University of West London opens Sri Lanka Branch Campus, marking a significant milestone for Sri Lanka’s higher education sector with the launch of the country’s first full UK university branch campus in Colombo.
University of West London opens Sri Lanka Branch Campus as country’s first full UK university campus
The new campus is expected to expand access to internationally recognised British higher education while allowing Sri Lankan students to pursue UK degrees without relocating overseas. Operated by ANC Campus, the initiative reflects the growing demand for globally accredited education delivered locally.
The University of West London (UWL) officially inaugurated its Sri Lanka Branch Campus in partnership with ANC Campus, a well-established private higher education provider with more than two decades of experience in delivering internationally recognised academic programmes.
The new branch campus has been established to offer students in Sri Lanka the opportunity to complete UK university degrees while remaining close to home. Academic delivery, assessments and quality assurance will be fully aligned with UWL’s academic standards, with the university maintaining direct oversight of its programmes and qualifications.
Students enrolled at the campus will have access to UWL-approved degree programmes, academic support services, learning resources and a modern campus environment designed to enhance academic achievement, career readiness and student confidence.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, UWL Vice Chancellor and President Professor Peter John CBE described the launch as a major step forward in the university’s long-standing relationship with ANC Campus.
“Today we celebrate a shared success and the next stage in our partnership with ANC Sri Lanka – the opening of the first overseas branch campus in collaboration with UWL,” he said.
Professor John noted that the establishment of a permanent campus represents a transition from partnership to long-term institutional presence, underscoring the university’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality higher education in Sri Lanka.
He added that the initiative reflects UWL’s ambition to make internationally recognised university education more accessible while strengthening educational links between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.
ANC Campus Chairman and CEG Holdings Chairman Dr. Jagath Alwis highlighted the financial advantages the new campus offers to Sri Lankan students and their families.
He said studying locally would significantly reduce the overall cost of obtaining a UK degree by eliminating many of the expenses associated with overseas education. These include accommodation costs in London, day-to-day living expenses, international airfares, visa fees, Immigration Health Surcharge payments, accommodation deposits and relocation expenses.
According to Dr. Alwis, the new model enables students to receive a UK university education while easing the financial burden traditionally associated with studying abroad.
At its launch, the University of West London Sri Lanka Branch Campus will offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across several high-demand disciplines, including business, information technology, law, artificial intelligence, psychology and early childhood education.
Admission to these programmes will be subject to applicants meeting UWL’s entry requirements. Where relevant, professional accreditations and recognitions for individual degree programmes will be communicated through official university programme information.
The introduction of the branch campus also reflects broader developments within Sri Lanka’s higher education landscape, where increasing numbers of students are seeking internationally recognised qualifications without leaving the country.
Industry observers believe the presence of a fully operational UK university branch campus could strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as an emerging regional education destination while providing local students with greater access to internationally benchmarked teaching, research and graduate opportunities.
The partnership also supports wider efforts to develop the country’s knowledge economy by producing graduates equipped with globally recognised qualifications and skills aligned with international labour market requirements.
The University of West London currently enjoys a strong reputation in the UK higher education sector. It was recognised as the Best Modern University in London in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, ranked as London’s No. 1 university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2025, and placed among the UK’s Top Five universities for student experience in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026.
The opening of the University of West London Sri Lanka Branch Campus marks a new chapter for higher education in Sri Lanka, offering students direct access to a British university education while supporting the country’s ambitions to expand internationally recognised learning opportunities.