Updated 2021 May
A software engineer is one of the top jobs right now. It pays well, it is highly rewarding, and the opportunities are incredible. For someone in Sri Lanka, getting into the field is not that difficult, at least if you meet the requirements and put your all into it. Numerous options exist for anyone who wants to enter the field. To do this, though, you need to learn the steps and necessities. Any IT field will have certain requirements. For this one, taking a course in software engineering and earning a degree is such a requirement. An educational background is an important piece of realizing your dream as a professional in this sought after field.
The demand for professionals is always high, and you can continually find exceptional job opportunities that pay well.
Who is Computer Software Engineer?
Software engineers, are also called software developers and they design and develop software applications or computer systems. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.
There are two functions of a software engineer: development of new applications and maintenance.
It doesn’t matter what sort of tools are programming languages you use, as long as you are fulfilling these roles and writing code, you are a software engineer.
Career Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, software engineering or related field. Some employers may prefer a master’s degree
Key Skills – Analytical, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills as well as creativity and attention to detail; familiarity with database management, development environment, program testing and other related software
First, you should understand the job in general. Do your research to know if it is a good fit for you. For software engineering, that education comes from coursework and degrees. The course type that you would have for such a degree includes math, computer literacy, engineering, and a variety of other areas relevant to computer work, programming languages, and software.
There are several options in Sri Lanka that have accredited, trusted courses that can help you to stay on top of the field. They specialize in building successful, capable software engineers that can work all across the globe, getting in major corporations and starting their own businesses.
When you find a good place, stick with it. Engineering coursework has a tendency to up the difficulty, but it is worth it once you get into the field and start making a name for yourself.
Where to get an IT degree in Sri Lanka
Degree from a National University
- Computer Science and Engineering Degree at Universtiy of Moratuwa
- Computer Software Enineering courses at University of Sri Jayewardenepura or other Engineering Faculties
- Bachelor Of Computer Science Degree Programme at University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC)
- Compuer Science @ Univesity of Sri Jayewardenepura
- Computer Science @ Univesrsity of Kelaniya
Other Govenment Univesities that offer Computer science and Software engineering degrees eg. Peradeniya, Ruhuna, Uva-Wellassa.
However to enter most of these courses you need pass and have a good Z-score at GCE A/L examination in Mathematics stream (by following combined matematics as a subject). However you may enter into some of the IT courses by following IT as a subject or with science subjects.
External BIT Degrees and Open University
- Bachelor of Software Engineering Honors Degree offered by OUSL and UGC (offered free under government loan scheme)
- Bachelor of Information Technology BIT External degree from UCSC
- BIT External Degree from University of Moratuwa
- Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours at Open University
Private Degrees Options in IT
- Private IT degrees
- Higher education and career options in IT, Computer Science after A/L
- Computing and information Technology courses offered by SLIIT, NIBM, NSBM Green Campus, APIIT, Informatics, IDM, ESOFT and many other Private Institutes.
- Follow a professional degrees in IT such as BCS/ ACS/ NCC.
Follow these steps to become software engieer:
- Study Mathematics for A/L…… (Now with some degrees you can become an software engineer by following any subject, You need relevant skills on the particular field.)
- Earn a degree in software engineering or a related field. Most software engineer positions require a bachelor’s degree. …
- Begin programming immediately. (Learn Python)
- Build software. …
- Seek an internship. …
- Find job opportunities. …
- Consider your career goals.
Follow online Course in Software, IT, Development or Design
There are many online courses available now, where you can gain access to world-class online courses and learning content. Some are free and some are paid courses, some courses offer certificates, diplomas and even degrees. These courses include video lessons, quizzes, hands on practice techniques, class notes, access to recent resources etc. Some of these courses are offered by world class top University academics in the world and come by technical industry experts in software and IT filed.
Coursera Massive Open Online Courses
Coursera provides online access to the world’s best education. More than 20 million learners from around the globe have come to Coursera to take courses offered by its partners, universities like the University of Pennsylvania, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Princeton, and top international universities.
Explore 1600+ online courses from top universities. Join Coursera today to learn data science, programming, business strategy, and more.
Udemy online courses
Udemy offers Software Engineering courses for all levels: beginner to advanced. You can Understand the core concepts and algorithms of software engineering using Java, Python, Ruby, C++, PHP, Pascal, iPhone, Android and Object Oriented Programming here. More than 10,000 expert instructors have published online courses on Udemy. These courses start at US $10. Over 13 million students in 150+ countries are taking these courses to advanced their careers and pursue their passions. Each course is available on-demand, 24 / 7, via the iPhone, iPad, Android and Web.
Can you become a Software Engineer by doing A/L in Technology Stream?
If you are really committed to become Software Engineer or Developer you need to do Mathematics for GCE A Level. Therefore you need to follow Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry to enter into Government Engineering Faculty. But now you can do IT instead of Chemistry and enter some Computer Science Degree programs.
If you haven’t done Computer Science or Software Engineering degree then you can do other IT jobs: design, hardware, networking, technical writing etc.
Status of IT Degrees identified by SLASSCOM, the national chamber for the IT/BPM industry (Vision 2022 Report)
- State universities currently produce 3,000 students per year
- Lack of an authority to ensure quality of private higher education
- Low awareness on industry career prospects, particularly within the BPM (Business Process Management) sector.Read Matched Content:
Software Engineering is about how to engineer (design and create) software. But there are various other careers in the IT, software and development fields on how to use these software: Business Analyst, Graphic design, Customer service, Data Entry, Hardware, Networking or System Administrator, Sales, Technical Support (Technician or Help Desk) or Technical Writing.
studentlanka says
You won’t become a good programmer by memorising code and algorithms. Programming is about thinking not about remembering. You can have the best memory, but if you’re not thinking for yourself you’ll NEVER be a good programmer i.e. we have computers and the internet to remember things for us, so there’s no need for you to remember anything – you just need to know where and how to find the information you need.
