The following is a list of rectors of the University of Malta since 1771.[1] Rectors are currently elected by the University Council by secret ballot, for a 5-year term.[2]
1771–1773: Roberto Ranieri Costaguti
1773–1776: Francesco Bonnici (Prefect of Studies)
1776–1780: Domenico A. Malarbì
1780–1786: Giuseppe Angelo Moncada
1787–1788: Prospero Xuereb
1790–1797: Maturino Francesco de Muller
1798: Giovanni Villet Bellet
1800–1822: Francesco Saverio Caruana
1822–1833: Girolamo Saverio Inglott
1834–1841: Emmanuele Rosignaud
1841–1842: Thaddeus O'Malley
1842–1843: Pietro Paolo Psaila (Acting Rector)
1844–1854: William Henry Butt
1854–1880: Saverio Schembri
1880–1887: Sigismondo Savona
1887–1896: Antonio Annetto Caruana
1897–1904: Napoleone Tagliaferro
1904–1920: Enrico Magro
1920–1926: Themistocles Zammit
1926–1934: Thomas Agius
1934–1948: Robert Victor Galea
1948–1963: Joseph Anthony Manché
1963–1980: Edwin Borg Costanzi
1980–1982: Donald H. Walwyn-James
1982–1987: George P. Xuereb
1987–1988: Peter Serracino Inglott
1988–1991: Edwin Borg Costanzi
1991–1996: Peter Serracino Inglott
1996–2006: Roger Ellul-Micallef
2006–2016: Juanito Camilleri
2016–present: Alfred J. Vella