Study and find schools in Sri Lanka

Studying in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, south of India, with a long tradition of Buddhist and colonial-era scholarship and a large state university system. Sinhala and Tamil are the national languages, and English is widely used in higher education and administration; the government publishes its official websites in all three. For international students, Sri Lanka is above all a destination for exchange semesters, research stays, fieldwork and short programmes in fields such as agriculture, marine sciences, medicine, development studies and Buddhist and South Asian studies.

Our directory lists one active school in Sri Lanka, the University of Ruhuna in Matara.

The education system in Sri Lanka

Higher education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. State universities are funded and coordinated by the University Grants Commission (UGC); the ministry lists 18 universities and institutes under the UGC, including the University of Colombo, the University of Peradeniya, the University of Ruhuna and the Open University of Sri Lanka. Alongside them, the ministry has a division for non-state higher education and keeps a list of recognised degree-awarding institutes, which is the place to check whether a private institution can award degrees.

Degrees follow the familiar Commonwealth pattern:

• Bachelor's degrees (general and honours)
• Postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees, often taught by a faculty of graduate studies
• Doctorates (MPhil and PhD)

Most foreign students join at postgraduate level, on exchange, or through scholarships rather than as regular undergraduates.

Admission and recognition

There is no single application portal for foreign students. Contact the international office of the university directly; at the University of Ruhuna this is the Centre for International Affairs (CINTA), set up in 2005, which handles student exchanges and supports international students. CINTA notes a considerable increase in foreign students seeking short-term academic training and research opportunities. Postgraduate programmes are advertised by each faculty or graduate school, for example the University of Ruhuna's calls for its Master of Sociology.

The Ministry runs a Sri Lanka Government Scholarships scheme for foreign students and publishes information on Erasmus+ and other international programmes. For recognition back home, check with your own university or ministry before you go; the Sri Lankan ministry's recognition lists concern foreign universities for Sri Lankan students, not the other way round.

Student visa and residence

Every foreign national needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arriving in Sri Lanka. Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries, including Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany and Italy, can obtain a free tourist ETA for 30 days, which can be extended for a fee. A tourist visa does not allow study for a full programme: the Department of Immigration and Emigration issues residence visas in a student category for university students and for students at educational institutions approved by the government. Residence visas are multiple-entry and allow only the activity stated on the visa. To apply, you need a passport valid for at least six months from arrival and proof of sufficient funds; the university's international office usually guides students through the process. Visitors on tourist visas may not work, paid or unpaid.

Costs

There is no official national table of fees for international students. Fees for exchange students are usually covered by the agreement between the two universities, and postgraduate fees are set by each faculty and published with each call for applications. Ask the university for the fees that apply to foreign students in writing before you enrol, and budget for the residence visa fee.

Where to study

Colombo, the commercial capital, is home to the University of Colombo and several other universities in its metropolitan area; Kandy and Peradeniya in the hill country host the University of Peradeniya. In the south, the University of Ruhuna was set up by special presidential decree in 1978 and became a full university in 1984. It describes itself as Sri Lanka's sixth oldest university and the only university in the southern region, with ten faculties on three sites: the main campus at Wellamadama near Matara (science, humanities and social sciences, management and finance, fisheries and marine sciences), Kamburupitiya (agriculture and technology) and Galle (engineering, medicine and allied health sciences). Its main campus was designed under the direction of the architect Geoffrey Bawa.

Culture and practical life

Sri Lanka has a tropical climate shaped by two monsoon seasons, and the Department of Meteorology publishes forecasts and seasonal outlooks; in October 2026 it relayed NOAA's forecast of a strong El Niño for October to December, which can affect rainfall. Daily life outside Colombo moves at a slower pace, and some Sinhala or Tamil helps a great deal. Take out health insurance for your whole stay and plan your travel around the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, when many offices close.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign students study at Sri Lankan state universities?

Yes, mainly through exchange agreements, postgraduate programmes, research stays and scholarships. Contact the university's international office for the options open to you.

Do I need a visa to study in Sri Lanka?

Yes. All visitors need an ETA before arrival, and the free 30-day tourist ETA for 40 countries is not meant for study. Students need a residence visa in the student category, arranged with the host university.

Which universities are there in Sri Lanka?

The ministry lists 18 universities and institutes under the University Grants Commission, among them the University of Colombo, the University of Peradeniya and the University of Ruhuna, plus recognised non-state degree-awarding institutes.

What is the University of Ruhuna known for?

It is the only university in Sri Lanka's southern region, founded in 1978, with ten faculties including agriculture, fisheries and marine sciences, engineering and medicine on campuses in Matara, Kamburupitiya and Galle.