University of West London opens first UK branch campus in Sri Lanka

ANC Education Chairman Dr. Jagath Alwis and University of West London Vice Chancellor Professor Peter John ink the agreement, which was signed to set up University of West London Sri Lankan branch PIC BY PRADEEP PATHIRANA

By Yohan Perera

The University of West London (UWL) has officially launched its branch campus in Sri Lanka, marking a new chapter in UK-Sri Lanka higher-education collaboration and thus allowing Sri Lankan students to make use of the future where South Asia could be a place of growth.

This was highlighted at the agreement signed by British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick.  

“Which part of the world is going to grow in the coming decades? It is not the US, UK or Europe. It is Tamil Nadu, which is expected to grow. Therefore, this venture would be an opportunity for Sri Lankan youth to become a part of an international network,” Patrick said.

The launch ceremony was attended underscoring the importance of this initiative to both countries.

The new branch campus, operated in partnership with ANC Education, extends UWL’s decade-long presence in Sri Lanka. Since 2013, the partnership between ANC Education and UWL has enabled over 5,000 Sri Lankan students to earn UWL degrees in disciplines including business, law, and psychology. 

The cost of the degree programmes offered through the UWL branch campus in Sri Lanka will be significantly lower than pursuing the same programmes in the UK, thereby providing Sri Lankan students with greater financial viability.

Under the branch-campus model, students will gain direct enrolment with UWL, ensuring access to the university’s academic standards, qualifications and global networks while studying locally. The campus will expand provision to also include data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sustainability and biosciences, aligning programmes with Sri Lanka’s national vision for skill and knowledge development.

UWL Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter John CBE said this was  a proud moment for UWL and for British higher education. 

“The establishment of our branch campus reflects our confidence in Sri Lanka and our commitment to delivering career-focused, high-quality degrees internationally. We have already over 5,000 Sri Lankan graduates succeed in UWL programmes through our partnership with ANC Education and this campus will open even greater opportunities for the future,” he said.

ANC Education Chairman Dr. Jagath Alwis said the construction of a state-of-the-art university building would begin soon.

“This partnership marks a significant step forward for higher education in Sri Lanka. The new branch campus gives students access to a globally recognised branch, British degrees and the experience of studying within a dedicated UWL environment here in Colombo. 

The Sri Lanka branch campus will contribute to the country’s knowledge economy, retaining talent, broadening access to international education and strengthening graduate employability. Recruitment to new programmes will commence following completion of regulatory requirements in both the UK and Sri Lanka,” he said.