Doctoral and Master’s Scholarships – University of Malta 2026

University of Malta (UM) Scholarships 2026 – Postgraduate Research Funding

The University of Malta (UM) has established a scholarship program intended for students from countries outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).

This scholarship aims to support candidates wishing to pursue a Research Master’s degree or a PhD, by granting a partial or full tuition fee waiver.

Depending on the academic excellence of the applicant’s profile, the scholarship may cover between 40% and 100% of tuition fees. However, certain professionally oriented programs, such as Professional Doctorates and MBAs, are not eligible for this scholarship. Located in Msida, the University of Malta is the country’s main higher education institution.

It hosts approximately 11,500 students, including nearly 1,700 international students representing more than 100 nationalities. Each year, around 3,500 graduates complete their studies.

The university stands out for its diverse academic offering, organized across:

• 14 Faculties
• 16 Institutes
• 11 Specialized Centers
• 3 Schools

These structures provide a wide range of Master’s and Doctoral programs.

The campus also features modern facilities, including a library with nearly one million volumes and extensive digital resources, creating an ideal environment for scholarship recipients and students engaged in advanced research.

About the University of Malta Scholarships 2026

The scholarships offered by the University of Malta take the form of a partial or full reduction of tuition fees.

Depending on the program and candidate profile, the scholarship may cover 40% to 100% of tuition costs throughout the official duration of the program.

However, certain programs may require additional fees, particularly bench fees, which correspond to:

• laboratory use
• specialized equipment
• technical materials

These costs are NOT included in the scholarship and remain entirely the student’s responsibility, even when benefiting from a full tuition waiver.

Furthermore, the scholarship does not cover:

• travel expenses
• accommodation
• daily living costs

Recipients must therefore ensure they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Malta.

Programs and Eligibility Criteria

The scholarships are available to candidates who meet the following conditions:

Applicants must:

• Be non-EU/EEA nationals
• Have received unconditional admission to a Research Master’s or PhD program (full-time or part-time)
• Be newly admitted students only (current students are not eligible)

Application submission:

• Must be submitted within one month of receiving the admission letter
• Sent by email to the International Office
• Include the required subject line

Deadline: For programs starting in October 2026, the deadline is April 30, 2026.

Not eligible:

• Professional Doctorate programs
• MBA programs
• Candidates already receiving a fully funded scholarship covering both tuition and living expenses

Candidates with partial funding may still be considered for complementary support, provided this funding is declared during the application process.

Selection Process

• Applications are reviewed by the Master’s and Doctoral Scholarship Selection Committee.
• Each eligible candidate is invited to an online interview.
• The scholarship is awarded based on the following criteria:

Evaluation Criteria

• Academic capacity and research project quality (60%)
  academic results, publications, originality, recommendations, feasibility
• Motivation letter quality (10%)
  clarity, consistency, demonstrated interest
• Interview performance (10%)
  English proficiency, communication skills, research readiness
• Personal situation and financial need (10%)
  professional background and financial resources
• Contribution to the University and Malta (10%)
  potential impact and added value

Coverage scale

• Score 80%–100% → Full tuition waiver (100%)
• Lower scores → Partial tuition coverage

Important Notice

The scholarship ONLY covers university tuition fees.

It does NOT provide financial support for:

• travel
• accommodation
• food
• personal expenses

Students must verify they possess adequate funds before accepting the scholarship.

Only candidates with final, unconditional admission may apply.

Final application deadline: April 30, 2026

Commitments and Responsibilities of Recipients

Scholarship holders must:

• Maintain serious academic conduct
• Attend courses regularly
• Submit monthly progress reports to their supervisor
• Complete the program within the official timeframe
• Comply strictly with university regulations
• Inform the committee of any additional funding or scholarships

How to Apply

Step 1 – Apply for admission

Submit your application via the official platform: https://www.um.edu.mt/esims/ipp/appindex.html.

Obtaining unconditional admission is mandatory.

Step 2 – Apply for the scholarship

Send an email to: international@um.edu.mt ; info@um.edu.mt

Subject line:
“University of Malta Postgraduate Scholarship Application”

Include your UM Applicant ID.

Step 3 – Submit required documents

Attach all supporting documents.

The International Office will request a departmental recommendation letter.

Eligible candidates will then be invited for an online interview.

Application File – Required Documents

Applicants must provide:

• Official admission letter
• Detailed CV
• Motivation letter
• Valid passport copy

Important Reminder

These scholarships DO NOT cover living expenses. Prepare a personal budget plan before traveling to Malta.

Apply here

Official scholarship website

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