Master's
Government-funded
University of Colombo
Colombo, Sri Lanka
"Sri Lanka's No. 1 university in QS & THE rankings"
At a Glance
Accept Rate
10%
Avg Salary/Yr
N/A
Ranking
#1001 (QS)
PSW VISA
N/A
About University of Colombo
The University of Colombo is a public research university in the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the country's oldest centre of modern higher education. Its main campus sits in Cinnamon Gardens (Colombo 7), and the university brings together nine faculties and the Sri Palee Campus, offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in arts, science, medicine, law, management and finance, education, technology and computing. Most degree programmes are taught in English, and the university is widely respected for its research and its role in Sri Lanka's national development. The university's story began in 1870 with the founding of the Ceylon Medical School. In 1921, University College Colombo was set up to prepare students for degrees from the University of London, and in 1942 it became part of the newly created University of Ceylon. Following a series of reforms, it took its present form as the University of Colombo under the Universities Act of 1978. Today, it is ranked as Sri Lanka's leading university, placed in the 1001–1200 band in both the QS World University Rankings 2026 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, and continues to focus on academic excellence, critical thinking and preparing graduates for a changing world.
Rankings & Recognition
#1001
Sri Lanka's top-ranked university, placed in the 1001-1200 band in both the QS World University Rankings 2026 and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. It is the first Sri Lankan university to rank No. 1 nationally in THE, QS, Scimago and Webometrics.
Accreditations & Memberships
Association of Commonwealth Universities
International Association of Universities
University Grants Commission (Sri Lanka)
#1001-1200 THE World University Rankings 2026
QS 2026 Performance Breakdown
Score out of 100 across each QS evaluation pillar, with University of Colombo's global standing for that metric.
Academic Reputation
15.1/100#15.1/100#701
Employer Reputation
20.9/100#20.9/100#626
Faculty / Student
3.3/100#3.3/100#801
Citations / Faculty
6.1/100#6.1/100#801
Intl. Faculty
1.2/100#1.2/100#801
Intl. Students
1.5/100#1.5/100#801
Intl. Student Diversity
5.9/100#5.9/100#801
Intl. Research Network
20.7/100#20.7/100#801
Employment Outcomes
76/100#76/100#176
Sustainability
61.1/100#61.1/100#477
#
Key Facts
11,000
Total Students
700
Faculty
12:1
Student–Faculty
10%
Acceptance Rate
100
Clubs
90%
Retention (Yr1)
80%
Graduation Rate
Popular Programs
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Physical Science
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Social Sciences
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science
Application Details
Application Fee
$2000
Avg. TAT
2–4 weeks
Next Intake
Rolling
Intake Seasons
Year-round
Programs Offered
7
Avg. Scholarship
$5,000
Annual Living Cost
Varies
Standardized Test Requirements
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
IELTS Academic
|
6.5 |
|
TOEFL iBT
|
79 |
|
PTE Academic
|
Not listed |
|
Duolingo
|
Not listed |
Study Abroad & Visa Details
Visa Approval Rate
N/A
I-20 Processing
Student visa in advance (tourist visa not convertible)
Post-Study Work
N/A
Green Card Pathway
N/A
Financials
Application Fee
$100
Avg Scholarship
Mahapola & Financial Assistance Schemes
Career Outcomes
$70K
Median Salary
301-500
QS Graduate Employability (past)
#1
Sri Lanka in QS & THE 2026
Where Graduates Land
John Keells Holdings PLC
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
Dialog Axiata PLC
MAS Holdings
Virtusa
WSO2
Sampath Bank PLC
Hayleys PLC
Faculty & Alumni
Faculty with PhD — 70%
Faculty Industry Exp. — 30%
Alumni in Fortune 500 — 5
Alumni in Leadership — 40
Alumni Startups —
—
Notable Alumni
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike (Former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka)
Sirimavo Bandaranaike (First female Prime Minister in the world)
J.R. Jayewardene (Former President of Sri Lanka)
Ranil Wickremesinghe (Current President of Sri Lanka)
Sarath N. Silva (Former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka)
Prof. Carlo Fonseka (Renowned medical professional and academic)
Campus & Location
Faculty of Medicine CampusColombo, Western Province, Sri LankaFaculty of Technology CampusColombo, Western Province, Sri LankaInstitute of Indigenous Medicine CampusRajagiriya, Western Province, Sri LankaMain Campus (Cinnamon Gardens)Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
CLIMATE
Tropical monsoon climate, hot and humid year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons.
AVG. COMMUTE TO DOWNTOWN
45 minutes
Campus Details
Cinnamon
Gardens main campus in Colombo
1921
founded as Ceylon University College
7
faculties plus Sri Palee Campus
Public
state-funded university
Campus Forecast
Hot humid all year
Monsoon rains
Tropical climate
Student Life & Housing
Housing
Limited university hostels (Kalinga Mawatha
Thelawala
Kithyakara)
Private rentals
Dining
University canteens
Hostel kitchens
Health & Wellness
Free medical & dental care (2 health centres)
Student counselling
Activities & Clubs
Indoor & outdoor sports
Student unions
Battle of Medicos cricket
Diversity & Demographics
Intl Students
2%
Year-1 Retention
90%
On-time Graduation
80%
Cost Deep-Dive
Application Fee
USD 2,000
Avg Scholarship
USD 5,000
Scholarships Available
4
Intakes & Deadlines
Deadlines vary by program. Connect with our team for the latest intake calendar.
Scholarships at University of Colombo
1 scholarship available
These are general eligibility guidelines. Always confirm exact requirements with the university's admissions office or your Sukhada counsellor.
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate
12th grade · 60%+ aggregate
Postgraduate
Bachelor's · 55%+ / 2.5 GPA
Acceptance Rate
10%
English Proficiency
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
Not listedDuolingo
Not listedRequired Documents
Academic transcripts and certificates
Birth certificate
National Identity Card (NIC) or Passport
English language proficiency test scores (if applicable)
Letters of recommendation (for postgraduate programs)
Statement of purpose (for postgraduate programs)
Application Process
1
Shortlist programs
Pick 3–5 programs aligned with your goals.
2
Prepare documents
Transcripts, SOP, LORs, test scores.
3
Submit application
Apply via GCQ360 with mentor support.
4
Receive offer
Conditional or unconditional letter.
5
Visa & travel
Pre-departure briefings and visa filing.
Campus & Location
Faculty of Medicine CampusColombo, Western Province, Sri LankaFaculty of Technology CampusColombo, Western Province, Sri LankaInstitute of Indigenous Medicine CampusRajagiriya, Western Province, Sri LankaMain Campus (Cinnamon Gardens)Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
CLIMATE
Tropical monsoon climate, hot and humid year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons.
AVG. COMMUTE TO DOWNTOWN
45 minutes
Undergraduate
4
University of Colombo
📍 Sri Lanka, Colombo
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Physical Science
University of Colombo
📍 Sri Lanka, Colombo
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Social Sciences
University of Colombo
📍 Sri Lanka, Colombo
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
University of Colombo
📍 Sri Lanka, Colombo
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Postgraduate
3
University of Colombo
📍 Sri Lanka, Colombo
Postgraduate
Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science
University of Colombo
📍 Sri Lanka, Colombo
Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of Colombo
📍 Sri Lanka, Colombo
Postgraduate
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in various disciplines
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