MFHEA stands for the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority. It is the national regulatory body responsible for ensuring the quality and recognition of further and higher education in Malta. Any institution intending to deliver accredited programmes at MQF must apply for and obtain a licence from MFHEA. This ensures compliance with national standards and allows the institution to operate legally within the Maltese education system.

Yes. Malta Quality Education provides comprehensive assistance to institutions interested in obtaining an MFHEA licence. This includes guidance on eligibility, document preparation, quality assurance, and ongoing coordination with the authority. Whether you need support from the initial planning stage or only for specific requirements, we tailor our services to your project’s complexity and goals.

Absolutely. International institutions can apply for an MFHEA licence to offer educational services in Malta, either through a newly established legal entity or by opening a branch. Malta Quality Education helps foreign institutions understand the legal and operational requirements to enter the Maltese education sector, providing support with registration, documentation, and local representation if needed.

No, establishing a legal entity in Malta is not mandatory to apply for an MFHEA licence. However, MFHEA requires all applicants based outside Malta to appoint a Local Agent Representative. This representative acts as the official point of contact between the institution and the Maltese authorities and ensures that the institution remains accountable and reachable throughout the licensing process and beyond.

In such cases, we strongly recommend that you check your own country’s national legislation on higher or further education before proceeding. Some jurisdictions may impose restrictions or require specific approvals when institutions operate or are recognised abroad, even without a registered legal entity. Verifying local regulations early on can help you avoid conflicts and ensure full compliance both in Malta and in your home country.

Yes. While setting up a legal entity in Malta is not a requirement to obtain an MFHEA licence, some institutions choose to establish a local company or branch for strategic, operational, or reputational reasons. If you decide to take this route, Malta Quality Education can assist you throughout the process.

Our support includes helping you identify the most suitable legal form (e.g., limited liability company, foundation, branch office), preparing and submitting incorporation documents, coordinating with local legal and accounting professionals, and ensuring compliance with Maltese business and education regulations. We also assist with registering for tax and VAT, setting up a registered address, and opening local bank accounts if required. This service is fully customisable based on your specific operational model and long-term goals in Malta.

A Local Agent Representative is a person or entity based in Malta who acts as your official contact and liaison with the MFHEA and other authorities. This role is mandatory for institutions that do not have an established presence in Malta. Malta Quality Education can either serve as your Local Agent or assist you in identifying a reliable professional to fill this role.

Yes. Before submitting a licence application to MFHEA, institutions are required to prepare and submit a detailed business plan. This document must outline your strategic vision, operational model, resource allocation, financial sustainability, and educational objectives. Malta Quality Education can help you draft a business plan that meets MFHEA standards and presents your institution as a credible and well-prepared applicant.

Malta Quality Education offers assistance for the development and accreditation of programmes across all levels of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), from Level 1 to Level 8.

• Levels 1 to 4 generally cover basic, foundation and secondary-level qualifications, often related to further education, vocational training, and skills-based programmes.

• Levels 5 to 8 correspond to higher education qualifications, including diplomas (Level 5), bachelor’s degrees (Level 6), master’s degrees (Level 7), and doctoral qualifications (Level 8).

Our team ensures that each programme is designed and documented in accordance with the specific learning outcomes, credit workload, and quality assurance standards applicable to its level. Whether you are a training provider, vocational school, or higher education institution, we can guide you through the process of aligning your courses with MQF standards and preparing the required documentation for MFHEA evaluation and approval.

Yes, we offer specialised assistance in writing, formatting, and aligning your academic programmes according to MFHEA guidelines and MQF descriptors. Whether you are starting from scratch or refining an existing syllabus, we ensure your programmes are well-documented, pedagogically sound, and ready for accreditation.

It depends on your delivery model. If your institution intends to offer face-to-face or blended courses, you must have a physical location that complies with MFHEA standards. This includes facilities for teaching, administration, and student services. Malta Quality Education can assist you in identifying or verifying a suitable site in Malta, or guide you through virtual delivery compliance if you opt for online programmes.

Yes. MFHEA requires that certain key roles be filled before an application can be submitted, including a Head of Institution, a Quality Assurance Officer, and qualified academic personnel. These roles are critical to demonstrating institutional capacity. If you have not yet identified suitable staff, we can assist with recruitment or assess your current team’s eligibility based on MFHEA criteria.

Institutions must submit a comprehensive Quality Assurance Manual that outlines their internal policies, procedures, and mechanisms for ensuring academic integrity and continuous improvement. Required policies include admissions, assessment, recognition of prior learning (RPL), complaints and appeals, and student support. Malta Quality Education offers support in drafting these documents according to MFHEA’s updated standards.

Yes. In addition to licensing support, we assist institutions in establishing or improving their internal quality management systems. This includes designing monitoring tools, feedback processes, performance indicators, and audit frameworks to ensure that educational delivery remains effective, transparent, and aligned with national and European quality standards.

The overall timeline for obtaining a MFHEA license can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the educational project and the number of programs intended to be included in the application.

Institutions applying for multiple programs, particularly for several MQF levels, or developing a completely new educational structure should expect a longer preparation and evaluation period. Additional time is also needed if legal, logistical or personnel aspects have not yet been prepared.

Although some well-prepared applications may advance more quickly, a realistic and responsible timeline for the entire process-from initial planning and documentation to final approval-is about 12 months. This includes the time it takes to set up the legal entity, business planning, crafting and validating the business plan, drafting policies, identifying staff, internal reviews, and submitting and managing responses with the MFHEA.

Malta Quality Education helps you manage each step efficiently, avoiding unnecessary delays and ensuring that all documentation meets the authority’s expectations from the start.

Yes. We provide dedicated support to institutions that need to develop, strengthen or refine their internal quality assurance (QA) systems in accordance with the MFHEA Quality Assurance Framework.

All licensed institutions in Malta are required to undergo an External Quality Assurance Audit (EQA Audit) every five years. This audit evaluates the effectiveness of an institution’s internal QA processes, including academic governance, policy implementation, student support, and continuous improvement mechanisms.

We assist you in preparing for this critical audit by reviewing your existing QA structures, helping you develop or update key policies and procedures, and ensuring that your quality management approach is aligned with MFHEA standards and the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). Whether you are applying for a new licence or approaching your next audit cycle, we tailor our services to support both compliance and sustainable quality enhancement.

Absolutely. We provide training sessions and workshops designed to upskill both academic and non-academic personnel. Training topics include internal quality assurance, academic governance, policy implementation, programme management, learner support, and compliance with MFHEA requirements. Programmes can be delivered in-person or online and are fully customised to reflect your institutional structure and current stage of development.

Yes. We assist in drafting, reviewing and structuring all internal policies required for institutional quality and compliance. This includes admissions policies, assessment regulations, recognition of prior learning (RPL), student appeals procedures, academic integrity, and more. Each policy is aligned with MFHEA standards and adapted to your institution’s operational model, whether you’re offering vocational courses or degree programmes.

Yes. Malta Quality Education can guide you in selecting and adopting appropriate software solutions to monitor and manage internal quality processes more effectively. This includes platforms for course evaluation, student feedback, document control, audit tracking and performance monitoring. We can recommend specific tools, assist in configuration, and provide training to your team to ensure seamless integration and long-term usability.

Yes. Beyond supporting licence applications, we help institutions design new academic or vocational programmes aligned with MQF standards. This includes defining learning outcomes, structuring modules, allocating ECTS credits, mapping to relevant occupational standards (if applicable), and preparing the required documentation for MFHEA programme approval. Whether you’re expanding your current offer or entering new subject areas, we provide academic and regulatory guidance throughout the process.