Study in Sri Lanka for Pakistani Students 2025-26

Sri Lanka is officially known as the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Colombo is the capital and largest city. Its currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR), and its official languages are Sinhala, Tamil, and English, which are widely spoken. Study in Sri Lanka is a great opportunity for Pakistani students.

Sri Lanka has top-ranked universities like the University of Colombo, the University of Jaffna, Eastern University, and more. The major courses available in Sri Lanka for Pakistani students are Business, computer science, engineering, medicine, etc. Sri Lanka's education system is very good, as its literacy rate is 92.49%, one of the best in the world.

For English proficiency, the IELTS test with 6.0 bands is required, but they also accept the TOEFL and PTE tests. A bank statement for the last six months of 4000 USD to 6000 USD is also required. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required to get admission to Sri Lankan universities, but having higher scores will increase the chances of selection. Pakistani students considering studying in Sri Lanka will be pleased to know that the visa acceptance rate is very high, with over 95% of applications being approved.

Why Study in Sri Lanka

Studying in Sri Lanka for Pakistani students has many benefits. Some of the benefits are:

Advanced education system: Sri Lanka has one of the best education systems in the world, with a literacy rate of over 92%.

Top universities: Sri Lanka has many universities with good world rankings and providing high-class education to its national and international students

English-taught programs: Another great plus point of studying in Sri Lankan universities is that most of the available programs are taught in the English language. Therefore, it is no problem for Pakistani students to study there.

Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka is based on islands and has very beautiful seashores and many tourist spots. Students can live and enjoy a beautiful and peaceful life there.

Low tuition fee: The average tuition fee in Sri Lanka is around 1000 USD to 50000 USD which is very affordable for students.

World-recognized Degrees: University degrees are recognized and accepted all over the world.

Perfect Weather: Sri Lanka's moderate weather, with its balanced mix of sunshine and rain, provides a comfortable and homely environment for Pakistani students, making them feel at ease and ready to focus on their studies.

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Scholarship in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka universities offer different scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate student programs:

• Presidential scholarship for foreign students
• University of Colombo Scholarship program
• University of Kelaniya Scholarships
• University of Jaffna Scholarship
  
• University of Peradeniya scholarship

Universities in Sri Lanka

There are many universities in Sri Lanka that accept Pakistani and other international students. Some of these universities are:

1. University of Colombo
2. ECU University
3. University of Jaffna
4. Eastern University
5. University of Peradeniya
6. University of Moratuwa
7. Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
8. University of Ruhuna
9. University of Jayewardenepura
10. University of Kelaniya
11. Wayamba university of Sri Lanka
12. Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology

Some of the top universities are explained below with specific details.

1. University of Colombo

The University of Colombo is a public research-based university. It is one of the oldest universities in the country, and it was established in 1921. Its world ranking is 951 to 1000. It has nine faculties and one school, offering admission in many courses such as arts, science, education, Indigenous medicine, management, etc. There are over 25000 students, with over 150 international students studying different subjects. The University of Colomo also requires IELTS with a minimum of 6.0 bands; it also accepts TOEFL with a minimum score of 79. The average tuition for Pakistani students is 3000-10000 USD. 

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2. University of Jaffna

The University of Jaffna is a public university. It was established in 1974 and was the sixth campus of the University of Sri Lanka. In 1979, it became an independent university. There are six different faculties on the main campus of Jaffna. These faculties are Arts, Graduate studies, medicine, management and commerce, and Science. It has three more faculties in Kilinochchi city. These faculties are engineering, technology, and agriculture. Its world ranking is 3989, and 7^th in Sri Lanka.

3. ECU University

ECU Sri Lanka Campus is a modern Australian university. It has a great reputation for teaching, student experience, and excellence. ECU University mostly offers undergraduate courses such as psychology and a bachelor of technology in electrical engineering. Commerce, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, Bachelor of Science (cyber security), Bachelor of Science (nursing), and Bachelor of Design. Originally, it was founded in Australia in 1902 and Sri Lanka in 1991 with Western Australian higher education and Sri Lanka authorities. ECU also requires IELTS with 5.5 bands and accepts the PTE test.

4. University of Moratuwa

The University of Moratuwa is a public university located in the capital city of Colombo. It was also known as Ceylon College of Technology Katubedda before receiving university status in 1960. More than 11,000 students receive high-quality education. The university has different faculties, such as engineering, architecture, information technology, the faculty of graduate studies, the faculty of business, the faculty of medicine, and the Institute of Technology. Its world ranking is 2854, making it the fourth-best university in Sri Lanka.

