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. …
- 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.
There are TEEN GRADUATE programs in Private institutions in Sri Lanka with mainly UK university DEGREES( even before O/L). Are they value in the SE field and future MASTERS OF SE? I mean job opportunities in local and foreign countries. Doing these types of course value or not. please reply.
We cannot recommend any of those. May be good.
Dear Mr.Hiran & anyone else who knows what Im talking about, please help…
I chose to do ICT, Comb. Maths and physics thinking that that will be the most suitable for a degree in a local university. I am to sit for the a/l exam in 2022, I need to do a Bsc in software engineering/comp.sci… but after reading the previous comments what i understood was that with the subjects I have chosen, I cannot enter a local university!
Please clarify-
With ICT, Maths and Physics am i able to enter a local university?
Or do I need to do chem to enter one?
You can do some Physical science courses and ICT courses and computer science with that combination.
Thank you for your reply Mr. Hiran!
But one more question please…
Does that mean that I am not eligible to enter a government/local, doing ICT, Maths & Physics?
You can do ICT courses at Universities, But cannot enter Moratuwa software engineering
Can I be a software engineer by following the computer science and technology degree at uva wellassa university?
Now software filed its all about skills you have. Not merely a university degree
Can I be a software engineer by following the computer science and technology degree at uva wellassa university?
I do the combined maths,physics and chemistry for A/L. Can i become a software engineer without IT
Yes. You need skills.
If I study Commerce stream with B.Studies , Accounting & IT and do advanced IT degree do I can become a Software Engineer in future?
Yes. but you need necessary skills.
Is it important to get an A for maths to do computer engineering? Because I have already got an B for my GCS examination…
You need good results at A/L examination
If I do AL ICT instead of Chemistry in Maths stream ill not be able to go to the engineering faculty and i can do some IT and computer science degrees. are they sufficient to become a sw engineer in srilanka?
Can become IT professional
Hiran do you even know about this field? People become software engineers even without degrees.
You can’t enter to a gov university engineering degree without doing A/L chemistry. But can do other IT degrees. Also you can do IT related degrees at private universities too. The degree you hold doesn’t really matter if you have skills. Keep yourself updated with new technologies.
what are the IT degrees i can study if i chose ict instead of chemistry in AL s.
And can we study all the same degrees?
Cannot do engineering
A/L Arts ekka IT subject eka karala software engineer kenek wenna puluwan da? O/L maths walata A ekak thiyenawa.
IT professional kenek wenna puluwan. adu gane technology subjects wath karanna
I’m graduate with Bcom degree so i want to start, how can i do it..
Go to Private University and do a degree in this field.
Maths ekk chemistry krl engineering faculty yan ekenui Maths ekk OCT krn ekenui mokkd wada hoda, wada lesi ?
Sorry ICT
Chemistry nathuwa engineering yanna ba. But IT related anith degree karanna puluwan.
Al walata s2i tynne.private campus ekaka software engineering karala job ekakata apply karaddi al s3 illnawad? Job ekakta yaddi s3 aniwaaryamada?private degree 1 karath s3 illnawad?
you can do some courses with O/L results
A/L Maths karaddi aniwarenma Chemistry karanna oneda software engineering karnna?? chemistry nethuwa ICT krl software engineering course ekata apply karoth government campus walata ganne nedda???
Chemistry nathuwa engineering faculty yanna ba. Japura Kelaniya Mora IT karanna puluwan
Vta, cot, tec,wage government ewageth ict course karala nvq system eken..software engineering,networ engineering,multimedia and web development engineering..degree course 3na karanna pluwn univertech eke.
Is it necessarily important to do chemistry when choosing the maths stream in order to become a software engineer??
to enter engineering faculty you need to do Chemistry. Without chemistry you can do certain IT and computer science degrees.
Great