MBBS Abroad for Sri Lankan Students (2027–28): SLMC Rules, ERPM and Costs
Sri Lankan students can study MBBS abroad, but only graduates of degree programmes recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) can register to practise at home. As of November 2026 SLMC's online list shows 26 recognised foreign medical programmes in 10 countries, led by Malaysia (8), Belarus (4), China (3) and Russia (3). You need A/L passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (two C grades and one S at one sitting), SLMC degree approval, the two-part ERPM and an internship. Published tuition at listed universities that post fees runs from about $5,200 to $8,000 a year.
For students from Sri Lanka
MBBS abroad for Sri Lankan students: key facts
Key takeaways
- SLMC recognises individual degree programmes, not whole universities. Its online list showed 26 recognised foreign medical programmes in 10 countries in November 2026, each with a dated recognition window.
- Entry rule: G.C.E. A/L passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with at least two C grades and one S grade at one sitting, or an equivalent exam; foundation and pre-medical courses do not count.
- SLMC's 2018 minimum standards require at least five academic years and at least 3,000 hours of clinical learning with patients; online clinical training and online clinical exams are not accepted.
- Since 1 January 2025 the ERPM has two parts, three MCQ papers and an 18-station OSCE, each with a 50% pass mark; the old four-part format ended on 1 January 2026.
- After the ERPM come provisional registration, a Ministry of Health internship allocated from SLMC's merit list, and full registration.
- Example published tuition: Tver State Medical University about $5,200 a year (2026-27), Belarusian State Medical University $6,300 (2026-27), Tbilisi State Medical University $8,000.
On this page
- Can Sri Lankan students study MBBS abroad?
- How does SLMC treat foreign medical degrees?
- Which foreign programmes does SLMC recognise?
- ERPM: format and pass rates
- What happens after the ERPM?
- How much does MBBS abroad cost for Sri Lankan students?
- Best countries for Sri Lankan students
- Step-by-step plan for 2027 admission
- Red flags and risks
- Countries compared
- FAQ
- Sources
Can Sri Lankan students study MBBS abroad?
Yes, but your choice is much narrower than agents suggest. Only graduates of degree programmes recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) can register and practise in Sri Lanka, and as of November 2026 SLMC's online list shows 26 recognised foreign medical programmes in 10 countries.
After graduating abroad you go through four SLMC steps: degree approval, the Examination for Registration to Practise Medicine (ERPM), provisional registration and a Ministry of Health internship. Many people take this route. SLMC's 2024 annual report records 417 and 401 degree-approval applications in its two cycles, and ERPM written sittings of 868 candidates in June 2024 and 784 in November 2024.
SLMC documents also call the exam the "Examination to Register to Practice Medicine"; it used to be known as the Act 16 examination. All rules below are as of November 2026.
How does SLMC treat foreign medical degrees?
SLMC judges a foreign degree against the Medical (Maintenance of Minimum Standards of Medical Education) Regulations No. 01 of 2018. The Minister of Health made them in consultation with SLMC, they were amended in December 2019, and Parliament approved them on 3 November 2020, as notified in Gazette 2222/69 of 10 April 2021. If you do not meet these standards, SLMC says your degree may not be recognised.
Entry requirement: your A/L results
You need G.C.E. A/L passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with at least two C (credit) grades and one S (simple) grade in these subjects, at one and the same sitting. An equivalent foreign exam with comparable results is accepted; SLMC publishes a grade-comparison notice. SLMC's degree-approval checklist applies this to students who entered on or after 10 April 2021, and it does not accept pre-medical, foundation or preparatory courses instead.
Programme standards
The 2018 regulations set the floor every recognised programme must meet:
- At least five academic years for students entering directly from school after 12 years of schooling.
- At least 3,000 hours of clinical learning in regular contact with patients.
- Minimum hospital-based hours: 800 in medicine and related specialties, 800 in surgery and related specialties, 400 in obstetrics and gynaecology, 400 in paediatrics and 200 in psychiatry.
- At least 200 hours in a community or first-contact care setting and 50 hours in clinical forensic medicine and forensic pathology.
Clinical training and transfers
Clinical training must be hands-on, in person and in the foreign university's own listed hospitals. In January 2022 SLMC said it has not approved any foreign university to teach clinical subjects online or to run clinical training in Sri Lankan hospitals instead, and it will not accept online clinical exams. Transfers between recognised programmes in two countries are considered only in exceptional circumstances such as closed borders or war, and take one to three months to process.
Which foreign programmes does SLMC recognise?
