External degrees in Sri Lanka
The easiest way of obtaining a degree in Sri Lanka is entering a National university based on your GCE A/L examination results. If you unable to enter State university as an internal student, still you can obtain a degree by registering as an external student. Such degrees are known as External Degrees. There are many external degrees offered by different national universities in Sri Lanka. The advantage of going for such a degree is you can do studies while engaging in employment or other educational course. After registering in
BIT (Bachelor of Information Technology) (Colombo)
This degree is offered by University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC). It’s one of most popular external degrees in Sri Lanka. BIT is a degree programme which was introduced in year 2000. It has duration of 3 years. However you can obtain a diploma at end of 1st year as a part qualification. It is considered as nationally and internationally recognized information and communication qualification. A person with three passes in the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in one sitting and a credit pass for Mathematics in the G.C.E. (O/L) examination or any other academic/professional qualifications deemed equivalent to above could apply for this degree programme. Applicants should pass the selection test which consists of analytical, quantitative and communication skills. Then they would be enrolled for the BIT degree programme provided they are not less than 17 years of age.
B.Sc (Business Administration) (Jayewardenepura)
This is another popular external degree in Sri Lanka offered by Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. It’s a university that offers the best Management courses in the country. Therefore each year large number of candidates get registered for this external degree. It’s conducted by Department of Business Administration. Course duration is 3 years. You should have at least 3 passes in A/L in one sitting.
There are three other external degrees offered by University of Sri Jayewardenepura such as
Bachelor of Science Public Management (General) external Degree program (Sinhala/ English medium)
Conducted under the Department of Public Administration,University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Bachelor of Commerce (General) external Degree program (Sinhala medium)
Conducted under the Department of Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Bachelor of Arts (General) External Degree program
The first Examination in Arts degree is popularly known as the General Arts Qualifying (GAQ) Examination. This is common for all external B.A. degrees in Sri Lanka.
B.A(General/Special Degree) (Kelaniya)
Many universities in Sri Lanka offer B.A external degrees. Out of these, University of Kelaniya has started this programme in 1993. You have to first register for General degree and based on your performance at 1st year limited number of students will be registered for Special degree. You should have obtained at least 3 passes at GCE A/L examination together with 6 passes at GCE O/L including 3 Credit passes. (Maths should be Credit pass or above). Other recognized qualifications are also considered.
B.Sc (General) (Physical Science stream) (Kelaniya)
This is another degree offered by University of Kelaniya. There are two subject combinations which can be selected according to your preference. To enter this degree programme you should have obtained 3 passes at GCE A/L including Combined Mathematics. Candidates for External Degree Courses should have completed 18 years of age. A certified copy of the Birth Certificate should be forwarded with the application for registration.
B.Com (Special Degree) (Kelaniya)
Bachelor of Commerce is a theree year degree programme conducted by University of Kelaniya. Candidates who wish to follow this degree course, should register for the First Examination in Commerce. You should have obtained 3 passes at GCE A/L preferably in Commerce stream. At end of each degree year examinations are conducted. However there is no compulsion for external candidates to sit the prescribed examinations in every succeeding year.
An external candidate (Only applicable for University of Kelaniya external degrees) successful at the degree examination in either Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Business Management (General) or Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Commerce (Special) will be considered for awarding the degree with a Second Class (Upper / Lower) or a First Class on the basis of the merits he/she earned.
Notices regarding registration and examinations are published in the press annually. In accordance with such notices, candidates are strictly advised to apply for registration only on the prescribed form available from the External Examinations Branch of the University of Kelaniya. It is the responsibility of candidates to collect relevant application forms in time.
Similarly University of Peradeniya also offers some external degrees. Normally, the minimum qualifications for registration as a student for an external degree are identical to the minimum requirements for entry to the university. However, the university Senate has also recognized a variety of professional and other qualifications for the purpose. In certain circumstances the Senate may grant exemption from the GAQ External Examination.
Here we have mentioned only some of most popular external degrees offered by National universities in Sri Lanka. However there are many other external degrees offered by foreign universities such as BCS (IT). You can follow these degrees also if you have a satisfactory financial condition.
Related Courses:
Online degrees in Sri Lanka
CIMA – a quick guide
Educational Loans by Sri Lankan banks
National Institute of Business Management-NIBM
Sri Lanka Law College
1st to comment!
Maxa article kalana aiya!
keep it up!
thanx Mayura, hope this will be helpful for educational course seekers
yeah definitely!
These informative posts are highly valuable. Thanks for sharing!
Writer of this article has missed one important external degree program offered by Faculty of Agriculture and Plantation Management of Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila (NWP).
I searched for affordable degrees after A/L. I think the best option to obatain a quality degree from a reputable university is to follow an external degrees offered by Sri Lankan university. One major concern about these external degrees is that the results are released in systematic manner.
Ohterwise it is a good option to follow external degree program.
Nice list covering science, arts and management degrees. Law college is also another option.
Banadara,
Thanks for sharing the information. Yea there may be some good external degrees as you mention. I tried to cover some popular degrees from this article, which i thiught to be helpful for students.
Great info for our future educational planning.
I think the best option to obtain a quality degree from a reputable university is to follow an external degrees offered by indian university.
Ajith what do u mean by “One major concern about these external degrees is that the results are released in systematic manner” ?.
