The Maldives is moderately highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents; it has a high Human Development Index. Some highlights include:
There are two main kinds of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in The Maldives:
1. University: There is only one such HEI in the country: the Maldives National University. Headquartered in the capital city of Malé, it is home to 10+ Faculties and Schools, ensuring a comprehensive set of courses for more than 10,000 students. Its history stretches back to 1973, when the first constituent college was formed. Since 2011, it took its present form, when several colleges consolidated under the aegis of the Ministry of Education of The Maldives.
2. Colleges: Maldives is home to both Private Colleges and Public Polytechnic Colleges; they primarily focus on education and research within a particular discipline, or on certificate courses for technical professionals (vocational certificate programs). There are four such HEIs in The Maldives.
The basic higher education qualification after higher secondary studies in The Maldives is the Diploma. This takes a year to complete, and students may choose to study a professional course or an introductory program in Arts or Science, as a precursor to a Bachelor's degree, to test whether they have the required aptitude and interest.
The Advanced Diploma or the Associate Degree in The Maldives takes two years after completing high school. Students typically take up such a degree if they wish to join the workforce without spending the full three years needed for an undergraduate degree. Associate degrees emphasize practical skills and learning, and many graduates choose to gain work experience and then apply directly for a Master's degree.
The undergraduate Bachelor's degree in The Maldives takes three years to complete, and is a full time program. Candidates can expect to complete more than 30 practical and theoretical courses during the program, and will gain the skills necessary either to study further or immediately start working. Bachelor's degrees from Universities in the Maldives in most subjects are recognized worldwide.
There are two kinds of postgraduate programs in Maldivian Universities. The Master's program requires two years of full time study, and applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, from any recognized institution in the world. It is similar to other postgraduate programs in other studies, with intensive coursework and a Master's dissertation. The other type of postgraduate program is the Advanced Professional Diploma, which can be completed in one year, and is usually targeted by students who have already completed a one or two year diploma earlier.
Doctoral degree programs in the Maldives take five years to complete. Their pattern is similar to that in Indian Universities, with a year of training, followed by a qualifying examination, after which the student completes 3-4 years of original research work under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. At the end of the doctoral program, the student must defend his/her work before a panel of experts.
The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in The Maldives are-
Maritime Studies | Information Technology | Nursing and Medicine |
Shariah Law and Islamic Studies | Business Management | Accounting and Finance |
Tourism Management | International Relations | Political Science |
Journalism | Construction Engineering | Environmental Science and Ecology |
Luxury Brand Management | Arts and Languages | Hospitality Management |
Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in The Maldives.
The name of the city | No. of Universities |
Malé | 1 |
Tuition Fees in Universities in The Maldives are significantly lower than in many other Asian Universities. For example, the program with the highest price tag is the two year Master of Business Administration degree, which has a total tuition fee of approximately 44,000 MVR (less than 3,000 USD). Undergraduate courses in other departments are significantly less costly than for those who study MBA in The Maldives.
In addition to tuition fees, students in Maldivian Colleges should also budget for accommodation and living costs, including food, transportation, recreation, and study materials. Even with these added, the cost of higher education in The Maldives is among the lowest in Asia.
Applicants for a long term Maldivian Student Visa (type S1) must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents: