The government’s regulatory arm in higher education – the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) – is refusing to explain why it renewed the operating licence of the International European University (IEU) to continue operating from a building in Gzira despite students’ claims that the institution is “one big scam.”
Since it relocated some of its courses to Malta in 2023 through a one-year temporary licence due to the ongoing war, The Shift is informed that tens of students and their parents contacted the MFHEA complaining of alleged “fake courses”, leaving many students and their families several thousand out of pocket.
Despite complaints, the MFHEA agreed to renew the ‘university’s’ operating licence for another year until mid-2025, basing its assessment on the fact that the IEU has a collaboration agreement with the American University of Malta (AUM), which also faces criticism.
In its renewal notice announcement, the Maltese authorities underlined that the IEU must make a “financial and institutional audit” by January 2025. If this fails, the “licence will be revoked immediately”.
While giving its nod, the MFHEA distanced itself from the IEU, making it clear that “the IEU is NOT a Maltese institution and hence it is not accredited by the MFHEA”.
Sources told The Shift that “pressure was made from political quarters to issue a licence renewal.”
The Shift asked the MCHFE to explain why the IEU was still allowed to keep its business running and to state what action was being taken about the complaints it received. No replies were given.
What university?
Based in Gzira’s Edgar Bernard Street, the IEU was established in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2019. It offers several degree courses, but these are not recognised by the EU’s educational certification standards.
Instead, the IEU is regulated under Ukrainian law by the country’s National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance in Ukraine, NAQA.
Since the war in Ukraine, the IEU has transferred its operations to Poland. However, the Polish government never officially recognised it, and the public prosecutor of Poznan is reportedly investigating it due to complaints.
In 2023, the IEU was issued a Maltese licence to transfer three courses to Malta temporarily. These are medicine (only the theoretical part, as neither the IEU nor the AUM has any laboratory facilities) and two business-related courses.
No one knows how many students are enrolled at the IEU. Sources state that these are not Ukrainian and are mostly non-EU citizens.
The IEU charges students up to €6,000 per year and thousands in added costs, including one-time accreditation fees and high accommodation prices.
Many students took their complaints online. They said they were never paid back their money, even when they decided to leave the university. They also complained that their reports to the MHFEA were ignored.
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“Collaboration agreement” with the (so called) American University of Malta?
That says it all – and explains the authorities’ complacency in the face of the negative publicity by those seeking their education there and classifying it as ‘one one big scam’!
Yes indeed, it is a massive scam! I am first hand experienced in this mafia run so called university! Stir clear from them. They are not registered with the Ministry of health nor education in Ukraine. They are under PKA investigation for the Polish campus in Poznan, and have been asked to shut it down. Besides, they give fake diploma in MD! But the NAQA never accredited them for a MD but o ly a MSc in medicine. Completely different education! Please, help to close this scam school! Even if they can buy the corrupted Maltese accreditation office. EU has other requirements when it comes to medical education!
Indeed. I am so disturbed to see how medical education became so so cheap in Malta! They are supposed to be in the EU and play by high standard. But, when money talks, everyone listen. With our money! All the white and blue eyes people in the picture do not exist! Our class was Foreigners o ly. I never had any Ukrainian student in my 3 years of education with them and still not one of them to date! Get rid of this mafia from Europe!
I can confirm that IEU is licensed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The Medicine program is accredited by NAQA and IAAR (https://iaar.agency/registry/en?_token=eJbHnvHN7zSsTP0OG1pAPUYOujIdebcmg12lqdSg&title=&country_id=16&accr_type=2&univer_type_id=20&year_start=&years=&is_reaccr=&is_ex_ante=)
The educational qualification awarded is Master of Medicine, and the professional qualification is Doctor of Medicine, in accordance with our medical standards.
However, I do not see your name listed among the students of IEU. If you have any complaints, please address them to me, as the Head of the Foreign Students Department, at [email protected].
Therefore, I kindly ask you not to spread false information
All students at photo are real.
