3 Best Universities In Colombo For International Students 2026

Colombo is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Sri Lanka. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Colombo. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Colombo.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Colombo?

Applying to the universities in Colombo involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Colombo to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

As we cover the best universities in Colombo for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Colombo for International Students

The University of Colombo is the oldest institution in the country. For more than 100 years, the university has been offering excellent academic training that resulted in thousands of professional graduates every year. At present, the university has a lot of faculties to offer and is known for its strong external alliances all over Sri Lanka. With a lot of international students in its population, the university advocates for diversity and inclusion in higher education.

The University of the Visual and Performing Arts is one of the few institutes in Sri Lanka that specializes in fashion, art, design, and the performing arts. It is also the only higher education institute in Sri Lanka that offers special degree programs in visual and performing arts.

The Institute aspires to nourish the cultural roots of communities, as well as develop into a reputed and financially independent institution purely dedicated to the creative arts.

The Ocean University of Sri Lanka was previously known as the National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering. It was established with the idea of providing vocational training, along with academic education in nautical engineering, fisheries, and marine. Ocean University hopes to develop and serve the needs of Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry.