Understand the system before comparing schools
Malta groups schools into state, Church and independent sectors. The education authorities also license international schools within the non-state sector. Compulsory education runs from age 5 to 16.
State schools are free and organised by locality. They can offer strong local integration, but children study both Maltese and English; the International Learners Directorate says foreign learners are not exempt from either language in state schools. Church schools generally follow Malta's national curriculum. Independent schools charge fees and include both local private schools and international-curriculum schools.
The three clearest international pathways
2026 comparison
| Verdala | English-medium with IB-led secondary pathways, including Middle Years and Diploma programmes. Pembroke. |
|---|---|
| QSI Malta | English-medium, American-style age placement, QSI diplomas and Advanced Placement options. Mosta. |
| Haileybury Malta | British pathway with IGCSE progression. Admissions are open for Nursery to Year 12 for September 2026 at its Mtarfa campus. |
| Other independent schools | Local, bilingual and British-influenced options. Compare the exact curriculum, exit qualification and language requirements. |
IB: mobility and academic breadth
Verdala offers the IB Diploma for ages 16–18 and an IB Middle Years route before it. This can suit students applying across several countries. Verdala says recent school records must be supplied in English, with translations made by a recognised authority.
American: credit and AP continuity
QSI serves ages 3–18 and offers QSI diploma routes, AP subjects and AP Capstone. QSI uses age-based placement and accepts applications throughout the year, subject to available space.
British: IGCSE continuity
Haileybury Malta follows a British pathway and has published IGCSE information. Its September 2026 move to Mtarfa materially changes the commute, so families should use the permanent campus when evaluating housing.
English support and maintaining Chinese
Do not ask only whether a school “offers English support”. Ask who provides it, how many main lessons the child may miss, whether it costs extra, and what exit criteria apply.
QSI says preschool, elementary and middle-school applicants do not need English proficiency and that Intensive English is included; secondary students need enough English to access the diploma curriculum. Haileybury has announced an Academic Pathway from Year 7 upward for pupils needing further academic English.
- Request an English assessment before accepting a place.
- Ask for a sample timetable showing language-support lessons.
- For teenagers, check whether English level restricts subject choice.
- Plan Chinese reading and writing separately; English-medium schooling does not maintain the home language automatically.
Compare total cost, not tuition alone
Build a first-year and recurring-year budget covering application and acceptance fees, deposits, transport, lunch, uniform, devices, trips, examinations and additional learning support. Obtain a written quotation for the correct age group and confirm refund terms.
Commute is also a real cost. Pembroke, Mosta and Mtarfa are in different parts of Malta. Test the journey at school-run times and confirm transport before signing a lease.
Application checklist
- Define the likely next destination: China, the UK, the US, another EU country or a long stay in Malta.
- Shortlist by curriculum, then compare language, wellbeing and learning support.
- Send records early: reports, passport, health records and any learning assessments.
- Arrange recognised translations; do not assume self-translated Chinese records will be accepted.
- Visit during a normal school day and test the commute.
- Request the complete fee schedule and obtain the offer in writing.
If another move is likely within two or three years, prioritise curriculum continuity and transferable records. If Malta will be home for longer, local friendships, commute and integration become more important. For a child developing academic English, first-year language support may matter more than the final diploma brand.
Frequently asked questions
Can foreign children attend a Malta state school?
Malta's registration route includes foreign students. Eligibility and documentation depend on family circumstances; verify the current process with the Directorate for Educational Services.
Which is better: IB, British or American?
None is universally better. Match the child's previous curriculum, likely university system, learning style and expected next move.
Should we choose a home before a school?
Usually not. Confirm a realistic shortlist and test commuting first.