Malta Faces 77% Drop Of International Students’ Arrival In 2020

The arrival of international students in Malta from January 2020 to September 2020 was calculated at 15,361 as compared to the last year, 2019, when international students’ enrolment was calculated at 67,884. This shows a 77% decrement in the number of international students. The survey has shown by the English Language Scholl’s of the country. A survey from the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta and Deloitte has also shown a briefing that in April, May, and June only 700 international students arrived in Malta, whereas, the number of international students within the same period was 22,800 in 2019.

Where the new enrolments get disturbed, at the same time, the report has also shown that the stay of international students in Malta is increased due to travel restrictions. For example, the travel restrictions did not allow international students to return to their homes and the number of students with a longer stay in Malta has reached 3.6 in 2020 as compared to the number of the previous year, 2.6.

How Covid-19 Hit Education System In Malta

James Perry, FELTOM CEO, during an interview, revealed that the Covid-19 hit Malta at the end of February. The schools were closed by the mid of March after the official announcement of the government to close the airports. The CEO said that it was a devastating year for them. He explained that by March 16^th, 2020 they already had 20,000 cancellations then the number of cancellations increased to 40,000 and then to nearly 62,000 by the end of 2020. He further lamented that they are expecting an 80% loss this year.  

However, in July 2020 because of the reopening of the airports the number of international students rose to 2,700. But the number was far away from the calculation of the last year when 15,500 international students were enrolled in July’s intake.

Impact On Industry Revenue

While talking about revenue, it has been declared that the industry revenue is dropped by 95% in Q2 and 86% in Q3. However, a report gives the briefing that per student week basis total revenue is decreased from €300 to €135 in and from €413 to €288 in Q2 and Q3 respectively. The tuition revenue calculation (as 55% for Q2 and 43% for Q3) shows that the tuition revenue per student week is decreased by 47% and 39% for Q2 and Q3 respectively. However, accommodation revenue is also affected by the decrement in the number of international students in Malta.

Perry added that they are expecting that Q1 and Q2 will be the same in 2021. He said that they are hopeful that, especially with the vaccine availability maybe around Easter, the year 2021 will be a positive year for them.

Apply For Study In Malta

Malta is one of the major European countries and comes with large opportunities for international students. So, those students who are willing to start their higher education career and professional career in Europe, Malta can be a good option for them. If you are worried about your eligibility criteria regarding Study in Malta then you are advised to go through this given study assessment form to know that what your current status is and how you can be eligible to Study in Malta or throughout Europe.