May be kalana can explain..thanks
Dear Mr. Kalana
I read your article. It’s give me clear information about external degrees in Sri Lanka. What I want is Kalana I hope to follow Bsc.Management(genaral) in Kelaniya University in English medium. Yet, Still I could not find any English medium classes. I passed A/L in commerce stream with 3Bs. Can you help me to find English medium class or else do you know any university students who conduct classes, If so please email me to thanuja@ebaseasia.com
Thanks
Kavi
What about Moratuwa BIT??? that is also a potential IT course.
Kavi,
I think there’s only B.Com sp and BBMgt degrees are offered for Management stream by Kelaniya University. You can inquire from Kelaniya Uni on 0112911391, 0112911397
If you want to follow B.Sc Mgt degree Jayewardenepura University would be a good option. There are number of English medium classes conducted by IAS(Pamankada)0112505483, 0112552758 JMC(Kolpety) 0112430451 and other leading institutes.
You have obtained quite a good result in A/L. This result is more than enough for a external degree.
Shan,
Release of examination resuls is not that efficient in some Sri Lankan Universities compared to other higher education coueses. This is even slow in some external degrees. Sometimes it will get some time to get results where we will find difficulties in managing next semesters examinations.
Mayu,
Yes Moratuwa University BIT programme is also a new degree and getting more popular now. Next intake is July 2010. you can now download applicatio form http://www.codl.lk/codl/bit2010batch2/ApplicationForm_BIT_Intake5_new.pdf
Moratuwa BIT is very expensive compared to U of Colombo BIT, and the classses for Moratuwa BIT is also expensive. Go for Colombo BIT
I did University of Sri Jayewardenepura Arts (BA) External degree, and now working as a teacher in government school. For government graduate job scheme they have selected both inernal and external degree holders.
Many places external degree is also treated equally with internal degree.
So why spend so much money for foreign degree. Do an external degree from University of SJP, Colombo, Keylaniya or Pera.
Dear all,
please go through Sepalika’s comment. Yes external degrees also have a good validity in Sri Lanka. So if you are unable to do an internal degree, better to go for an external degree rather than spending millions for foreign universities. Thank you for adding comments Sepalika.
great work……………..
Please let me know the SL universities in which we can do Psychology as a subject for an external degree.
I do not think there is an external degree with Psychology
I have two sri lankan staff whom I like to support for their education. they are skilled and talented but I think they just finished the 11th year in sri lanka school system. there chance of promotion is then very slim due to education constraints. Is there a way for them to continue their studies even they are here in Saudi Arabia? Thanks, vicdil@bateel.com.sa or vincent55@hotmail.com
Vicente, Try online degrees in Sri Lanka
Colombo bit and japura bus Mgt are da best
Great article on finding courses.
why didn’t you add about the Bachelor of Business Management External Degree at University of Kelaniya.
Internal students of national universities can also apply for these external programmes?
Thanks
Hello Kalana,
I need some help from you.
I got 2C only in my A/L examination.
Can i do the external degree in Sri Lankan University?I like to do the administration degree.Can i do that?
Please Help me.
Thank You
Bandara,
You should have at least 3 S passes at one sitting to do an external degree based on A/L exam. However there are number of courses accepted by universities such as Chartered, CIMA etc,. Dont worry. Call Jayewardenepura external degree programme and clarify on this. +94 11 2801481
Adding to Kalana’s comment – some degrees can be done with O/L qualification. eg. Open university degrees.
You can do Foundation IT (FIT) and then join BIT computer external degree of University of Colombo.
pls teel about somputer science
araf – for computer science select BIT, Colombo University
BIT is a degree programme of three years duration introduced in the year 2000. It has flexible study options with Diploma level exit points after year 1 & 2 .Candidates with with three passes in the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in one sitting and a credit pass for Mathematics in the G.C.E. (O/L) examination or any other academic/professional qualifications can apply for BIT. You can follow private tuition classes after that.
Hi, please help me. I did my A/L in maths stream, I have passed in Mathas and chemistry in 1st sitting(2002) and in my 2nd(2003) got passes in maths and physics. So by 2 sittings only I have covered all three subjects, no 3 passes in one sitting. However, I want to follow a degree program, but every gov university asking 3 passes. I am not in a position to my A/l again and I can effort much to do a course in private institute, because it cost much. Pls tell me is there any way to get a degree in sri lanka in a filed like management.
Thanks.
Nisthar, you can do open university degree with O/L results.
Dr. Hiran Amarasekara,
Is there any external degree programmes for architecture?
If so can i know the information of it?
And needed to know weather i could do a degree on architecture coz im doing A/Ls in bio stream? I just want to study on architecture as a second option.
Hi i am living dubai i want follow the external degree. please anyone know the details inform me. mmarzook@gmail.com
@ Mahesh – The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects http://www.slia.lk/ conducts professional courses in Architecture. You can also join University of Moratuwa BSc Architecture course with Bio Science stream after passing an aptitude test. Check ugc book. http://studentlanka.com/2010/02/09/select-university-degrees-in-sri-lanka-download-ugc-book/
The vast majority of external graduats are in Arts. They are a real burden to the country. They cant do nothing other than begging for the government jobs. The private companies never employ Arts graduates. Arts graduates are least demanded in the job market. But It is te category of graduates produced in the largest number both internally and externally. Ultimately this over-production leads to the graduates unemployment crisis and impairs the university reputation. Therefore external degree courses in Arts must be abolished in order to maintain the reputation of the Sri Lankan university system.