Central Mediterranean Business School

What Central Mediterranean Business School does

Central Mediterranean Business School, operating since 2013 and rebranded in 2025 as Knights College Malta, is a Malta-based private tertiary education institution licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (Licence No. 2013-FHI-020) and certified to ISO 9001. It delivers programmes from sixth-form level through executive doctorate across MQF/EQF Levels 4–8, including 12 MBA specialisations, with dual-degree pathways delivered in partnership with Coventry University and accountancy credentials via ACCA.

The business model is tuition-based, anchored on individual student enrolments, and is materially supported by Malta's Get Qualified scheme, which subsidises up to 70% of tuition fees for eligible domestic students. Delivery is primarily class-based and face-to-face, supplemented by blended learning; the institution does not operate a proprietary technology platform, and revenue is generated through programme fees rather than B2B contracts, employer partnerships, or external funding rounds. Differentiated service elements include free on-campus childcare for student parents and a stated strategic plan to launch additional educational institutions globally.

The organisation is privately held with no disclosed parent company or external investors; leadership comprises founder/CEO Morgan Parnis, Academic Manager Maria Schembri, and Client Relations Manager Tonio Axisa. Operational scale is modest, evidenced by a most recent graduation cohort of over 260 students and an 85% self-reported employability rate, though total active enrolment, headcount, and revenue are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Central Mediterranean Business School

Legal name

Knights College Malta

Website

https://cmbs.edu.mt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Central Mediterranean Business School (Knights College Malta) is a Malta-licensed private tertiary institution delivering sixth-form through executive doctorate programmes, including 12 MBA specialisations, to individual students via classroom and blended learning.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Business and Secretarial Schools (61141), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International Business & Global Management Schools (EDAHAHAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education programs
• Business school courses
• MBA specializations
• Accredited academic programmes
• Professional development courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Malta

HQ country

Malta

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Knights College generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged for its academic programmes across sixth form, undergraduate certificates, undergraduate diplomas, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and executive doctorate levels, spanning MQF/EQF levels 4 through 8.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Central Mediterranean Business School (operating as Knights College Malta) is a licensed private college in Malta delivering accredited academic programmes from sixth form through executive doctorate (MQF/EQF Levels 4–8). The core portfolio includes 12 MBA specialisations, undergraduate certificates and diplomas, bachelor's degrees, a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA), and short professional awards, delivered predominantly on weekends to working professionals and students. Programmes are accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) and delivered in partnership with Coventry University and ACCA.

Product overview

Knights College Malta operates as a unified higher education platform offering a comprehensive range of academic programmes across multiple levels. The portfolio consists of Sixth Form College programmes (MQF/EQF Level 5), Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas (Level 5), Bachelor's Degrees (Level 6), Master's Degrees including 12 MBA specialisations (Level 7), and Executive Doctorate (DBA) programmes (Level 8). These are complemented by Professional Awards providing specialised short courses. Students benefit from structured academic pathways with clear progression opportunities, work-based learning components, and qualifications accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). The institution also provides a Student Portal platform for academic management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sixth Form College Pre-tertiary work-based learning programme preparing students for future careers through structured academic pathways and personalised support at MQF/EQF Level 5.
• Undergraduate Certificates Focused short programmes offering practical qualifications within a structured college environment, aligned with national standards and real career outcomes at MQF/EQF Level 5.
• Undergraduate Diplomas Programmes for learners seeking to deepen expertise and gain advanced skills within a recognised college in Malta, at MQF/EQF Level 5.
• Bachelor's Degrees Comprehensive undergraduate programmes combining academic preparation with practical application at MQF/EQF Level 6, providing recognised qualifications and clear academic progression pathways.
• Master's Degrees (MBA Programmes) Postgraduate programmes designed to elevate careers through advanced knowledge, strategic thinking and professional expertise at MQF/EQF Level 7. Includes 12 MBA specialisations: Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Project Management, Financial Management, HR Management, Transport Management, Construction Management, Cultural Management, Sport Management, Health Management, and Educational Leadership.
• Executive Doctorate Degree (DBA) Advanced doctoral programme designed for executive and professional individuals seeking to develop expertise and advance to the highest levels at MQF/EQF Level 8. Structured to accommodate working professionals with focus on advanced research and expert-level expertise.
• Professional Awards Short awards providing specialised knowledge and skills for professional advancement. Covers Management, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Education, Health and Social Care, Hospitality, Sports, Project Management, and more at various MQF/EQF levels.
• Student Portal Online portal for students to access their academic information, coursework, and learning resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of students believe their studies improved their employability opportunities
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coventry UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnights College offers dual MBA qualifications in partnership with Coventry University, enabling students to earn a UK-accredited master's degree delivered in Malta. The partnership covers 12 MBA specialisations with weekend delivery formats.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKnights College delivers ACCA professional accountancy programmes, providing students with a structured pathway to ACCA qualification and membership. ACCA is listed as one of the college's institutional partners.
• Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMFHEA is the Maltese regulatory body that licenses and accredits further and higher education institutions. Knights College holds Licence No. 2013-FHI-020, affirming its status as a licensed private college in Malta.
• Mdina PartnersminorOthersMdina Partners is listed in Knights College's ecosystem, suggesting a business networking or collaborative relationship within Malta's business community.
• Business Leaders MaltaminorOthersBusiness Leaders Malta is listed in Knights College's ecosystem, indicating a collaborative relationship with Malta's business leadership network.
• EsprimiminorOthersEsprimi is listed in Knights College's ecosystem, suggesting a collaborative partnership in the education or business ecosystem.
• 3C MaltaminorOthers3C Malta is listed in Knights College's ecosystem, indicating a collaborative partnership within Malta's business or education community.
• Learners EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLearners Education is listed as one of Knights College's institutional partners, suggesting a collaborative educational pathway or referral relationship.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Coventry University: UK public university and Knights' partner for dual MBA qualifications. Relevant as both a channel partner and a broader incumbent whose brand authority Knights leverages for international credibility.
• MCAST: Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology is the country's main vocational and applied higher education institution. Competes with Knights for sixth form, undergraduate diploma, and applied business students in Malta.
• University of Malta: Malta's primary public university offering comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate business programmes through its Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy. The dominant incumbent higher education provider in Malta and the principal alternative for business students.

Direct peers

• Staffordshire University Malta: Branch campus of Staffordshire University offering UK-accredited business and IT degrees in Malta. Closely mirrors Knights' model of international university partnerships delivering domestic programmes in Malta.
• Domain Academy Malta: Private Maltese provider of professional and academic business programmes. Comparable as a smaller private higher education competitor in Malta targeting similar working-professional segments.
• Middlesex University Malta: Branch campus of Middlesex University in Malta delivering UK-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate business programmes. Directly comparable to Knights in offering internationally recognised business degrees on the island, competing for the same Maltese and international student pool.
• Global College Malta: Private Maltese college offering business and management programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Directly comparable in scale, regulatory status, and product mix to Knights.
• London School of Business and Finance Malta: LSBF operates a Malta campus focused on professional and postgraduate business education. Direct competitor for MBA and executive education students in Malta.

Regional players

• Geneva Business School: Private Swiss business school with multiple European campuses offering bachelor, MBA and DBA programmes. Comparable in scale and product portfolio to Knights' postgraduate and executive education offering.
• European Business University Luxembourg: Private business school in Luxembourg offering English-taught MBA and DBA programmes. Comparable as a small European private business school competing for international students and serving as a peer for Knights' planned global expansion.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Mediterranean Business School