Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students: Which Awards Fit Your Plan
TL;DR: Scholarships for Sri Lankan students fall into two groups: government awards that pay tuition, travel and living costs, and university scholarships that cut part or all of the tuition fee. The main government awards open to citizens of Sri Lanka are Chevening and Commonwealth Scholarships for the UK, Australia Awards for Australia, and Erasmus Mundus for Europe. Each runs on a fixed yearly window, so planning starts months before you apply.
A scholarship decision is really a timing decision. The large awards open once a year, and this hub shows what each pays for and when each window usually runs. To see which route fits your profile, Check your eligibility with Prosper.
What scholarships can Sri Lankan students apply for?
- Government awards run one round a year and look for future leaders. Most ask for work experience and a promise to return home.
- University scholarships are set by each university, often linked to an offer of a place, with amounts and rules that vary.
Every award in this guide, as checked on 25/10/2026:
| Award | Destination | Level | What it covers | Usual window | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarships | UK | One-year master's | Tuition, monthly stipend, return travel, visa application | Opens August, closes October | chevening.org |
| Commonwealth Master's Scholarships | UK | One-year taught master's | Tuition, return airfare, monthly stipend | Commission deadline in October; nominators close earlier | cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk |
| Australia Awards Scholarships | Australia | Master's | Tuition, return travel, living costs, health cover | 1 February to 30 April in recent rounds | australiaawardssrilanka.org |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Europe | Master's | Participation costs, travel, visa and living contribution | Usually October to January | Erasmus Mundus catalogue |
| NL Scholarship | Netherlands | Bachelor's or master's | EUR 5,000 once, in the first year | Set by each institution | studyinnl.org |
| University scholarships | UK, Australia, New Zealand | Bachelor's and master's | Varies | Set by each university | The university's website |
New Zealand: at the time of writing, Sri Lanka is not eligible for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, so look for provider scholarships, searchable by nationality on Study with New Zealand.
Chevening scholarship: who it suits
Chevening funds a one-year master's at a UK university. You need an undergraduate degree that qualifies you for a UK master's and at least two years of work experience after it, equal to 2,800 hours. You apply to three UK courses, need an unconditional offer from one by the deadline, and must return home for at least two years.
The most recent cycle opened in August and closed in October, with results due in mid-June. That cycle is closed, so prepare now for the next one. Our Chevening deadline guide covers the dates in more detail.
Commonwealth scholarship for a UK master's
Commonwealth Master's Scholarships pay tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend of GBP 1,712, or GBP 2,000 in the London area (checked 25/10/2026). You need at least an upper second-class degree, or a lower second plus a relevant postgraduate qualification, and must show you could not afford UK study otherwise. MBAs are not funded.
The latest round closed at the Commission on 20 October, with outcomes expected by July. See our Commonwealth scholarship guide and compare it with UK tuition fees for international students.
Australia Awards scholarship in Sri Lanka
Australia Awards Scholarships fund a master's by coursework or research and cover tuition, travel, living costs and health cover. The latest published Sri Lanka intake information asked for at least three years of work experience and listed priority fields such as governance, business and information technology. Awardees must return home for at least two years.
The last two rounds ran from 1 February to 30 April. The official site says applications will reopen in early 2027.
Erasmus Mundus and the NL Scholarship for Europe
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters welcome students from all over the world. You study in two or more European countries and apply directly to the programme, usually between October and January. Full scholarships may go to the top-ranked applicants. Our Erasmus Mundus guide has more.
The NL Scholarship is EUR 5,000 for non-EEA students starting a bachelor's or master's at a participating Dutch institution. The last round opened on 1 November, and each institution sets its own deadline. See our NL Scholarship guide.
How university scholarships for international students differ from government awards
University scholarships are set by each provider and can be timed with your course application. Many cover part of the fee, and some look at field of study or leadership rather than grades alone. A partial award still leaves money to show for the visa, so check the student visa funds rules.
What makes an application competitive
- Match the award's goal. Chevening asks how your plans will benefit your home country. Answer that question directly.
- Show leadership with evidence. Chevening says leadership does not need a manager's title. Name a project you led and its result.
- Choose references early. Chevening asks for two referees who are not relatives or close friends.
- Start university applications early. An unconditional offer is due by the Chevening deadline.
Applying from Sri Lanka
- Australia Awards: you must be a citizen of Sri Lanka living in and applying from Sri Lanka, through Australia Awards Sri Lanka.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: the national nominating agency is the Ministry of Education (Higher Education Section), which sets a deadline earlier than the Commission's.
- Chevening: watch the Chevening in Sri Lanka page for the next round.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarships can Sri Lankan students apply for?
Citizens of Sri Lanka can apply for Chevening and Commonwealth Master's Scholarships (UK), Australia Awards Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe) and the NL Scholarship (Netherlands), plus university scholarships for international students.
Are there fully funded scholarships for Sri Lankan students?
Yes. Chevening, Commonwealth Master's Scholarships and Australia Awards pay tuition, travel and living costs.
When does Chevening open for Sri Lanka?
The most recent Chevening cycle opened in August and closed in October. That cycle is closed, so check the Chevening in Sri Lanka page for the next opening date.
Can I get a scholarship for a master's in Australia from Sri Lanka?
Yes. Australia Awards Scholarships fund master's study for eligible citizens of Sri Lanka, and recent rounds ran from 1 February to 30 April.
Do I need IELTS for a scholarship?
Chevening removed its own English requirement in 2020, but your UK university still sets one. Australia Awards asks for an English test score.
PS. The right award depends on your degree, work experience and destination. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will map the awards that fit your plan.
References
- Chevening in Sri Lanka, Chevening Scholarships (UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), https://www.chevening.org/scholarship/sri-lanka/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Eligibility, Chevening Scholarships, https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/who-can-apply/eligibility/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Application timeline, Chevening Scholarships, https://www.chevening.org/scholarships/application-timeline/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- What does a Chevening Scholarship cover?, Chevening Scholarships, https://www.chevening.org/faqs/what-does-a-chevening-scholarship-cover/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Chevening Applications Q&A, Chevening Scholarships, https://www.chevening.org/news/chevening-applications-qa-your-questions-answered/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- English language tests FAQs, Chevening Scholarships, https://www.chevening.org/faqs/?chevening_topic=english-language-tests (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Commonwealth Master's Scholarships, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- National nominating agencies, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/national-nominating-agencies/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Australia Awards Sri Lanka, Australian Government, https://australiaawardssrilanka.org/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Australia Awards Sri Lanka information for intake, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/australia-awards-sri-lanka-information-for-intake.pdf (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Australia Awards Scholarships: applications open for 2027 intake, Study Australia, https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/australia-awards-scholarships-applications-2027 (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Sri Lanka eligibility check, Australia Awards South Asia and Mongolia, https://events.australiaawardssouthasiamongolia.org/eligibility-check/sri-lanka (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Participating countries, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/participating-countries (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Check eligible countries, Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), https://www.nzscholarships.govt.nz/check-eligible-countries/ (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Scholarships, Study with New Zealand (Education New Zealand), https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/how-to-apply/scholarships (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships, European Commission, https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/opportunities/opportunities-for-individuals/students/erasmus-mundus-joint-masters-scholarships (accessed 25/10/2026)
- Erasmus Mundus catalogue, European Education and Culture Executive Agency, https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en (accessed 25/10/2026)
- NL Scholarship, Study in NL (Nuffic), https://www.studyinnl.org/finances/nl-scholarship (accessed 25/10/2026)
Team Prosper
