Applications will also be considered from candidates who are third-country nationals and do not satisfy the criteria set out in paragraph 5.1 (i), provided that they satisfy the requirements stated in paragraphs 5.1 (ii) to 5.3. The appointment of such candidates would necessitate the issue of an employment licence in so far as this is required by the Immigration Act and subsidiary legislation.

ii. have the ability to communicate in the English Language provided that due recognition will be given to candidates who also have the ability to communicate in the Maltese Language. Proficiency in the English Language will be accepted if applicants:

Either

Provide proof that the primary medical qualification was undertaken in the English Language;

OR

Provide a valid certificate of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) at the medium band score of 7.5 or above in each domain;

Furthermore, before confirmation of appointment, i.e. within twelve (12) months from engagement, selected candidates must be successful in both Part 1 and 2 of the examination in 'Basic Medical Maltese for the HealthCare Profession' of the University of Malta. Failure to present evidence of a successful pass by the end of probationary period (ie twelve months from engagement) will result in automatic termination of work contract. The course officially leading to this examination is the course in 'Basic Medical Maltese for the HealthCare Profession' run by the Department of Maltese of the University of Malta. Fees are to be paid by prospective candidates. However, such expenses may be claimed through the Continuous Medical Education (CME) Scheme.

The course and assessment fees which will have to be paid in August 2025 will amount to:

Parts 1 and 2 the full course plus the two (2) examinations (Part 1 and Part 2) - €550

Parts 1 and 2,  i.e. 2 examinations only - (Part 1 and Part 2) - €100

iii. (a) qualified with a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Malta; or

(b) any other basic medical qualification First Degree at MQF Level 7 of five (5) years or more from an accredited medical school in an EU Member State; or

(c) UK medical degrees awarded till the end of 2020 as per Part 1 (a) of the Second Schedule of the Health Care Professions Act (Cap. 464 of the Laws of Malta).

The said degrees should have been awarded not earlier than 1st January 2021 and all candidates must have obtained the said qualification prior to engagement.

iv. (a) EITHER be listed in the Provisional Register kept by the Medical Council of Malta in terms of Article 11 sub-article 3 of the Health Care Professions Act (Cap. 464 of the Laws of Malta);

OR

(b) Graduates from Universities other than the University of Malta must produce evidence in the Dean's statement referred to in paragraph 5.1(v) that they would be eligible to be considered for registration by the start of the Foundation Programme. Such candidates must also obtain a Letter of Intent from the Medical Council of Malta that their qualification is registerable and which letter must be attached with the application. It is strongly advised that these candidates make direct contact with the Medical Council as soon as they express their interest, to make sure that this process is concluded on time. Letters of Intent by the Medical Council will not be considered if received after the dates allocated for interviews, and this will result in candidates being then deemed ineligible or disqualified from the selection process.

Doctors graduating from a non-EU Country need to check with the Malta Medical Council whether they are eligible for a provisional registration prior to applying to this Foundation Programme. They will require a letter of intent from the said Council.

Furthermore, successful candidates must inevitably obtain the said registration prior to the engagement. For ease of reference the website for the Medical Council of Malta is : https://healthservices.gov.mt/en/regcounc/medicalcouncil/Pages/medcounc.aspx

v. (i) Produce a Medical School Dean's Statement (sample available at https://fpmalta.gov.mt), which is signed, dated and stamped and completed in English, which comprises:

(a) permission to apply for the Foundation Programme in Malta;

(b) confirmation that the applicant is of good standing at medical school and considered fit to practice Medicine;

(c) confirmation of whether primary medical qualification (including instruction, examinations and a significant amount of clinical contact with patients) was/is being undertaken in English;

(d) the expected date of qualification, in the case of applicants who have not yet qualified.

       (ii) A verifiable declaration from the respective medical school of the applicant's academic ranking in deciles. This document should be made available to the Malta Foundation School by the interview date. Where information regarding the academic ranking is inconsistent with decile grading or missing, the lowest academic score will be used.

5.2 (i) Qualifications at a level higher than that specified above will be accepted for eligibility purposes, provided they meet any specified subject requirements.

(ii) Moreover, candidates who have not yet formally obtained any of the above-mentioned qualifications will still be considered. Such candidates are to submit evidence that they have been approved for the award of the qualification in question.

5.3 Candidates who wish to seek eventual full registration from the Medical Council in a country other than Malta, should seek advice from the respective Medical Council as prospective approval from some of that country's institutions may be required. Persons graduating from a UK Medical School who would like to eventually seek registration with the UK General Medical Council, are advised to seek written approval from the post-graduate Dean before joining the Malta Foundation Programme. 

5.4 In addition to the requirements at 5.1 above, by the start of employment and training, applicants must:

i. be in possession of a valid recognised Basic Life Support Certificate;

ii. show that they have understood and agreed to the minimum requirements for completion of the Foundation Programme by signing a Foundation School Training Agreement.

5.5 Successful candidates are to attend for the pre-employment medical examination and relevant investigations in Malta, two (2) weeks before taking up the position of House Officer (Foundation Doctor). Failure to undertake the pre-employment medical examination on time, will result in delays in provision of the employment licence and residence permit and consequently engagement. It is furthermore being clarified that, the pre-employment medical examination, relevant investigations and the attainment of the employment licence are compulsory prior to the start of the employment / training and prospective candidates should allow enough time to settle everything PRIOR to the start of the programme which is expected to be the 14th July 2025.

5.6 The engagement of successful candidates who are not citizens of Malta, or who are not citizens of the European Union, with the exception of citizens of Croatia, would necessitate an employment licence in so far as this is required by the Immigration Act and subsidiary legislation. Issue of an employment licence will depend on a satisfactory pre-employment health check. Jobsplus should be consulted as necessary on this issue. In the case of successful candidates who do not hold an employment licence, the application for an employment licence will be done by the employer.