A Master’s degree in Australia can offer Sri Lankan students the opportunity to gain entry into internationally recognised qualifications, specialised courses and hands-on learning opportunities, allowing them to pursue postgraduate studies abroad. There is also a significant international education sector in Australia – over 21,000 Sri Lankan students are enrolled as commencing or continuing in 2025.
But when it comes to picking a master’s degree, it’s not just about picking a big name university. Students should evaluate the course curriculum, admission criteria, tuition costs, campus, cost of living, and chances for scholarships and what the proposed study will look like when compared to their previous studies and future career goals.
Table of Contents
- Why Study a Master’s Degree in Australia?
- Popular Master’s Courses in Australia for Sri Lankan Students
- Top Universities for a Master’s Degree in Australia
- How Much Does a Master’s Degree in Australia Cost?
- Master’s Degree Entry Requirements
- Student Visa Requirements for Sri Lankan Students
- Can International Students Work While Studying?
- Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students
- How to Apply for a Master’s in Australia from Sri Lanka
- How APG Can Help
- Conclusion
Why Study a Master’s Degree in Australia?
There are many post-graduate courses on offer at Australian universities, ranging from business to IT, engineering, health, education and social sciences. Master’s by Coursework were the most common form of masters degree held in Australia by international students in YTD May 2026 (43%).
When thinking about Sri Lankan students, the following factors are of importance:
- Australian Qualifications that are recognised internationally.
- A variety of postgraduate courses in the bird’s availability.
- A range of master’s degree programs based on coursework or research are available.
- Access to work related experience and learning opportunities.
- Scholarships offered by universities and other organisations.
- Graduates who meet the criteria will have the option of applying for post-study visas.
The decision should be made based not only on the name or popularity of a university, but also on your academic background, course objectives, finances and the needs of the course you are interested in.
Popular Master’s Courses in Australia for Sri Lankan Students
Information Technology, Data Science & Cyber Security
Australia has post-graduation courses in information technology, data science, software development, AI and cyber security. These courses may be suitable for graduates interested in pursuing specialisation and/or further technical development.
Business, Accounting & Management
Many master degrees in business administration, accounting, finance, business analytics and management and international business are offered. Some programs have entry requirements that may include undergraduate study in a related field, while others include a larger number of students.
Engineering & Construction
Postgraduate studies in engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental, etc.) or related fields are suitable for students with engineering or related backgrounds. Construction and project management are also offered at colleges in Australia.
Health, Nursing & Social Work
Postgraduate qualifications in public health, nursing, occupational therapy, social work and related fields are available in Australia. Some health courses have academic, registration or professional requirements so applicants are advised to carefully read the individual course.
Education & Other Professional Courses
Master’s are offered in education, psychology, communication, law, international relations and other professions as well. APG’s Sri Lankan website currently offers postgraduate courses such as psychology, cyber security, business analytics, primary education, social work, occupational therapy, laboratory medicine, nursing and even MBA courses.
Top Universities for a Master’s Degree in Australia
There are a number of universities in Australia that are prominently listed in international rankings of universities. These are some of the other universities listed on the QS currently, like the University of Melbourne, UNSW Sydney, University of Sydney, Australian National University, Monash University, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, Adelaide University.
| University | Location | Examples of postgraduate areas |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC | Business, engineering, health, law, education and research |
| UNSW Sydney | Sydney, NSW | Business, engineering, IT, architecture, health and social sciences |
| University of Sydney | Sydney, NSW | Business, engineering, IT, health, education and law |
| Australian National University | Canberra, ACT | Research, science, policy, business and social sciences |
| Monash University | Melbourne, VIC | IT, business, engineering, health and science |
| University of Queensland | Brisbane, QLD | Business, engineering, IT, health and science |
| University of Western Australia | Perth, WA | Engineering, business, health, science and IT |
| Adelaide University | Adelaide, SA | Engineering, IT, business, health and other postgraduate fields |
University rankings are just one comparison criteria. When choosing a course, other factors may also be important, such as: the structure of the course, entry requirements, the tuition fees, the location of the course and its relevance to your career.
How Much Does a Master’s Degree in Australia Cost?
The tuition fee for studying a Masters in Australia depends on what you study. The fees are subject to change depending on the university, course, study area, and length of course and changes to annual fees.
For planning purposes, most international study coursework graduate programs range between AUD$40 000 and AUD$65 000 a year, with some programs being more expensive or less. Please check the exact fee on the current page of the university course.
International postgraduate coursework fees, for instance, vary from around AUD $48,100 pa to over AUD $63,000 pa per year in various study areas at the University of Sydney listed in the 2026 guide. Each master’s program at the individual UNSW level also has different indicative fees for 2026.
