The University of Malta traces its origins to the founding of the Collegium Melitense which was set up through direct papal intervention on the 12th November 1592. This college was run by the Jesuits on the lines of their other colleges established elsewhere and known as 'Collegia Externorum', catering for non-Jesuit students. By a papal Bull of Pope Pius IV, dated 29th August 1561, confirmed later by a further Bull of Pope Gregory XIII, dated 9th May 1578, the Jesuits were empowered to confer the degrees of Magister Philosophiae and Doctor Divinitatis. However, the foundation deed specified that besides Philosophy and Theology, other subjects such as Grammar and the Humanities should also be taught.
 
Following the abatement of the plague of 1675, Grand Master Nicolò Cotoner appointed Fra Dr Giuseppe Zammit as ‘lettore’ in Anatomy and Surgery at the Sacra Infermeria on the 19th October 1676. This attempt at formalizing medical teaching at the Order’s hospital is considered by many as the beginning of our medical school. Zammit went on to establish the first medical library on the island as well as a medicinal herb garden in one of the ditches of Fort Saint Elmo.

The first Rector of the University was Fr Roberto Costaguti of the Servites’Order who had in previous years established a reputation as a preacher. A number of other foreign professors were brought over to help establish the University and these were installed in June 1771. They all lived together in the former Jesuit College. It appears that the Medical Faculty was the only one staffed solely by local teachers, a tradition which has been maintained throughout the centuries.

Soon after Pinto died his successor, Ximenes, reduced the number of chairs and expelled all expatriate staff as an economic measure. During the brief French interregnum formal University teaching came to an end as Napoleon abolished the University five days after landing in Malta on the 18th June 1798. Fortunately, a few weeks after the French were forced to leave, Sir Alexander Ball reinstituted the University and appointed as rector Canon F.X. Caruana on the 28th October 1800 in recognition of his services during the uprising against the French.

The first rector appointed by the Governor Sir Thomas Maitland, at the beginning of British sovereignty, was the Dominican Fr Gerolomo Inglott, the Professor of Philosophy. During the British period the University underwent a series of changes in its statutes and regulations bringing it into line with universities in the United Kingdom. The present coat of arms and the motto ‘Ut Fructificemus Deo’ were proposed on 1st March 1923 by the rector, Professor Sir Themistocles Zammit. Between 1937 and 1974, (when Malta became a Republic) the University petitioned for and obtained regularly the right to the use of the word “Royal” in its title.