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General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University — Faculty of Medicine
The medical faculty of Sri Lanka's state defence university in Colombo, teaching an SLMC-accredited MBBS with its own 1,000-bed university hospital.
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Sri Lanka
Country
Colombo
City
1,000-bed
University teaching hospital
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
KDU Faculty of Medicine, Sri Lanka
- Study program:MBBS (General Medicine)
- Language:English
- Duration:5 Years + Internship
- University type:State military university (fee-levying MBBS for international students)
- Full course fees:Approx. US$60,000 – US$75,000 · ₹52–65 lakh INR (approx.) for the full 5-year course
- Entrance examination:A-Level / Class 12 (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) plus KDU aptitude test and interview
- Application:Annual KDU foreign-student MBBS intake
- International seats:Dedicated fee-levying foreign-student stream (about 30–40 places per intake)
The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic beside the lake in Kandy, Sri Lanka
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Recognition & Prestige
Rankings & Recognition
The KDU Faculty of Medicine is the medical school of a prestigious Sri Lankan state defence university and runs its own university teaching hospital. Its MBBS is accredited by the Sri Lanka Medical Council, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and ECFMG-eligible, and its graduates are eligible to sit licensing examinations in India and several other countries.
SLMC
Accredited by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (2023)
1,000-bed
Own university teaching hospital
ECFMG-eligible
WDOMS-listed (FAIMER ID F0003712)
The MBBS is awarded by General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and is accredited by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. KDU is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS, FAIMER school ID F0003712), its graduates are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification (graduation years 2014 onward) and its degrees are acceptable to Canadian regulators, and its graduates are eligible to qualify for practice in India through the National Medical Commission screening/exit examination.
Complete Information About the KDU Faculty of Medicine
Get complete information about the KDU Faculty of Medicine, including fees, living costs, the admission process and recognition for Indian students.
Success stories
Student Success Stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
Why Study MBBS at the KDU Faculty of Medicine
KDU pairs the standing of a Sri Lankan state defence university with an SLMC-accredited, English-taught MBBS, its own teaching hospital and a location just a short flight from India.
SLMC-Accredited MBBS
English-Medium Course
Its Own Teaching Hospital
Close to India
Disciplined, Structured Campus
Familiar Culture and Food
Recognised for Indian Licensing
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
How to Apply
Admission Process for MBBS
Admission to the KDU fee-levying MBBS is through the university's own competitive selection, not a Bangladesh-style central process. International students apply directly to KDU on the basis of their Class 12 or A-Level results in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, sit a KDU aptitude test and interview, and must meet the Sri Lanka Medical Council's minimum standards. Indian students must also have qualified NEET for later Indian licensing.
Admission Timeline
- 1Intake announcedKDU Intake Opens
KDU announces its annual MBBS intake for foreign and fee-levying students on the university website, with application forms and requirements.
- 2ApplicationSubmit Application
International applicants submit the KDU application with academic transcripts, passport, English-proficiency and other required documents.
- 3Aptitude TestBasic Medical Assessment
Shortlisted candidates sit KDU's aptitude test (a basic medical assessment and written test) at the scheduled date.
- 4InterviewSelection Interview
Candidates attend a structured selection interview; selection is competitive and decided by the university's Board of Management.
- 5Offer & EnrolmentOffer and Fee Payment
Selected students receive an offer, pay the fee-levying tuition and complete enrolment as international MBBS students.
- 6Course StartClasses Begin
The new intake joins the five-year MBBS programme once enrolment is complete.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
Applicants must have completed Class 12 or GCE A-Level (or an equivalent qualification) in the bio-science stream, with passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, meeting the Sri Lanka Medical Council's minimum standards for admission to a medical degree. Strong grades matter because selection is competitive.
Subjects:
BiologyChemistryPhysics
Age Requirement
Applicants are expected to have completed their qualifying school examinations; KDU assesses candidates mainly on academic merit, the aptitude test and the interview rather than a fixed age bar.
- Merit-based selectionSelection is competitive, on results, aptitude test and interview
Requirements
International applicants apply directly to KDU and clear its selection process. Indian students additionally need a valid NEET qualification for later Indian licensing.
KDU Selection
Class 12 or A-Level results, a KDU aptitude test and a selection interview; foreign applicants also provide English-proficiency evidence such as TOEFL and, where required, SAT.
NEET Qualification
Indian students must have qualified NEET-UG before starting. It is required under NMC rules to later sit the FMGE/NExT and practise in India.
