The University of Malta seeks to attract top quality students from countries outside the European Union/EEA for whom the University's Master by research and Ph.D. programmes may be beyond their financial reach. Tuition fee waivers of up to 100 per cent shall be awarded to deserving students. Bench fees for certain programmes may still apply. The fee waiver will apply for the normal duration of the programme being followed. If extensions of the period of study are required, these may not necessarily be eligible for a fee waiver.
Only applicants who have been accepted unconditionally to read for a Master by research or a Ph.D. on a full-time and part-time basis are eligible to apply.
Professional doctorates and MBA-type programmes are not eligible.
How to apply for UM Doctoral Studies
How to apply for Master by Research*
* Master Programmes 'mainly by research' refers to programmes where the dissertation/project is assigned 60 ECTS or more.
Within one month of receipt of the unconditional letter of acceptance, interested students are to submit a request to be considered for a fee waiver by sending an email to the International Office indicating the Applicant ID as shown in the letter of acceptance and ‘University of Malta Postgraduate Scholarship Application’ in the subject line.
The following documents should be attached to the application email:
(a) detailed Curriculum Vitae, and
(b) a motivational letter.
Requests for these scholarships will be evaluated by a UM Ph.D. and Masters (by research) Degree Scholarship Selection Board whose decision shall be final.
The selection criteria are as follows:
(a) academic ability of the applicant,
(b) quality of the Research Proposal, and
(c) quality of the motivational letter.
The Selection Board may interview applicants (via the internet if necessary).
Scholarship applications from students who have already started their programme of studies at the UM cannot be considered.
Requests will be evaluated quarterly and applicants will be informed of the outcome soon after.
The selection criteria approved by Senate are as follows:
The candidate should only sit for one interview, normally conducted by the relevant Faculty/Institute/Centre/School (F/I/C/S). If this interview is conducted by the F/I/C/S, no second interview is necessary. However, a report on the overall performance of the student and their suitability to follow the indicated programme of research should be made available to the Scholarships Selection Board. If the candidate has not yet been interviewed, then the Scholarships Selection Board can conduct the interview (including via Skype, etc.), and a report on the students’ overall performance submitted to the relevant F/I/C/S.
In determining next whether the candidate should be granted a full (i.e. 100 per cent) or partial (i.e. between 10 per cent and 90 per cent) fee waiver, the Scholarships Selection Board should be guided by these considerations:
Requests for scholarships will be evaluated by a Scholarships Selection Board to ensure awards are granted to deserving candidates. The decision of the Scholarships Selection Board shall be final.
These scholarships are available to non-EU/EEA applicants who have been accepted unconditionally to read for a Master by research or a Ph.D. on full-time and part-time basis.
Scholarship applications from students who have already started their programme of studies at the UM cannot be considered.
Applicants for Professional Doctorates are not eligible to apply.
The Scholarships Selection Board may interview applicants (via the internet if necessary).
The scholarships consist of the waiving of the annual tuition fee applicable for the Master by research or Ph.D. Programme being followed.
Applicants should ensure that they have the means to support themselves throughout their studies in Malta and to cover expenses related to travel, accommodation and other living expenses, visa and residence permits, insurance, academic and other expenses.
Applicants who are in receipt of a full scholarship (covering tuition fees and living costs) from another sponsoring organisation are not eligible to apply. However, applicants who hold a partial scholarship or maintenance grant to cover living costs from another organisation may be considered. Such a scholarship should be disclosed to the Selection Committee when applying.
Other important information
Students are requested to familiarise themselves with the information available on the International Office website which provides information regarding visas, residence permits, bank accounts, health screening, English language requirements and other details relevant to studies at the University of Malta and living in Malta.
Students who are awarded a fee waiver shall enter into an agreement with the University of Malta which shall be binding in terms of the rules and regulations of the University and the host country, and including requirements such as a commitment to seriously engage in their studies, register monthly progress with their academic supervisor/course coordinator and complete the approved programme within the established time frame.