Malta and England are the two options school groups most often weigh for learning English. In both, English is the language of daily life, and both host language school and summer school programs for school groups. Yet the two countries put very different planning pictures in front of school management.
For a three-country overview, see our England, Ireland and Malta comparison. This article goes deeper for schools deciding between just these two: budget, flights and distance, climate, language school structure, age groups and accommodation. Prices are approximate weekly from-prices compiled on 4 October 2026 from lists that providers publish on their own websites.
Malta or England: what is the short answer?
Malta, with its small scale and one main language school area, is the “simple and manageable” option. England, with many cities, campus types and program segments, is the “wide choice” country. If your school wants simplicity and short distances, Malta stands out; if it wants variety and academic options, England does.
| Topic | Malta | England |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly from-price (2026–2027) | About €785 – €1,080 | About £800 – £1,673 |
| Currency | Euro | Pound sterling |
| Age range (market) | 8-17; most students 12-17 | 8-18 depending on city; most students 12-17 |
| Typical length | 1-4 weeks, mostly 2-4 | 1-4 weeks depending on city and program; longer on some academic programs |
| Season | Mid/late June – late August | June – mid-August depending on city |
| Accommodation | Student residence, homestay | University residence, boarding-school campus, residence, homestay, historic college |
| Summer climate (general) | Hot, dry and sunny | Mild and changeable; be ready for rain |
| Time difference (summer, approx.) | 1 hour | 2 hours |
| Program hub | Mainly St Julian’s and Sliema | London, Oxford, Cambridge, Brighton and other cities |
Prices are weekly from-prices. Tuition, accommodation, full board and activities are usually included; flights, visa, insurance and pocket money are not. Prices for school groups are quoted separately according to group size, dates and scope.
How do the two countries compare on budget?
The first point is currency. Malta’s prices are in euro and England’s in sterling, so the gap between them moves with the exchange rate. Answering “which is more economical?” with a single figure would be misleading.
The shape of the ranges does tell you something, though:
- Malta’s band is narrow. Weekly from-prices run from about €785 to €1,080 (2026–2027). Programs share a similar structure, so large swings between quotes are unlikely.
- England’s band is wide. About £800 – £1,673 nationally (2026–2027). By city: Brighton about £800 – £1,150, London £950 – £1,607, Oxford language school £998 – £1,025, Cambridge £1,220 – £1,673. Academic college programs in Oxford and Cambridge, at about £3,498 a week, form a separate segment.
In practice, the budget is more predictable in Malta, while in England you can tune it across a wide range through the choice of city and program. When presenting the budget to parents, state clearly which currency and which exchange rate it is based on. For what makes up the price, see our summer school prices abroad guide.
How do flights and distance affect the decision?
Both countries have direct flight options from Istanbul, but the picture after landing differs.
- Malta: As a small island, the airport transfer to accommodation is short, and daily distances stay short too. Language schools, residences and the seafront are close together. The time difference in summer is about 1 hour, which eases students’ adjustment.
- England: The distance between the arrival airport and the program city depends on the city. For a London program the transfer can be short; for Oxford, Cambridge or Brighton a road transfer is part of the plan. The time difference in summer is about 2 hours.
For school management this matters most for tiredness on arrival day and for planning the first evening. We recommend planning the flight and the first 24 hours with your group as a topic of its own.
How does the summer climate shape the program?
Climate is one of the most concrete differences between the two countries, and it directly shapes the daily program.
- Summer in Malta is hot, dry and sunny. Seaside activities are a natural part of the program. In return, shaded or indoor activities are planned for the hottest hours, and water, sun protection and rest times become part of the supervision plan.
- Summer in England is mild and changeable. Rain can come at any time and the days are long. Every outdoor activity has an indoor alternative ready, and students pack clothes they can layer.
The difference affects parents’ expectations as well as the packing list. When presenting England to parents who picture “sea and sun”, or Malta to parents who picture “cool weather and city culture”, show them the program’s real daily routine.
How does language school structure differ between the two?
In Malta, most programs follow the language school format. In public listings, standard junior programs are usually described as 20 lessons a week, with beach, sport and activity programs filling the rest of the day. The island’s English language schools are concentrated mainly in St Julian’s and Sliema. See our St Julian’s and Sliema page for details.
In England, three structures sit side by side:
- City language school: Lessons in the morning, city activities in the afternoon; mostly homestay accommodation.
- Campus summer school: Programs on a university or boarding-school campus, with lessons, accommodation and activities on one site.
- Academic program: Programs held in historic university colleges, usually aimed at high school ages.
In both countries the shared question is the same: will your school’s group study in a separate class, or in mixed classes with students of other nationalities? That can affect how much English students use more than the choice of country. For the options in England, see our United Kingdom page.