Selection Basis
Admission combines academic results with KDU's own aptitude test and interview, rather than a single external entrance examination.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic results | Class 12 or GCE A-Level in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, meeting SLMC minimum standards |
| KDU assessment | A basic medical assessment / aptitude written test and a selection interview held by KDU |
| English proficiency | English-proficiency evidence (for example TOEFL) and, where required, SAT for foreign applicants |
| India-side requirement | Valid NEET-UG qualification, required by the National Medical Commission for later FMGE/NExT licensing |
Required Documents
To apply, international students submit their academic and identification documents to KDU:
- Completed KDU international MBBS application form
- Valid passport and recent passport-size photographs
- Class 10 and Class 12 / A-Level certificates and mark sheets
- English-proficiency (TOEFL or equivalent) and, where required, SAT scores
- NEET scorecard (for Indian students) and proof of funds
- + More
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Program Structure
MBBS Curriculum & Internship Structure
The KDU MBBS runs over five years across ten semesters, taught entirely in English, followed by a post-graduation internship required for medical licensing. The curriculum moves from basic sciences through para-clinical subjects to full clinical training at University Hospital KDU.
MBBS (General Medicine) Course
Total Duration:
5 Years (10 semesters) + Internship
Degree:
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), awarded by KDU
Curriculum Phases at the KDU Faculty of Medicine
Years 1–2
Basic Sciences
Foundational medical sciences that build an understanding of the structure and function of the healthy human body, taught in the early semesters:
AnatomyPhysiologyBiochemistryYears 2–3
Para-Clinical Sciences
Disease mechanisms, drugs, microbes and public health, with growing clinical contact as students move towards the wards:
PathologyPharmacologyMicrobiologyForensic MedicineCommunity MedicineYears 3–5
Clinical Training
Full clinical rotations across the major specialties at University Hospital KDU and affiliated hospitals, with supervised patient care:
Internal MedicineSurgeryPaediatricsObstetrics & GynaecologyPsychiatry and the allied clinical disciplinesAfter the degree
Internship
A post-graduation internship in the major clinical departments, required by the Sri Lanka Medical Council before full registration and independent practice.
Rotations through Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics and Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Clinical Rotations & Internship
Clinical training takes place mainly at University Hospital KDU at Werahera, the university's own roughly 1,000-bed teaching hospital, and continues into the post-graduation internship. An indicative pattern is:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Early clinical years | Introduction to clinical skills and ward teaching in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynaecology alongside para-clinical study |
| Later clinical years | Full clinical postings in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Psychiatry and the allied specialties, ending in the final MBBS examinations |
| Internship | Post-graduation internship through the core clinical departments, required by the Sri Lanka Medical Council before independent practice |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Faculty & Leadership
Faculty
Students are guided by experienced faculty across the clinical and pre-clinical departments, working within the university's own teaching hospital.
The Faculty of Medicine is led by its Dean, Col. (Prof.) Aindralal Balasuriya, a public-health specialist with an MBBS and MD from the University of Colombo. Established in 2009, the faculty brings together senior academic clinicians and public-health experts within a disciplined defence-university setting and its own University Hospital KDU.
Academic Expertise
Experienced physicians, surgeons and public-health academics
Teaching within the university's own 1,000-bed hospital
A disciplined, structured defence-university environment
Focus on producing service-ready doctors
Student Support & Mentorship
Regular academic interaction
Personal mentorship
Clinical supervision during rotations
Continuous development of practical skills
About University
History Information
A Faculty of Medicine building at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University with cadets assembled outside
From Defence Academy to University
A Faculty of Medicine from 2009
Sri Lanka's First University Hospital
A Recognised Medical Faculty Today
Get all information about the KDU Faculty of Medicine in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine at the KDU Faculty of Medicine.
Role in medicine
Role in medical education
A University With Its Own Hospital
Doctors for the Services and Beyond
A Growing International Community
Get all information about the KDU Faculty of Medicine in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine at the KDU Faculty of Medicine.
Cost of living
MBBS Living Cost at the KDU Faculty of Medicine, Colombo
Beyond the fee-levying tuition, day-to-day living in the Colombo area is moderate. Here is an approximate monthly living-cost breakdown for a student (this is separate from the course fee).
Monthly Living Cost
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₹12,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Food | ₹8,000 – ₹13,000 |
| Transportation | ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 |
| Other Expenses (Utilities, Internet, Leisure) | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
Get Free MBBS Guide
Average monthly living cost (excluding tuition)
₹26,000 – ₹45,000
Housing
Accommodation
KDU provides on-campus hostel accommodation, and international students can also arrange housing near the Ratmalana campus and the Werahera teaching hospital in the Colombo area.
Separate Blocks
Male and female students are accommodated in separate hostel blocks, in keeping with the university's orderly, service-oriented setting.
Furnished Rooms
Rooms are shared, with a bed, study space and storage for each student, and common facilities within the hostel.
International Student Housing
International students who prefer to live off campus can rent rooms or shared flats in the Ratmalana, Mount Lavinia and wider Colombo area, close to the campus and coast.
Secure Environment
The disciplined defence-university culture and its safe campus are among the reasons many families are comfortable with KDU for a long medical course.
Close to the Hospital
Housing in the Ratmalana to Werahera corridor keeps students within easy reach of both the campus and University Hospital KDU during their clinical years.
