Malta has become a rising academic destination that attracts the attention of Arab students wishing to study medicine abroad, especially after the small island in the heart of the Mediterranean became host to some of the most venerable and distinguished European universities. In addition to being a member of the European Union and an officially English-speaking country, Malta offers internationally recognized medical programs at competitive costs suitable for the Arab student.
In this comprehensive guide prepared by Future Way — a leading student agency with more than 6 years of experience and a network comprising more than 50 universities around the world — we review everything you need to know about studying medicine in Malta for Arabs: from the available universities and programs, to the admission requirements, the costs, and daily life in Valletta.
Why study medicine in Malta?
Malta combines a set of rare advantages that make it a complete destination for the Arab student aspiring to a recognized European medical degree.
English as an official language
Studying in English in Malta is a fundamental advantage that distinguishes it from many European countries that require proficiency in their local language. English is an official language in Malta alongside Maltese, which means that all the programs of the medical faculties are taught in English without any need to learn an additional language. This gives the Arab student coming from an English educational environment great academic comfort from the first day, and reduces the cultural and linguistic adaptation that may hinder their study journey in countries such as Germany or France.
An EU member
Malta joined the European Union in 2004, which lends its certificates academic weight and wide-ranging international recognition. A physician holding an MBBS from Malta can practice their profession in all 27 EU countries, which opens exceptional professional horizons not offered by other study destinations. Moreover, the Maltese universities are subject to strict European supervision that guarantees the quality of education and its consistency with the European standards for medical education.
The Mediterranean climate
The attractiveness of Malta is not limited to the academic side; the island enjoys a moderate Mediterranean climate year-round, with a warm summer and a mild winter whose temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius. This climate closely resembles the climate of many Arab countries, making adaptation fast and comfortable. The small size of the island (only 316 square kilometers) also provides a safe and quiet environment in which movement and living are easy.
The medical universities in Malta
Malta comprises two main universities that offer world-class medical programs.
Queen Mary University Malta
Queen Mary University Malta is the Maltese branch of Queen Mary University of London, one of the most venerable universities in the United Kingdom and the most specialized in the medical and applied sciences. This British affiliation grants students a degree bearing the name of a University of London with the advantage of studying in a Mediterranean European environment. The Maltese branch offers the MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery) program over five years, and the study is conducted entirely in English with clinical training in accredited public and private Maltese hospitals. Queen Mary London occupies an advanced position among the world’s best 150 universities in the QS ranking for the medical sciences, which is directly reflected in the value of the granted degree.
University of Malta
University of Malta represents the most venerable public academic institution on the island, having been founded in 1592 to be one of the oldest universities in the world. The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery hosts bachelor’s programs in human medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing science, and a number of allied health specializations. This university is distinguished by extensive clinical training at the Mater Dei University Hospital, the largest and most well-equipped hospital in Malta. As an accredited European public university, its tuition fees are lower compared with the Queen Mary Malta branch, making it a suitable choice for students keen on controlling the budget while maintaining a high educational level.
The available medical programs
The medical faculties in Malta offer an integrated set of medical and paramedical specializations.
Human medicine MBBS
The MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) program is the first destination for the majority of Arab students coming to Malta. The program extends five academic years at Queen Mary University Malta, beginning with two theoretical years focusing on the basic sciences such as anatomy, biology, biochemistry, and physiology, followed by three clinical years in which the student trains directly with patients in accredited hospitals. At University of Malta, the human medicine program extends six years and ends with an MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree, with the possibility of joining postgraduate programs and European fellowships after graduation.
Dentistry
The dentistry department at University of Malta offers a Bachelor of Dental Surgery over five years. The study plan includes the basic sciences in the first years, then intensive practical training in the university clinics equipped according to the latest European standards. The degree is recognized in all EU countries and allows registration with the European dentistry bodies directly.
Pharmacy
The pharmacy program at University of Malta enjoys a firm academic reputation, and it extends four years ending with a B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy) degree. The program focuses on medicinal chemistry, clinical pharmacy, and pharmacology, with practical training periods in community pharmacies and hospitals. Registering in this program is available to you via Future Way Academy, which has direct partnerships with the universities of Malta and facilitates the admission procedures.
Admission requirements
The required GPAs
The required GPAs differ according to the program and the university, but the general minimum for studying medicine in Malta is a GPA of 85% or more in the high school stage, with emphasis on achieving high grades in the subjects of biology, chemistry, and mathematics or physics. For Queen Mary University Malta, the student must have completed 17 years of age at the start of the study and possess a study qualification equivalent to British A-Levels. As for University of Malta, it requires a similar GPA with prior verification of the certificate’s equivalency.
Admission tests
Queen Mary University Malta requires passing the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test), an accredited international test that measures cognitive abilities, logical and inferential thinking, and situational judgment. The test is conducted online and at accredited centers around the world, including several Arab countries. As for University of Malta, it conducts personal admission interviews (MMI – Multiple Mini Interview) in which the human competencies, medical ethics, and the student’s motives for engaging in the field of medicine are assessed.
IELTS/TOEFL
Given that studying in English in Malta is a basic criterion, students who are not native English speakers are required to submit results of the IELTS Academic test with a score of 6.5 or higher with no skill lower than 6.0, or the TOEFL iBT test with a score of no less than 88 points. This condition can be replaced with a high school completion certificate from an English-speaking school. The Future Way team can help you verify the language requirements according to your certificate specifically.
