Below you will find information about services which will help you to prepare for travel and to settle in Malta.

Please ensure that all academic, bank and government documents are kept safely with you in your hand luggage and not in bags kept in the aircraft’s hold.  This is as a precaution just in case your suitcases are lost in transit.  

There are a number of ways you can travel in Malta. Public buses are known as ‘Tal-Linja’.  They cover all of Malta and Gozo.  Students may apply for the Tallinja card for free public transpoort. We also suggest that you download the Tallinja App from your mobile app store. 

Private taxi services are also easily accessible, and offer competitive rates.  Most can be booked via apps that you can download onto your phone.  We recommend that students book in advance or plan your return when going out. This is to ensure that you are not left stranded in unfamiliar places. 

e-Residence Permit:

Make sure that your documentation is up-to-date before arriving in Malta. 

When in Malta, all full-time degree students, and visiting non-EU, and UK students are to apply for their e-residence permit.  EU Visiting students on a full year mobility, are also advised to apply for their e-residence permit. 

Please be aware that attending lectures is compulsory.  If you miss lectures because you are either sick, travelling or any other reason,  you must contact your lecturer to inform them about your absence.  Attendance is tied to your e-Residence Permit and this can be revoked if your attendance is not in line with the required levels. Checks are frequently conducted. 

Opening a Local Bank Account: 

Foundation and Degree students, staying for more than 6 months, may be eligible to open a bank account with a local bank. 

1. What is the difference between a student visa and an e-Residence Permit?

A student visa is a permit given by a country that allows its holder to travel to another country for study purposes. It is a passport-stamped document authorised and issued by an embassy.

An e-Residence Permit authorises the holder of such document to reside in the country beyond the 90 -day period and until its expiry date. Residence permits are issued with a maximum validity of one academic year for full-time students who are here for a year, and for the defined period of study at the University in the case of visiting students (one -semester-duration).

2. I am a non-EU national and I do not require a visa to travel to Malta. Can I stay in Malta for as long as I want to?

All non-European nationals must apply for an e-Residence Permit within 90 days of their arrival in the Schengen Area, unless they are in possession of a long-term student D-national visa.

For instance - If you are coming down from Brazil and your first entry point in the Schengen Area was Spain, then your maximum 90-day time clock will start running down from the date you landed in Spain.

3. I am a dual national of a non-European and a European Union country. Which documents do I use for my e-Residence Permit application?

We recommend using your EU documents.

4. I am a European Union national and I am coming to study in Malta for one semester only. Do I need to apply for an e-Residence Permit?

You may opt not to apply for an e-Residence Permit.

5. I am a European Union national and I coming to study in Malta for one year. Do I need to apply for an e-Residence Permit?

The University strongly recommends applying for an e-Residence Permit.

6. Can I apply for the e-Residence Permit while I am still abroad (before arriving in Malta)?

To apply for an e-Residence Permit, you need to be an enrolled University of Malta student in possession of a long-term rental agreement. The International Office issues the endorsement letter when the student is physically in Malta and have completed the enrolment procedure, including payment of tuition fees (where applicable).

7. I am a non-European national in possession of a valid e-Residence Permit issued by a country in the Schengen Area. Do I need to apply for a Maltese e-Residence Permit?

A non-Maltese e-Residence Permit permits you to reside in Malta for a maximum period of 90 days. You are required to apply for a Maltese e-Residence Permit within the 90 days of your arrival in Malta.

8. I am a non-EU national and I entered the Schengen Area without a visa. Can I travel abroad while I have a pending e-Residence Permit application?

You may travel overseas and return to Malta within the first 90 days of your arrival in the Schengen Area. For instance - I entered the Schengen Area on 20^th September and I intend going for a short break to Sicily on 01^st November. Is that possible?

Yes, because you would have used 40 days out of the 90 days.

9. I hold a non-EU passport and I entered Malta with a visa. Can I travel abroad while I have a pending e-Residence Permit application?

You can travel for short periods as long as you are in possession of a visa of a multi-entry type stamped on your passport and your return date is before your visa expiry date.

10. Can I travel abroad if my e-Residence Permit has not yet been issued and collected?

If you are a non-EU national, you are not advised to leave Malta before your e-Residence Permit is in hand, unless your first 90 days have not lapsed.

11. I am a non-EU national and I have applied for my e-Residence Permit. My 90-day time limit has passed but I have not received my permit. What should I do?

Once you submit your application successfully, you will receive authorisation for temporary residence in the form of a letter from the Expatriates Unit, Identity Malta. This permit allows you to continue residing in Malta until your actual permit is issued. This permit is valid for Malta only and is NOT valid for travelling anywhere outside the Maltese islands.

12. I hold a non-EU passport and my 90-day limit has passed. I am still struggling to submit my e-Residence Permit application.

You are strongly advised to seek support by contacting the International Office as soon as possible as this would constitute an act of overstaying – which is illegal.

13. My friend has a valid rental agreement, and I would like to share with her the lodging. Is that possible?

Yes, but your name, surname and passport details need to be included in this rental contract which is signed by the landlord.

14. I came to Malta to study for 3 years. I am struggling to find accommodation for long-term. I have signed a short-term contract valid for 3 months. Is this acceptable for my residence permit application?

A rental agreement valid for 3 months only is NOT valid unless it is supplemented by a further long-term agreement which would serve as proof of place of residence following the expiry of the short-term contract.

UM email Account:

It is important that new students activate their UM email account - @um.edu.mt.  UM correspondence and notices will be sent to this account. You may set the UM account to forward received messages to another email account of your choice.
  

Course Enrolment:
 
Once you have activated your account, there are now two steps you need to follow.