5. University of Peradeniya

The University of Peradeniya is a public university established in 1942 as the University of Ceylon in Kandy City. This university is located in Peradeniya, a city in the central province. More than 12000 students, with 160 plus international students, are getting top-class education from the university. There are nine faculties, 20 centers, and 70 plus departments. Different available fields are arts, medicine, agriculture, dental science, engineering, animal sciences, management, health sciences, veterinary, and many others. It is one of the largest universities in Sri Lanka, with several faculties, departments, and staff. The average tuition fee is 1000 USD to 3000 USD.

6. University of Kelaniya

The University of Kelaniya is one of the oldest universities in the country. It was established in 1875 in Kelaniya, a city in the western province. More than 17000 students are enrolled in the university, and there are over 560 international students from different countries worldwide. Kelaniya University's major faculties are the Faculty of Science, Medicine, Social Sciences, Humanities, Faculty of Commerce and Management, Faculty of Computing and Technology, and Faculty of Graduate Studies. This university has a high-standard library, information center, and student hostel facilities. The world ranking of this university is 3051, and it has 5^th rank in Sri Lanka. The IELTS requirements are a minimum of 6.5 bands, but they also accept TOEFL with a minimum score of 88. This university acceptance rate for Pakistani students is 40-50%.

Major Available Courses for Under and Postgraduate Studies

There are many courses available in the English language for Pakistani students. These courses are:

Bachelors Courses

There are many courses available for undergraduate students in Sri Lanka. Some of these are:

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Philosophy
• Animal sciences
• Political science
• English B.A
• Psychology
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Architecture
• Facilities management

• Food science and technology
• Economics
• Arabic studies
• Radiography and radiotherapy
• History 

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Masters Courses

There are over 100 English-taught programs available for Pakistani and other international students. Some of these programs are:

• Electrical engineering
• Operational research
• Project management
• Biotechnology
• Occupational safety and health management
• Polymer technology
• Transportation
• Information technology
• Artificial intelligence
• Industrial automation
• Applied Economics
• Sociology
• Supply chain management
• Accounting and finance
• Data Science
• Physics of materials
• Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
• Structural engineering
• Economics
• Computer science
• Social work
• Entrepreneurship
• Disaster management
• Remote Sensing and GIS
• Energy technology

PhD Courses

There are many PhD degree programs available for Pakistani students in Sri Lanka in the fields of:

• Engineering
• Medicine
• Sociology
• Agriculture
• Computer Science
• Arts
• IT
• Political Science
• Humanities
• Law and Jurisprudence
• Psychology
• Dentistry physics
• Food and nutrition
• Chemistry
• Mathematics

Intakes in Sri Lanka

There are two major intakes in Sri Lanka for international students

• Major admissions are handled in June and July
• Some universities offer admission in January and February

However, a good thing about some Sri Lankan universities is that they don't have any deadlines. Students can apply any time of the year and travel to the university according to the university's instructions.

Admission Requirements and Documents Checklist

The Admissions requirements are that Sri Lankan University students must have a 2.5 CGPA, Previous degrees, and a transcript.

• All documents should be in colored pdf format. No other format is acceptable.
• A valid Passport with a minimum 6 months of validity
• CNIC Front and Backside
• Passport First page
• Matric (Marksheet + Certificate)
• Intermediate (Marksheet + Certificate)
• University (Transcript {Front + Back} + Degree)
• Medium Of instruction
• Recommendation letter
• Formal passport-size photo (White or Blue background) in JPEG format
• Motivational Letter
• CV

Visa Requirements and Documents Checklist

• Visa application form
• All study documents
• A valid passport
• University offer letter
• Medical Insurance

Cost of Living

Living in Sri Lanka is affordable, as the average monthly expenses for students are $250$ to $400$. These may vary slightly depending on the city you live in.

Part-time Working Hours and Income

Yes, part-time work is allowed for all foreign nationals. Students can get part-time jobs after consulting with their institutes and getting all the required permissions before starting the part-time job

FAQs

Q1) Do Pakistanis need a visa for Sri Lanka?

Answer: Pakistani citizens need a visa if they wish to travel to Sri Lanka. Pakistanis can get an e-visa, and students can get study visas by applying through the Sri Lanka embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Q2) Is it good to study in Sri Lanka?

Answer: Yes, Sri Lanka has a very good educational system like other countries. At the same time, it is a good opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s beauty.

Q3) Is the university in Sri Lanka free?

Answer: The government of Sri Lanka offers free education to its national students from grade 1 to bachelor's degree. They possess one of the oldest systems of free education. For international students, the fee is also very affordable, as it is around 500 USD to 2500 USD.

Q4) Can international students work in Sri Lanka?

Answer: Yes, Pakistani and other international students are allowed to work in Sri Lanka while holding a study visa. Some restrictions exist, and students must fulfill the requirements to complete their courses.