/HSC or prior degree certificates and transcripts, English evidence, passport, programme application and any MQRIC recognition statement requested by the institution.
D visa
Application form, passport, photo, acceptance letter, tuition-payment evidence, accommodation, insurance, flight itinerary and financial documents.
Bangladesh financial evidence
The Bangladesh VFS study checklist has historically asked for detailed bank history and sponsor documents. Use the newest Malta/Identità checklist generated for your appointment because requirements can be updated.
Residence permit
Tuition payment, recent financial statements, access to funds in Malta, accommodation, insurance, health-screening clearance where applicable and the institution’s enrolment evidence.
Translations / legalisation
Documents must meet Maltese translation/legalisation requirements where applicable. MQRIC can also require certificate, transcript and apostilled translation materials for recognition.
SPOUSE & FAMILY
Malta is not an immediate automatic dependant destination for ordinary students.
Family reunification is a separate route
Current Identità guidance requires the sponsor to satisfy residence, income, accommodation and insurance conditions before ordinary family reunification can be approved.
Residence period matters
Identità’s current family-reunification FAQ states that the sponsor normally needs to have lived legally and continuously in Malta for at least 2 years.
Do not assume spouse work rights
Family permits issued under Malta’s alternative family-member policy do not automatically grant work rights. A separate Single Permit may be required.
WORK WHILE STUDYING
Higher-education students can work up to 20 hours per week.
20 hours/week
Students following recognised higher-education courses at MQF Level 5 or above can work up to 20 hours per week.
Jobsplus licence required
The student cannot simply start working. The employer must obtain the required Jobsplus employment licence before employment begins.
Study remains primary
Attendance and academic progress must remain satisfactory. Poor performance or attendance can affect residence-permit renewal.
Lower-level courses differ
Students below MQF Level 5 can face different rules, including access to employment only after the first 12 weeks of study and labour-market conditions.
HEALTH INSURANCE & SCREENING
Insurance begins before travel and health screening can continue after arrival.
D visa insurance
Students need travel medical insurance meeting the current national-visa requirements for the initial entry period.
Residence / health screening
Higher-education residence applicants need suitable health cover, and students on courses over three months can be required to complete Malta’s health-screening process after arrival.
AFTER STUDY
Eligible graduates can remain for 9 months to seek work or set up a business.
Post-study residence
Length9 months
PurposeJob search / business
ExtendableNo
Next stepSingle Permit / other work status
The 9-month permit is not itself a full work permit.
You can stay in Malta and arrange employment, but once a job is secured the employer must obtain the appropriate Single Permit or employment authorisation before full-time work begins.
WORK & LONG-TERM STAY
The graduate period is a bridge into Malta’s employment-permit system.
Single Permit
The normal long-term employment route combines work and residence permission. Employer sponsorship and current labour-market rules apply.
Change of status
Malta allows qualifying graduates to change immigration status in-country where the relevant conditions are satisfied.
Key Employee / specialist routes
Higher-skilled employment can use specialised schemes where salary and occupational requirements are met.
Long-term residence
Long-term status is separate and depends on qualifying residence history, income, integration and other legal conditions. A Maltese degree alone does not guarantee it.
PLACES TO LIVE
Malta is small, so commute and rent matter more than city boundaries.
Msida / Gżira
Popular with University of Malta students because of campus access and central transport.
Sliema / St Julian’s
Large employment, hospitality and services market, but among the most expensive rental areas.
Valletta / Floriana
Central government and cultural hub with strong public-transport links.
Paola / southern Malta
Useful for MCAST access and often cheaper than the main central coastal rental zones.
Gozo
Quieter island living with specialist study options, but commuting to Malta island is not practical for everyday classes.
ARRIVAL
MQF Level 5+ students should move quickly from D visa to residence status.
Before departure
Passport, national D visa, admission, tuition receipt, insurance, accommodation and financial documents.
Institution registration
Complete final enrolment and obtain attendance/student-status evidence.
Study residence permit
Apply through Identità’s Expatriates process for the MQF Level 5+ study residence card.
Work
Do not start student employment until the employer has obtained the required Jobsplus authorisation. Keep total work within 20 hours/week.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Use Identità + MFHEA/MQRIC + VFS Malta Bangladesh + the institution.
YOUR PROFILE, NOT A GENERIC ANSWER
Find My Starting Point →Understand Malta. Then verify the institution, MQF level, finances and work pathway.
For Malta, provider licensing, MQRIC recognition, MQF level, VFS Dhaka documentation, financial evidence and the 9-month graduate route can completely change the right plan.