Study in Dubai from Sri Lanka · Dubai Destination Guide · Free Counselling
UK and Australian degrees, tax-free salaries, 4 hours from home
Earn a UK, Australian or American degree just 4 hours by flight from Colombo. Dubai hosts branch campuses of Heriot-Watt, Wollongong, Birmingham, Curtin and Murdoch — the exact same degree as the home campus, in a tax-free job market, with a 10-year Golden Visa available to top graduates.
Dubai හි අධ්යාපනය, විශ්වවිද්යාල සහ පාඨමාලා තේරීම, වියදම් සහ Student Visa පිළිබඳ සියලු උපදෙස් සහ විශ්වාසනීය මඟපෙන්වීම අපගෙන්.
verified100% free for students. Universities pay us, not you. How?
Consultations are in person only, at any of our three offices · What to expect
Rather see branches first? See our three offices.
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Why Choose Dubai?
4 Hours from Colombo
Affordable, frequent direct flights to Sri Lanka. Easy for family visits — many Sri Lankan students fly home each semester break.
Western Degrees, Lower Cost
UK and Australian branch campuses (Heriot-Watt, Wollongong, Birmingham, Curtin, Murdoch) award the exact same degree as their home campus — at 60–70% of the cost.
Tax-Free Salaries + Golden Visa
Zero income tax for residents, strong graduate hiring across finance, tech and consulting — and a 10-year Golden Visa for graduates with strong academic records.
What it costs to study in Dubai
Dubai sits between European and Australian costs. Tuition at the branch campuses is the major expense, and accommodation varies sharply between shared student housing and private flats.
check_circle Lanka Scholar's counselling, applications and visa prep are free. Universities pay us a commission when you enrol — you pay tuition and visa fees to the institutions themselves.
Note on Exchange Rates
Figures are based on current average LKR/AED rates. Our counsellors provide up-to-date estimates during personal consultations.
Average Annual Costs
The Student Residence Visa (university-sponsored) — what you'll actually need
The four things every Sri Lankan applicant has to put together. We prepare and review every file before it goes in — refusals are rare when the application is properly prepared.
University Offer Letter
A formal offer from a CAA-licensed Dubai institution. The university typically sponsors and manages the student visa application.
Student Visa (Sponsored)
Issued by the university acting as your sponsor — usually a 1-year visa, renewable annually for the duration of your program.
Medical Fitness Test
Mandatory health screening on arrival in Dubai — covers HIV, TB and a few infectious diseases. Required for the Emirates ID and visa stamp.
Emirates ID + Health Insurance
Issued together with your residency visa. Health insurance is mandatory and usually bundled by the sponsoring university.
What Sri Lankan students apply for in Dubai
Hand-picked programs that Sri Lankan applicants are getting offers from this year.
Scholarships open to Sri Lankan applicants
Open right now. Eligibility varies — ask a counsellor at your office visit before assuming you don't qualify.
NYU Abu Dhabi Global Scholarship
New York University Abu Dhabi
MBZUAI Graduate AI Scholarship
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
Khalifa University Presidential Graduate Scholarship
Khalifa University
When to apply for 2026/27
Start your application 6–9 months before the intake you're targeting. Below are this academic year's windows for Dubai.
Fall Intake (Primary)
The main intake at almost every Dubai branch campus — widest course choice and most scholarship awards.
Spring Intake
A strong secondary intake at most branch campuses — particularly for postgraduate and MBA programs.
Summer Intake
A smaller intake at select institutions for accelerated programs and short professional certificates.
Common questions about studying in Dubai
Don't see your question? Book a free office visit and ask a Dubai counsellor face to face.
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Is a Dubai branch-campus degree the same as the home campus? expand_more
Yes. Heriot-Watt Dubai, Wollongong Dubai, Curtin Dubai and the rest award the exact same degree, signed by the home university. Same accreditation, same recognition by employers globally. -
Can I work after graduating? expand_more
Yes — UAE allows a 1-year post-graduation residence permit, extendable if you find a job. Salaries are tax-free, which makes take-home very competitive even at modest gross figures. -
What's the Golden Visa? expand_more
A 10-year UAE residency for top graduates (typically First Class Honours or top 5% of class). No employer sponsorship needed, full residency rights including family. -
Can my family visit easily? expand_more
Yes — multiple daily flights between Colombo and Dubai, short visa-on-arrival options for family. Many Sri Lankan students fly home each semester break. -
Is the social life restrictive? expand_more
Dubai is the most international and tolerant city in the region. Student unions at branch campuses run regular events, and international students socialise freely across cultures.
More reading on Dubai
Guides from our counsellor team on applying to Dubai from Sri Lanka.
- University Guides·9 min read
Dubai vs Singapore: Which Is Better for Sri Lankan Students?
Dubai vs Singapore for Sri Lankans: branch campuses and a 10-year residence visa vs top-20 universities, compared on cost, work rights and staying on.
Read the guide arrow_forward - University Guides·7 min read
Study in Dubai & the UAE from Sri Lanka: universities, cost & work rights
Western branch campuses in Dubai and the UAE for Sri Lankan students, tuition and living costs, the student visa, work rights and who the UAE suits best.
Read the guide arrow_forward
Ready to plan your Dubai study?
Book a visit to any of our three offices and sit down with a counsellor who will map out your timeline, shortlist 3–5 universities, and tell you what the realistic LKR budget looks like. Free for students — universities pay us, not you.
අපගේ කාර්යාල හතරෙන් එකකට පැමිණ ඔබේ විදේශ අධ්යාපන සිහිනයට පියවරක් තබන්න. සිසුන් සඳහා සේවාව සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම නොමිලේ.
Book your free office visit event_available- check_circle Free for students — universities pay us, not you
- check_circle Consultations are face to face — no phone or online sessions
- check_circle Rajagiriya, Jaffna or Matara — pick your branch
Book your office visit
verified100% free for students. Universities pay us, not you. How?
Every consultation happens face to face with a counsellor. We don't do phone or online consultations — pick a branch, day and time that suits you.
- location_on Rajagiriya (head office) 8th Floor, Jana Jaya City Mall, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
- location_on Jaffna 158 Hospital Road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- location_on Matara No. 474 New Tangalle Road, Matara, Sri Lanka
schedule Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Sat: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Choose a date & time event_available