Fully Funded Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students 2026 and 2027

Last updated: 24 October 2026.

Many of the best awards are for master’s and PhD study. They are very competitive and every one has a fixed yearly deadline. Undergraduate options exist too, but there are fewer of them. Sri Lankan students can apply for fully funded scholarships such as Chevening and Commonwealth (UK), Fulbright (USA), Australia Awards (Australia), MEXT (Japan), the Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea), Erasmus Mundus (Europe) and Government of India scholarships. Most cover tuition, a monthly allowance, flights and insurance.

This guide explains scholarships for Sri Lankan students in simple steps. You will see what each award pays for, who can apply and when to apply. You will also find scholarships with no IELTS, fully funded MBBS options and a clear plan to apply.

Fully funded scholarships for Sri Lankan students at a glance

Use this table to compare the main options. The sections below give the details that decide if you are eligible.

What types of scholarships can Sri Lankan students apply for?

Most funding for Sri Lankan students falls into five groups.

• Government scholarships: Paid by a foreign government. Chevening, Fulbright, Australia Awards and MEXT are in this group. They are usually fully funded.
• Merit scholarships: Given by universities for strong grades and leadership. They can be a small tuition discount or a full waiver.
• Need based scholarships: Based on family income. A few well funded universities cover the full need of international students.
• Field specific scholarships: Linked to a subject such as engineering, public health or climate research.
• Regional and development scholarships: Open to students from South Asia or developing countries. Sri Lanka is often on the eligible list.

Mahapola and University Grants Commission bursaries support study inside Sri Lanka. They are covered in a short section near the end of this guide.

UK scholarships for Sri Lankan students: Chevening and Commonwealth

Chevening Scholarship

Chevening is the UK Government’s main scholarship. It pays for a one year master’s at almost any UK university. It covers tuition, a monthly allowance and return flights. Sri Lanka has its own selection round through the British High Commission in Colombo.

Chevening looks for future leaders, so grades are not the only thing that counts. You need an undergraduate degree at about UK upper second class level, at least two years of work experience and a clear plan to return to Sri Lanka. You must go home for at least two years after your course. The 2027 to 2028 round closed on 6 October 2026, and the next round normally opens around August. Read the current rules on the official Chevening website. If a UK master’s is your goal, our UK study advisers in Sri Lanka can help you shortlist courses.

Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship is less known but very strong. It funds master’s and PhD study in the UK. Sri Lanka is a Commonwealth member, so its students can apply. Awards cover tuition, airfare and a living allowance.

You do not apply straight to the Commission. You apply through the Ministry of Higher Education, which shortlists and nominates candidates. You need at least an upper second class degree, and a master’s degree for PhD awards. You must also show that you cannot pay for UK study yourself. Check the themes and rules on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website.

USA scholarships for Sri Lankan students: Fulbright

The Fulbright Master’s Degree Programme is the top US award for Sri Lankan graduates. The Fulbright Commission in Colombo runs it, together with the EducationUSA advising centre. It pays for a master’s degree of up to two years. It covers tuition, airfare, a living stipend and health insurance.

It is open to most subjects. One big exception is clinical medical research, which is not funded. The panel likes applicants who plan to return and help Sri Lanka. Strong grades and a clear purpose matter more than a long CV. See our study in USA page for university options.

Australia Awards scholarships for Sri Lankan students

Australia Awards are fully funded scholarships from the Australian Government. They support Sri Lankan citizens to complete a master’s degree in Australia, by coursework or research. The package covers tuition, return flights, a living cost contribution and Overseas Student Health Cover.

This is a development scholarship, so your field matters. Recent rounds focused on climate change and disaster risk, economic development, education, governance, gender equality and social inclusion. For the 2027 intake you needed at least three years of work experience in a field linked to your course. Applications ran from 1 February to 30 April 2026 on the online OASIS system, and late documents were not accepted. Rounds normally follow the same calendar each year, so plan ahead for the next one. Women, people with a disability and applicants from priority districts are strongly encouraged to apply. You must return to Sri Lanka for at least two years after your studies. Check the Australia Awards website for the current round, and see our study in Australia page.

Japan scholarships for Sri Lankan students: the MEXT scholarship

MEXT, also called Monbukagakusho, is Japan’s main scholarship. It is one of the few fully funded routes to a bachelor’s degree abroad. It has three tracks: Undergraduate, College of Technology and Postgraduate Research.

MEXT pays a monthly stipend, waives university fees and gives a return air ticket. There is no application fee. In Sri Lanka it runs through the Ministry of Higher Education. You sit a written exam in Colombo and then attend an interview at the Embassy of Japan. Undergraduate applicants normally need A/L results in the Mathematics stream. Follow the current call on the Ministry’s scholarships for foreign study page. Our study in Japan page has more on courses.

