The education system in Malta
Due to its British colonial past, Malta's state school is based on the British educational system. The law regulating Education in Malta (Act XXIV of 1988) defines the rights and obligations of students, parents, the State and Non-Governmental Organizations in the sphere of Education.The Maltese Educational system is divided into three main branches: Primary Education, from the age of five till the age of eleven, Secondary Education, from the age of eleven till the age of eighteen, and Tertiary Education (not compulsory). As part of the Tertiary education Malta has an official University recognized by major foreign Universities known as the University of Malta.
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The State primary school system is localized in most of the towns and villages around Malta.
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The State secondary school system is streamed into Lyceums and secondary school and students can opt to go to trade school after three years of secondary level education.
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Church schools are substantially subsidized by Government and tuition is free.
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A number of Private schools provide the collection of all educational stage including kindergarten, primary, secondary and sixth-form services.
After passing the Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), the students are encouraged to continue with their studies towards the Matriculation Secondary Education Certificate (MATSEC). Students benefit from an ample choice of 50 different vocational and academic courses in the post-secondary sectors. The courses are carried out as a form of preparation for entry to the University of Malta. In this post-secondary stage, students do not only benefit from free tuition, but are also given financial stipends during the course of study.The University of Malta awards degrees in Architecture and Civil Engineering, Arts, Management, Accountancy, Economics, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Medicine and Surgery, Science, and Theology and other pioneering degrees.
Under the Education Act of 1988, the Government of Malta is obligated to provide free university education to eligible residents with sufficient qualifications for entry. However, due to funding constraints, the University of Malta offers a collection of courses every other year in order to maximize course offerings with optimum funding usage. Currently, there are over 11,000 students including 650 international students, following full-time or part-time degree and diploma courses and almost 3,000 students graduate in various disciplines annually. Most Bachelor degree courses run for three to four years.
The education system in Malta attracts students from different parts of the world, especially countries bordering the Mediterranean and the Middle East. At University level, the international dimension finds scope in the Foundation for International Studies of the University of Malta which organizes international conferences on a variety of subjects. Attached to the University are a number of other institutes, including the IMO (International Maritime Law Institute) and the Institute for Diplomatic Studies.