Tuition costs
Medical faculty fees
The fees of the medical faculties in Malta vary according to the university and the program; the Queen Mary University Malta fees for the MBBS program range between 20,000 and 25,000 euros per year, reflecting the affiliation with the level of a University of London with costs much lower than studying directly in Britain. As for University of Malta, its MD program fees for international students (from outside the European Union) range between 8,000 and 12,000 euros per year, making it the most economical choice for Arab students keen to compare study costs. For comparison, the fees of studying MBBS in Britain range between 30,000 and 45,000 pounds sterling per year — double what it costs in Malta or more, while obtaining a similar European recognition.
Living costs
Valletta, the capital of Malta, is among the European cities that are moderate in living costs compared with major European capitals. The monthly living costs generally range between 800 and 1,200 euros per month, including housing, food, transport, and personal expenses. The rent of a room in shared housing ranges between 400 and 600 euros per month, and food expenses range between 200 and 300 euros depending on the lifestyle. Malta is distinguished by an affordable public transport network, and the monthly bus ticket is issued for less than 30 euros for students. Thus, the total annual cost for the student (fees + living) in Malta is between 29,000 and 40,000 euros, a very competitive figure compared with studying medicine in Britain or the Netherlands.
Study duration
Six years for medicine
The study duration in Malta varies between the two main programs; the MBBS program at Queen Mary Malta extends five full academic years, while the MD program at University of Malta extends six years. These years are usually distributed over two stages: the basic sciences stage (Pre-Clinical), which takes the first two or three years, and the clinical training stage (Clinical), which takes the remaining years. The clinical training stage includes rotation between the departments of internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and emergency at the accredited Maltese hospitals. It is worth noting that some students choose to complete the internship or residency period in other European countries, thanks to the automatic European recognition of Maltese certificates.
International recognition
Equivalency in the Arab countries
The question of degree recognition is among the most frequent questions Arab students ask before the decision to enroll. The reassuring answer is that the certificates of the medical faculties in Malta — whether Queen Mary Malta or University of Malta — enjoy wide international recognition. At the European level, the certificates are automatically equated in all 27 EU countries under the European Directive for professional recognition (Directive 2005/36/EC). At the Arab level, many countries recognize them, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Kuwait, although this is conditional in some cases on verifying the granting university with the medical regulatory bodies in each country, such as the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties or the Jordan Medical Council. You are advised to consult the competent medical body in your country before registering, and the Future Way Academy team can help you verify the equivalency status according to your nationality and specialization.
Life in Malta
The Arab community
Despite the small size of Malta, the island hosts an active Arab community, even if limited in number. A number of Arab students from Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, and the Gulf countries reside there, in addition to a small Arab community of business people and permanent residents. You will find restaurants in Malta that offer halal food in the main cities, and some mosques and prayer rooms that serve the Muslim community, although fewer than in the major European destinations such as Germany or France. This is compensated for by the geographic proximity to the Arab countries; Malta is about two and a half hours by plane from Cairo and less than two hours from Tunisia, allowing students to return to their families easily during the holidays. Valletta and the other cities also provide the elements of a comfortable student life, including libraries, playing fields, recreational activities, and a vibrant cultural life on the occasion of Malta being a European Capital of Culture.
Frequently asked questions
1. How much does studying medicine in Malta cost?
The fees of studying medicine in Malta range between 8,000 and 25,000 euros per year depending on the university; at University of Malta they are between 8,000 and 12,000 euros, and at Queen Mary University Malta between 20,000 and 25,000 euros. Added to them are the monthly living costs, which range between 800 and 1,200 euros. This means the total annual cost ranges between 18,000 and 40,000 euros, much lower than their counterparts in Britain or the Netherlands.
2. Is the degree recognized in the Arab world?
Yes, the certificates of the Maltese medical faculties are recognized in most Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait. However, the equivalency procedures differ from one country to another and may require passing professional body exams. It is advised to verify the requirements of the medical body in your country before registering, and the Future Way team is ready to help you with that.
3. What are the admission requirements at the medical faculties?
The basic admission requirements include: a high school GPA of no less than 85% with high grades in biology and chemistry, passing the UCAT test for the MBBS program at Queen Mary Malta, an MMI personal interview for University of Malta, in addition to an English language proficiency certificate (IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 88) for non-native English speakers.
4. Is the study in English?
Yes, all the programs of the medical faculties in Malta are taught entirely in English. This is one of its most prominent advantages, as it combines accredited European education and teaching in an official English language in a Mediterranean European environment. There is no need to learn the Maltese language, which is used daily but is not an academic requirement.
5. How is life in Malta for Arabs?
Life in Malta for Arab students is comfortable and acceptable in general; the Mediterranean climate is familiar, the island is safe and clean, and the society is accepting and diverse. You will find halal food in most tourist areas, and some Islamic facilities in the main cities. The proximity to the Arab world makes returning during holidays easy, and the small size of the island makes moving between the university, housing, and hospitals easy. To inquire about the experiences of Arab students in Malta or to obtain a personal consultation, contact the Future Way team at the number 05060311177 or via email at info@futurewaytr.com.
Conclusion
Malta offers a rare equation that combines studying in English in an EU member country, study costs much lower than their Western counterparts, and a medical degree recognized internationally and in the Arab world. Whether you aspire to an MBBS from Queen Mary Malta or an MD from University of Malta, you are investing in a medical future with European and global horizons.
With Future Way Academy — the trusted student agent with more than 100 specialists and a network comprising more than 50 universities — you will find all the support from application until receiving acceptance and beyond.
