University of Malta Scholarships 2026 in Malta are mainly tuition-fee waivers (40%–100%) for non‑EU/EEA students accepted unconditionally into eligible Master by Research or PhD programmes at the University of Malta. The next published scholarship deadline is 30 April 2026, and you must apply within one month of receiving your unconditional offer letter (especially for October-start courses).

University of Malta Scholarships 2026: Basic info + deadline

The University of Malta (UM) offers a Postgraduate Scholarship scheme that awards partial to full tuition fee waivers (40%–100%) to the most deserving students from outside the EU/EEA. The fee waiver is tied to your interview score range (e.g., 80–100% interview score may result in a full fee waiver).

Application deadline (key date):

• Next deadline: 30 April 2026 (UM notes that for courses starting in October, scholarship application must be submitted by 30 April 2026).

Important timing rule:

• You must submit the scholarship request within one month of receiving the unconditional letter of acceptance, while also respecting the published deadline.

University/Institution details (University of Malta)

The University of Malta is Malta’s national university and publishes its scholarships under the “Fees and funding → Scholarships” pages, including a dedicated page for Master by Research and PhD tuition fee waivers. The scholarship scheme described here is specifically designed to attract high-quality non‑EU/EEA postgraduate research applicants by reducing tuition costs.

Study areas (available program names)

UM’s scholarship page specifies eligibility for Master by Research programmes and PhD programmes (including full-time or part-time modes), and clarifies that “Master’s mainly by research” refers to programmes where the dissertation/project is 60 ECTS or more.

Because UM offers many research areas, your exact programme title depends on your department and the official UM programme list; however, the scholarship eligibility is defined by programme type (Master by Research / PhD) rather than a single subject list.

University of Malta Scholarships benefits (what you get)

The University of Malta scholarships provide:

• 40% – 100% tuition fee waiver.
• Duration: Normal program duration only.
• Bench fees may still apply for some programs.
• Fee waiver applies for the normal duration of the programme (extensions may not be covered).

Fee Waiver Based on Interview Score

• 80–100% score → 100% tuition waiver
• 70–79% → 80% waiver
• 60–69% → 60% waiver
• 50–59% → 40% waiver
• Below 50% → No scholarship

Benefits not included (what you must fund yourself)

UM clearly states the scholarship does not cover:

• Living expenses
• Travel costs
• Accommodation

Also note:

• Bench fees for certain programmes may still apply, even if you get a tuition fee waiver.

Eligibility criteria for University of Malta Scholarships

To be eligible for the UM Master by Research / PhD scholarship fee waiver, you must meet these core requirements:

• Only for non-EU/EEA students.
• Must receive unconditional acceptance to:
  • Master’s by Research
  • PhD
• Available for full-time and part-time students.
• MBA and Professional Doctorates are NOT eligible.
• Students who already started the program cannot apply.
• Must show financial ability to support living costs in Malta.
• Full scholarships from other organizations make you ineligible, but partial funding is allowed.
• Students must report progress monthly to their supervisor.

Selection Process

• Eligible candidates will be invited for an online interview.
• Final decision made by the Scholarship Selection Board.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Academic ability & Research proposal – 60%
2. Motivational letter quality – 10%
3. Interview performance – 10%
4. Personal circumstances & financial need – 10%
5. Contribution to University of Malta & Malta – 10%

Required documents (for the scholarship request)

UM instructs applicants to submit their scholarship request by email to the International Office and notes key supporting items, including:

• Copy of Acceptance Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivational Letter
• Passport copy (details page)
• The Head of Department/Supervisor will submit an Academic Recommendation Form to the university

University of Malta Scholarships application process (step-by-step)

Follow UM’s process exactly as stated:

1. First get an unconditional acceptance letter from the University of Malta.
2. Within 1 month of acceptance, send an email request to the International Office.
3. Subject line: “University of Malta Postgraduate Scholarship Application”
4. Include your UM Applicant ID (student number).
5. How to apply for UM Doctoral Studies    
6. How to apply for Masters by Research

Tips for a successful application (human + practical)

UM’s selection criteria strongly reward both academic strength and research clarity, so optimize what you can control:

• Write a research proposal with a clear hypothesis/question, strong relevance, and current citations (UM explicitly evaluates proposal validity and relevance).
• Demonstrate research readiness: publications (if any), strong academic record, and clear evidence you can complete the project.
• Prepare for the interview: UM evaluates communication, ability to answer questions, and suitability to proceed with the plan.
• Show realistic funding planning: UM notes candidates are considered in light of other support and ability to study without the scholarship (so present a credible budget plan).
• Keep timing perfect: apply within one month of your unconditional offer and before the published deadline (30 April 2026 for the next call).

Monthly living expenses in Malta (international students, USD)

UM states living costs are not covered, so budgeting matters. Typical monthly expenses international students plan for include housing, food, transport, utilities, phone/internet, and personal costs; a common planning range many students use for Malta is roughly USD 900–1,600 per month, depending heavily on rent location and sharing.​

Why choose this scholarship? (at least 5 reasons)

• You can reduce tuition significantly (up to a 100% tuition fee waiver) while studying at Malta’s national university.
• The scheme is designed for non‑EU/EEA applicants, which is a major advantage for many international candidates.
• Awards are merit-based through a transparent interview-to-waiver mapping (40%/60%/80%/100% bands).
• It supports both Master by Research and PhD tracks, including full-time and part-time routes.
• The application pathway is straightforward (email request to the International Office + interview), rather than a complex multi-platform application.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1) Is the University of Malta Scholarship 2026 fully funded?
It is primarily a tuition fee waiver scholarship (40%–100%), and UM states it does not cover living or travel costs.

2) What is the scholarship deadline for 2026?
UM lists the next deadline as 30 April 2026, and advises October starters to submit by that date.

3) Can I apply before I get admission?
No—UM states only applicants accepted unconditionally to eligible programmes may apply.

4) Are MBA or professional doctorate programmes eligible?
No—UM says professional doctorates and MBA-type programmes are not eligible.

5) Do I need an interview?
Yes—eligible candidates are invited to an online interview with the scholarship selection board.

6) Can current UM students apply after starting the programme?
No—UM states scholarship applications from students who have already started their programme at UM cannot be considered.

Important Deadline

• 30 April 2026 (for programs starting in October).

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