Which country suits which age group?
According to public listings, programs in Malta cover ages 8-17, with most students aged 12-17. In England the range depends on the city: 8-18 in Cambridge and Brighton, 9-18 in London, 12-17 in Oxford; the core group in most cities is 12-17.
- Upper primary and early middle school: In both countries a set-up where lessons, meals and accommodation are in one place makes supervision easier. In Malta that means a residence, in England a boarding-school campus.
- Middle school: Malta’s short distances and activity-led program fit this age well. Campus programs in England offer a similar structure.
- High school: England’s academic options and range of cities gain more value at this age. In Malta, more intensive language program options can be considered.
Malta’s main program area is on the seafront and can be lively in the evenings. Evening programs, curfew rules and teacher supervision therefore need to be clear, especially for younger students. The same principle applies to large cities in England.
How do the accommodation options compare?
| Accommodation type | Malta | England |
|---|---|---|
| Student residence | Hotel, resort or campus-style junior residences; rooms mostly shared | City residences and university halls |
| Boarding-school campus | Not found in the lists we compiled | Common, especially for younger ages |
| Homestay | Available | Available, mostly with city language schools |
| Historic university college | Not found in the lists we compiled | On academic programs in Oxford and Cambridge |
In Malta the accommodation choice is simpler: residence or homestay. Public listings show junior residence rooms mostly for 3-4 students, with full board. In England the accommodation type often defines the program itself; choosing a campus also means choosing a particular city and program type. Room arrangements and where teachers stay are confirmed in writing in the quote for both countries.
Which country fits your season and length more easily?
According to public listings, Malta’s season runs from mid or late June to late August; programs last 1-4 weeks, mostly 2-4. In England the season depends on the city: June – August in Oxford, mid-June or early July to mid-August in London, and early July to mid-August in Cambridge.
Two practical points follow. First, for schools wanting to travel in the second half of August, Malta’s season offers a longer window. Second, fixed 2- and 4-week sessions are common in some English cities, so check early that your school calendar fits the session dates. July is the busy period in both countries; settling dates early widens your choice.
Which priority points to which country?
| If your school’s priority is… | Look first at |
|---|---|
| Short transfers, short distances, simple logistics | Malta |
| Budgeting in euro | Malta |
| A seaside, outdoor social program | Malta |
| Variety of cities and campuses | England |
| An academic program or university atmosphere | England |
| A single-site boarding-school campus set-up | England |
| A cooler climate and a museum- and history-led program | England |
| A short program for a group travelling abroad for the first time | Both can work; look at the program’s supervision structure |
The table is a starting point. The program you choose (residence, campus or homestay; separate or mixed classes) often matters more than the country.
How do you explain the decision to parents?
For parents, a country name often carries a meaning of its own: Malta may read as “sea and sun”, England as “the home of the language”. To take the reasoning beyond those impressions, share:
- Which priority the choice rests on (age, goal, budget, calendar).
- A real example of the daily routine: lesson times, activities, evening arrangements.
- Accommodation type, room arrangements and where chaperone teachers will stay.
- Which currency the price is quoted in and what it covers.
Our parent information meeting guide can help you structure the meeting. For country-level details on the Malta side, our Malta page is a useful resource.
How can we set the two countries side by side for your school?
If you share your students’ ages, group size, calendar and goals, we can prepare Malta and England options under the same headings and with the same scope. That way the difference is read from the program itself, not the country name. For such a comparison, contact us through our for schools page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malta more economical than England?
A direct comparison is misleading: Malta prices are in euro, England prices in sterling, and exchange rates move. According to public price lists, Malta's weekly from-prices sit in a narrower band, while England's span a wider range depending on city and program. Your school's budget is compared on the same scope in the quote.
How many lessons are there in Malta?
In public listings, standard junior programs in Malta are usually described as 20 lessons a week. The number and length of lessons can vary by program; the lesson intensity for your school group is stated in writing in the quote.
Which suits younger students better?
Both countries have programs that accept younger students. What matters more than the country is the supervision set-up: a structure where lessons, accommodation and activities are in one place makes supervising younger ages easier. We propose suitable options for your age group in the quote.
Is Malta's summer heat a problem for the program?
Summer in Malta is hot and sunny. Programs are therefore built with shaded or indoor activities in the hottest hours, and water, sun protection and rest times become part of the daily routine.
Which city should we choose in England?
Cities such as London, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton suit different ages, budgets and goals. When comparing with Malta, being clear about which English city and program type you mean makes the decision easier.
How can we compare the two countries on the same criteria?
Ask for quotes with the same headings for both: number of lessons, class arrangement, accommodation type and room set-up, activity and excursion program, chaperone terms, transfers and support structure. That way the difference is read from the scope, not the country name.