Universities in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a large public university system. Sinhala and Tamil are the national languages, and many programmes, especially at postgraduate level, are taught in English. For international students it is above all a destination for exchange semesters, research stays, fieldwork and taught master's programmes, especially in agriculture, marine sciences, engineering, medicine and the humanities.

State universities are coordinated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education. The ministry lists 18 universities and institutes under the UGC, from the University of Colombo and the University of Peradeniya to the Open University of Sri Lanka and the University of Ruhuna in Matara. Our directory lists one Sri Lankan university, the University of Ruhuna.

How universities work in Sri Lanka

Universities offer bachelor's degrees, postgraduate diplomas, taught master's degrees and research degrees (MPhil and PhD). Many bachelor's programmes in technical and professional fields take four years; at the University of Ruhuna, for example, the Faculty of Technology offers four-year degrees in engineering technology, information and communication technology and bio-systems technology. Postgraduate study is often managed by a separate faculty of graduate studies, and many taught master's programmes can be followed full-time or part-time.

Besides the state universities, there are private (non-state) institutions. The ministry has a Non State Higher Education Division and keeps a list of degree-awarding institutes, which is the place to check whether a private institution may award degrees.

Admission for international students

Most foreign students come through one of these routes:

• Exchange semesters and short academic or research stays under agreements between universities
• Taught master's programmes and research degrees (MPhil, PhD), with applications made to each university's graduate faculty
• Government scholarships: the ministry runs a Sri Lanka Government Scholarships scheme for foreign students and publishes information on Erasmus+

There is no single application portal for foreigners, so contact the university's international office first. 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; it notes a considerable increase in foreign students seeking short-term academic training and research opportunities. For recognition of a Sri Lankan degree at home, check with your own university or ministry before you go.

Visa and residence

Since 25 May 2026, nationals of 40 countries, including Spain, can obtain a free 30-day tourist ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), but a tourist visa is meant for sightseeing, holidays and similar short visits, not for a study programme. Students need a residence visa in the student category, which the Department of Immigration and Emigration issues to university students and students at government-approved institutions. Residence visas allow multiple entries and only the activity stated on the visa. General requirements include a passport valid for at least six months from arrival and enough funds for your stay.

Costs and funding

There is no official national fee table for international students. For exchange students, fees are usually covered by the agreement between the two universities; 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 check the ministry's scholarship pages for foreign students.

How to choose

• Route: exchange, taught master's or research degree, depending on your home university and goals
• Subject strengths: faculties and research centres differ widely between universities
• Location: Colombo, the hill country around Kandy and Peradeniya, or the south coast
• Language: confirm that your programme is taught in English
• Status: for private institutions, check the ministry's list of degree-awarding institutes

The University of Ruhuna, for example, was established 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 one in the southern region, with ten faculties on three sites: 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 Faculty of Graduate Studies, established in 2011, runs PhD and MPhil programmes and fifteen taught postgraduate programmes.

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 at a university in Sri Lanka?

Yes. A tourist ETA is not meant for study; students need a residence visa in the student category, which covers university students and students at government-approved institutions.

How many universities does Sri Lanka have?

The ministry lists 18 universities and institutes under the University Grants Commission, plus recognised private degree-awarding institutes.