Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education (both sexes) was 80% in 2023. In 2022, the initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita was 33%, while the initial household funding per tertiary student was 3%.
Tuition-free status
Maltese and EU students attending full-time undergraduate courses offered by the University of Malta (UOM), the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) and the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) do not pay tuition fees, which are funded by the government. The government also funds full-time postgraduate courses that lead to a professional warrant, such as the Master’s in Teaching and Learning, at the University of Malta. No registration fees are charged for these courses. Part-time students usually pay fees at rates subsidised by the government.
EU and non-EU students can apply for fee exemptions at state higher education institutions if they are asylum seekers, refugees, refused asylum seekers until deported, persons in possession of single permits or a blue card, as well as family members and dependents of those entitled. Fees may also be waived on humanitarian grounds for persons not otherwise entitled.
Governance
The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation is responsible for funding higher education institutions. The higher education system comprises several public or privately owned institutions. Four institutions are publicly-funded higher educational institutions: the University of Malta, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), the Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) and the Institute for Education (IFE).
The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority regulates further and higher education establishments against the Malta Qualifications Framework.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation funds higher education institutions through direct government allocations.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Private higher education institutions set their own prices and raise funds from registration and tuition fees. Students studying at private institutions are not eligible to receive the student maintenance grant, but are eligible to apply for competitive scholarship schemes funded by the government. Therefore, considerable income of private higher education institutions indirectly comes from government support to students.
Allocation and equity
The UoM, MCAST, ITS and the IfE receive annual funding from the government. These funds are managed and controlled by the respective institution’s top management.
Academic staff at UOM are also entitled to two types of funds: the Academic Research Fund and the Academic Resources Fund. These are intended to support academics in their professional development and academic research by covering expenses to include academic literature, participation in academic conferences both locally and abroad and other expenses such as the purchasing of digital hardware and software.
For accountability purposes, income and expenditure accounts are submitted on a monthly basis through the Financial Data Reporting System system set up by the Ministry of Finance. Every quarter, educational institutions must also submit balance sheets and cash flow projections. Furthermore, at the end of the financial year, publicly funded institutions produce financial statements in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards which are audited by an external auditing firm and tabled to be approved by specifically set up internal boards. Additionally, regular audits are conducted by the National Audit Office.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
Prospective students need to pass an examination administered at the national level to enroll in higher education, with no national quotas for specific population groups to enroll in higher education programmes.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Since undergraduate courses are free of charge, there is no public financial support offered to students for tuition or registration fees. However, students attending undergraduate courses and some postgraduate courses are entitled to a maintenance grant (see section 4), locally referred to as students’ stipend, in accordance with the 2016 Students Maintenance Grants Regulations. The grants are not merit-based, with all students having access to them irrespective of academic performance. In addition to the universal grants, economically disadvantaged students can apply for a supplementary allowance aimed at supporting them even further. Stipends and grants include the one-time grant (depending on the course of studies), initial grant, stipends, single parents’ grant, top-up stipend, and supplementary allowance. The Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme aims to support good quality tertiary education and to seek to contribute towards the Maltese labour market with the right skilled individuals but is not based on disadvantage. All grants are financed by the Students' Maintenance Grants Board under the Ministry of Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation (Scholarships Unit).
Supplementary allowances are additional monetary funds awarded to students facing certain circumstances of proven hardship, including financial difficulties (based on students’ total household income). Scholarship awardees with a disability taking up full-time on-campus studies abroad may also apply for an additional subsidy to contribute towards the added expenses incurred in relation to their impairment.
All stipends and grants are credited directly to the bank account that the students specify in their online application.
Unless higher education studies are already supported by a scholarship scheme, students may also apply for 70% of their expenses on course fees through the Get Qualified Scheme.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
Government grants do not cover student travel expenses, such as conferences.
Accommodation
The maintenance grant contributes towards student living expenses. Students who, due to proven hardship and/or humanitarian situations, are deemed to qualify for the supplementary maintenance grant, receive an additional grant based on annual means testing. Means testing is waived in the case of students with physical and, or intellectual disabilities.
Textbooks
Government grants do not cover student expenses for buying books.