SLMC recognises programmes, not universities: two programmes at the same university can have different status. Each listing carries a recognition window, usually five years.
| Country | Programmes on SLMC's list (Nov 2026) | Examples, with recognition window |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | 8 | IMU University (2025–2030), Manipal University College Malaysia (2025–2030), Monash University Malaysia (2022–2027) |
| Belarus | 4 | Belarusian State Medical University (2026–2031), Grodno (2026–2031), Gomel (2025–2030), Vitebsk (2023–2028) |
| China | 3 | Dalian Medical University (2023–2028), China Medical University (2026–2031), Tianjin Medical University (2026–2031) |
| Russia | 3 | Tver (2023–2028), Volgograd (2023–2028), Kursk (2026–2031) |
| Pakistan | 3 | Dow Medical College, Dow International Medical College, Karachi Medical & Dental College |
| Nepal | 1 | Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University (2022–2027) |
| Georgia | 1 | Tbilisi State Medical University (2023–2028) |
| Armenia | 1 | Yerevan State Medical University (2023–2028) |
| Cyprus | 1 | University of Nicosia Medical School (2026–2031) |
| Bahrain | 1 | RCSI Medical University of Bahrain (2024–2029) |
Source: SLMC's searchable list of recognised foreign medical degree programmes, checked 14 November 2026.
Two things stand out. First, several popular agent destinations — Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan — have no programme on the list as of November 2026. Second, some windows end in 2026–2027. Ask SLMC how a window applies to the year you enrol before you pay, and check the exact degree title and language of instruction against the listing.
ERPM: format and pass rates
The ERPM is SLMC's licensing exam for graduates of recognised foreign programmes. You can sit it only after SLMC approves your degree. Since 1 January 2025 new candidates take a two-part exam; the old four-part format (Parts A–D) was discontinued from 1 January 2026.
| ERPM Part I (theory) | ERPM Part II (clinical) | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 3 MCQ papers over 3 days; each paper has 50 true/false and 50 single-best-answer questions, in two 120-minute sessions | OSCE: 18 test stations plus 2 rest stations, 10 minutes each (200 minutes) |
| Subjects | Medicine, paediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, community medicine, forensic medicine | Mixed stations across the same seven subjects |
| Pass mark | 50% in each paper; below 25% in any paper fails all of Part I; 25–50% means resitting that paper | 50% |
| Marking | Negative marks for wrong true/false answers, not carried to the next question | Equal marks per station |
Source: SLMC ERPM Guidelines 2025.
SLMC aims to hold two Part I and two Part II exams a year. You must sit the exam held immediately after your degree approval and keep sitting consecutive exams until you pass; a leave of absence needs prior approval and cannot exceed three years. The internship merit list ranks candidates on a composite of their marks and their number of attempts, so repeated attempts cost you.
Pass rates. SLMC does not publish a single pass-rate figure. Its 2024 annual report gives the clearest picture of the old format: 582 candidates sat the clinical Parts B and C in January–March 2024 and 162 graduates were placed on the internship merit list; in August–September 2024, 733 sat and 325 made the merit list. That report predates the new two-part format, so no pass figures for it were available.
What happens after the ERPM?
After you complete the ERPM you apply for provisional registration through SLMC's eServices portal. You then apply to the Ministry of Health for an internship; SLMC sends ERPM merit lists for each internship batch to the Ministry. SLMC's internship forms run from a first report at three months to a final report at 12 months, after which you apply for full registration. While waiting for the exam, returning graduates can ask the Ministry of Health for a clinical observership; SLMC does not arrange these.
How much does MBBS abroad cost for Sri Lankan students?
At SLMC-listed universities that publish fees online, English-medium tuition runs from about $5,200 to $8,000 a year. Hostel, food, flights, visas, insurance and ERPM preparation are extra.
| Destination (SLMC-listed university) | Published tuition (fee year) | ≈ USD per year | ≈ Tuition, whole course (USD) | ≈ LKR, whole course |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russia (Tver State Medical University, English medium) | RUB 430,000 (2026-27) | $5,200 | $31,100 (if 6 years) | LKR 10.4 million |
| China (Dalian Medical University, 6-year English programme) | RMB 42,000 (posted April 2025) | $6,300 | $37,700 | LKR 12.5 million |
| Belarus (Belarusian State Medical University, English medium) | $6,300 (2026-27) | $6,300 | $37,800 (if 6 years) | LKR 12.6 million |
| Georgia (Tbilisi State Medical University, English MD) | $8,000 (current published fee) | $8,000 | $48,000 (if 6 years) | LKR 16.0 million |
These are approximate. Conversions use US$1 ≈ LKR 332, RUB 82.8 and CNY 6.69 (open.er-api.com, 13 November 2026). Whole-course figures assume fees stay flat. The Malaysian, Nepali and Armenian programmes on the list did not publish a fee we could verify online, so ask those universities for their official fee schedule in writing. Compare more destinations on our MBBS abroad fees page.