Meals
Campus dining and nearby eateries provide daily meals, with Sri Lankan rice-and-curry cuisine that is close to South Indian food and easy for vegetarians.
Off-Campus and Private Housing
Students who prefer more independence can rent a room or a shared flat in the surrounding Colombo suburbs through local rental platforms and agents; these cost more than campus housing and are arranged by the student.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Indian and Vegetarian Food, Easily Available
Sri Lankan cuisine is close to South Indian food, and Indian and vegetarian options are widely available across the Colombo area.
KDU's campus dining and hostel messes serve affordable daily meals, with rice-and-curry and vegetarian options that are familiar to Indian students.
Location
How to Reach the KDU Faculty of Medicine
Address
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Kandawala Estate, Ratmalana 10390, Sri Lanka (University Hospital KDU at Werahera, Boralesgamuwa)
Nearest Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Colombo, about 35 to 40 km north; short direct flights connect it to most Indian metros
Local Transport
The Ratmalana campus is on the southern edge of Colombo, served by trains, buses, tuk-tuks and ride-sharing apps such as PickMe and Uber; the teaching hospital is nearby at Werahera
Your Roadmap to Success
Career Pathways After MBBS at the KDU Faculty of Medicine
On completing the programme, graduates earn an MBBS awarded by KDU that is accredited by the Sri Lanka Medical Council and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools. The degree is recognised in Sri Lanka, India and many other countries, giving graduates a genuine choice of where to build their career.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
FMGE & NExT Details
To practise medicine in India after graduating from the KDU Faculty of Medicine, Indian students follow the licensing pathway set by the National Medical Commission (NMC). It has three stages: clearing the NMC screening examination (currently the FMGE, transitioning to the NExT), completing a one-year internship, and registering with the medical council. NMC does not publish an approved list of foreign colleges; eligibility depends on the student meeting the Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate rules, which the KDU MBBS structurally fits.
Step 1
National Exit Test (NExT)
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination that licenses foreign medical graduates to practise in India. At present this is the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which India is in the process of replacing with the National Exit Test (NExT). The NExT is designed as a single unified exam that both licenses medical graduates and serves as the entrance test for postgraduate (MD/MS) seats in India. Because the KDU MBBS is a single five-year English-medium course at one institution with an internship, it fits the National Medical Commission's Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate requirements, provided the student qualified NEET before starting.
Step 2
Clinical Internship (CRRI)
After qualifying, students complete a one-year Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) in India. This is a paid, hospital-based internship that rotates through core departments such as medicine, surgery, paediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology, giving graduates supervised, hands-on clinical experience within the Indian healthcare system before they practise independently.
Step 3
Medical Registration
The final step is registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council. Once registered, the graduate holds a permanent medical registration number and is fully licensed to practise medicine as a doctor anywhere in India.
Student Life Style
Student life at the KDU Faculty of Medicine
Being an MBBS student is a mix of academics, cultural exposure and personal growth. Studying at a Sri Lankan defence university in Colombo offers a disciplined, secure campus in one of the most scenic and welcoming countries in the region.
A palm-fringed golden beach on the south coast of Sri Lanka
Academics
Sri Lanka Around You
Challenges and Growth
Social Life
Overall Experience
Fees & Financial
Fees & Financial Planning
KDU's MBBS is a fee-levying programme for international students rather than a subsidised government seat. Here is how the financial side works for Indian students.
International students, including Indians, pay a set tuition fee for the KDU MBBS. This gives families a clear, planned figure for a degree that is SLMC-accredited and internationally listed, rather than the uncertainty of unregulated private ventures.
- Approx. US$60,000–75,000 for the full 5-year course (roughly US$12,000–15,000 per year)
- Living costs additional
- Confirm the current fee with KDU or its authorised representative
- Paid in USD
Ratings
Reviews & Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at the KDU Faculty of Medicine.
4.6
70 reviews
Academics4.7
Infrastructure4.6
Discipline & Safety4.8
Campus Life4.4
Value for Money4.3
Compare
Compare Colleges
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Quick Comparison:
KDU Faculty of Medicine vs CMC Vellore
| University | KDU Faculty of MedicineColombo, Sri Lanka | CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | State military university (fee-levying MBBS) | Private (minority) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course Duration | 5 years + internship (MBBS) | 4.5 years + 1 year internship (MBBS) |
| Tuition (full course) | ~US$60,000–75,000 (~₹52–65 lakh) | ~₹15–20 lakh |
| Admission | A-Level / Class 12 + KDU aptitude test & interview | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | SLMC-accredited / WDOMS / ECFMG-eligible; NMC-eligible via screening | NMC-recognised |
| Teaching Hospital | Own ~1,000-bed University Hospital KDU | Large multi-specialty teaching hospital |
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Our blog
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about MBBS at the KDU Faculty of Medicine.