Uthsara Bandara says
Can i enter software engineering faculty of Moratuwa university by doing maths,physics and ICT for A/Ls?
Hiran says
No u cannot enter
CmdJ says
Sir,
I’am a AL mathematics student. How many result does i need to be a software engineer?
Hiran says
If u need to select to Engineering Faculty then you need very good Z score
CMDJ says
Sir,
I’m sorry sir. But I don’t think that i can go to university. But i like to be a software engineer. Please tell me, Is there another way to be a software engineer?
Hiran says
You can do a Private IT degree https://studentlanka.com/2011/09/26/private-it-degrees-in-sri-lanka-cost-and-study-options/ or HND IT is Government free course https://studentlanka.com/2014/12/08/higher-national-diplomas-institute-of-advanced-technological-education-sliate/
Ahamed says
Mata software negineer kenek wenna o/l eken mona resultda awama ganna ona??A/l wala mona stream ekenda yanna ona?software engineer kenekta monthsly salary eka kiyada?
Hiran says
You need to do Physical science – Mathematics stream.
Fazil Ahamed says
sir
I did my a Level in E.technology with ICT
I wanna knw whatz BIT & software engineering
watz tbe difrt btwen thoz two
Sareesa Samadhi says
Maths mean Can I do physics
Hiran says
You need to follow A/L Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry to enter into Government Engineering Faculty. But now you can do IT instead of Chemistry and enter some Computer Science Degree programs.
Sareesa Samadhi says
To become a software engineer can I do I.T,English,Computer Science for A/ L in Art stream
Hiran says
U need to do maths. There is no computer science subject for AL
Nalin says
Can software engineers find jobs in kandy or any other towns? Or only in colombo?
shaz says
i am hoping to select i.c.t ,physics and mathematics to achieve my goal to become a software engineer ?can i achieve it with the aid of this three subjects?
Hiran says
U cannot goto engineering faculty. But u can do computer science at university of Sri Jayewardenapura
Sandeepa says
Can I be a software engineer by doing A/L Technology. And what are the IT jobs of doing that subject
Hiran says
To become real software engineer do A/L mathematics stream. If you want other IT technitian do IT and technology stream.
Naween says
I sat for the O/L Exam held in 2016,
How could I be a softwear engineer.What are the required subjects one should follow in Mathematics stream to become a Software Engineer?
Is it Chemistry or ICT with Combined Math and Physics? If II select ICT can I fallow my gole?
Hiran says
Do mathematics stream
shaz says
Should we choose I.C.T Or chemistry with combined mathematics?which is appropriate and easy to become a software engineer?
Hiran says
You need to follow Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry to enter into Government Engineering Faculty. But now you can do IT instead of Chemistry and enter some Computer Science Degree programs.
shazi says
Should we choose I.C.T or chemistry in the combined mathematics stream to become a software engineer?
which one is more appropriate and easy?
Hiran says
Need chemistry to goto engineering faculty
shaz says
Can we become a software engineer by choosing information technology as one of the the a/l subject?
Hiran says
ICT is not Engineering subject
nidi99 says
I have done c.maths, physics ,it.and z is about 2.3.whats the best course i can follow?
sheran says
I sat for the O/L Exam held in 2016 December,still waiting for the results.
How could i can be a soft wear Engineer.What are the miniumam results that i shuld have or what are the foundation courses i should fallow.
Hiran says
Do A Level mathematics stream
aruna udana says
UCSC BSc information system. Is it good to follow. Does it have good job opportunities?
Kid says
Can a commerce student (without doing ICT as a subject) with a nearly 2.0 Z-score get into Moratuwa University IT faculty?
luffar says
sir.. after doing commerce for A/l can we become a software engineer
Nafeel Mohammed says
I did technology stream for A Level. Can I become software engineer? what i want to do?
Faslur Rajah says
Which on is best?
1- Bsc (Hons) Sof. eng in UCSC (7 years)
2-Bsc(special) Sof.Eng in kelaniya (4 years)
Hiran says
For both you need good A Level Z score. There are no 7 year degrees.
Faslur Rajah says
3 years – BSc CS
4 years-BSc(Hons)CS or BSc(Hons)Software Engineering
Totally 7 years
?
Faslur Rajah says
Which one have more job opportunity in Srilanka or Worldwide??
Hiran says
Software engineers have jobs local or foreign jobs
Haneen says
What are the required subjects one should follow in Mathematics stream to become a Software Engineer?
Is it Chemistry or ICT with Combined Math and Physics?
Thanks in Advance
Hiran says
If u have done mathematics then it’s ok. Mat. Phy. Chem. Or maths Physics It.
Faslur Rajah says
Sir!
What is the different between Bsc(Hons)Sof.Eng in UCSC and Bsc(Special) Sof.Eng in university of Kaleniya???
Hiran says
Different university.
gayan says
How is the IJSE software engineering course??? It’s good course?????
Dinu says
I did Biology for A Level. Can I become software engineer?
Hiran says
Yes. Follow required degree programs
Asitha says
Some think that they can become software engineer by doing Technology for A/L?