South Korea: Global Korea Scholarship for Sri Lankan students

The Global Korea Scholarship is a Korean Government award for undergraduate and postgraduate study. It normally covers tuition, a monthly allowance and flights. Each year’s call sets the exact benefits, the age limit and the language rules. Some tracks include a Korean language year first. Check the yearly call with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Colombo. Read more on our study in South Korea page.

Canada scholarships for Sri Lankan students

Canada has fewer national awards for international students than the UK or Australia. Most funding comes from universities. Three routes are worth knowing.

• Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship: A University of Toronto award for undergraduates. It covers tuition, books, incidental fees and residence for four years. About 37 students win each year, and your school must nominate you.
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships: For PhD students. Your Canadian university nominates you, so contact the graduate office early.
• University entrance awards and PhD funding: Many Canadian universities give merit awards to international students. Funded PhD places usually include a tuition waiver and a stipend.

Plan your grades, English score and application early. See our study in Canada page for course options.

New Zealand scholarships for Sri Lankan students

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are fully funded awards from the New Zealand Government. They support study at New Zealand universities in subjects that help development in your home country. Several lists show Sri Lanka as eligible, but check the official Manaaki site for the current country list and subjects before you plan. New Zealand universities also give their own international awards, and Commonwealth awards exist for postgraduate study. Read more on our study in New Zealand page.

Europe scholarships for Sri Lankan students: Erasmus Mundus, DAAD and more

Europe gives you the widest choice, and much of it is fully funded. The flagship award is Erasmus Mundus, funded by the European Union. These are joint master’s degrees taught at two or more European universities. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly allowance, travel and a one time setup cost. You apply to each programme directly. Deadlines mostly fall between October and January.

Germany deserves its own mention. DAAD runs scholarships for Sri Lankans, including EPOS awards for development related master’s courses. Many German public universities also charge little or no tuition. Other options include Stipendium Hungaricum in Hungary, Türkiye Bursları in Türkiye and the NL Scholarship in the Netherlands, which is a partial award. Explore our study in Europe, study in Germany and study in Hungary pages.

Government of India scholarships for Sri Lankan students

The High Commission of India in Colombo announced 200 fully funded scholarships for Sri Lankan nationals for the 2026 to 2027 year. They come under four schemes: Nehru Memorial, Maulana Azad, Rajiv Gandhi and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth. Together they cover undergraduate, master’s and PhD study in fields such as engineering, science, business and arts.

Benefits include tuition fees, a monthly allowance, a books grant, airfare and hostel stay. Medical, paramedical and law courses are not included. These awards are usually announced early in the year, so watch the High Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education pages.

Fully funded MBBS scholarships for Sri Lankan students

Medicine is the hardest field to fund. Here is the honest picture.

• Allama Iqbal Scholarships (Pakistan): Fully funded MBBS places for Sri Lankan students under a programme run by Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission. In February 2026, 25 students began MBBS at Dow University of Health Sciences and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences in Karachi. Both are recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council.
• Chinese Government Scholarship and Türkiye Bursları: These can include medical places in some years. Subject lists change, so check each year’s call.
• What does not fund MBBS: The Government of India scholarships exclude medicine. Fulbright does not fund clinical medical research. Chevening, Commonwealth and Australia Awards fund public health, biomedical research and allied health, not an MBBS degree.

Before you apply for any medical degree abroad, check that the university is recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. If you plan to practise in Sri Lanka, this matters a lot. If your goal is MBBS abroad, talk to our counsellors early about funded and partly funded routes.

Scholarships for Sri Lankan students without IELTS

“No IELTS” can mean three different things. Read the rule for each scholarship closely.

If you are unsure, book an English test early. A valid score keeps every option open. Our IELTS coaching in Sri Lanka and PTE training are built around these deadlines.

Undergraduate scholarships for Sri Lankan students

This is the question that confuses most school leavers. Chevening, Fulbright, Commonwealth and Australia Awards are all for postgraduate study. For a bachelor’s degree abroad, the realistic routes are narrower.

• MEXT Undergraduate (Japan): A fully funded bachelor’s route through the Embassy of Japan.
• Global Korea Scholarship: Has an undergraduate track. Check the yearly call.
• Government of India schemes: The Nehru Memorial and Rajiv Gandhi schemes include undergraduate study.
• University merit scholarships: Tuition waivers from universities in the UK, Australia, Canada and elsewhere.
• Need based aid in the USA: A few US universities meet the full financial need of international students.
• Country schemes: Türkiye Bursları and the Chinese Government Scholarship accept Sri Lankan applicants.

If your grades are strong, apply for several university scholarships at the same time instead of relying on one award.

Masters scholarships for Sri Lankan students

Postgraduate study is where Sri Lankan students have the most funded choices. For a master’s, Chevening, Fulbright, Australia Awards, Commonwealth and Erasmus Mundus are the strongest options. You can apply to more than one in the same year. Check work experience rules first. Chevening needs two years, and Australia Awards needed three years for the 2027 intake.

