International Universities Offering Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students

Pursuing higher education at prestigious international universities is a dream for many Sri Lankan students. However, the cost of tuition, accommodation, and living expenses can often be a significant barrier. To help overcome these challenges, numerous international universities offer scholarships to talented and deserving students from Sri Lanka. These scholarships may cover tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and sometimes even more.

This article provides a guide to some of the top international universities that offer scholarships for Sri Lankan students.

1. University of Oxford (UK)

The University of Oxford, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities, offers several scholarships for international students, including those from Sri Lanka.

Rhodes Scholarships: A renowned scholarship that covers full tuition, living stipends, and airfare for exceptional students who display leadership and academic excellence.
Reach Oxford Scholarships: Designed for students from low-income countries, this scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and return airfare.

2. University of Melbourne (Australia)

The University of Melbourne is a top destination for Sri Lankan students looking to study in Australia. It offers a range of scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship: This scholarship covers up to 100% of tuition fees for high-achieving international students, including those from Sri Lanka.
Graduate Research Scholarships: These are available for master's and PhD students and cover tuition, living stipends, and health insurance.

3. National University of Singapore (NUS) (Singapore)

NUS is one of Asia's leading universities, offering a variety of scholarships for international students, including those from Sri Lanka.

NUS Global Merit Scholarship: A full scholarship covering tuition fees, accommodation, and other allowances for exceptional students.
ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship: This scholarship provides partial to full financial coverage for students from ASEAN countries, including Sri Lanka.

4. University of British Columbia (Canada)

The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada offers several scholarships for international students, including those from Sri Lanka.

International Major Entrance Scholarship: Awarded to high-achieving students entering undergraduate programs, this scholarship covers a significant portion of tuition fees.
Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award: This award provides full tuition and living support for students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and academic potential.

5. ETH Zurich (Switzerland)

ETH Zurich is one of Europe’s top technical and scientific universities, and it offers several scholarships for international students pursuing postgraduate studies.

Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP): This scholarship covers full tuition and living expenses for students with excellent academic records who are admitted to ETH Zurich’s master’s programs.

6. Harvard University (USA)

Harvard University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world, offers extensive financial aid to international students, including those from Sri Lanka.

Harvard Financial Aid Program: Harvard provides need-based financial aid that can cover tuition, living expenses, and other costs. It is available to students from low-income families.
Harvard South Asia Institute Fellowships: These are research fellowships designed for students from South Asia, including Sri Lanka, pursuing postdoctoral studies.

7. Monash University (Australia)

Monash University offers various scholarships to international students from Sri Lanka, making it one of the most attractive universities for Sri Lankan students in Australia.

Monash International Merit Scholarship: This scholarship provides partial to full financial coverage for undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on academic merit.
Monash Humanitarian Scholarship: Designed for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, this scholarship covers full tuition and living expenses.

8. University of Tokyo (Japan)

The University of Tokyo is one of the leading universities in Asia, offering various scholarships for international students, including those from Sri Lanka.

MEXT Scholarship: Sponsored by the Japanese government, this scholarship covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and travel costs. It is available for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs.
University of Tokyo Fellowship: This fellowship is awarded to outstanding postgraduate students, covering tuition, living expenses, and other academic-related costs.

9. Stanford University (USA)

Stanford University offers need-based financial aid for international students, making it one of the top destinations for Sri Lankan students seeking education in the USA.

Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program: This is a fully funded scholarship for postgraduate students, covering tuition fees, living stipends, and academic development funds.
Stanford Financial Aid Program: Need-based scholarships are available for undergraduate students, covering a large portion of tuition and living expenses.

10. University of Sydney (Australia)

The University of Sydney provides several scholarships for international students from Sri Lanka, aimed at supporting undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Sydney Scholars Awards: This scholarship offers financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students, covering partial to full tuition fees.
International Postgraduate Research Scholarships: These scholarships support research-focused postgraduate students and cover tuition fees, living expenses, and research costs.

How to Apply for International Scholarships

Research Scholarship Opportunities: Begin by identifying universities and their scholarship offerings for international students. Focus on the scholarships that align with your academic goals and background.
Check Eligibility Requirements: Each scholarship has specific criteria, including academic performance, language proficiency (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL), and sometimes leadership or extracurricular achievements.
Prepare Strong Application Documents: These typically include academic transcripts, recommendation letters, personal essays, and proof of financial need (if required). Ensure all documents are up-to-date and accurately reflect your qualifications.
Submit Applications on Time: Ensure you apply for scholarships before the deadlines, as many scholarship programs have limited slots and strict submission timelines.

Conclusion

International universities offer a wealth of opportunities for Sri Lankan students through scholarships that can help cover the costs of tuition, living expenses, and more. By applying for these scholarships, students can gain access to world-class education, enhance their career prospects, and broaden their academic and cultural horizons. Whether you're aiming to study in Europe, North America, Australia, or Asia, numerous scholarships are available to make your academic dreams a reality.