What each school needs
Every sixth form and post-secondary school in Malta and Gozo, with the source and the year. Checked 7 November 2026. Rules change every year, so check the school's own page before a final decision, and tell us if you find a difference.
Sixth form means Level 3
Almost always in 5 or 6 subjects. Level 2 passes open MCAST Foundation and ITS, not sixth form.
The core subjects differ
Junior College wants one of Maltese, English and Maths. GCHSS two. St Aloysius all three plus a science. De La Salle none.
The paper sets the ceiling
The Level 1-2 Paper II cannot give a Level 3. Pure Maths at A-level needs the 3-3* paper at the church sixth forms.
At a glance
| School | SEC passes | Core subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Junior College, Msida | 6 at Level 3 | at least one of English, Maltese, Maths |
| Giovanni Curmi HSS, Naxxar (state) | 5 at Level 3 | two of English, Maltese, Maths |
| St Aloysius College, Birkirkara (church) | 6 | English, Maths, Maltese and a science at Level 3 |
| De La Salle College, Cottonera (church) | 6 at Level 3, grades 1 to 6 | none |
| St Martin's College, Swatar | 6 (SEC or Edexcel) | none stated |
| St Edward's College, Birgu (IB) | 5 at grade 5 or better | English, Maths, a science |
| Sir M. A. Refalo, Gozo (state) | 5 (being confirmed) | two of English, Maths, Maltese |
| MCAST | none for Levels 1 and 2; 2 at Level 3 for a Diploma; 4 for an Advanced Diploma | by course |
| ITS | none for Foundation; Level 2 passes count | by course |
| GEM 16+ (state, at GCHSS) | none: a second-chance SEC year |
The detail, school by school
University of Malta Junior College, Msida
Any 6 SEC passes at Level 3 (or grade 5 or better before 2025), including at least one of English Language, Maltese or Mathematics. Missing one or two of the three: compulsory preparatory classes and probationary entry. University entry later needs all three. Applications 27 July to 7 August 2026 (late until 23 October). Source: 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. Source: gchss.edu.mt, September 2026.
GEM 16+ (state, at GCHSS Naxxar)
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. 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. Source: 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 for IT and the sciences). Degrees: Matriculation points or an MCAST Level 4. Main call 13 July to 14 August 2026. Source: 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 to 27 August 2026, fee €30. Maximum age 17 on 31 December. Source: staloysius.edu.mt, 6F Prospectus 2026.
De La Salle College Sixth Form, Cottonera (church)
Any 6 SEC passes at Level 3, grades 1 to 6. No compulsory subjects. Most Advanced and Intermediate subjects need grades 1 to 5 at Level 3 in that subject; Pure Mathematics needs the 3-3* paper. Applications 25 to 27 August 2026, fee €30. Source: 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. Source: 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. Source: 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. Source: 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. Source: its.edu.mt prospectus 2025 to 2026.
What this means in Year 9 and Year 10
If sixth form is possible, your child needs Level 3 in the core subjects that school asks for, which means the Level 2-3 paper in those subjects. For Pure Maths at A-level, the 3-3* paper. For MCAST or ITS, Level 2 passes are useful and the pressure is lower. Our courses are built for the Level 2-3 paper.