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Study destinations

Sri Lankan students most often study in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and the United States, with Germany, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai growing fastest on cost. Compare all 12 on entry requirements, living costs, intake dates and post-study work rights below.

Choosing a country is more than choosing a university. It sets your total cost, when you can start, and what you are allowed to do after you graduate. Filter by region, or read the comparison table for all 12 side by side.

Showing all 12 destinations

  • The Sydney Opera House shells seen from the forecourtFlag of Australia

    Australia

    Oceania

    Internationally recognised universities in vibrant, multicultural cities, with student support services that are genuinely well funded.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Canberra
    Fun fact
    Home to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living structure.
    Perfect for
    quality education and an international lifestyle

    Photo: Dietmar Rabich via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • The Toronto waterfront and the CN Tower under a bright skyFlag of Canada

    Canada

    North America

    A high quality, multicultural education system with strong research funding and one of the clearest routes from study to skilled work.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Ottawa
    Fun fact
    Canada has the longest coastline of any country on Earth.
    Perfect for
    internationally respected, multicultural learning

    Photo: Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • The towers of Dubai Marina seen from the beachFlag of Dubai, UAE

    Dubai, UAE

    Middle East

    A major international hub for education, business and tourism, with international branch campuses and a four hour flight from Colombo.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Abu Dhabi
    Fun fact
    Home to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on Earth.
    Perfect for
    a modern lifestyle in a fast-growing economy

    Photo: pe-sa via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

  • The Eiffel Tower in Paris lit at dusk, seen looking up from its baseFlag of France

    France

    Europe

    Internationally recognised for business, fashion, arts and hospitality, with strong government subsidies keeping public tuition low.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Paris
    Fun fact
    The Eiffel Tower was built as a temporary structure for the 1889 World's Fair.
    Perfect for
    business, fashion, arts and hospitality

    Photo: Maksim Sokolov (maxergon.com) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Central Berlin from above, with the Brandenburg Gate and the television towerFlag of Germany

    Germany

    Europe

    Globally renowned for engineering, technology and applied research, with public universities that charge no tuition fee for most programmes.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Berlin
    Fun fact
    Famous for the autobahn, sections of which have no general speed limit.
    Perfect for
    engineering, technology and applied research

    Photo: A.Savin via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

  • The Petronas Twin Towers above the Kuala Lumpur skylineFlag of Malaysia

    Malaysia

    Asia

    Affordable, modern and multicultural, with branch campuses of British and Australian universities awarding the same degree at a lower total cost.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Kuala Lumpur
    Fun fact
    Home to the Petronas Twin Towers, once the tallest buildings in the world.
    Perfect for
    affordable education close to home

    Photo: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

  • The fortified skyline of Valletta at golden hour, seen across the waterFlag of Malta

    Malta

    Europe

    A European study experience in an English speaking environment, with small institutions, a relaxed Mediterranean pace and EU recognised qualifications.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Valletta
    Fun fact
    Home to some of the oldest free-standing stone structures in the world.
    Perfect for
    a smaller, culturally rich European experience

    Photo: Olga Prystai via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Mitre Peak rising above the water at Milford SoundFlag of New Zealand

    New Zealand

    Oceania

    High quality education paired with a genuinely welcoming, multicultural environment and small class sizes at every level.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Wellington
    Fun fact
    Famous for the flightless kiwi bird, a national symbol found nowhere else.
    Perfect for
    quality education balanced with nature and adventure

    Photo: Krzysztof Golik via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Marina Bay in Singapore at dusk, lit against the city skylineFlag of Singapore

    Singapore

    Asia

    A modern global hub combining academic excellence with direct links to industry, business and technology, three and a half hours from Colombo.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Singapore
    Fun fact
    Nicknamed the Lion City, though no wild lions have ever lived there.
    Perfect for
    business, technology and finance ambitions

    Photo: Basile Morin via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • The curved arcades and canal of the Plaza de Espana in SevilleFlag of Spain

