Erasmus+ funding is one of the best ways for Europeans to study English abroad. KA1 mobility funding can cover your course fees, travel, accommodation, and daily allowances — often leaving you with very little to pay yourself. But the system is bureaucratic, the deadlines are real, and the difference between a smooth experience and a stressful one usually comes down to planning.
This guide is for anyone who has (or is about to have) Erasmus+ funding and wants to use it for an English course in Malta.
How Erasmus+ KA1 Funding Works
KA1 stands for “Key Action 1” — learning mobility of individuals. If your institution (university, college, language school, NGO, public body — almost any organisation) has an Erasmus+ accreditation, they can send participants abroad and claim funding.
What KA1 typically covers:
- Course fees: Full or partial coverage depending on the course and sending institution
- Travel: A fixed grant based on distance (Malta is in band 3 — furthest from most of Europe, so you get the highest rates)
- Individual support: A daily allowance for accommodation, food, and living costs
- Organisational support: A contribution to the sending institution’s administrative costs
What it doesn’t cover: Personal spending, optional excursions, and anything outside the agreed programme.
The actual amounts change each year, but the process is consistent: your sending institution applies for funding, receives the grant, and passes it on to you (usually as a combination of fee payment direct to the school and personal subsistence).
Step 1: Find Your Sending Institution
You can’t apply for Erasmus+ funding directly. You need to go through an accredited sending institution.
Options include:
- Your university or language department — most higher education institutions have Erasmus+ agreements
- A language school with KA1 accreditation — some language schools are themselves accredited to send students abroad
- Your employer or professional association — many workplaces use Erasmus+ for staff development
- A youth organisation — youth workers and youth leaders can access specific Erasmus+ streams
If you’re a student, start with your university’s international or Erasmus office. If you’re not a student, ask your employer or search for KA1 accredited organisations in your country.
Important: The sending institution applies to the national Erasmus+ agency. They control the funding and the timeline. You need them, not the other way around.
Step 2: Choose Your School in Malta
Not all language schools in Malta are equal, and for Erasmus+ you’ll want to be selective.
What to look for:
EAQUALS accreditation is the minimum you should accept. It’s an internationally recognised quality mark for language schools. Maltalingua holds EAQUALS accreditation — it’s one of the reasons it’s regularly used as an Erasmus+ destination.
Class sizes matter. If you’re funding a group from your institution, you want a school that actually delivers on small class sizes. Maltalingua caps classes at 12 students with an average of 8–10.
Teacher qualifications. All teachers at Maltalingua are native English speakers with CELTA or DELTA qualifications. Not all Maltese schools can say this.
Group accommodation experience. If you’re coming as part of a group (which most Erasmus+ participants are), the school should have experience hosting organised groups — airport transfers, orientation sessions, a dedicated coordinator, and programme continuity.
What to ask any school you’re considering:
- Do you have EAQUALS accreditation?
- What are your maximum class sizes?
- What qualifications do your teachers hold?
- Do you have experience hosting Erasmus+ groups?
- What does your group programme include?
- Can you provide the documentation my institution needs for reporting?
Step 3: Build Your Budget
Erasmus+ grants vary by country and by the nature of the mobility. Here’s a realistic sample budget for a 2-week Erasmus+ English course in Malta using KA1 funding:
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|——|—————-|
| Course fees (2 weeks, General English, 20 lessons/week) | €700 |
| Accommodation (homestay, half board, 14 nights) | €630–€840 |
| Flights (return, from most EU countries) | €150–€350 |
| Visa (if required for non-EU participants) | €0–€80 |
| Insurance | Typically covered by sending institution |
| Pocket money / optional excursions | €100–€200 |
With Erasmus+ KA1 funding covering course fees, travel, and providing a daily allowance, many participants cover the majority of these costs through their grant. Your sending institution can give you exact figures based on your country’s Erasmus+ agency rates.
Step 4: Get the Paperwork Right
Erasmus+ is paperwork-heavy. Your sending institution handles most of it, but you need to be organised too.
What you’ll typically need to provide:
- A Learning Agreement (LA) — outlines what you’ll study, when, and how you’ll be assessed
- Proof of English level (entry test at the school)
- Europass Mobility document (records your participation)
- Attendance confirmation (signed by the school)
- Final report or certificate of completion
The school you choose should handle their side efficiently and provide documents promptly. Maltalingua has a dedicated team for Erasmus+ groups who manage this regularly.
Step 5: What to Expect on Arrival
Most schools offer airport transfers for group arrivals — your sending institution should coordinate this with the school in advance.
At Maltalingua, Erasmus+ groups typically receive:
- An orientation session covering the school, Malta, and practical information
- An English level assessment on arrival (used to place you in the right class)
- A structured programme of lessons, activities, and excursions
- A dedicated coordinator for the duration of the group stay
- End-of-course certificate and attendance record
Groups usually stay two to four weeks. A two-week programme is enough to make real progress and experience the island. Four weeks is better for meaningful language development.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the wrong school. Don’t pick a school based on price alone. Large classes, unqualified teachers, and poor organisation will waste your funding and your time.
Not briefing your sending institution properly. Make sure they know what you want to study, what level you’re at, and what your goals are. The Learning Agreement should reflect reality.
Arriving without a plan for speaking English outside class. The course gives you lessons. Progress requires using English outside them. Decide before you go that you’ll make an effort to socialise in English, not just with your language group.
Leaving accommodation booking to the last minute. Malta is popular. Summer availability at good homestays goes early. Confirm everything at least six weeks before arrival.
What Maltalingua Provides for Erasmus+ Groups
If you’re considering Maltalingua as your destination, here’s what the school offers for Erasmus+ groups:
- EAQUALS-accredited courses with qualified British teachers
- Classes capped at 12 students
- A structured Erasmus+ group programme with lessons, activities, and excursions
- Full documentation support for sending institutions
- Airport transfers for group arrivals
- Homestay or shared apartment accommodation options
- A dedicated coordinator throughout your stay
- End-of-course certificate, attendance records, and Europass support
The school has hosted Erasmus+ groups from across Europe for years and knows exactly what’s needed on both sides — from the sending institution’s administrative requirements to the students’ day-to-day experience.
Ready to Plan?
If you’re an Erasmus+ coordinator or a student with KA1 funding, the best next step is to get a formal quotation. Maltalingua can provide a detailed programme proposal including course options, accommodation, activities, and costs that you can take to your sending institution for approval.
Request a quotation for your Erasmus+ group and start planning your Malta mobility.
For more on what to expect from an English course in Malta, see our guide to how long it really takes to improve your English.