News
Applications open for scholarships to internationally ranked universities
View(s):Twenty five to fifty students who were high achievers at the Advanced Level exam from schools across the country will be picked to study at ranked international universities under the first phase of the government scholarships programme.
The scholarship will be fully government funded covering tuition and other academic fees. A monthly stipend to assist with food and accommodation expenses, a contribution for health insurance, one-time economy class round-trip airfare, including local transportation from the nearest airport to the host universities is also included.
The students will be assisted with obtaining the necessary English language qualification such as the IELTS certificate.
The initial phase for the 2026 academic year will see around 25-50 students selected for the scholarship.
The number of recipients will increase on an annual basis with the objective of awarding a total of 200 scholarships over the five-year period from 2025-2029.The placements will be within the top 500 universities in the world.
Students from all academic fields are eligible to apply for scholarships. Priority will be given to students willing to pursue studies in globally emerging fields or fields that are not currently offered in local state universities, especially those with potential to contribute to the economic growth and sustainable development of the country.
The students are expected to return to the country at the end of the degree programme and contribute to the country’ development activities. They will sign a bond before departure.
The applicants should be Lankan citizens, while they should have a minimum mark of 30 percent for the common general paper at GCE A/L exam -2024, conducted by the Department of Examinations.
They should also possess a good knowledge of English (minimum “C” grade for General English at GCE A/L exam or equivalent).
Applicants should be in good health and ready to live overseas during the period of study.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to select an international university and a degree programme of their choice, provided the university is ranked within the top 500 in one of the global university rankings.
The universities chosen should be within QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) Shanghai Rankings.
The applicants are instructed to create a login account on the ministry’s online application portal https://foreignscholerships.mohe.gov.lk to duly fill the application online and submit it.
Only applications submitted via the portal will be accepted.
Applicants must submit their applications before September 15. The Education Ministry also issued instructions to the candidates to apply soon as possible to avoid last minute issues due to significant demand and heavy website usage.
The ministry will evaluate the applications and shortlist candidates based on eligibility academic merit. After the candidates are shortlisted they will be called for a structured interview.
More details about the application process are available on the ministry website. (DWI/KW)
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