The children of expatriates living in Malta can be educated in one of the private international schools, or enrolled in the local state, church or independent schools. The local school system is based on the British model, and provides an excellent standard of education. Education is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. Kindergarten facilities are also available, free of charge, for all children aged between 3 and 5.

Malta currently has two international schools: St Edward's College, a Catholic boys' school which follows the British curriculum and prepares students for GCSEs at age 16; and The Verdala International School for boys and girls, which offers an American-style education and prepares students for the international baccalaureate or IGCSEs. The Verdala School offers boarding facilities. Private school tuition fees in Malta are very reasonable by international standards.

Around 30% of all children in Malta are educated in the non-state school system, mainly in Catholic schools, which are subsidized by the government and charge no fees. There are also some local private schools which operate as parents' foundations. Local schools which are popular with expatriate families include De La Salle College in Cottonera, St Aloysius' College in Birkirkara, the Sacred Heart School in St. Julian's and St. Dorothy's in Mdina. There are primary schools in virtually every village in Malta.

Malta's local primary schools educate children between the ages of 5 and 11. National examinations are taken at age 11, after which students progress to one of three types of secondary school: Junior Lyceums (like grammar schools), which take around 50% of all students, Area Secondary Schools, or Opportunity Schools. Some students transfer to trade schools, which provide technical or employment-related training, after three years of secondary schooling. Others will go on to take the Maltese form of the British GSCEs at the end of their fifth year of secondary school, and may enter the sixth form for two years to take intermediate and advanced level examinations, in preparation for entry to University.

Malta has its own University, which awards accredited certificates, diplomas and degrees at Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate levels, in a wide range of subjects. The University's Mediterranean Studies programme is highly popular with visiting students from other countries.

There are also almost 60 English-language schools in Malta.

Submitted 28/5/07 by John Lepetit of QSI:

From September 2007 a new international school will be established in Malta. It will teach children from ages 5 through secondary 1(ninth grade) to start with. Secondary classes and AP's are offered through sage program with the university of Miami. Future IB in development. QSI has 35 non profit international schools all over the world and provides high quality mastery learning education for children of expatriates and local children. They only employ native English speaking teachers, qualified, experienced and caring. They are fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.