MCAST

MCAST, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, was established in 2001 and is the country's leading vocational education and training institution. Its main campus is on Triq Kordin in Paola, close to the Grand Harbour, and it has further sites in Mosta, Qormi and on Gozo. It offers over 190 full-time and over 300 part-time vocational courses, ranging from certificates to doctoral level, covering Levels 1 to 8 of the Malta Qualifications Framework.

On VisitMalta.co.uk the college is listed among schools and colleges in Malta. It is aimed mainly at residents, but parents relocating from the UK and international students may find its range useful, and our Malta relocation guide explains the wider move.

Institutes and what you can study

Study is organised into institutes. The Institute of Applied Sciences includes the Centre for Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences and offers courses such as animal care, horticulture, fish husbandry, food technology and a BSc (Honours) in Nursing. The Institute of Engineering and Transport covers aircraft maintenance, avionics, aviation and cabin operations, electrical systems, building and construction, joinery and maritime subjects. The Institute of Information and Communication Technology teaches IT, software development, cybersecurity, creative computing, games development and applied data sciences.

Further institutes cover business, management and commerce, community services, including social care, hairdressing and beauty, and the creative arts, from fashion and photography to graphic design and fine art. An Institute for the Trades offers metalwork, textile and vocational skills awards. In all, the catalogue lists 234 courses, and the Applied Research and Innovation Centre provides master's and doctoral research programmes.

Applying and international students

Full-time applications are made online during a main call in the summer, with a late call held in person at the Paola main campus in exceptional circumstances. Applicants need valid Maltese electronic identity credentials, original certificates and any course-specific documents. The college runs an International Office, an Erasmus+ projects and mobility office for study and work placements across Europe, a Centre for Learning and Employability with English language support, and career guidance. Anyone interested in beauty training outside the college can also look at AestheLab Clinic and Academy International, a separate academy listed in our directory.

The college also supports small and medium-sized businesses through apprenticeships and its commercial arm, MG2i, which provides tailor-made training courses and runs the part-time programme.

Research, innovation and student life

Research is a growing part of the college. It publishes an applied research journal and a monograph series, runs a research fellowship scheme, a postdoctoral fellowship and research conferences, and hosts events such as its Research Awards and a research and innovation expo in 2026. The college marked 25 years of operation this year and recently launched two strategies, one on vocational education and one on artificial intelligence.

Student services include a childcare centre, sports and fitness facilities, a wellbeing hub, a youth hub, a chaplaincy, a library, a stipends office and a hair and beauty salon. The college holds a freshers’ event each October and graduation ceremonies for its students, and a MyMCAST app and online student system support day-to-day study.

Campuses and getting there

The Paola main campus sits near the Three Cities and is a short journey from Valletta, so visitors can read our Valletta guide and book hotels in Valletta nearby. Students on the Gozo campus can explore the Gozo guide, while newcomers will find our flights to Malta guide helpful. Campus hours are shorter over the summer, from July to mid-September, so it is worth checking before you travel, and the part-time courses office keeps weekday hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm.

For a course, an apprenticeship or a partnership with the college, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to MCAST.