Last updated: April 2026 | Category: Malta Education, Qualifications, Get Qualified Scheme

What Is the MFHEA?

The MFHEA stands for the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority. It is the official regulatory and quality assurance body responsible for overseeing further and higher education in Malta.

Established under the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority Act, the MFHEA officially began operations in January 2021. It replaced and consolidated the functions of two previous bodies: the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) and elements of the old Malta Qualifications Council (MQC).

In short: the MFHEA is the single authoritative voice on qualifications, accreditation, and quality in Maltese further and higher education.

The MFHEA's Mission

The MFHEA's core mission is to foster excellence in further and higher education in Malta. This means ensuring that:

• Educational institutions operating in Malta meet quality standards.
• Programmes of study are properly accredited and aligned to the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF). MQF aligns directly with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
• Learners' qualifications — whether earned in Malta or abroad — are properly recognised.
• Malta's education sector remains competitive and trustworthy at both European and international levels.

What Does the MFHEA Actually Do?

The MFHEA has a wide remit. Here are its core functions:

1. Licensing Educational Institutions

Any institution offering further or higher education in Malta must hold a licence from the MFHEA. This applies to universities, colleges, training providers, and learning platforms operating in Malta.

Without MFHEA licensing, an institution cannot legally offer/create accredited programmes in Malta. This licensing process protects students by ensuring that providers meet defined standards before they can enrol.

2. Accrediting Programmes of Study

The MFHEA accredits individual study programmes — from short courses all the way up to doctorate-level qualifications. Accreditation confirms that a programme meets the academic and quality benchmarks required to sit at a particular MQF level (more on this below).

Why does this matter for students? If a course is MFHEA accredited / recognised, it can be used for:

• Tax rebate schemes like the Get Qualified Scheme
• Employment-based salary increases or promotions
• Articulation (credit transfer) into further study
• Visa and residency applications in Malta and the EU

3. Managing the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF)

The MFHEA is the custodian of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) — the national system for classifying all educational qualifications in Malta.

Established in 2007 and fully aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), the MQF has 8 levels, broadly mapped as follows:

The MQF makes it possible to compare qualifications across institutions, sectors, and countries — a critical tool in a globalised education and employment market.

4. Qualification Recognition via MQRIC

One of the MFHEA's most used services is the MQRIC — the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre.

MQRIC allows individuals who have earned qualifications outside Malta (or outside the Maltese formal education system) to have those qualifications formally recognised and assigned an MQF level. This is known as a Statement of Comparability. Click here to find our guide to applying for an MQRIC Statement (also known as an MFHEA Statement). The MQRIC process is conducted through an online application system. Before you do a foreign qualification or an online course in Malta, you should make sure to look at an MQRIC statement to confirm the qualification is recognised in Malta by the MFHEA.

You will also need an MQRIC Statement of Comparability if you:

• Studied abroad (including the UK, USA, Australia, or any non-Malta institution).
• Hold a professional or vocational qualification not issued by a Maltese university, institution or awarding body.
• Are applying for the Get Qualified Scheme with a foreign qualification.
• Are using a foreign qualification for immigration or residency purposes.
• Need your qualification recognised by a Maltese employer or licensing body.

5. Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning (VNFIL)

The MFHEA also manages VNFIL — a process that allows individuals to have skills and knowledge gained outside formal education (through work experience, volunteering, or self-study) assessed and formally recognised.

This is particularly valuable for experienced professionals in Malta who may not hold formal qualifications but have significant practical expertise.

6. Quality Assurance of Higher Education

The MFHEA is responsible for the quality assurance (QA) of all higher education institutions in Malta. It conducts institutional reviews, programme evaluations, and ongoing monitoring to ensure standards are maintained.

Malta's quality assurance framework is designed to be compatible with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG), which means MFHEA-accredited qualifications are taken seriously across the EU.

The MQF and EQF: Malta's Place in European Education

One of the MFHEA's most significant achievements is ensuring that Malta's qualifications are fully portable across Europe.

The alignment between the MQF (Malta) and the EQF (European Union) means that:

• A qualification earned in Malta is understood and valued across 36+ European countries
• European professionals moving to Malta can have their qualifications mapped to MQF levels
• Maltese students studying abroad can have their foreign qualifications compared to MQF levels via MQRIC

This alignment is increasingly important as more professionals work across borders, and as online learning providers — including UK-based awarding bodies like Qualifi — gain popularity among Maltese learners.

MFHEA 2026: What's New?

The MFHEA has been active in 2026, releasing updated frameworks and guidance that affect institutions and learners alike.

New Online Programme Accreditation Guidelines

In 2026, the MFHEA introduced new accreditation guidelines specifically for online and blended learning programmes. This reflects the significant growth in online education in Malta following the pandemic years.

Key points:

• Pilot phase for institutions began in 2026
• Full entry into force is expected in 2027
• The new framework requires institutions to demonstrate quality in areas like digital learning design, learner support, and online assessment integrity

Increased Focus on Micro-credentials

The MFHEA has signalled a commitment to developing a national framework for micro-credentials — short, focused learning programmes that sit within the broader MQF. This is part of a wider EU initiative to support lifelong learning and upskilling.

For working professionals in Malta, this is excellent news: it signals that shorter, targeted qualifications — including professional diplomas — will increasingly be recognised at institutional and employer level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MFHEA the same as MQRIC?

No — MQRIC (Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre) is a service operated by the MFHEA, not a separate organisation. When you apply for a Statement of Comparability, you are applying through the MFHEA's MQRIC service.

How do I know if an online course is recognised in Malta?

The only way to know if a qualification is recognised in Malta is to apply for an MQRIC statement, which is issued by the MFHEA. Elephant & Cross have a guide on how to apply for an MQRIC statement. You can apply for the MQRIC statement before you even start the course. This is called a prospective application.

Can I apply for the Get Qualified Scheme without an MQRIC Statement?

No, to apply for the Get Qualified Scheme, the course must be mapped onto the Maltese Qualifications Framework with an MQRIC statement issued by the MFHEA.

If a course has ECTS or is EQF recognised, will it always be recognised on the MQF by the MFHEA?

Yes, if a qualification has ECTS credits and is recognised on the European Qualifications Framework and has ECTS, it will always be recognised by the MFHEA on the Maltese Qualifications Framework (MQF). The Maltese Qualifications Framework (MQF) aligns with the European Qualifications Framework. In fact, 1 ECTS on the EQF is always = to 1 ECTS on the MQF.

Are UK credits and ECTS the same?

UK Credits and ECTS align directly with each other, they are both based on the same qualification system, with some key differences. To put it simply - UK credits can always be converted into ECTS credits, and vise versa. Generally, 1 ECTS is usually always equal to 2 UK credits. So, when converting UK credits to ECTS , you have to half the number. 120 UK credits is 60 ECTS. When converting ECTS to UK credits, you have to double the number. So an Undergraduate Diploma with 120 ECTS is equal to 240 UK Credits. For confirmation on the MQF / UK qualification level, you should apply for an MQRIC statement, or speak with an education professional.

At Elephant & Cross, we specialise in helping working professionals in Malta navigate the qualification landscape — from choosing the right course to managing your Get Qualified application. If you have questions about MFHEA accreditation, MQRIC recognition, or how your qualification stacks up, get in touch with our team today.