More than 8,000 students have registered at MCAST for the 2026/2027 academic year, including 4,120 newly registered students. The College welcomed them during Freshers’ Week, held between Monday 5 and Friday 9 October across three of the College’s campuses.

Freshers’ Week opened at the Paola Campus, which hosted activities from Monday to Wednesday. Mosta Campus followed on Thursday 8 October, and the programme closed at the Gozo Campus on Friday 9 October.

Prime Minister Robert Abela and the Minister for Education and Sports, Byron Camilleri, toured the stands and spoke with students on campus. The Principal and CEO, Mr Stephen Vella, and the President of the Board of Governors, Horace Laudi, welcomed them at the College. The Leader of the Opposition, Dr Alex Borg, also visited several stands as the event got underway.

A total of 112 companies and agencies took part this year, giving students a direct line to the organisations they may one day work with. Students could ask about apprenticeships and work placements, learn what different careers involve, and start building the professional contacts that support work-based learning throughout their studies.

Alongside employers, non-governmental and voluntary organisations had a strong presence, giving students practical ways to get involved in causes beyond the classroom. This reflects MCAST’s Community and Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment, a key skill unit within MQF Level 1–6 courses.

MCAST students study at every level, from foundation courses through diplomas and degrees to Master’s and doctoral programmes. This range lets learners with different skills, experiences and ambitions find the route that suits them and keep progressing. Today, the College’s seven institutes span four campuses and serve full-time, part-time, and international full-time students.

This year saw a positive response in areas central to the country’s needs, including engineering, nursing and community services. The College continues to develop its course offerings to reflect the skills the labour market needs and Malta’s wider economic and social priorities.

Investment in the College’s infrastructure continues. Funding has been secured for the Institute for Creative Arts (ICA) to move to the Paola Campus, a further step in the campus’s development and in providing better facilities for students.