Best countries for Sri Lankan students
For a Sri Lankan, the "best" country is one with a programme on SLMC's list that you can afford and finish on time. Start from the list, not from an agent's brochure.
| Country | Why consider it | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Most programmes on the list (8 of 26) | Fees not always published online; Quest International University, for example, asks applicants to enquire |
| Belarus | 4 state universities listed; BSMU publishes its fee ($6,300 for 2026-27) | Ask how much clinical teaching is in English |
| Russia | 3 listed state universities; Tver publishes its 2026-27 fee | Ask how much clinical teaching is in English; plan how you will transfer fees |
| China | 3 listed universities; Dalian's English programme is 6 years | Ask how clinical training is delivered and check it meets SLMC's hours |
| Georgia | Tbilisi State Medical University, English MD | Highest published fee in our table ($8,000 a year) |
| Armenia | Yerevan State Medical University listed to 2028 | YSMU says some international fees are set by individual contract; get yours in writing |
| Nepal | Manipal College of Medical Sciences, close to home | One programme only; recognition window ends in 2027 |
The country finder tool can narrow these down by budget.
Step-by-step plan for 2027 admission
- Check your A/L results against the two-C-and-one-S rule in Biology, Chemistry and Physics at one sitting.
- Pick a programme from SLMC's current list and confirm the exact degree title, language and recognition window with SLMC through its support ticket system.
- Check the programme with the university: at least five years, on-site hospital training in its own listed hospitals, and no online clinical teaching.
- Get the official fee schedule from the university and pay the university directly.
- Prepare your documents and visa — see our documents checklist.
- Keep records while you study: your original A/L certificate, passports with entry and exit stamps, and proof of on-site hospital training hours.
- After graduating, collect the printed degree certificate (provisional certificates are not accepted) and apply for degree approval; the fee is Rs. 13,200 and you attend an interview with your originals.
- Sit the next ERPM — Part I, then Part II.
- Apply for provisional registration, then a Ministry of Health internship, then full registration.
Red flags and risks
Unlisted programmes. An agent may tell you a university is "recognised by SLMC" because it was recognised years ago or because a different programme at the same university is listed. SLMC recognises programmes one by one. Read our guide to agent scams and red flags.
Foundation-year shortcuts. Courses that promise to replace weak A/L results do not meet SLMC's entry rule.
Online or "home" clinical training. SLMC will not accept online clinical classes or exams, or clinical training in Sri Lankan hospitals in place of the foreign university's hospitals.
Expiring recognition. Several listings end in 2026–2027. Ask SLMC how the dates apply to your batch before you enrol.
Language and exam difficulty. In Belarus, Russia and China many patients will not speak English, which affects how much you learn in clinical years. The ERPM tests you as a general practitioner in Sri Lanka, and the merit list rewards passing early.
Mid-course problems. If war or border closures interrupt your course, SLMC may approve a transfer to another recognised programme, but only case by case.
For how Pakistan's regulator handles the same questions, see MBBS abroad for Pakistani students; for a structured way to compare universities, see how to choose a medical university abroad.
Countries compared for Sri Lankan students
| Country | Tuition / year | Total (full course) | Duration | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBBS in Malaysia | $29,000 | $153,400–$157,500 | 5 years (MBBS/MD), followed by separate housemanship for those registered in Malaysia | English |
| MBBS in Belarus | $6,300 | $37,800 | 6 years (General Medicine) | English-medium groups at BSMU (Russian-medium also offered); Russian needed with patients |
| MBBS in Russia | $3,450–$15,800 | $21,000–$105,000 | 6 years (General Medicine, Specialist degree) | English-medium tracks at many state universities; Russian needed with patients in clinical years |
| MBBS in China | $4,950–$6,000 | $33,500–$53,000 | 6 years (5 years study + 1-year internship in an affiliated hospital) | English (MoE-listed universities only); Chinese to HSK-4 required for clinical work |
| MBBS in Georgia | $4,800–$8,000 | $45,000–$65,000 | 6 years (360 ECTS MD, clinical rotations in years 4–6) | English (Georgian language taught as a subject for patient contact) |
| MBBS in Armenia | $7,200 | $43,200–$69,400 | 6 years (General Medicine, MD Physician qualification) | English for foreign students (Armenian and Russian streams also exist) |
| MBBS in Nepal | $16,500–$25,000 | $75,000–$85,000 | 5.5 years (4.5 years study + 1-year rotating internship) | English |
Frequently asked questions
Is an MBBS from Bangladesh recognised by the SLMC?
