Many travellers know they want to study in Europe but face a big dilemma: choosing between Malta vs Ireland. These countries, over 2,600 km apart, are excellent study destinations due to their quality academic offerings and the opportunity to combine study and work.
Both destinations also offer cultural and leisure activities that won’t disappoint! Almost any day of the year, you can go to the beach to sunbathe in Malta, explore green mountains and cliffs in Ireland, or party with friends until dawn, no matter which country you live in.
Choosing between Malta vs Ireland is not easy, so we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll talk about the differences between the two countries regarding academic and job opportunities, climate, cost of living, culture, and requirements, so you’ll know which one to choose.
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Note: the figures in this article are for reference and are subject to change.
Malta vs Ireland: which is the best destination to study?
Only you can decide between Malta vs Ireland! Throughout this article, we’ll explain 7 differences and similarities (even though it may not seem like it, both countries have more than one thing in common) that you should consider when choosing your next destination to study abroad.
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Study Opportunities
It’s important to recognize that academic opportunities are similar in Malta and Ireland.
If you want to study in Malta, you can take courses in computing, hospitality, engineering, marketing, or business. In the archipelago, you’ll find the University of Malta, a public institution, and a variety of language schools, colleges, and private universities. There’s plenty to choose from!
Here are some schools in Malta we recommend for studying:
- GBS in St. Julian’s for university courses.
- GBSB Global Business School in Birkirkara for university courses.
- London School of Commerce in Valletta for university courses.
Check out our courses in Malta and get information for free. You just have to fill out a form!
On the other hand, if you prefer to study in Ireland, you can choose from programs in art, computing, sports, design, early childhood education, hospitality, marketing, business, animal health, and tourism. In this country, the academic offerings are very diverse in private colleges and universities.
Here are our recommended schools in Ireland, among the best:
- Dublin Business School in Dublin for university courses.
- Galway Business School in Galway for university courses.
- Griffith College in Dublin for university courses.
- National College of Ireland in Dublin for university courses.
Check out the courses you can study in Ireland and get information by filling out the form!
2. Job Opportunities
When it comes to job opportunities, there are certain differences between Malta vs Ireland.
To start, you can work in Malta as a student for up to 20 hours per week during the academic period and full-time during vacations. When you travel with a student visa, it’s common to look for unskilled jobs that pay the minimum wage (equivalent to 213.54 EUR* weekly) or a little more.
These are the most common jobs for students in Malta:
- Kitchen assistant.
- Barista.
- Bartender.
- Waiter.
- Receptionist.
In Ireland, you can also work as a student for up to 20 hours per week during the academic period and full-time during vacations. The difference is that the minimum wage in this country is much higher! With an unskilled job, the least you can earn if you are 20 or older is 12.70 EUR* per hour.
Some common student jobs in Ireland are:
- Kitchen assistant.
- Barista.
- Bartender.
- Cashier.
- Waiter.
You should also know about skilled jobs. In Malta, the most important industries are hospitality, technology, online gambling, and finance, while education, construction, web development, and health sectors are growing rapidly in Ireland.
3. Cost of Living
Another characteristic that differentiates Malta vs Ireland is the cost of living.
Generally, the cost of living is lower in Malta. As a student, you can spend up to 900 EUR* monthly and up, but that amount can vary based on factors such as the city you want to live in, the type of accommodation you rent, your diet… To see it better, here’s how that amount is divided:
- Food: from 150 to 200 EUR* per month.
- Shared accommodation: from 300 to 400 EUR* per month.
- Private accommodation: up to 700 EUR* per month.
Best of all, transportation in Malta is free for students! When you take courses lasting more than 90 days, you can apply for a Tallinja Student card; thanks to this card, you can use the bus as many times as you want without paying anything. Think about all the money you’ll save each month.
The cost of living in Ireland for a student is indeed higher than in Malta; however, the minimum wage is higher, so keep that in mind. On average, you can spend between 650 and 1800 EUR* per month excluding transportation, which varies in each city. Remember that various factors influence the prices.
These amounts are divided as follows, take note and do the maths:
- Food: from 150 to 200 EUR* per month.
- Shared accommodation: from 500 to 750 EUR* per month.
- Private accommodation: up to 1600 EUR* per month.
4. Climate
Like the cost of living, there is a difference in the climate between Malta vs Ireland.
Since the archipelago is in the middle of the Mediterranean, Malta’s climate is mild, with sunshine almost all year round.
During summer (June to August), the average temperature can reach up to 40°C, while in winter (December to February), it drops to 17°C with some rain in the first few months.
In contrast, Ireland’s climate is more unpredictable, with sudden weather changes and wet conditions, as up to 225 out of 365 days are rainy.
Irish cities tend to be cooler, with summer temperatures (June to August) ranging from 15 to 20°C, and between 3 and 9°C in winter (December to February).
5. Languages
Did you know that English is not the only language spoken in Malta and Ireland?
In Malta, the national language is Maltese, spoken by around 500,000 people.
However, due to British colonization, English became the official language of the country, used by more than 88% of the Maltese population in social, academic, work, and political contexts.
In Ireland, Irish or Gaelic is spoken, which was declared the first national language of the country in the constitution! Despite this, only 2% of the population living in an area known as Gaeltacht speaks it.
In the rest of the country, English is used daily and in academic, work, and political contexts.
7. Travel Requirements
Now that you know the differences between Malta vs Ireland, let’s talk about the process of traveling!
First, European Union citizens do not need a visa to travel to Malta or Ireland; they only need to present their passport or identity card after landing at the airport. They can even stay in these countries indefinitely.
For Malta, if you’re not from the European Union, you must apply for a student visa, which is processed before your travel.
These are the basic documents you need to apply for a visa in Malta:
- Valid passport. It must expire 3 months after your departure from the country.
- Student visa application form for Malta.
- Evidence of sufficient financial funds to cover your stay in the country.
- Acceptance letter from the school.
- Proof of student medical insurance.
GrowPro helps you to get your Maltese visa! Fill out the form of one of these academic experiences to get information for free. Your adventure starts with a click.
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