As a registered UM student currently reading for an undergraduate degree programme (Level 6) you are eligible to participate in an International Exchange mobility at one of the UM Partner Universities. Generally, the duration of the exchange lasts one semester. Some scholarships may even last one academic year. In order to be eligible, you must have completed the first year of university for undergraduate study cycles and be not less than 18 years of age during the exchange period.
This year’s call includes a new opportunity for UM students. Starting from 2025/6, three UM students will have the OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA through an Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility agreement. All selected Erasmus+ ICM beneficiaries will receive an Erasmus+ grant through the International Office, which will partially cover the expenses incurred abroad.
If you are in your final year during this academic year 2024/25 you cannot apply for an exchange programme.
You can view a short presentation about the International Exchange Programme here.
Students testimonials can be viewed here.October: The International Office issues the call for applications for the following academic year. If you are eligible to apply will receive the information by email. The call will also be uploaded on Newspoint.
15 November 2024: An information meeting is held to explain the application procedures.
Time and Venue: 12:00 – 13:00 at the Arts Lecture Theatre (ALT)
30 November 2024: Closing date of applications. Late applications will not be accepted.
End of January: By the end of January you will be notified whether they were selected, placed on the reserve list or not selected.
February: The selected students will be nominated at the host Universities and will receive instructions on the application process.
The University of Malta participates in student exchange programmes worldwide. Several exchange agreements with universities and networks have been signed, whereby UM students can apply. Below is a list of all the partner universities and networks. Students are exempt from paying tuition fees at all the partners in this list. In addition, students benefit from grants and other arrangements which vary based on the type of agreement. A more detailed explanation of these benefits is given in the section Grants.
University of Canberra – Starting from 2025/6, three UM students have the opportunity to study at the University of Canberra through an Erasmus+ ICM agreement. It operates on the same principles as the Erasmus+ programme for EU and EEA countries, (Erasmus between third countries not associated with the Programme) also requiring the same administrative set-up in terms of Inter-Institutional Agreements and mobility documents.
The University of Malta signed exchange agreements with several universities and networks of universities outside of Europe throughout the years. A list of all the UM exchange partners are listed below.
Australia
Victoria University of Technology
University of Melbourne
Canada
Bishop’s University, Quebec
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Huron College,Ontario
St. Thomas University, New Brunswick
Trent University, Ontario
University of Guelph, Ontario
University of Prince Edward Island
China
Xiamen University
Japan
Akita International University
Kansai Gaidai University, Osaka - students applying to this University will have to postpone their studies for a year. A scholarship is given by Kansai Gaidai University to the successful candidate. (This usually covers the cost of stay in Japan.)
Yokohama National University, Yokohama
United States
Clarion University, Pennsylvania
Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina
George Mason University, Virginia
University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina
Oakland University, Michigan
Pittsburg State University
Partner Networks
Australian-European Network (AEN) – Utrecht Network
Mid-American Universities International (MAUI) – Utrecht Network Exchange
International Student Exchange Programme (ISEP)
Students selected to study abroad through the International Exchange Programme are exempt from paying tuition fees to the host institution. They are also eligible for financial assistance based on the programme they select as their first preference. There are 3 different financial grant systems outlined below.
Please be aware that no financial package will cover all expenses involved.
Students who study abroad at any of the UM Partners listed below, are exempt from paying tuition fees only. The University of Malta awards selected students a one-time grant of €2000.
Students who study abroad through the ISEP Programme, are exempt from paying tuition and accommodation at the host university. They are also eligible for a meal stipend in cash or several meals per week depending on the policy of the host university. The University of Malta pays the application and placement fee. Additionally, students are awarded a one-time grant of €500
All selected Erasmus+ ICM beneficiaries will receive an Erasmus+ grant through the International Office, which will partially cover the expenses incurred abroad. Grants are made up of two components:
Travel Contribution
You will receive a travel contribution based on the distance in kilometres between the University of Malta and third countries not associated with the Programme.
Distance is calculated by the Distance Calculator provided by the EC.
Travel allowances are allocated as follows:
As per Erasmus+ Rules, the travel grant is calculated based on the straight line travel distance between Malta and Canberra.
For distances of 8000 KM or more, travel Allowance is Euro 1735 per participant. This amount is flat rate which means that the mobility beneficiary will receive this amount even if travel might be more or less expensive.
Subsistence Contributions
With regards to Erasmus+ ICM students, you will be provided with a grant calculated on a monthly-basis rate. Grants are calculated pro-rata depending on the duration of the Erasmus+ mobility period.
UM to all third countries not associated to the Programme - EUR 700 per month. The students will receive a top up of EUR 250 per month.
Erasmus+ ICM students are exempted from paying fees for tuition, registration, examinations and access to laboratory and library facilities at the host institution.
You are strongly advised to consult the programme of studies available at the partner universities before choosing the preferred placements. It is important to ensure that the course programme matches the programme of studies you are following at the University of Malta. It is important to seek advice from the Dean/Director/Academic Advisor.