As of November 2026, SLMC's online list of recognised foreign medical degree programmes contains no programme in Bangladesh. The 26 listed programmes are in Malaysia, Belarus, China, Russia, Pakistan, Nepal, Georgia, Armenia, Cyprus and Bahrain. SLMC says only graduates of recognised programmes can practise in Sri Lanka, and that without degree approval you cannot sit the ERPM. Check the live list on slmc.gov.lk and ask SLMC in writing before you accept any offer.
What A/L results do I need to study MBBS abroad as a Sri Lankan?
SLMC's minimum standard is a pass in Biology, Chemistry and Physics at the G.C.E. Advanced Level, with at least two C grades and one S grade in these subjects at one and the same sitting. An equivalent foreign exam with comparable results is accepted, and SLMC publishes a grade-comparison notice. SLMC's degree-approval checklist applies this to students who entered on or after 10 April 2021. Foundation, pre-medical and preparatory courses are not accepted as a substitute.
What is the ERPM pass mark?
Under the ERPM Guidelines 2025, you must score at least 50% in each of the three Part I MCQ papers. A score below 25% in any paper means you fail all of Part I; between 25% and 50% you are referred and resit only that paper. Wrong answers in true/false questions carry negative marks within that question. Part II, an 18-station OSCE, also has a 50% pass mark.
How often is the ERPM held?
SLMC says it will try to hold two ERPM Part I and two Part II examinations a year, in sequence, unless serious natural or national events prevent it. You must sit the examination held immediately after your degree approval and then keep sitting consecutive examinations until you pass. A leave of absence needs SLMC's prior written approval, is given only for academic or clinical medical work, and cannot exceed three years.
Can I do clinical training online or in Sri Lanka during a foreign MBBS?
No. In a January 2022 notice SLMC said clinical training must be hands-on, in person and in the hospitals of the foreign university listed in its recognition application. SLMC has not approved any foreign university to run online clinical classes or clinical training in Sri Lankan hospitals instead, and it will not accept online clinical examinations. For degree approval you must submit a certificate of on-site hospital training hours; online hours are excluded.
Can I transfer from one foreign medical university to another?
Only in exceptional circumstances. SLMC may consider a transfer between SLMC-recognised programmes in two countries when, for example, borders close or there is war. You apply to da@slmc.gov.lk using the official form, and processing takes one to three months. You cannot finish clinical training in another country and still take the degree from your first university; the final exam and degree must come from the recognised university where you train.
How much does MBBS abroad cost for Sri Lankan students?
At SLMC-listed universities that publish fees, English-medium tuition runs from about $5,200 a year (Tver State Medical University, Russia, 2026-27) to $8,000 a year (Tbilisi State Medical University, Georgia). Over a six-year course that is roughly LKR 10 million to LKR 16 million in tuition alone, at about LKR 332 per US dollar in November 2026. Living costs, flights, visas and ERPM preparation are extra. See our fees comparison.
Sources
- Career in Medicine and Dentistry: minimum standards and recognised programmes — Sri Lanka Medical Council
- Graduates of foreign universities: degree approval, ERPM, provisional registration, internship — Sri Lanka Medical Council
- Education: recognised foreign medical and dental degree programmes, internship, examinations — Sri Lanka Medical Council
- Examination to Register to Practice Medicine (ERPM) in Sri Lanka: Guidelines 2025 — Sri Lanka Medical Council
- Important notice: changes to the ERPM format (12 November 2024) — Sri Lanka Medical Council
- Medical (Maintenance of Minimum Standards of Medical Education) Regulations No. 01 of 2018, Gazette 2055/54 — Government of Sri Lanka
- Amendment to the minimum standards regulations, Gazette 2155/15 (26 December 2019) — Government of Sri Lanka
- Notification of parliamentary approval of the minimum standards regulations, Gazette 2222/69 (10 April 2021) — Government of Sri Lanka
- Notice to Sri Lankan nationals who are students of medical/dental degree programmes in foreign universities (20 January 2022) — Sri Lanka Medical Council
- Annual Report 2024 — Sri Lanka Medical Council
- Annual fees 2026/2027 for international students — Belarusian State Medical University
- Tuition fees 2026/2027 (Стоимость обучения) — Tver State Medical University
Last fact-checked 14 November 2026. Fees are approximate and quoted in US dollars; exchange rates and university fee schedules change every year. Confirm current figures with the university and your national medical regulator before paying. See our editorial policy.