Academic fit
Sri Lanka's leading schools already teach Cambridge or Edexcel curricula, so academic transition is usually straightforward. Local grading and report formats are translated into what UK schools recognise.
For Sri Lankan families
UK Boarding Schools with Cricket for Sri Lankan Families
For parents in Colombo, Kandy and Galle whose children have grown up in one of the strongest school cricket cultures in the world.
What families in Sri Lanka need to know
Cricket background
Big match cricket produces players used to pressure and long-format discipline — exactly what UK independent school coaches value. Season statistics and honours carry real weight.
Timing your application
Sri Lankan school years and UK entry align well for 13+ and 16+ entry. Begin 12 months ahead so trials and assessments can be scheduled comfortably.
Travel and access
Colombo connects to Heathrow directly and via the Gulf, with onward travel to schools in the South West, Midlands and Wales.
Boys and girls, 11 to 18
Criced works with sons and daughters alike. Girls' cricket in UK independent schools has grown faster than any other sport, with dedicated coaching, fixtures and pathways into the professional women's game.
Girls' cricket pathwayThe words UK schools use — and what they mean at home
- Grade 9 / Grade 12
- Grade 9 broadly aligns with UK Year 9 (13+ entry); Grade 12 with Lower Sixth (16+). Placement is confirmed after reports are reviewed.
- O/L and A/L
- Local O/L and A/L, and Edexcel or Cambridge IGCSE and A Level, are all recognised. Cambridge and Edexcel transfer most directly.
- Big match cricket
- First XI and big match experience is genuinely respected by UK coaches — season statistics and honours carry weight in applications.
- Boarding house
- A pastoral home within the school with a housemaster or housemistress, matron and evening prep — closer to a school hostel with full tutoring.
What it costs, in pounds and in local terms
UK fees are set in pounds sterling and billed each term, three terms a year. The rupee figures are indicative only — your bank's rate on the day and Central Bank remittance procedures determine what you actually pay.
| Cost | Sterling | Indicative local |
|---|---|---|
| Full boarding, per term | £13,000 – £19,000 | approx. LKR 52 – 76 lakh |
| Full boarding, per year | £39,000 – £57,000 | approx. LKR 1.6 – 2.3 crore |
| UK guardianship, per year | £1,500 – £3,500 | approx. LKR 6 – 14 lakh |
| Flights, insurance, uniform, per year | £3,000 – £5,000 | approx. LKR 12 – 20 lakh |
Sport, all-rounder and academic awards typically reduce fees by 10–50%, and means-tested bursaries can go further. Education remittances from Sri Lanka are made through a licensed commercial bank against the school's invoice and offer letter or CAS; allow several weeks for approval and confirm current limits with your bank.
Visa and UK guardianship for Sri Lankan families
- Your child needs a Child Student visa, sponsored by the school through a CAS issued after the place is confirmed.
- A TB test certificate from an IOM-approved clinic in Colombo is required before the application is submitted.
- Biometrics and documents are submitted at the VFS Global centre in Colombo.
- Financial evidence must show fees and maintenance held for the required period and match the school's invoice.
- UK schools require a UK-based guardian for every boarder under 18 — for exeats, half terms, airport transfers and emergencies. Use an AEGIS-accredited organisation.
- Criced guides you through CAS, documents, remittance paperwork and guardian choice at no extra cost.
Your next steps
- 1
Tell us about your child
Age, school, O/L or A/L pathway, recent reports and cricket record — the enquiry form takes ten minutes.
- 2
Send match footage and statistics
Ten to fifteen minutes of match play plus season figures, first XI honours and big match appearances.
- 3
Shortlist schools together
We match academic profile, budget and cricket programme, then set up calls with housemasters and coaches.
- 4
Apply, trial and secure the award
We manage registration, assessments, trials and scholarship applications, then support visa, remittance and guardianship.
Questions from Sri Lankan families
Does Sri Lankan school cricket count in a UK application?
Very much so. Big match and first XI experience is respected by UK coaches. We present season statistics, honours and footage in the format schools expect.
Is the site available in Sinhala and Tamil?
Yes. Criced is published in English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Sinhala and Tamil so both parents can read the detail comfortably.
Which entry point suits a Sri Lankan student best?
13+ and 16+ are the most common. 16+ Sixth Form entry suits players already established in first XI cricket; 13+ allows longer academic and cricket development.
Talk to us about your child
Tell us your child's age, school and cricket experience. We reply personally to every enquiry.