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.
Nomin says
with a computer science degree in morotuwa
can i become a software engineer at google
Hiran says
You need a software engineering degree.
Nomin says
do software engineering available in morotuwa
Hiran says
Yes. but you need to obtain good z score in mathematics stream to enter engineering courses like this one.
Lawanya says
I’m selected Combined Mathematics, Physics, ICT for my A/L. Can I become a software engineer?
Nayana Lalanthi says
I’m selected C.Maths,Physics,ICT for my A/L. can I become a software engineer? & what are the best university for software engineering in Sri Lanka doing above subjects?
Hiran says
Best course for software engineering is University of Moratuwa. But you cannot enter that course since you are not following combined mathematics. But you can do various other IT degrees.
erandi says
mama ucsc eke bit krnwa.mata software engineering krana puluwanda bit krala
Hiran says
You can do jobs relating to software development.
Chathura says
mama A/L walata c.maths , physics , ICT karanawa. University yanna Z-score eka kochchara onaweida?Software engineering (bsc.) degree yanna. Nasa, google wage job karanna monawada thawa ona wenne.
Hiran says
google wage software engineer kenek wenna nam Moratuwa Univ software engineering karala thiyenawanam watinawa. ekata ICT karala ba Maths karanna one.
Nomin says
im doing com.maths,physics,chemistry
can i enter morotuwa university and do software engineering..
Hiran says
Yes you can follow Mora software engineering
Thilakshi perera says
engineer tech ekka it karala web developer kenek wenna puluwanda
Hiran says
Ow puluwan.
Gayashi Geevindi says
i can do a software engineer degree by doing biology for advance level
Hiran says
You can do various IT jobs by doing Biology. But to become engineer you need to go to engineering faculty, for that you need maths.
gayashi geevindi says
can i become a software engineer by doing advance level – commerce
Hiran says
You need a engineering degree to qualify you as a recognized engineer.
Bhavana says
I’m Selected Engineering technology, ICT, SFT in my A/L. Can I become a software engineer
Kenija Rajan says
I’m selected Engineering technology in my A/L . Can I become a software engineer?
Hiran says
It is better to do mathematics stream
muhfees says
why cannot become a software engineer in technology stream A/L
Hiran says
You can become a software developer. Designer
Kenija Rajan says
I’m Selected Engineering technology,ICT,Science for technology for my A/L . Can I become a software engineer?
Lakshan says
Is technology stream available in English medium? Most of the schools are conducting it in Sinhala and Tamil medium.Can you show me the way of doing a/l privately for the first time or else doing in sinhala is useless because i have studied in English medium.And also there are no schools i think.please help me.
Thanks in advance!
Sahan says
A/L walata tech karala IT paththen yanna puluwan hoda job monawada?
Hiran says
With Tech and IT you cannot become software Engineer.
Sahan says
Mage O/L result mathematics B English S mata A/L wala hoda z core ekak thiyanawa mage o/l result english S eka thibunata mata university ekata athulwenna puluwanda.
Hiran says
University selection is based on A/L results.
peshala says
how to apply software engineer course without A/l results
Aththas says
which is the best university for computer science in sri lanka?
Hiran says
Tricky question. Moratuwa has software engineering. UCSC, Japura, Kelaniya offers computer science degrees.
Isuru says
Qhen i choose the tec subject can i be a software engineer?
Y.I.K.Perera says
If I selected ICT instead of Chemistry in AL .Can I enter government universities ?
If then what are the universities °rees ?
Hiran says
You can do physical science, computer science in some universities
R.KENIJA says
I’m doing A/L in technology stream. Can I became a software engineer without mathematics
Hiran says
No. You can become IT professional.
Kenija Rajan says
What subject I should choose for A / L to want to be a software engineer
Hiran says
Comb mathematics, Physics, chemistry
Dumidu Viduranga says
Chemistry Or IT!!
Isuru says
When we choose tec aubject can we be a software engineer then what should we choose insted subject in it.
P.imanshika says
I did biology stream for al. What are the courses for be a software engineer
Hiran says
Software engineering is good for Mathematics students. You can select other IT related courses, jobs.
Jawidh says
I do Physical.science as A/L stream.What is minimum Z-score required to Enter Computer science?
Hiran says
check last year Z score values here
https://studentlanka.com/2017/06/06/z-scores-for-university-admissions-201617-based-on-2016-al-results/
Raju says
private campus are give computer science /software engineering b.sc/b.eng degrees to both physical science stream and bioscience stream students.are they valid or not? I’m bioscience stream student.can i do software engineering or computer science private course?
Hiran says
If these Private Institute degrees are recognized by the Employers then there will not be a problem. However best software engineers should have Mathematical background.
Upulie says
How good is the pcjt SW Engineering course @ Java institue compared with the courses stated here?
Sujithherath says
I’m doing a/l in biology stream .can i apply to the computer science course in colombo ucsc
Lie says
No computer science is a physical science degree. U can do IT or BIT degrees