The University of Malta is a higher educational institution in Malta, one of the oldest in Europe.

The university was originally called the Collegium of Malta, founded by the Jesuits in 1592. After the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Maltese islands in 1768, the Collegium of Malta became the property of the Order of Malta, and the university itself was founded by Grand Master Manuel Pinto de Fonseca, in 1769. In 1798, Napoleon conquered Malta, the university was abolished and transformed into a French educational institution. In 1800, the British occupied the capital of Malta with their troops, the island became a British protectorate. The university was re-established under the leadership of Sir Alexander Ball, Governor of Malta. In 1938, King George VI renamed the institution to the "Royal University of Malta". The word "Royal" was subsequently removed from the name of the university when Malta became a republic in 1974.