Are you thinking about relocating to Malta with your family but concerned about schooling? This guide outlines everything you need to know about the education system in Malta and presents the different options available for your children on the archipelago.
Good to know:
The educational system in Malta reflects the country's former British governance. Parents can choose between public or private schools, with the latter including both faith-based and independent schools. Education is provided in Maltese and English, the two official languages of the country.
The Maltese school systemÌý
Schooling in MaltaÌýis compulsory until the age of 16 and is divided into four stages: pre-primary (ages 3 to 5), primary (ages 5 to 11), secondary (ages 11 to 18), and tertiary. Primary and secondary education is mandatory until 16 or the end of "secondary school."
After completing secondary education, students are free to pursue post-secondary education and potentially higher education, or they can choose to join the Maltese workforce.
The Maltese government is committed to improving education standards by offering several subsidies to cover the cost of continuing education. The goal is to consistently maintain the socio-economic development of the country across a wide range of sectors.
There are three types of schools in Malta:
Government schools (Public schools)
Education is free and primarily in Maltese (except in northern areas with many expatriates). English is also used as a medium of instruction. These schools are funded by the Maltese government.
Private schools
These are paid schools, with costs ranging from 550 to 2000 euros per term (depending on the child's education level), plus the cost of uniforms. Instruction is primarily in English.
Church schools (Religious schools)
They encourage voluntary donations from parents, with a recommended minimum of 100 euros per term. Instruction is provided in both English and Maltese. Admission is by lottery under the supervision of an "usher" from the archdiocese each year. Only Catholic children, generally of Maltese nationality, are accepted.
Primary education in Malta
Almost every locality in Malta has at least one primary school, and most also have secondary schools. Preschools welcome children aged three to five years and are free for parents who are employed or studying.
Local primary schools in Malta cater to children aged 5 to 11 (years 1 to 6).
As Malta is a Catholic country, religion is taught in class. However, it is not a mandatory subject for foreign students whose parents can choose to opt out. Instead, students will follow "Ethics" classes, combining philosophy for children and civic education, similar to practices in Australia.
The national exams are taken at the age of 11, after which students continue their education in secondary school.
Secondary education in Malta
After two years of lower secondary education (Form 1 and Form 2), students can choose some subjects they wish to study during the last three years of their compulsory education (Form 3 to 5).
At the end of their fifth year of secondary education (Form 5), students take the Maltese equivalent of the British GCSEs, the Secondary School Certificate and Profiling (SSC&P). This may allow them to enter Sixth Form or a higher education institution for two years to take intermediate and advanced level exams in preparation for university. At this stage, students wishing to take courses and vocational or technical training enroll in institutes or vocational training centers such as .
Secondary education includes several compulsory subjects, including mathematics, English, Maltese (for Maltese nationals), at least one science subject, and a foreign language, as well as health and physical education.
Several optional subjects are also offered, including various foreign languages and subjects from both the humanities and sciences.
Private schools in Malta
In Malta, children receive more individualized attention to meet their specific needs in private education. These schools tend to have more resources than public or faith-based schools.
Moreover, these schools tend to favor instruction in English, as opposed to Maltese in public schools. All schools provide courses in Maltese and English, with students expected to be bilingual.
Íæż½ã½ã children in Malta may attend one of the international private schools or be enrolled in local public, religious, or independent schools.
Among the local schools popular with expat families are in Birgu and in Birkirkara, both all-boys schools. Across from them is , an all-girls school.
International schools in Malta
Malta has several international schools that parents can explore when relocating to Malta.
St Edward's College
is a Catholic school for boys that follows the British curriculum and prepares students for the IGCSE (international exams) or MATSEC (national exams) at age 16. There are programs for girls at the pre-primary level as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma program.
Verdala International School
offers an American-style education for boys and girls, preparing students for the International Baccalaureate or IGCSE.
Quality Schools International
is a network of international schools, with a campus conveniently located in Mosta, central Malta.
There are also over 30 English language schools in Malta, with summer being a very popular time for students to come and learn on the Mediterranean islands.
Good to know:
The tuition fees for private schools in Malta are quite reasonable by international standards.
Important:
The IGCSE is equivalent to the British GCSE and international GCE 'O' level exams.
The Lycée Français Bilingue International de Malte
Until recently, there was no French school in Malta, but a French lycée is opening in September 2025 in Pembroke: the . This new addition for expatriates in Malta is thanks to AFLEC (Association Franco-Libanaise pour l'Éducation et l'Emploi). The opening of the French lycée is supported by the French embassy in Malta and in partnership with the French Ministry of National Education.
