Study in The Maldives

Higher Education Structure in Maldives

Study In Maldives

The Maldives has one of the youngest higher education systems in the world, with the consolidation of several colleges into the first University in the country in 2011. Since then, there has been rapid growth in the number of public and private Higher Education Institutions, creating opportunities for locals to study in The Maldives instead of having to go abroad.

The Maldives is an island country in South Asia, with a permanent population of half a million locals, in addition to several thousand tourists at any given time. It is one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world, with pristine beaches, atolls, and tropical coasts. Its capital and largest city is Malé, and the economy of the island country is heavily dependent upon tourism. As a quickly growing economic power, it is a member of several national groups, including the SAARC, the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the British Commonwealth. The best colleges in The Maldives award internationally recognized degrees.

The Perks of Studying in The Maldives

The Maldives is moderately highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents; it has a high Human Development Index. Some highlights include:

  • The Maldives is ranked #111 in the world according to the WiseVoter Education rankings.
  • The country is ranked #66 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #147 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in The Maldives

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.

Diploma Programs

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.

Associate Programs

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.

Undergraduate Programs

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.

Postgraduate Programs

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 Programs

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.

Disciplines Available in The Maldives

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in The Maldives are-

Maritime StudiesInformation TechnologyNursing and Medicine
Shariah Law and Islamic StudiesBusiness ManagementAccounting and Finance
Tourism ManagementInternational RelationsPolitical Science
JournalismConstruction EngineeringEnvironmental Science and Ecology
Luxury Brand ManagementArts and LanguagesHospitality Management

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in The Maldives

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in The Maldives.

The name of the city No. of Universities 
Malé1

Average Monthly Expenses in The Maldives for International Students

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.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Maldives.

Applicants for a long term Maldivian Student Visa (type S1) must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • A copy of an international passport with a validity at least equal to the expected duration of study in The Maldives.
  • Proof of travel arrangements to the country.
  • A Letter of Admission from a College based in The Maldives.
  • Proof of payment of the first semester's fees.
  • Details of accommodation arrangements in the country.
  • Bank statements showing that the student has access to sufficient funds to live in The Maldives for the duration of his/her degree.
  • Two recent passport size photographs.
  • Details of vaccination certificates, showing that the candidate is free of infectious diseases; specifically Yellow Fever.
  • The Maldives Student Visa application fee.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Maldives student visa application fees vary according to the country of the applicant. For example, Indians who wish to study short term (three month) certificate courses in The Maldives need not pay any fees. Long term visas with multiple entry cost 1,285 MVR.

Applicants for a Maldives S1 type Student Visa must submit two photographs during the application process. They must both be recent (taken within the previous six months) and satisfy the passport size requirements.

Applications for a Maldives student visa may be rejected if false data is submitted in the application form, or if the applicant has an undisclosed criminal record. If the reason for rejection is minor, candidates may submit a new application; there is no appeals process.

Students in Maldivian Colleges should contact their Careers Cell for details of part time work opportunities. They may work any number of hours per week as long as they are able to keep up an acceptable level of academic performance.

The Maldives National University is the oldest Higher Education Institution in the country. Its constituent colleges were set up much earlier, starting in the 1970s, but it was conferred University status in 2011, when the Government of The Maldives took steps to modernize the higher education system of the country.

There are several Government scholarships in The Maldives which are available to meritorious students in all Universities in the country. The most prestigious scholarship is the President’s Award, with other financial aid options including the High Achiever’s Scholarship and the Corporate Scholarship Scheme.

The Maldives is one of the largest luxury vacation destinations in the world. Therefore, many resorts in the country (professional training colleges in Male) have their own internal training schemes, and colleges across the world and in The Maldives allow students to gain practical experience in these luxury hotels.

There is only one Maldivian HEI in which students can pursue medical studies: the School of Medicine of the Maldives National University. This offers five year integrated courses in medicine and dentistry, which are recognized across the world.

The Higher Education system in The Maldives is relatively less developed than in many other Asian countries, and the proportion of private Universities is lower than in most nations. Therefore, the cost of higher education is much lower in the Maldives than in most other countries.