More than 40,000 students obtain UK qualifications in Sri Lanka every year. Offering a strategic location, government sponsored tax breaks, subsidies and leases for foreign investors plus lower costs for students and a globally unique cultural experience, Sri Lanka is poised as an ideal location to invest in. This is either to encourage students to study in the UK, or locally for a British Qualification through partnerships with local educational bodies or even UK universities with local campuses. The widespread Transnational Education (TNE) network has also seen the emergence of a higher education market in the North and East – markets that have been limited thus far.
With many high level policy changes in the sector the government has announced plans to increase the total budgetary allocation to improve Higher Education by almost 30 percent in comparison to 2015.
Private universities will also be permitted to operate and offer courses except in Medicine and will be closely monitored by the University Grants Commission to ensure high quality standards.
With many competitors also entering the market the demand for a quality UK education however shows no sign of slowing down, largely due to the common cultural notion that UK degrees provide the best quality education in many major fields.
As a facilitator of partnerships, the British Council believes that these initiatives between Sri Lanka and the UK are crucial in shaping the leaders of tomorrow. The more students are given the chance to obtain globally recognised degrees, either abroad or in affordable local initiatives, the more likely Sri Lanka will be able to sustain its growth in the future.
For more information on TNE opportunities in Sri Lanka, the educational landscape of the country or on UK educational initiatives in Sri Lanka, please contact siemsouthasia@britishcouncil.org