The Open University of Sri Lanka

Jul 31, 2010 40 Comments by

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) operates based on the concept Open and Distance Learning (ODL). It caters to a wider population of people scattered over the country to pursue higher education at their choice. The university policy on admission would enable a person to register at the lowest ‘Level’ only with basic educational qualifications (eg: Foundation Courses) and then climb up to postgraduate level. Some of the courses even do not require GCE O/L as an entry requirement.




Open University was established by the government of Sri Lanka under the Universities Act No. 16 of 1978. The main purpose of establishing such a university is providing higher educational opportunities to working adults, ensuring their educational and professional qualifications. However later it became popular among students who wanted to obtain a degree from a National University.

The concept of Distance Education is facilitated via the network of Regional Centers, Study Centers and Teaching Centers throughout the country. The Headquarters is situated in Nawala, Nugegoda while regional centers are situated in Kandy, Matara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Jaffna. There are 18 study centers in other districts and 6 teaching centers also.
The Open University of Sri Lanka operates under five faculties such as
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Engineering Technology
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences
• Post Graduate Institute of English

Under each faculty they offer courses varying form basic courses such as Foundation courses to advanced courses such as Masters and PhD.

Faculty of Education was established on 01st February, 2003. It currently consists of three Departments: Department of Secondary & Tertiary Education, Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education and Department of Special Needs Education.

Faculty of Engineering Technology consists of six academic departments such as Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Textile and Apparel Technology, Agricultural and Plantation Engineering and Mathematics & Philosophy of Engineering. The faculty offers two major study programmes namely Technology (Engineering), and Industrial Studies in various specializations using Open and Distance Learning methodology.

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is the largest Faculty of the Open University of Sri Lanka not only in terms of student numbers but also in terms of the number of academic programs administered and the graduates produced. The four academic Departments, namely the Department of Language Studies, the Department of Legal Studies (Law), the Department of Management Studies and the Department of Social Studies have given the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences a multidisciplinary outlook.  Department of Legal Studies offer Degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB).

Faculty of Natural Sciences at the Open University was established in 1987. Today it has grown into the six Departments, Botany, Chemistry, Health Sciences, Math & Computer Science, Physics and Zoology.
To facilitate the Distance Learning concept the OUSL Library collection is available online through Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). The Library collection is accessible through the Campus Wide Information Network as well. The users can Search the full collection including books, course materials, journals, Audio-visuals, CD-ROMs etc., can check the availability books, can check your own borrowing status and reserving the books online. Also they offer students online Learning Management Systems (LMS) using Moodle and Virtual Classroom programs.

The study programs offered by Open University has really benefitted students who are not capable of enter a National University based on their Z-Score mark at A/L. However it’s said that examination results are released in a more systematic way and pass rates are lower at final stages of degree programs.

Contact details: Main Hunting Number (incoming only) 0112853777, Other Hunting Numbers (incoming only), 0112853023, 0112854300, 0112853028, 0112856201

Related Posts:

Online degrees in Sri Lanka
External degrees in Sri Lanka
CIMA – a quick guide
National Institute of Business Management-NIBM
Sri Lanka School of Agriculture – Diplomas
Sri Lanka Law College


The Open University of Sri Lanka The Open University of Sri Lanka The Open University of Sri Lanka SKU UPC Model

Affordable degree courses with high standard

Feb 25, 2013 by Prageesha Galagedara

Unlike other private degree awarding institutes, you have to earn OU degrees with some effort and time.


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40 Responses to “The Open University of Sri Lanka”

  1. Lakmal says:

    Sr,
    i have one s passes in a/l maths.I like to do computer engineer in ou.Have an another way enter for OU Without three S passes?Thank you sr.

  2. Ashan Madushanka Weerakkody says:

    Sir,
    I want to know what is more good university for choice me.(Btech Civil Engineering.)
    Open University or UNIVERTECH in Rathmalana.?

  3. What to do after O/L examination? | Student Sri Lanka Educational Network says:

    [...] shortly after O/Levels by following programs at some private universities, or even enter into Open University or External degree programs such as BIT (BSc degree in Information Technology).  For this option [...]

  4. tishani says:

    Hi
    I completed igcse ol’s… And presently doing higher diploma in business managemnt.. I dnt knw whts gng to be ma nxt step… I need ur advice!

  5. Higher Education Choices for 18+ after GCE AL in Sri Lanka and aborad | Student Sri Lanka Educational Network says:

    [...] Open University degrees are also well recognized in Sri Lanka and abroad. By following a degree program here, you can get a well recognized degree at a low cost. [...]

  6. FarA says:

    I would like to do a online course in education from ouc is it possible

  7. ziara says:

    sir i want to follow dip.in primary education( tamil medium). I have only two passes in A/L. and currently im following cer.in proffes.english teaching course at IWMS colombo. I have 5 years of teaching experiens in primary education at one of orphen school in colombo. Shel i follow the above course ? When it will starts?pls let me know

  8. Sasindu says:

    I have 3 passes at A/l in Maths subjects. So please let me know can I do industrial studies in agriculture.
    Thank you

  9. Career and Higher study options after A/L - free seminar after exams | Student Sri Lanka Educational Network says:

    [...] Business Management-NIBM Sri Lanka Law College Degree -John Kotelawala Defence University Academy Open university of Sri Lanka No related posts. careers [...]

