Top Foreign Universities Offering Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students

Sri Lankan students are winning foreign scholarships to study abroad. In 2025, dozens of Sri Lankans received fully-funded awards covering tuition, living costs and travel. For example, the Chinese Government Scholarship program recently granted 30 Sri Lankan students full scholarships to study in China. Likewise, UK and US-funded schemes (like Chevening, Commonwealth and Fulbright) target outstanding Sri Lankan graduates, while leading universities around the world reserve special awards for high-achievers. These scholarships can cover tuition fees, allowances and more, making it possible to study abroad with a scholarship.

Investing time in scholarship research can pay off: many top universities across the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, Germany, Japan, China and India welcome Sri Lankan applicants with generous awards. Below we outline the major programs, eligibility tips and application strategies.

Types of Scholarships

• Merit-based scholarships: Awarded for high academic achievement or talent (often covering full or partial tuition). Examples include university presidential scholarships or merit awards (e.g. UBC’s major entrance scholarships).
• Need-based scholarships: Target students with financial need or from disadvantaged backgrounds. For instance, Harvard provides need-based aid that can cover tuition and living costs.
• Program-specific scholarships: Tied to particular fields or initiatives. Examples are research fellowships (e.g. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars), STEM awards, or quotas for certain majors.
• Government scholarships: Funded by national governments or international agencies (often fully-funded). Major schemes include Chevening (UK government, for 1-year Master’s), Commonwealth Scholarships (UK), Australia Awards (Australian government for Master’s), Fulbright (US), DAAD (German Academic Exchange), Erasmus+ (EU joint programs), and national scholarships in China, Japan (MEXT) and India.

Popular Scholarship Programs

Some well-known programs for Sri Lankans include:

• Chevening Scholarship (UK): A prestigious, fully-funded one-year Master’s scholarship for future leaders (covers tuition, travel, living).
• Commonwealth Scholarships (UK): Fully-funded Master’s/PhD awards for talented students from Commonwealth countries (tuition, travel, living).
• Australia Awards (Australia): Government-funded Master’s scholarships (full tuition, return airfare, living stipend and more) for developing-country candidates. Applications typically open a year in advance.
• DAAD Scholarships (Germany): Funded by the German government, DAAD scholarships support postgraduate study or research in Germany with monthly stipends (and, often, travel allowances). Notably, public universities in Germany generally charge no tuition fees for international students, so these awards mainly cover living expenses.
• Erasmus+ Joint Master Degrees (EU): International Master’s programs hosted by consortia of EU universities. They offer full scholarships to students worldwide (tuition waiver, travel and monthly grants). Sri Lanka is eligible for Erasmus+ programs, and many joint degrees in Europe welcome Sri Lankan applicants.
• Fulbright Scholarship (USA): The US–Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission offers fully funded Master’s degrees in the USA for “the very top Sri Lankan students” (excluding clinical medicine), including tuition, travel, and living. The Humphrey Fellowship (non-degree, mid-career professionals) and other Fulbright awards (for teachers, scholars) are also available.

Top Universities and Scholarships by Country

United Kingdom

UK universities are popular for Sri Lankans, with many merit awards and government programs. The UK government’s Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships fund study at UK universities. Leading institutions also offer country-specific awards: for example, University of Manchester runs Global Futures Scholarships for South Asian students (including Sri Lanka) – up to £30,000 over three years for high-achieving undergraduatesmanchester.ac.uk. The University of Oxford offers world-renowned scholarships: the Rhodes Scholarship (full tuition, living stipend and airfare) and the Reach Oxford Scholarship (for students from low-income countries, covering tuition, living and return airfare). Other UK awards include Westminster’s Full-fee Scholarship (100% tuition waiver for eligible Master’s) and the GREAT Scholarships program (at least £10,000 toward tuition for Sri Lankan postgraduates at participating universities).

Australia

Australia Awards Scholarships (fully-funded Master’s) are a key route for Sri Lankans to study in Australia. In addition, many Australian universities have special scholarships for Sri Lankan applicants. For example, Macquarie University offers a Sri Lanka A$10,000 Scholarship – A$10,000 per year for Bachelor’s or Master’s students from Sri Lanka. The University of Canberra provides a Sri Lanka Excellence Scholarship of 30% off tuition for Sri Lankan undergrad/grad students. Other universities (e.g. Monash, Sydney, Melbourne) have Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships and merit awards covering 50–100% of fees. These awards are usually based on academic merit. Sri Lankan students should also note that Australian universities often require proof of English (IELTS/TOEFL) and may require SAT/AT scores for some programs.

