Study MBBS in Sri Lanka
Earn an SLMC-registered, WDOMS-listed MBBS degree through Sri Lanka's fee-levying medical route, close to home and taught entirely in English.
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SLMC Registration
Licensing Exam
NEET + Class 12 (PCB)
Admission Criteria
MBBS (5 + 1 Yrs)
Medical Programme
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
Capital
Top Universities
Top Medical Faculties in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's medical faculties teach the English-medium MBBS entered directly after Class 12, are accredited by the Sri Lanka Medical Council and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, and are recognised for India's FMGE route.
Introduction
About Studying MBBS in Sri Lanka
- Study programme:MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
- Language:English
- Total duration:6 Years (5 years + 1-year internship)
- Degree awarded:MBBS
- Entrance exam:NEET-UG (mandatory for Indian students)
- Regulator:Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC)
- Avg. tuition (full course):₹34–42 lakh (approx., KDU)
- Licensing:SLMC registration; FMGE to practise in India
Sri Lanka appeals to Indian families for its proximity, English-medium teaching, strong public-health record and a disease profile close to India's, which supports later FMGE preparation. Because fee-paying seats for foreigners are limited to KDU, places are few and admission status can change.
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic beside the lake in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Get all information about studying MBBS abroad
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine in Sri Lanka.
Why Sri Lanka
Why Study MBBS in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka combines an English-medium, internationally recognised MBBS with proximity to India and a strong health-system reputation, though fee-paying seats for foreign students are limited.
English-Medium Teaching
SLMC & WDOMS Recognition
Strong Public-Health Record
Curriculum Close to India
Proximity & Familiarity
Globally Portable Degree
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
Programme Structure
MBBS Programme Structure in Sri Lanka
The MBBS in Sri Lanka runs for five years (ten semesters), taught in English and divided into pre-clinical, para-clinical and clinical phases under SLMC standards, followed by a compulsory one-year internship before registration.
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Duration:
5 Years (10 semesters) + 1-Year Internship
Degree:
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
Structure of the Medical Programme
Years 1–3
Pre-Clinical & Para-Clinical
Foundation basic sciences followed by laboratory and diagnostic subjects, with early clinical exposure:
AnatomyPhysiologyBiochemistryPathologyPharmacologyMicrobiologyForensic MedicineCommunity MedicineYears 4–5
Clinical Phase
Core clinical appointments and bedside teaching in affiliated teaching hospitals:
MedicineSurgeryObstetrics & GynaecologyPaediatricsPsychiatryOphthalmologyENTCommunity Medicine
Important: MBBS in Sri Lanka is a direct-entry programme after Class 12, not a graduate-entry degree. The five-year course is followed by a compulsory one-year internship, and progression is governed by professional examinations under the university and SLMC standards before the degree is awarded.
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Admissions
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
Students must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English, and must have qualified NEET-UG, which the NMC makes mandatory for Indian applicants studying medicine abroad.
Prerequisites:
Class 12 (10+2):
Qualifying Aggregate (PCB):
Minimum Marks
Minimum academic performance required for application (as per NMC eligibility norms; KDU may set higher subject requirements):
| Category | Min. Aggregate (PCB) |
|---|---|
| General | 60% |
| SC / ST / OBC / PwD | 50% |
| NEET-UG | Qualified (valid score) |
Age Requirement
Candidates must meet the following criterion at the time of admission:
- Minimum age 17Applicants must have completed 17 years of age on or before 31 December of the year of admission.
Entrance & Application Requirements
Indian applicants must have a valid NEET-UG result; KDU sets its own subject and document requirements for fee-levying applicants.
NEET-UG
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, mandatory for Indian students and required for later FMGE eligibility.
Class 12 / A-Level Science + KDU Application
Admission is based on qualifying science results (Class 12 or equivalent A-Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics) through the KDU fee-levying process; no separate English test is needed as teaching is in English.
For Students Planning to Return to India: NEET-UG is required before admission, not just afterwards, because the National Medical Commission (NMC) makes it compulsory for any Indian student pursuing MBBS abroad. After graduating, you must also clear the FMGE (or the NExT, once implemented) to obtain registration and practise in India.
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Study Visa
Student Visa Overview
Indian students study in Sri Lanka on a student residence visa. Once your admission is confirmed, the university sponsors your visa recommendation and you complete the process through the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration & Emigration, entering on an ETA and converting to a student residence visa.