Instruction is provided in French and English. For children, reading is initially taught in French, then in English. Two teachers are involved in each class: a French-speaking one and an English-speaking one, alternating between mornings and afternoons. On some days, the French-speaking teacher teaches in the morning, and on other days in the afternoon. The classes are the same as in France, from nursery to the third year of middle school.
The school schedule follows the local rhythm, with classes starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. Lunch is offered at school, and children wear a uniform.
Student lifeÌýin Malta
The daily life of students in Malta is similar in many ways to that of students in Anglo-Saxon countries.
Uniform
Just like in the UK, wearing a uniform is mandatory. Children have two uniforms: one for summer and one for winter. The only exception is Verdala International School, where children do not wear a uniform.
Schools provide the list of the different uniform elements and indicate the specialized stores where parents can purchase them.
Uniforms are no longer required for students in "Sixth Form," which corresponds to the first and final years of high school in France.
School transport
Most schools offer a free school transport service, provided by red minibuses. Students are picked up in front of their door in the morning and dropped off at the same place after school.
Good to know:
School transport for children attending Verdala International School is paid.
Cafeteria
This is a surprising fact for many expatriate parents: in Malta, mostÌýschools do not have a cafeteria. Parents are therefore required to prepare a packed lunch for their children.
School schedules
In Malta, children go to school from Monday to Friday. The hours differ from other countries like France, as classes usually start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.
Afternoons and homework
Although school ends early, schoolwork continues with homework – up to two hours a day. Many parents and teachers criticize the volume and quality of homework given to students.
The school hours in Malta can be a concern for parents who work all day and cannot pick up their children from school and then help them with their homework.
To address this issue, childcare services are available outside school hours. The Foundation for Educational Services (FES), a public entity under the Ministry of Education, has set up three services to care for children after school. is for children aged 0 to 3 and focuses on child development in various areas. The second, called , caters to children and adolescents aged 3 to 16 after school and offers activities related to art, physical education, cooking, science, and technology. This service also provides a conducive environment for homework, with qualified tutors to help children. The last is , a service allowing children to participate in cultural, artistic, and sports activities, as well as outings, during the summer months.
The University of Malta offers an that provides children (up to 10 years old) with a quiet and supportive environment to do their homework. Sessions take place from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and cost €6.
School holidays
The school calendar takes into account Malta's climate. Due to the summer heat, the school year begins later than in countries further north. Children return to school in the last week of September. The summer holidays start at the end of June, thus lasting three months. Children have Christmas holidays (at least two weeks) and Easter holidays (just under two weeks). They do not have a specific All Saints' or February holiday, but a few days called "mid-term" during All Saints' and Carnival.
In addition to these holidays and "mid-terms," there are public holidays, totaling 14 in Malta.
Extracurricular activitiesÌý
Besides the childcare services provided by the Foundation for Educational Services mentioned earlier, schools themselves offer numerous activities for children in the afternoon. These activities are of a sporting, artistic, scientific nature... Some, offered in private schools, are quite unique, such as those related to robotics and entrepreneurship at Verdala International School. While these activities may be offered for free in public and religious schools, this is not the case in private schools.
School trips
School trips are sometimes organized. Malta's numerous museums and historical sites offer students the opportunity to discover local heritage and learn more about the country's history in a fun way. Some schools also organize short trips to Sicily, taking advantage of the maritime connection between the two islands.
Support classes
If your child is struggling academically, you can turn to private support classes in Malta. For example, offers tailored tutoring services to help children and adolescents.
If your child's native language is neither English nor Maltese, you might worry about them gradually losing it. This is a challenge faced by children known as "third culture kids," meaning children raised abroad. They develop a culture that is neither entirely that of their parents nor entirely that of their host country. We encourage you to practice your language at home, pass on your culture and traditions, and possibly enroll your child in support classes for children with the same native language.
The University of Malta
The offers accredited certificates and diplomas at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels in a wide range of subjects.
Students wishing to enroll at the university after secondary school must pass the MATSEC (Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate) exams, the International Baccalaureate, or the European Baccalaureate. Foreign qualifications of an equivalent level, such as the GCE Advanced Level Grades, are also accepted by the University.
The university's Mediterranean Studies program is very popular among foreign students.
Some international students come to study in Malta through the .
Useful links:
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
