11 Cheapest Universities in Sri Lanka for International Students

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In Sri Lanka, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Sri Lanka without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Sri Lanka, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 20 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Sri Lanka, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Sri Lanka for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Sri Lanka ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka 7,000 LKR 99%
Buddhist and Pali University 13,100 LKR - 18,400 LKR 97%
Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka 20,000 LKR 95%
South Eastern University of Sri Lanka 954,000 LKR - 3,180,000 LKR -142%
University of Sri Jayewardenepura 970,000 LKR - 2,600,000 LKR -146%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 392,900 LKR for universities in Sri Lanka.

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1. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

The Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka offers a distinct teaching style that allows students to receive continuous feedback throughout their studies. Regardless of their chosen program, every student experiences practical training on and off campus through internships and research collaborations with other institutions. Other than academic-centered activities, the university also highly encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, which is why it supports various organizations and passion projects.

2. Buddhist and Pali University

The Buddist and Pali University of Sri Lanka was established to propagate Buddhism in the country as well as contribute to the development of Pali and Buddist studies both nationally and globally.
Over the years, the institute has nurtured many scholars and missionaries of dhamma who have mastered various subjects, including the Buddhadhamma and the Pali language. These students have also been trained in cultivating and promoting the philosophy of life as taught in Buddhism.

3. Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka

The Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka is an ancient educational institution that upholds the Buddhist culture. Its objective is to enrich talented students and guide them to become future professionals in their respective industries. The university heavily seeks to train the critical thinking and skills of its students by offering practical courses.

4. South Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Despite Sri Lanka’s goal of expanding its higher education centers to less developed areas of the country, the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka was founded for another purpose too. It was initially established to take in displaced staff and students from the North and Eastern areas of Sri Lanka during the period of civil unrest. The institute went on to develop into a fully-fledged university that has gained much esteem in Sri Lanka over the years.

The university aims to offer a quality and standard higher education through successful development and dissemination of knowledge.

5. University of Sri Jayewardenepura

The University of Sri Jayewardenepura is situated close to Sri Lanka’s industrial hotspot, Colombo. The institute is the second oldest educational institute in Sri Lanka and is a crucial player in Sri Lanka’s education system.

In addition to providing a standard education, the institute is also a forerunner in Sri Lanka’s research and technological advancements.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Sri Lanka for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Sri Lanka ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka 18,300 LKR - 35,500 LKR 94%
University of Ruhuna 30,000 LKR 90%
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka 100,000 LKR - 195,000 LKR 66%
University of Colombo 125,000 LKR - 869,100 LKR 57%
University of Kelaniya 174,000 LKR - 199,000 LKR 40%
Buddhist and Pali University 175,500 LKR - 412,600 LKR 39%
Ocean University of Sri Lanka 200,000 LKR - 300,000 LKR 31%
Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine 350,000 LKR - 400,000 LKR -22%
University of Peradeniya 378,000 LKR - 2,520,000 LKR -31%
Eastern University of Sri Lanka 636,000 LKR - 954,000 LKR -121%
University of Moratuwa 966,000 LKR -237%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 286,700 LKR for universities in Sri Lanka.

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1. Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka

The Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka is an ancient educational institution that upholds the Buddhist culture. Its objective is to enrich talented students and guide them to become future professionals in their respective industries. The university heavily seeks to train the critical thinking and skills of its students by offering practical courses.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 18,250 LKR to 35,500 LKR annually for their master's degree.

2. University of Ruhuna

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is University of Ruhuna. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at University of Ruhuna is 30,000 LKR.

The University of Ruhuna is the only university located in the southern part of the country. It actively participates in different organizations and research projects, allowing its students to gain valuable experience in science-based studies. The university also puts heavy emphasis on practical training in order to instill lifelong teachings toward its students upon graduation.

3. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

The Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka offers a distinct teaching style that allows students to receive continuous feedback throughout their studies. Regardless of their chosen program, every student experiences practical training on and off campus through internships and research collaborations with other institutions. Other than academic-centered activities, the university also highly encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, which is why it supports various organizations and passion projects.

The tuition fee at Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka for incoming international master’s students is 100,000 LKR to 195,000 LKR. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University of Colombo

Another affordable university to consider in Sri Lanka is University of Colombo.

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 tuition fee in University of Colombo for master’s program for foreign students starts from 125,000 LKR.

5. University of Kelaniya

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, University of Kelaniya has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 174,000 LKR yearly.

The University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka can be traced back to the historic Vidyalankara Pirivena, which was a learning institute established for Buddhist monks in 1875. Kelaniya University aspires to create and disseminate academia for sustainable development. The institute aims to contribute to the development of the country by cultivating professional individuals who have innovation and creativity at their core. 

6. Buddhist and Pali University

The Buddist and Pali University of Sri Lanka was established to propagate Buddhism in the country as well as contribute to the development of Pali and Buddist studies both nationally and globally.
Over the years, the institute has nurtured many scholars and missionaries of dhamma who have mastered various subjects, including the Buddhadhamma and the Pali language. These students have also been trained in cultivating and promoting the philosophy of life as taught in Buddhism.

7. Ocean University of Sri Lanka

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.

8. Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine

The Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine was newly established in 2021. However, it can be traced back to 1928, when a pioneering ayurvedic professional opened up a center of learning dedicated to providing competence and knowledge to general physicians on herbal drug preparation.

The institute aspires to incorporate innovative research techniques with indigenous medical sciences and nurture competent graduates to serve global and national needs.

9. University of Peradeniya

Originally established as the University of Ceylon, the University of Peradeniya has a deep history of more than 60 years. It is located in Peradeniya, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is the largest and among the top educational institutes in Sri Lanka.

The institute is also known for its strict entry requirements, especially for domestic students. However, all students are assured of a standard education of high value.

10. Eastern University of Sri Lanka

Eastern University was preceded by Batticaloa University College, which was founded in 1981. The University currently has 2 branch campuses in Trincomalee and  Swami Vipulananda, and the main campus in Vantharumoolai.

Eastern University aspires to be a globally recognized educational center with quality research and education that directly contributes to the well-being of its community.

They, therefore, aim to nurture competent graduates and sustainably develop their research culture.

11. University of Moratuwa

The University of Moratuwa is a highly reputed institute of higher education in Sri Lanka. Since its establishment, it has been striving to produce graduates of high caliber. Hence it has been successfully nurturing highly employable individuals to date.

The university further aspires to actively contribute to the economic development of the country while also making significant research and technological advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Sri Lanka?

Applying to cheap universities in Sri Lanka requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Sri Lanka for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Sri Lanka?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Sri Lanka. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Sri Lanka is the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka, which offers Arts , Buddhist Philosophy, and Buddhist Civilization to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka offers Philosophy , Buddhist Studies, and Archeology.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Sri Lanka, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Sri Lanka as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Sri Lanka for international students was helpful!