More their photos you can find at our university?s website https://ieu.edu.ua/en/about-ieu/news/give-warmth-to-those-who-need-it-the-most
https://ieu.edu.ua/en/about-ieu/news/review-of-the-student-in-the-spotlight-seminar
https://ieu.edu.ua/en/about-ieu/news/meeting-between-the-ieu-president-and-students
https://ieu.edu.ua/en/about-ieu/news/representatives-of-the-ieu-student-parliament-at-the-meeting-with-the-administration-of-mes-and-the-specialized-committee-of-the-verkhovna-rada-of-ukraine-on-higher-education-transformation
https://ieu.edu.ua/en/about-ieu/news/international-european-university-received-national-accreditation-of-the-medicine-educational-and-professional-program
https://ieu.edu.ua/en/about-ieu/news/diversity-of-cultures-in-malta-with-a-student-parliament
Good afternoon, my name is Vlada.
After reading comments left from dubious accounts, I would like to share my perspective as a student who has been studying Medicine (specialty 222) at the International European University for three years. And I?m still studying here.
1. Regarding the university?s accreditation and licensing:
The university holds the highest level of accreditation in Ukraine, and all its programs are licensed.
All supporting documents are available on the university?s official website and can be easily verified on the official website of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine.
2. Concerning alleged fake photos:
All photos on the university?s social media platforms and website depict real students. Among these photos, you can find my own pictures (one of them is on the Facebook cover photo of the main page), photos of my groupmates, members of the student parliament who are present at the university every day, as well as pictures of my friends from senior courses and actual graduates. There are also numerous images from events, celebrations, conferences, practical sessions, open lessons, and tactical medicine training?activities that the university regularly organizes.
3. About the claims of fake studies in Malta:
Due to the war, many students cannot study in Ukraine because of power outages, lack of heating, constant shelling, and the risk to their lives. Therefore, I am sincerely grateful to the university and the Maltese government for the opportunity to continue quality education in a peaceful environment while hoping to return home to Ukraine.
Currently, I, along with Management students and younger Medical students, am studying in Malta. Those who claim this is fake have likely never visited the university?s campus in Malta or seen the real student life there.
I also want to address comments about the learning process. My parents are also doctors, so I know how education was conducted in the past and how I am being taught now. I have a basis for comparison. Over these three years, I have not once encountered corruption at the university?no teacher has ever asked for a bribe, raised their voice, or crossed personal boundaries. Every instructor is genuinely invested in conveying theoretical material to us, willing to repeat explanations if we don?t understand something.
We don?t waste time writing meaningless notes; we only focus on what is necessary. In my first year, I studied anatomy using VR headsets and ultrasound devices, which helped me better understand illustrations in atlases and books. Classes are often conducted in an interactive and dialogical format to ensure better comprehension.
Over these three years, the education process has only strengthened my desire to become a doctor. The challenges of learning have not worn me down but rather fueled my ambition to acquire new knowledge and keep moving forward. Those who criticize the education system here have probably never studied at the International European University.
Finally, dear faculty and administration, I would like to sincerely thank you for the high level of organization in the educational process and your professionalism. Your dedication creates an exceptionally supportive environment for student development, including my own.
Your willingness to support and assist us deserves the highest praise. Please don?t let the negative reviews from questionable accounts affect your enthusiasm or your willingness to share your valuable knowledge with us. Thank you!
I wonder where my post has gone! I approve the posts from Joseph nd Lw. Yalana, never heard of it. Yalana, you should do your research please. The IEU don’t have any accreditation. This morning friend of mine who was with us s well, sent us this link
https://registry.edbo.gov.ua/university/4374/study-programs/
This is legit. Click on Educational Program. Scroll down to Master, look for Medicine 222 and you will see the the red box. And the text comment which tells you that; there is NO certificate of accreditation of the educational program.
So who ever you are, since I know you are not a student, because I am convinced that both of your parents will have never let you study in a random med school!!!
Again, we, around 200 of us being scammed. You have the proof within the link and if you don’t believe any of us, please follow the link people. And, don’t fall for the pretending student called Yalana. Besides her still of writing remind me someone who is from the US, florida and being causing a lot of troubles at the IEU since her arrival! She befriend with the so called administrative team and she will be completely capable of posting such lies to save her friends from IEU. They had a special arrangement.
Anyway, everyone, click the link and you will have your answers.
Again, we are here to save people money and reputation!