Accept your offer from the SLMC-recognised college; the university issues the admission letter and sponsors your student-visa recommendation to the authorities.
Arrange your NEET scorecard, Class 10 and 12 certificates, passport, passport photos, medical fitness and (where asked) a police clearance certificate.
Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka, which allows initial entry before the residence visa is issued.
After arrival, the university submits your documents to the Department of Immigration & Emigration to convert the ETA into a student residence visa.
The residence visa is issued for the study period and renewed annually on proof of continued enrolment and fee payment.
Report to your college, complete registration, and renew the residence visa each year as required for the duration of the course.
Get help with your student visa
Our experts guide you through admission, sponsorship and the visa process end to end.
Cost
Cost of Living for Medical Students in Sri Lanka
Living costs in Sri Lanka are moderate and vary by city, but here is an indicative monthly breakdown for a medical student (in ₹ approximations). Costs in and around Colombo are higher than in smaller towns.
Monthly Living Cost
| Category | Monthly Expense (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (hostel / shared) | ₹12,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Food / Groceries | ₹8,000 – ₹16,000 |
| Transportation | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Utilities / Internet | ₹2,000 – ₹4,500 |
| Books / Study Material | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 |
| Miscellaneous | ₹2,500 – ₹6,000 |
Total Monthly
₹28,000 – ₹59,500
About the Country
History of Medical Education in Sri Lanka
Dambulla Royal Cave Temple, a historic heritage site in Sri Lanka
One of South Asia's Oldest Medical Traditions
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, a historic heritage site in Sri Lanka
From Government Faculties to Fee-Levying Study
Get all information about MBBS in Sri Lanka in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine in Sri Lanka.
Role in Medicine
Sri Lanka's Role in Global Medical Education
Historic Galle lighthouse and colonial fort on the southern coast of Sri Lanka
A Regional Model for Public Health
SLMC, WDOMS & International Recognition
Get all information about MBBS in Sri Lanka in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine in Sri Lanka.
How to Practise
Your Path After MBBS in Sri Lanka
After MBBS
Finish the five-year MBBS at an SLMC-recognised college and complete the compulsory one-year internship.
Register with the Sri Lanka Medical Council on completing your internship; foreign graduates who wish to practise in Sri Lanka sit the SLMC ERPM (Act examination).
To practise in India, qualify the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) conducted by the National Board of Examinations, or the NExT once it replaces the FMGE.
After clearing the screening exam and completing any required internship, register with the National Medical Commission and your State Medical Council in India.
Compete for a PG seat through NEET PG (or NExT once it starts) in India, or pursue postgraduate training via the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) in Sri Lanka.
Alternatively, prepare for licensing exams such as the USMLE (USA) or PLAB (UK) to train abroad.
Start clinical practice or enter a residency / PG training programme in your chosen specialty.
Duration of Residency
Postgraduate training length depends on the qualification and country. Typical durations after MBBS are:
| Qualification | Duration |
|---|---|
| Diploma (India) | 2 years |
| MD / MS (India) | 3 years |
| DNB (India) | 3 years |
| MD / MS (Sri Lanka, PGIM) | 3–4 years |
| Board Certification (PGIM + training) | 5+ years |
Understand the Return-to-India Pathway
A clear overview of SLMC registration, the FMGE screening and PG options after your MBBS.
Our blog
Medical Education Insights
Articles that turn complex MBBS-abroad rules into simple, practical steps for students and parents.
Compare
Compare Pathways
See how the MBBS pathway in Sri Lanka compares with the MBBS route in India.
Quick Comparison:
MBBS in Sri Lanka vs MBBS in India
| Pathway | MBBS in Sri LankaSri Lanka | MBBS in IndiaIndia |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | After Class 12 (10+2) | After Class 12 (10+2) |
| Entrance Exam | NEET-UG | NEET-UG |
| Degree | MBBS | MBBS |
| Course Duration | 5 years + 1-yr internship | 4.5 years + 1-yr internship |
| Medium | English | English |
| Licensing (to practise in India) | FMGE | NMC registration after internship |
| Approx. Tuition (full course) | ₹34–42 lakh (KDU) | ₹50 lakh – ₹1 crore+ (private) |
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about studying medicine in Sri Lanka.