Eligibility Criteria:
Documents to submit:
Application form - Deadline: Saturday 30 November 2024
To upload in the application form:
Each application received is checked for eligibility. The Student Affairs Committee Board then reviews the applications. Selection is based on academic performance and is made across all the F/I/C/S, thus selecting the highest-ranking students from all the F/I/C/S. The remaining students with a minimum average mark of 60% are placed on a reserve list in order of ranking. Applications with an average les than 60% are automatically rejected.
Selection by the Student Affairs Committee Board does not automatically guarantee a student's participation in the exchange programme. Should the student's academic performance in the academic year 2024–5 be deemed inadequate, the relevant faculty will have the final say over whether or not to grant the student permission to participate in the exchange programme.
If a selected student decides to withdraw their application, the first student on the reserve list will be contacted and given the opportunity to participate in the exchange.
For some courses, students are expected to obtain a minimum average mark to qualify for an Erasmus+ mobility. At this time, these study areas are as follows:
|
Anthropology |
70% |
|
Communication Therapy |
70% |
|
Criminology |
65% |
|
Engineering |
65% |
|
International Relations |
60% |
|
Physics |
60% |
|
Social Policy |
60% |
|
Social Wellbeing |
60% |
|
Social Work |
60% |
|
Psychology |
65% |
Academic information
Well in advance of your departure, you need to consult with your Head of Department/Dean/Director with regards to the study-units you will be following abroad so that the credits taken at the host University can be transferred to your programme of studies at UM.
Grading systems, grading scales, and pass marks vary across different countries. It is important that you familiarise yourself with the grading system which will be used. This information is generally available on the University’s website.
Documents to submit prior to your departure
The learning agreement must be signed by the Dean/Director, HoD's, Faculty Officer, and the coordinator at the IO. You must then send a signed scanned copy to the host University for their signature. A copy of the Learning agreement signed by both ends should then be sent to the International Office by not later than the 30 May.
It is important that if there are any changes to the credits that are being followed during the mobility, these need to be reflected in the Learning Agreement to ensure that after the mobility there are no issues with the transfer and conversion of grades.
The Programme of studies must be signed by the Dean/Director, HoD’s and Faculty Officer
Accommodation arrangements
Make sure that you secure accommodation prior to departure and start looking into these arrangements as soon as possible. Accommodation arrangements need to be made directly by the students. Most of the Universities offer their own accommodation.
We strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with rules and regulations of the accommodation being rented prior to entering into a long term lease. It is also important to ask for a contract and a receipt for any deposits paid.
Health insurance
Health insurance is compulsory for students participating in exchange programmes. For most Universities, you have to buy their respective policy and also show evidence of immunisation against measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis B. You have to check and confirm with your host institution that you have the required health coverage and immunizations, prior to your departure.
Familiarise yourself with the country
Take time to prepare for your stay abroad period, read up and get to know the country you will be living in. If you think you might experience medical or psycho-social difficulties, speak to your medical practitioner or counselor and ensure that the University you will be visiting has structures providing for medical and counseling assistance.
The International Office also encourages you to leave a contact number of a family or other close relative or friend in Malta that we may contact in case of an emergency.
Academic information
If you need to make changes to any study-units from the originally proposed learning agreement, while you are at their host University, you are required to fill in the Changes in the Learning Agreement - Visiting [PDF] as early possible and send the signed form to Monique Mallia.
You have to be in touch with an academic advisor from the University of Malta, and obtain approval, prior to making these changes.
Non-academic information
It is important to check your University of Malta e-mail regularly. This is the only address we will use to contact you with updates throughout the year.
Remember to notify the Maltese Embassy or High Commission in the country where you are staying and provide them with your contact details. They might need to get in touch with you in the case of an emergency.
Make sure you familiarise yourself well with the location you are staying in and keep safety as the number 1 factor at all times. Try not to travel on your own and through areas which may be designated as less safe. Keep valuables locked and only allow people you already know to visit the place where you are residing. Keep a friend notified regarding your whereabouts and keep contact numbers handy in case of an emergency.
Dealing with culture shock
Living in an environment which is culturally different from what you are used to at home is exciting, but it can also be disorientating and may make you feel emotionally and even physically unwell at times. This experience is called 'culture shock'. Feelings of culture shock are experienced by many people as they get used to living in a new cultural environment. Some typical causes of culture shock are differences in: personal freedom, privacy, accommodation, relationships between people, the way people dress and act in public, and learning and teaching styles.
Being able to share experiences with friends can help you cope with culture shock so for health reasons make sure you spend at least some time socialising, even if you are very busy with your studies. Your host university can help you find out about social activities during your time abroad where you can have fun and meet like-minded people. If you think you are experiencing culture shock ask for help. Most universities have qualified staff who will be able to help you and further information is usually available through the International.
Once the results are published, the host university sends the transcript of results (ToR) to the exchange coordinator at UM. It is important that you ensure that the study-units on the ToR match the study-units on the Learning Agreement signed. The UM coordinator converts the results obtained at the host university to a corresponding UM grade. This conversion is calculated using conversion sheets which are approved by the Registrar's Office, which take into account the Grading Scales used, the grade descriptors when available, and the passing mark.