United States

American universities offer both merit aid and need-based aid to international students. The Fulbright Master’s Scholarship is the flagship fully-funded program for Sri Lankans. In addition, elite US unis like Harvard admit a small number of international students with need-based financial aid that can cover tuition, living expenses and more. Stanford has the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, a fully-funded graduate scholarship covering tuition, living stipend and professional development funds. Many other US institutions (e.g. large public universities) offer merit scholarships ranging from several thousand to full tuition for outstanding international applicants. Eligibility typically requires excellent academic records and high SAT/ACT or GRE scores, plus strong English.

Canada

Canadian universities also recruit Sri Lankan students with scholarships. The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers the International Major Entrance Scholarship (partial tuition award) and the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award (full tuition plus living allowance). Other Canadian schools have entrance awards ranging from C$5,000 to C$20,000 per year for top students. The Canadian government itself offers few country specific scholarships for Sri Lankans, but institutions like University Canada West and smaller universities (Regina, Brandon, etc.) often have automatic scholarships based on marks. In all cases, applicants need strong grades and proof of English (IELTS/TOEFL).

Germany and Europe

Germany is attractive because most public universities charge no tuition fees to foreigners. Thus, Sri Lankans study in Germany with only living costs to cover. The DAAD scholarship and other programs provide monthly stipends (around €1000/month) plus travel to cover those living expenses for Master’s or PhD study. (Note: some programs require German language ability.) In the broader EU, Erasmus+ Joint Master Degrees allow Sri Lankan students to earn a degree across 2–3 European countries. These programs award full scholarships (tuition waiver + monthly grant + travel) to meritorious candidates worldwide. Other European universities (e.g. ETH Zurich in Switzerland) have their own scholarships: ETH’s Excellence Scholarship covers full tuition and living expenses for outstanding international Masters students.

Japan

The Japanese government’s MEXT Scholarship is open to Sri Lankans at undergraduate and graduate levels. MEXT covers tuition, a generous monthly stipend (~¥150,000), and round-trip airfare. Many top Japanese universities (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, etc.) nominate Sri Lankan applicants for MEXT. In addition, universities like the University of Tokyo offer fellowships to outstanding foreign postgraduates (covering tuition, living, etc.). Requirements typically include high school and university grades, and a Japan-related research proposal for postgraduate applicants. Proficiency in English is often enough, though some programs require basic Japanese.

In 2024 the Chinese Embassy hosted a ceremony granting Chinese Government Scholarships to Sri Lankan students. All 30 recipients won full scholarships (tuition, insurance, room/board and a living stipend) to study in China. China’s CSC Scholarships (through the Chinese Scholarship Council) annually award dozens of full scholarships to Sri Lankans, especially in fields like engineering, medicine and agriculture. The 2025 awards similarly covered a wide range of disciplines. In practice, a Chinese government scholarship means nearly all costs are covered – tuition, health insurance, accommodation and a monthly stipend. Several Chinese universities also offer their own scholarships (often smaller) for international students. Sri Lankan candidates must apply through the Chinese Embassy or CSC and usually need a bachelor’s degree and good GPA.

India

The Government of India offers hundreds of fully funded scholarships to Sri Lankans each year. For 2025–26, 200 fully-funded scholarships were announced for Sri Lankan students under schemes like the Nehru Memorial (UG/PG/PhD), Maulana Azad (Master’s), Rajiv Gandhi (IT Engineering) and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarships. These awards cover 100% tuition, a monthly living allowance, an annual book grant, airfare to India and even campus housing. Selection is based on merit (often first-class grades) and an interview. Applicants submit through Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education or the Indian High Commission. Parents can note that India’s awards are among the most generous: they combine education costs plus travel at no expense to the student.