Your overall budget should include:
- Tuition fees
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
- Student visa application charge
- Accommodation
- Food and daily expenses
- Transport
- Airfare from Sri Lanka to Australia
- Study materials and equipment
- Emergency funds
Important: From 1 July 2026, the Student visa application charge is AUD $2,500, subject to applicable exemptions or concessions.
Master’s Degree Entry Requirements
It may be necessary to meet specific entry requirements for particular courses at different universities. Common requirements might be:
- A recognised bachelor’s degree.
- Relevant academic background (as needed).
- Passing the University’s minimum academic requirement.
- Documentation of English language skills as needed.
- Academic Transcripts, CV, references, portfolio/work experience (for some programs).
- Completing any course-specific field requirement or prerequisite.
It is important to note that even if students have the minimum academic requirement, they do not necessarily get admitted to the course. Applications to Universities are evaluated on the basis of their admission policies and the number of vacancies.
Students should also verify that the course they wish to study is listed on CRICOS for course registration purposes, when a Student visa is required.
Student Visa Requirements for Sri Lankan Students
Sri Lankan students usually require a Student visa (subclass 500) to study a masters course in Australia. Once an offer has been received and accepted, the education provider will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) which is to be included in the visa application.
Evidence can be required for the Student visa process to cover areas such as:
- Identity
- Enrolment
- Financial capacity, where required
- English-language ability, where required
- Health insurance
- Health and character requirements
- Genuine Student criteria
- Other documents specified by the Department of Home Affairs
That’s especially significant about the Genuine Student requirement. Applicants will be asked to provide details of their situation, the reasons for selecting their course and their provider, awareness of studying and living in Australia and how completion of their course will enhance their situation.
The first step in a good application is to have a logical study plan and not just applying to a course being thought of as popular.
Can International Students Work While Studying?
Students are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight when their course is in session, and can work as much as they are permitted to during breaks from their course, as per their visa conditions.
Postgraduate students (master’s by research) and doctoral students after the course have started have different work hour arrangements.
You should not use work to take the place of realistic financial planning. Students should plan for tuition fees and living costs before they come to Australia and not anticipate that they will be able to be employed and pay for their studies.
Scholarships for Sri Lankan Students
Scholarships can help to lessen the financial burden of postgraduate study. Scholarships will vary by program and university and may be for tuition reduction, significant tuition support or other forms of financial aid.
Sri Lankan students should look out for:
- University-specific international scholarships
- Course-specific scholarships
- Merit-based scholarships
- Research scholarships
- Government-funded opportunities
- Scholarships specifically available to Sri Lankan or South Asian students
Conditions and eligibility for scholarships and deadlines vary and students are encouraged to review the current conditions before scholarship applications are made.
How to Apply for a Master’s in Australia from Sri Lanka
A practical application pathway is:
Assess your academic background
Find Masters programs that are similar to your undergraduate major, experiences, and career trajectory.
Compare universities and courses
Check course structure, duration, location, entry requirements and course costs as well as any scholarships available.
Check CRICOS registration
Ensure the course and provider are registered for international students.
Prepare documents
Typical documents include your passport, academic transcripts, English-language evidence where required, CV and other course-specific documents.
Apply to the university
Submit your application and respond to any requests for additional information.
Accept your offer
If successful, accept the offer following the provider’s directions and make payment as necessary.
Receive your CoE
Your Confirmation of Enrolment is required for the Student visa application.
Prepare your Student visa application
Discuss current Department of Home Affairs requirements, financial evidence requirements (if applicable) and genuine student requirements.
Plan your move
Make sure you have OSHC, accommodation, flights and your first two months living expenses sorted out before arriving.
How APG Can Help
When deciding on a masters course, the choice of academic qualification, career direction, university criteria and budget are taken into consideration. APG’s Sri Lankan education team offers assistance in selecting courses, application to university, Student visa and scholarship applications.
The official Sri Lanka website of APG provides the study area for Masters programs such as, psychology, cyber security, business analytics, education, social work, occupational therapy, laboratory medicine and nursing and business administration. Students can also access APG’s information on Australian student visa processes and scholarships.
If students are still exploring universities and courses, an education consultation can help to structure the different possibilities based on the level of education, the choice of study area and budget prior to an application.
Planning to Study a Master’s in Australia?
Get guidance on course selection, university applications, scholarships and Student visa requirements.
Talk to APG Education ExpertsConclusion
After completing a Masters course in Australia, Sri Lankan students may have a variety of Masters courses to choose from, various Universities and study settings. It’s important to select a course that makes sense in the academic, career, and financial sense.
Do the research and check course, university, tuition fees, living cost, scholarships, and current Student visa requirements before applying. Above all, ensure that your proposed course of study is sincere, well thought out and consistent with past schooling and future objectives.