PhD scholarships for Sri Lankan students

A PhD abroad rarely needs to be self funded if you target the right programmes. Commonwealth PhD awards, Australia Awards research places, MEXT research scholarships, Erasmus Mundus joint doctorates and Vanier in Canada all fund doctoral study. Many funded PhD posts in Europe work like salaried research jobs. US doctoral programmes often include a tuition waiver plus a teaching or research assistantship that covers living costs.

Government scholarships in Sri Lanka for local university study

Some students search for government scholarships for university study inside Sri Lanka. Mahapola scholarships and University Grants Commission bursaries are the main local schemes. They support study at Sri Lankan universities. Apply through the Ministry of Higher Education and the UGC. This guide focuses on funding to study abroad.

How to get a fully funded scholarship as a Sri Lankan student

Winning a scholarship is a project, not a form you fill in the night before. Follow these steps in order.

1. Fix your level and country first. Undergraduate or postgraduate changes everything.
2. Check the hard rules early. Citizenship, degree class, work experience and age limits remove many applicants fast.
3. Book your English test early. Most universities need IELTS, TOEFL or PTE even when the scholarship does not.
4. Prepare documents weeks ahead. Referees and certified transcripts take longer than you expect.
5. Write a focused personal statement. Link your study plan to Sri Lanka’s needs.
6. Apply to several scholarships. Strong candidates often send six to ten applications in one cycle.
7. Track every deadline. If you miss it by one day, you usually wait a full year.

Common mistakes Sri Lankan students make when applying for scholarships

• Using an old blog or video for dates. Always check the official website.
• Waiting for the scholarship before booking an English test.
• Sending a generic personal statement that does not mention Sri Lanka.
• Applying to only one scholarship.
• Ignoring the rule to return home after the course.
• Paying an agent to “submit” a government scholarship. Official applications are free.
• Choosing a medical degree abroad without checking Sri Lanka Medical Council recognition.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for Sri Lankan students

What scholarships are available for Srilankan students?

Sri Lankan students can apply for Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship (UK), Fulbright (USA), Australia Awards (Australia), MEXT (Japan), the Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea), Erasmus Mundus and DAAD (Europe) and Government of India scholarships. There are also university awards in Canada, New Zealand and other countries.

How can a Sri Lankan student get a fully funded scholarship?

Pick your study level and country first. Check the rules on citizenship, degree class and work experience. Book your English test early. Prepare transcripts and referees weeks ahead. Write a focused personal statement. Apply to several scholarships in the same year and track every deadline.

Are there scholarships for Sri Lankan students without IELTS?

Yes, in some cases. MEXT in Japan uses its own selection exam. Chevening does not ask for an English score at application, but the universities you choose usually do. Some universities accept a medium of instruction letter instead of IELTS. Always confirm the rule for your chosen course and year.

Are there fully funded MBBS scholarships for Sri Lankan students?

A few exist but they are rare. The Allama Iqbal Scholarships in Pakistan fund MBBS for Sri Lankan students at universities recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. The Government of India scholarships and Fulbright do not fund medicine. Most other MBBS places abroad are self funded or partly funded.

Which scholarship is best for a master’s degree for Sri Lankan students?

Chevening, Commonwealth, Fulbright, Australia Awards and Erasmus Mundus are the strongest fully funded options. The best one for you depends on your field, your work experience and your target country. You can apply to more than one in the same year.

Are there undergraduate scholarships for Sri Lankan students abroad?

Yes, but fewer than for postgraduate study. MEXT in Japan, the Global Korea Scholarship, the Government of India schemes, Türkiye Bursları, the Chinese Government Scholarship and the Lester B. Pearson award at the University of Toronto all support bachelor’s study.

Are there PhD scholarships for Sri Lankan students?

Yes. Commonwealth PhD awards, Australia Awards research places, MEXT research scholarships, Erasmus Mundus doctorates and Vanier in Canada fund doctoral study. Many funded PhD posts in Europe and the USA also pay a salary or stipend.

Can Sri Lankan students get scholarships to study in Canada?

Yes. Canada has few national awards for international students, but the University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson award is fully funded for undergraduates and Vanier supports PhD students. Many Canadian universities also give entrance scholarships and PhD funding packages.

When do scholarship applications open for the 2027 and 2028 intakes?

Based on past rounds, Chevening opens around August, Australia Awards opens in February and closes in April, MEXT runs from April to June, Erasmus Mundus mostly runs from October to January and Commonwealth nominations are usually around October. The Chevening 2027 to 2028 round closed on 6 October 2026 and the Australia Awards 2027 round closed on 30 April 2026.

Are these scholarships free to apply for?

Government scholarships do not charge an application fee. Be careful with any agent who asks for payment to submit a government scholarship. MEXT states clearly that people who charge a fee for it have no link to the programme. Apply only through official channels.

Ready to apply? Speak to GIEC Global Sri Lanka

Tell us your subject, your grades and your target country. Our counsellors will shortlist the scholarships you actually qualify for and help you build a strong application before the deadline.