Applicants who intend to apply for a scholarship must meet the entry requirements set out by the University of Malta and the conditions for joining the specific programme indicated above at the time of application. Applicants who can only be considered on a conditional basis (i.e. are not in a position to provide proof of attainment of the academic qualifications required to join the programme) at the time of application cannot be considered for the scholarship.

Applicants will be required to attend an online interview.

Applicants for other courses cannot be considered for this scholarship.

Applicants should be nationals of Small Island Developing States eligible for Official Development Assistance. Dual nationals who also hold EU/EEA or non-SIDS nationality are not eligible. 

Candidates employed in public office or working actively with NGOs in their home country will be preferred.

The scholarship holder will be requested to enter into an agreement with the University of Malta and the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Malta, for the duration of their studies. This agreement will be binding in terms of the observation of rules and regulations of the University of Malta, to seriously engage in studies, register monthly progress with his academic tutor/coordinator and complete the set programme within the established time-frame.

The Scholarships funded through the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs (MFAE) are intended for students who are nationals of Small Island Developing States eligible for Official Development Assistance, to enable them to follow postgraduate programmes offered by the Islands and Small States Institute (ISSI) at the University of Malta.

The Scholarship offers an opportunity for prospective students who are nationals of Small Island Developing States eligible for Official Development Assistance to read for a postgraduate course on Islands and Small States Studies. The aim is to provide the successful candidates with the capacity to better understand the economic, social, political, cultural and environmental dynamics in islands and small states, and to strengthen their professional knowledge to achieve higher employability. 

Scholarships are intended for students who wish to follow:

Master of Arts (Research on Islands and Small States)

Themes for research shall be those included in the Malta's UNSC candidacy document and in the UM Strategic Plan 2020-2025, with core themes being: 
- sustainability; 
- security; 
- solidarity; 
- women, peace and security; 
- children and armed conflicts; 
- climate and oceans; and 
- literacy (see Malta’s supporting document to access UNSC).

Only applicants who have obtained a full acceptance will be considered for the scholarship award. 

Applicants who have a conditional acceptance cannot be considered for the award of the above scholarships. 

Admission Requirements for the Master of Arts (Research in Islands and Small States) are available here. 

English Language Proficiency:

Applicants are required to present an internationally recognised English Language Proficiency Certificate at the required level.  Further information about English Language Requirements for the 2024/25 academic year entry is available here. 

Three scholarships will be awarded at Masters Level for academic year 2024/25.

These scholarships will cover:  

- University of Malta Tuition Fees

- EUR 1,000 research available for a maximum of twelve (12) months only, to cover costs for field work ) against receipts.

Students registered for the Master’s Programme will be expected to follow the online offer of the programme.  Should the scholarship-holder decide to physically reside in Malta, then the student will have to bear all applicable travel, living, accommodation, and other costs related to living in Malta. Contact is to be made with the International Office to seek advice as to whether the student would be eligible for a visa and residence permit in view of restrictions that may apply on students following online programmes. 

One Scholarship will be awarded to a candidate registered for the PhD Programme.

This scholarship will cover:

• A total subsistence of EUR 13,200 over the whole three (3)-year Scholarship period.

This amount will be disbursed for funding the awardee’s visits to Malta (maximum 4 months) and travel to other sites in which research will be conducted (maximum of 8 months).  This equates to a subsistence of EUR 1,100 per month for a total period of 12 months during which the PhD Scholarship Awardee will be mobile.  The PhD Scholarship Awardee will not be eligible for any additional subsistence or other allowance beyond the said three (3)-year period.

• Where applicable, the PhD Scholarship Awardee may receive the following funding over the 3-year duration of the course to fund:
• Return economy trip to/from Malta, up to EUR 2,000.
• Insurance up to EUR 1,500 for three years.
• EUR 2,000 Research allowance for a maximum of 36 months to cover costs of fieldwork for travel, training, conference fees attendance, primary data collection, software licences to analyse the data and which can be claimed against receipts.

In the event the Scholarship Awardee requires an extension of studies after the 3^rd year of full-time studies for the PhD programme or after the first year of the full-time studies for the Master’s Programme, annual enrolment fees of EUR 600 and EUR 400 for the respective programmes will apply subject to approval of the extension request by the UM.

The selected students are expected to join the programme at the start of the 1st Semester of the academic year 2024/2025 and follow the online offer of the programme. The academic calendar is available here.

Master’s Level:
Students registered for the Master’s Programme will be expected to follow the online offer of the programme.  

Doctorate Level (Islands and Small States Studies):

Doctoral candidate will be requested to follow the three study units of the Master of Arts (Research on Islands and Small States) during the first year of the studies.

The PhD Scholarship Awardee will not be required to take up permanent residence in Malta.

Applicants are to submit an application online and provide copies of their academic qualifications and all other requested documentation to the University of Malta by 15 July 2024.

The online application is available here.

Apart from the online application, interested candidates are to send a separate email addressed to the attention of the Director, International Office.

The deadline for the application is 29th July 2024 at 14:00h CEST. The email should include:

- A letter of motivation, including UM Application Number

- Three letters of reference

- Curriculum Vitae (kindly include mobile number)

- Proof of nationality (eligible are applicants who are nationals of Small Island Developing States eligible for Official Development Assistance) 

The subject line should read “Islands and Small States Scholarship” and it is highly recommended that students submit all documents together in one email. 

Scholarship applications can only be considered as eligible if all the necessary documents are submitted by the deadline.  Late applications will not be considered.  

For Academic Matters please contact the ISSI.  

For Scholarship Application / General Enquiries please contact the International Office.