Step 1:

Verify your Documents - 

Original certificates are to be presented upon your arrival to Malta; for the dates and times, kindly visit this link. Make sure to take your acceptance letter with you. 

If your course is online, you are to send notarized true copies of your qualifications (not your originals) by post to the following address: Room 103, International Admissions Office, Administration Building, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta. Please ensure you contact the International Admissions Office on intadmissions@um.edu.mt before sending your documents. 

Step 2:

Online enrolment - 

Once your documents have been verified, you will receive an email from SIMS office to enrol through e-sims. Follow the steps provided in this email, you will then be able to access all student portals and register for your study-units.

Secondly, once the Admissions Office sends you a link to your @um.edu.mt account your next step is to enrol online. To do this you need to activate your UM email account.
    

Study-Unit Registration:

You must register online for the study-units that you are expected to follow during the next academic year through the eSIMS portal. Thereafter, you register your study-units every academic year of your course. You are to follow the instructions given by your home Faculty at the beginning of your course.

Online Enrolment and Registration (on eSIMS) - Frequently Asked Questions:

If you have questions on how to register and/or enrol, please see the SIMS office Frequently Asked Questions   

Academic Calendar:

Take note of the Academic Calendar and have it bookmarked for quick reference. Check your faculty’s website for each semester’s timetable, and  for any information contact your respective coordinator. 

Student Hours:

Should you need to contact any administrative staff, please do so by email or telephone to check if the office is receiving students. Familiarise yourself with your respective administrative offices' student hours. 

Student Regulations:

Do familiarise yourself with the student regulations to meet the faculties’ expectations regarding student conduct, procedures and forms. Visiting Erasmus and exchange students are to refer to the International Office website or coordinator. 

Please be aware that attending lectures is compulsory.  If you miss lectures because you are either sick, travelling or any other reason,  you must contact your lecturer to inform them about your absence.  Attendance will be taken for every class. 

It is of utmost importance to read the Guidelines for students in distress [PDF]  and refer to them regularly. 

MyUM App:

Registered students may download the MyUM App, where you can easily access services from your phone. Some of its most important features include an interactive campus map linked with Google Maps. 

Student Organizations:

Student organisations are a vital part of campus life. The main point of reference is the Student Council (Kunsill Studenti Universitarji - KSU).  They will assist students with any student-related matters. They are also the umbrella organisation for all other student associations. The KSU International Officer, Matthias Caruana, can be contacted via email at international@ksu.org.mt. 

The university strives to continue offering its support to ensure you are well assisted throughout your journey.

The International Office: 

The International Office is the first point of contact for international students. The Student Guidelines [PDF]  for seeking assistance from the International Office are some basic guidelines to assist students in accessing the best possible service from the International Office when experiencing trying circumstances.

The Health and Wellness Centre:

The Health and Wellness Centre offers services aimed at enhancing the wellness of students. The Counselling Services is situated at, and is one of the services offered, at the Health & Wellness Centre. The services are free of charge and fully confidential. Students who wish to make use of this service can either contact the Counselling Service directly or speak to their respective coordinator at the International Office who will refer them to the Intake Officer for an appointment. Several other services are available to students at the Health and Wellness Center. 

Access Disability Support Unit (ADSU):

If you need any special arrangements you may contact ADSU for more information.

Health Facilities:

There are a number of private and public health facilities across the island that you may use should the need arise. In the Health and Support Services we have provided telephone numbers and information to assist you. 

The emergency contact number in Malta is 112 which gives you access to ambulance services, fire and police services.

The University Chaplaincy:

The University Chaplaincy offers spiritual support and pastoral care to staff and students of all faiths and none. Furthermore, if you are interested in a voluntary work experience, the Chaplaincy offers various opportunities. 

 
The Libraries: 

Online facilities are available for journals, articles and publications.  You need to be a registered student to access these online. 

The Main Library: 

During this academic year, from 1 October to 15 June, the Main Library will open:

Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 20:00

Saturday from 09:00 to 12:15

Branch Libraries:

Please note that the opening hours of University’s branch libraries may vary. 

The Library Card:

All students are required to apply for a library card and advised to ensure they collect this once it has been issued. The Library Card is considered as the UM student Card and may be requested as an identification document during exams. Please visit the circulation desk to apply. 

Sports Facilities: 

Sports Facilities are available to all students upon request.

To get to know more contact the Sports Manager. 

Public Holidays:

Please note that during the Public Holidays and weekends the University of Malta and the Administrative Offices at UM (except for the library) are closed.

IT Services: 

The IT Services Department assists students with all their IT-related queries. They also have designated study areas for students who want to study on campus.   

Languages:

If you are interested in learning basic Maltese to communicate with locals, the Maltese Department offers Maltese study-units for beginners: MAL0011 and MAL0012.  

Students who would like to improve their language skills, can follow additional study-units from the Institute of Linguistics - LIN1063 and LIN1065; and the Centre of English Language Proficiency (CELP) - ENG1061.  

Malta University Language School is a residential school owned and validated by the University of Malta. The Language School offers a number of courses in English suited for visiting students. 

Degree Plus: 

Explore the extra-curricular activities offered by Degree Plus. The areas covered by DegreePlus include voluntary work, entrepreneurship, sport, culture and heritage, languages, music, creative and performing arts and many more.

Liberal Arts Programme:

The Programme in the Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a broad range of ‘stand alone’ study-units in areas such as archaeology, history, literature, culture, conservation, philosophy, economics, public policy, migration, music, biology, medicine, earth systems, marketing, art, astronomy, sociology, politics, winemaking, chemistry, architecture, law, photography, and more.