The Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) is the national system that classifies every Maltese qualification from school certificates to PhDs on a single eight-level scale — and because it maps level-for-level to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), a degree earned in Malta is understood by universities and employers across Europe and beyond. Here is what every international student needs to know about how the MQF works and where their qualification fits.
What Is the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF)?
Every accredited programme in Malta is assessed and mapped to a level on the MQF based on its learning outcomes, not just hours spent in a classroom. The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) evaluates each qualification against three pillars:
Knowledge
Theoretical or factual understanding of a subject area.
Skills
The practical ability to apply that knowledge to tasks and problems.
Competence
Using knowledge and skills autonomously and responsibly.
Because the MQF is a standardized national framework, any qualification you earn in Malta can be compared cleanly with education systems across Europe and internationally. For students choosing to study in Malta, that comparability is the framework's whole point.
Which MQF Level Is a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Malta?
Levels 4 to 8 cover post-secondary and higher education, the range that matters for international students. As of 2026, the standard mapping is:
What is an ECTS credit? ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) is Europe's shared way of measuring study workload. One credit represents roughly 25 hours of total learning time, so coursework completed in Malta transfers cleanly to universities across Europe.
Browse MQF-accredited programs in Malta
Find programs at MFHEA-licensed institutions in Malta and apply for free through ApplyBoard.
Levels 4 to 8 in Detail
The gateway to higher education, equivalent to A-Levels, foundation diplomas, or a high school leaving certificate from your home country. In Malta it includes the MATSEC Matriculation Certificate and Vocational Education and Training (VET) Diplomas.
Good to know: If you have completed 10+2, A-Levels, or an equivalent school-leaving qualification at home, you likely already satisfy Level 4 and can apply directly to Level 5 or 6 programmes.
A practical bridge between school and a full degree, equivalent to an HND, undergraduate diploma, or foundation degree, and a popular entry point for professional upskilling.
Flexibility for mature students: Many Maltese institutions admit mature learners with relevant work experience directly to Level 5, even without a formal Level 4 qualification, subject to academic board approval.
The standard Bachelor's degree level and your main gateway to professional careers and postgraduate study. According to the Malta Qualifications Database, a three-year programme carries a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, with specialized four-year tracks reaching 240 ECTS.
The top-up opportunity: Holders of a recognized Level 5 diploma can often convert it into a full Bachelor's degree through a one-year "top-up" programme.
Advanced qualifications that prepare graduates for senior and specialized roles: Master's degrees (MA, MSc, MBA), postgraduate certificates, and postgraduate diplomas. A standard Master's carries 90 ECTS credits; some technical programmes require up to 120.
The peak of the framework. PhDs and professional doctorates are research-based rather than credit-based, centered on original research and peer-reviewed contribution to a specialized field, typically over 3 to 4 years.
Where Does Your Qualification Fit? A Guide for Non-EU Students
If you studied outside Europe, your credential is assessed against the MQF by the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC), the recognition body within the MFHEA. As a general guide for South Asian students: an Indian Higher Secondary Certificate (10+2), Pakistani HSSC, Bangladeshi HSC, or Sri Lankan GCE A-Levels positions you for entry to Level 5 or Level 6 programmes, while a recognized bachelor's degree supports entry to Level 7 (Master's) study. Your exact placement is confirmed by an MQRIC recognition statement, which is also tied to Malta's student residence requirements.
Start that recognition early: our MQRIC recognition guide for Indian students walks through the application, fees, and timelines, and our Malta student visa guide shows where the recognition statement fits in your permit file.
Is a Maltese Degree Recognized in Other Countries?
The MQF is referenced directly to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), with levels numerically identical from 1 to 8. In practice, this gives you:
- Straightforward EU comparability. Your MQF Level 6 Bachelor's maps directly to EQF Level 6, a reference institutions and employers across the EU understand at a glance.
- Simplified mobility. Continuing your studies or career in another European country rarely requires complex credential evaluation, because the level is already established.
- Quality assurance. The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) is the competent authority that accredits courses and recognizes qualifications against the MQF.
Outside Europe, Maltese degrees are widely understood thanks to this alignment, but recognition decisions always rest with each country's own authorities. Students planning to return to India, for example, should confirm equivalence requirements with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) before enrolling.
How Does the Bologna Process Protect Your Degree?
Malta is a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) under the Bologna Process, the agreement that standardizes higher education across nearly 50 countries in Europe and beyond. The Bologna Process drives two things you benefit from directly: the ECTS credit system described above, and the three-cycle structure that makes degrees comparable across borders:
- First cycle (Bachelor's): MQF Level 6
- Second cycle (Master's): MQF Level 7
- Third cycle (Doctoral): MQF Level 8
Tip! Before accepting an offer, check how many ECTS credits your programme awards on the Malta Qualifications Database. The credit count is what makes your qualification portable if you later work or study elsewhere in Europe.
FAQ: MQF Questions International Students Ask
MQF Level 7, identical to EQF Level 7. A standard Master's carries 90 ECTS credits (up to 120 for some specialized programmes) over 1 to 2 years of full-time study.
A minimum of 180 ECTS for a three-year degree at MQF Level 6, extending to 240 ECTS for specialized four-year programmes.
The MQF is Malta's national framework, regulated by the MFHEA; the EQF is the Europe-wide reference it maps to. The levels are numerically aligned, so MQF Level 6 corresponds directly to EQF Level 6.
Maltese degrees are MFHEA-accredited, EQF-aligned, and earned within the EHEA, which makes them widely understood internationally. Formal equivalence in India is determined by Indian authorities, typically the AIU, so confirm requirements before enrolling if you plan to return home.
MQRIC, the recognition body within the MFHEA, assesses foreign qualifications against the MQF. A 10+2 generally supports Level 5 or 6 entry; a recognized bachelor's degree supports Level 7 entry. See our MQRIC recognition guide.
Start Your Malta Application
Once you know which MQF level your target program sits at and how your existing qualifications map to the framework, the next step is confirming your MQRIC recognition and choosing an MFHEA-licensed institution. Browse available programs on ApplyBoard or read our Malta student visa guide to see how your MQF level fits into the full application process.
Take the next step toward studying in Malta
Browse accredited programs at Maltese institutions and apply for free through ApplyBoard.