  10. Hiran
    Hiran says:

    Please contact Registrar of OU to get your certificate.

  11. Binari says:

    I completed Industrial studies(BSC) degree in year 2009. I have been living in Australia since 2009 and due to this I couldn’t attend to the graduation was held in year 2011. So please let me know how to receive my degree certificate?

  12. Hiran
    Hiran says:

    sarah – It depends on the subjects you choose. some external degrees are in English medium.

  13. sarah says:

    Hi sir
    im hoping to do GAQ,(English Medium)
    i want to know in which universities that is available?
    when the course starts?,crs fee,?
    kindly request u to reply soon.
    thank U…

  14. National Diploma in Technology NDT offered by University of Moratuwa | Student Sri Lanka Educational Network says:

    [...] Degree. Related: Sri Lanka Law College Degree -John Kotelawala Defence University Academy Open university of Sri Lanka Courses you can do after Advanced Level Find government jobs, courses from Government Gazette/ [...]

  15. Hiran
    Hiran says:

    Check Dept of Agriculture and Plantation Industries at Open University
    http://www.ou.ac.lk/eng/agri/index.php/en/home-mainmenu-1/deaprtment-of-agriculture

  16. S. Rameash says:

    I want to know waht are the distance courses in agriculture available at OUSL and in which branch these courses available.

    I suggest to have a separate site for the agricultural courses in the OUSL web site.

  17. Careers in Medical Sector - Sri Lanka - abroad | Student Sri Lanka Educational Network says:

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  21. Courses you can do after Advanced Level | Student Sri Lanka Educational Network says:

    [...] subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics etc. you can register into Open University degree programs. Open University degrees are also well recognized and this is a low cost option to expensive [...]

  22. lakshi says:

    May i know whether the open university is good to do a Bsc degree ?

  23. shashika says:

    Mr.Hiran,

    I got 1A & 2 B passes in commerce stream in 2008.while i’m doing Bsc in Administration UGC suspended that.could i know how to enter to doing that degree?
    Thanks

  24. Hiran
    Hiran says:

    faazil – I think you should consider in doing a degree, and may be then to MBA

  25. faazil says:

    Hi Mr.Hiran

    I’ve actually done my AAT Foundation and Intermediate stages and got through them successfully. Then I found accounting boring and switched to HRM, so in HRM I passed the Foundation course in HRM (stage 1) and certificate course in HRM(stage 2) successfully in Distinction pass. Now I’m a little reluctant to head with the next stage which is professional Qualification in HRM,cause it was now that i realized it wasn’t accepted in the USA, as I have a plan on Moving there in 2 years time..Now i feel Like getting my hands into Business management and marketing too as a double major,as I’m much passionate into Theoretical perspective..but at times I get the fear if I had made the right choice,this really let’s me think deeply & keeps me bothered,cause all i want is to be successful and do good someday.would highly appreciate if anyone could help me with any kind of suggestions, reviews, tips,tricks or hints posted here..
    Thank u in advance for all ya time.

  26. Hiran
    Hiran says:

    @BADURDEEN RUBY – Normally you can complete OU degrees withing 3 years if you work hard. Cost is less than Private institutes.

  27. BADURDEEN RUBY says:

    dear hiran sir,i got 3 passes including B C C.at A/L 2009.now i would like to degree of english course.at open university.if i’m going to do this with full time’how many years will take to complete degree?how much i payment?

  28. Hiran
    Hiran says:

    K.M Dilshan Udara – I do not know about details on computer engineering course at OU. Normally OU degrees take three years to complete, if you do them as full time. But many students take more than this time, and some do not complete at all.
    Other options for computing degrees are – SLIIT (or NIBM)

  29. K.M Dilshan Udara says:

    Dear hiran sir,i got 3S passes at A/L 2010.Now i would like do computer engineering degree at open univercity.if i’m going to do this with full time,how many years will take to complete degree??

  30. danushka says:

    i want to get pass peppers for law exam.pls tell me how i get it.i will face the exam in January 16th 2011.

  31. Ramona says:

    I want to know what are the courses available in the open university

  32. Lalitha Kumari says:

    I want to know whether you’ll are advertising the Law courses at the OPU. If so, pl. be kind enough to mail through my e-mail number which is already given.

  33. FAZMIL says:

    WHAT KINDS ARE LABORATORY COURSE PLS TELL

  34. Kalana says:

    I think Dilshan’s fact is also true, but there’s a real problem in passing the higher level exams.

  35. GWN Dilshan says:

    Not the authorities Farook
    Students doesnt really want to study but they want only the degree to get a job…

    Thats the problem

  36. Farook says:

    Add to Hirans comment.
    This is a one drawback of Sri Lankan external degrees and diatance learning. You can pass easily at initial stages but not at final levels. Authorities have to pay their attention on this!

  37. Hiran
    Hiran says:

    Gayanthika, This is a common question asked by many who want to register OU degrees. Compared to management external degrees, OU science degree with practicals may be more difficult. Because of this many applicants take more than three years to compete, and student completion rate is very low.
    However number of students who get a degree (completion rate) is also low in many other external degree programs (such as BIT) also, as students do jobs and do not study hard.

  38. Gayanthika says:

    I have heard that it will take more years to complete degrees because most are failed in the exams. Is it true?

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