What each school needs
The entry requirements for every sixth form and post-secondary institution in Malta and Gozo, with the source and the year of each. Checked 7 November 2026. Requirements change every year; check the school's own page before a final decision, and tell us if you find a difference.
The short version
- Sixth form means Level 3, almost always in 5 or 6 subjects. Level 2 passes open MCAST Foundation and ITS, not sixth form.
- Which core subjects you need (Maltese, English Language, Mathematics) depends on the school: Junior College wants one of the three, GCHSS two, St Aloysius all three plus a science, De La Salle none. The University of Malta later wants all three.
- The Paper II tier chosen at registration decides the ceiling. The Level 1-2 paper cannot give a Level 3.
- Pure Mathematics at A-level needs the Maths 3-3\* paper at the church sixth forms.
The table
| Institution | Requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| University of Malta Junior College, Msida | Any 6 SEC passes at Level 3 (or grade 5 or better pre-2025). Must include at least one of English Language, Maltese or Mathematics. Missing one or two of the three core subjects: compulsory preparatory classes and probationary entry. University entry later needs all three. Applications 27 July – 7 August 2026 (late until 23 October). | jc.um.edu.mt admissions, 2026/27 |
| Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, Naxxar (state) | Matriculation course: 5 passes at Level 3, including at least two of English Language, Maltese and Mathematics (the third is then studied at the school). Probationary entry with 4 at Level 3 including one core subject, on condition of sitting the September resit. AIO course: 4 at Level 3. GEM 16+ Level 3, AVC Level 3 and ICT C3 Level 3 each count as one pass. Fee €15. First call mid-July. | gchss.edu.mt, September 2026 |
| GEM 16+ (state; at GCHSS Naxxar, Education Ministry) | A one-year second-chance SEC year for students who left Year 11 with one or no SEC passes. Entry needs only the Secondary School Certificate and Profile; no SEC passes. English, Maltese, Mathematics, Ethics, plus one of Biology, Physics, ICT C3 or King's Trust. Groups of at most 16, with mentoring. Leads to a DQSE award at Level 3 or 2 that counts as one pass at GCHSS. Running since at least 2020. | gchss.edu.mt/courses-programmes/gem16; euroguidance.gov.mt |
| MCAST, Paola (Gozo campus at Għajnsielem) | Level 1 Introductory and Level 2 Foundation: no SEC passes (school-leaving certificate and assessment tests). Level 3 Diploma: 2 SEC passes at Level 3, one from the course's list (for ICT: Mathematics, Computer Studies, Physics or IT). Level 4 Advanced Diploma: 4 SEC passes at Level 3 with compulsory subjects per course (Mathematics compulsory for IT and the sciences). Degrees: Matriculation points or an MCAST Level 4. Main call 13 July – 14 August 2026. | mcast.edu.mt course pages, 2026/27 |
| St Aloysius College Sixth Form, Birkirkara (church) | 6 SEC passes, with Level 3 in English Language, Mathematics, one science and Maltese (grade 6 at Level 3 accepted for these four), and the other two at grade 5 Level 3. Entry by a points merit list. Pure Mathematics A-level needs grade 3 on the Maths 3-3\* paper. Maltese waived for students resident in Malta under 5 years. Applications 25–27 August 2026, fee €30. Maximum age 17 on 31 December. | staloysius.edu.mt, 6F Prospectus 2026 |
| De La Salle College Sixth Form, Cottonera (church) | Any 6 SEC passes at Level 3, grades 1–6. No compulsory subjects. Most Advanced and Intermediate subjects need grades 1–5 at Level 3 in that subject; Pure Mathematics needs the 3-3\* paper. Applications 25–27 August 2026, fee €30. | lasallemalta.edu.mt, Prospectus 2026/27 |
| St Martin's College Sixth Form, Swatar (independent) | At least 6 passes at SEC or Edexcel O-level; grade 3 advised for Advanced subjects, grade 5 for Intermediate. The school's page predates the Level system. | chs.edu.mt, undated |
| St Edward's College, Birgu (IB Diploma) | 5 SEC passes at grade 5 or better, including English, Mathematics and a science; age 16; interview. | stedwards.edu.mt admissions PDF, November 2025 |
| Sir M. A. Refalo Sixth Form, Victoria, Gozo (state) | School information sheet (2022): 5 passes including two of English, Mathematics, Maltese. An older sheet says 6. We have asked the school to confirm. | smarsf.edu.mt, 2022 |
| Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) | Foundation: completed compulsory education only. Certificate (Level 3): 5 O-levels with 2 at Level 3 from Hospitality, Mathematics, Maltese, English or Home Economics and 3 at Level 2, or similar routes. The one institution that counts Level 2 passes. Degrees: A-levels plus SEC grade 5 in English and Mathematics. | its.edu.mt prospectus 2025–26 |
What this means in Year 9 and Year 10
Subject choices in Year 9 and the Paper II tier in Year 11 both matter for sixth form. If your child might want Junior College, GCHSS or a church sixth form, they need Level 3 in the core subjects that school asks for, which means the Level 2-3 paper in those subjects. If the plan is Pure Mathematics at A-level, that is the 3-3\* paper. If the plan is MCAST or ITS, Level 2 passes are useful and the pressure is lower.
Our courses are built for the Level 2-3 paper. See the courses.