    Spain

    Europe

    European education paired with a vibrant lifestyle, internationally connected cities and some of the lowest living costs in Western Europe.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Madrid
    Fun fact
    Barcelona's Sagrada Familia has been under construction for more than a century.
    Perfect for
    culture, travel and an energetic student life

    Photo: Carlos Delgado via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Tower Bridge over the River Thames, seen from the Tower of LondonFlag of United Kingdom

    United Kingdom

    Europe

    Globally recognised degrees, a huge range of specialisations and a strong research culture, with one-year master's programmes that get you working sooner.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    London
    Fun fact
    Home to Big Ben, Stonehenge and the world's oldest underground railway.
    Perfect for
    prestigious, internationally recognised qualifications

    Photo: Dietmar Rabich via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • The Lower Manhattan skyline in New York City, seen across the harbourFlag of United States

    United States

    North America

    One of the world's largest selections of universities and programmes, spanning business, technology, arts and medicine, with genuine flexibility in what you study.

    Tuition
    Varies widely by university & programme
    Capital
    Washington, D.C.
    Fun fact
    Birthplace of Hollywood and home to many of the world's leading research universities.
    Perfect for
    extensive academic choice and research opportunities

    Photo: Babybella111 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Compare all 12 destinations

Tuition reads the same on every row on purpose. It varies by university and programme rather than by country, so quoting a national range would be misleading. We pull the current published figure for each course on your shortlist instead.

Study destinations compared: region, capital, what each is best for, and tuition. Tuition is quoted the same way for every destination because it varies by university and programme rather than by country.
CountryRegionCapitalBest forTuition
AustraliaOceaniaCanberraquality education and an international lifestyleVaries widely by university & programme
CanadaNorth AmericaOttawainternationally respected, multicultural learningVaries widely by university & programme
Dubai, UAEMiddle EastAbu Dhabia modern lifestyle in a fast-growing economyVaries widely by university & programme
FranceEuropeParisbusiness, fashion, arts and hospitalityVaries widely by university & programme
GermanyEuropeBerlinengineering, technology and applied researchVaries widely by university & programme
MalaysiaAsiaKuala Lumpuraffordable education close to homeVaries widely by university & programme
MaltaEuropeVallettaa smaller, culturally rich European experienceVaries widely by university & programme
New ZealandOceaniaWellingtonquality education balanced with nature and adventureVaries widely by university & programme
SingaporeAsiaSingaporebusiness, technology and finance ambitionsVaries widely by university & programme
SpainEuropeMadridculture, travel and an energetic student lifeVaries widely by university & programme
United KingdomEuropeLondonprestigious, internationally recognised qualificationsVaries widely by university & programme
United StatesNorth AmericaWashington, D.C.extensive academic choice and research opportunitiesVaries widely by university & programme

Choosing between them

How many study destinations does SIAS cover?

Twelve: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Spain, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai in the UAE.

Which country is cheapest for a Sri Lankan student?

It depends on the course and the city rather than the country. Public universities in Germany charge no tuition fee for most programmes. Malaysia and Dubai host branch campuses of British and Australian universities at much lower living costs than Europe or Australia.

How much does it cost to study abroad from Sri Lanka?

Tuition varies widely by university and programme, so the figure that matters is the total year: tuition plus accommodation and living costs in that specific city, health cover, flights, insurance and the first three months before any part-time income begins.

What English score will I need?

Commonly IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 overall for undergraduate study and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate, with a minimum in each band. Nursing, teaching and law often require more. The band minimum catches more applicants out than the overall score.

When should I start planning to study abroad?

Twelve to eighteen months before your intended intake. Applications close months before a course starts, scholarship deadlines usually close before the application deadline, and visa financial evidence has to be held for a set period before you apply.

Narrow twelve down to three

A free consultation works out which destinations your record and budget actually reach, and which are worth an application this intake.

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