Eligibility, Deadlines and Benefits

To qualify for these scholarships, Sri Lankan students generally need:

• Strong academics: Most schemes require excellent grades (often first class or upper second) at A/L (or bachelor’s) level. For postgrad awards, a top bachelor’s GPA is key.
• Language proficiency: Non-native English speakers must usually demonstrate ability (IELTS/TOEFL scores). Many scholarships list a minimum IELTS score (often 6.5 or above). Some programs (Germany, Japan) may accept English-taught courses with no additional test.
• Relevant background: Certain awards require field-specific degrees or work experience. For example, some UK fellowships expect leadership or public service; DAAD research grants expect a research plan.
• Domicile or citizenship: Government scholarships usually require Sri Lankan citizenship. University scholarships typically require the applicant to be an international student (not already studying in that country).
• Deadlines: Many deadlines are annual. UK awards (Chevening, Commonwealth) usually open mid-year and close in autumn for programs starting the following year. Australia Awards often open in late summer for next year’s intake. US Fulbright applications close around September for courses starting a year later. Always check official deadlines for each program (they often fall 6–12 months before course start). Missing a deadline generally means waiting another year.

The benefits vary by scholarship, but can include:

• Tuition coverage: Full fee waivers or direct payment to the university.
• Living stipend: Monthly allowance for housing and food (e.g. DAAD is ~€1000, Chinese ~¥3000, Chevening ~£18,000/year).
• Travel expenses: Many cover return airfare (especially govt awards like Chevening, Australia Awards).
• Insurance and support: Some cover medical insurance or orientation costs.
• Academic perks: Reduced course load, research funding, study trips (varies by program).

Preparing a Strong Application

• Start early and research: Identify scholarships that match your profile (level of study, subject, income level). Use official sources (embassy websites, university pages) to confirm details. Create a calendar of deadlines and required documents.
• Academic records: Gather your transcripts, certificates and A/L results. If needed, translate or notarize them. Aim for a high GPA or exam scores (A-levels, national exams) as many awards are merit-basedmanchester.ac.uk.
• Language tests: Prepare for English exams well in advance. Aim for scores above the minimum (e.g. IELTS 7.0) to be competitive. Consider structured IELTS/TOEFL courses — for example, TeachMe.lk offers test-prep classes that can boost your performance.
• Personal statements and essays: Most scholarships require a Statement of Purpose or essays. Tailor each essay to the scholarship’s goals (e.g. leadership for Chevening, development for Commonwealth). Be clear, concise and personal. Highlight how your background, achievements and future goals align with the scholarship objectives.
• References: Request recommendation letters from teachers or supervisors who know your strengths. Give them time and information about the scholarship so they can write relevant, supportive references.
• Interview preparation: Some awards (like Chevening) involve interviews. Practice common interview questions, speak confidently about your goals, and stay aware of current affairs (especially related to Sri Lanka and the scholarship’s country).
• Application review: Have someone (a teacher, mentor or education consultant) review your application before submission. Services like TeachMe.lk offer application review and academic counselling — they can help spot weak points in your essays or fill out forms correctly.

Tips for Students and Parents

• Beware of scams: Legitimate scholarships do not require large fees or payments. Always apply through official channels (government and university sites). Do not fall for “guaranteed scholarship” offers that demand money.
• Apply broadly: Don’t limit yourself to one opportunity. Apply to multiple scholarships and universities to increase your chances. If not fully funded, even partial scholarships can significantly lower costs.
• Work on leadership and extracurriculars: Many scholarships look for well rounded students. Engage in community service, academic clubs or internships — these can strengthen your profile.
• Attend info sessions: Keep an eye on webinars or fairs (e.g. those organized by the U.S. Embassy EducationUSA or the British Council) that explain scholarship processes.
• Parental support: Parents can help by ensuring all documentation is in order (certified copies, passport, etc.) and by encouraging the student. They should also verify any financial commitments (e.g. some scholarships require partial self funding in the first year).
• Stay informed: Subscribe to alerts from embassies, education consultancies, or social media pages (like the U.S. Education USA office in Colombo) for new scholarship announcements.

Studying abroad on scholarship takes careful planning and a strong application, but it is achievable. By exploring the options above, Sri Lankan students can study abroad with scholarship support, often covering most expenses. With dedication and early preparation — including improving test scores (e.g. via TeachMe.lk’s IELTS courses) and crafting compelling applications — you can make your dream of an international education a reality.