University admission in Sri Lanka

Official entry requirements

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2025. Universities may set higher requirements.

School-leaving qualification (upper secondary)

• Collegiate Level2 years, from age 16

  Minimum entry: GCE O-level

  Awards: GCE Advanced-level (GCE A-level)

Bachelor's or equivalent (first degree)

• Bachelor's degree3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: Bachelor's degree (General/Hons)

• Bachelor of Agro-Technology4 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level or equivalent

  Awards: B.Ag.Tec.Hon

• Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: MBBS

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: BDS

• Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery/ Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery/Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: BAMS/BUMS/BSMS

• Bachelor of Architecture5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: B Arch

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: BVSc

Short-cycle tertiary (diplomas)

• Teacher Certification3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: National Diploma in Teaching

• National Diploma in Technology3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: NDT Non NVQ

• Higher National Diploma in English/HND in Information Technology/HND in Business Administration/HND in Food Technology/HND in Quantity Survey/HND in Business Finance2.5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: HND in English/HNDIT (NVQ Level 6)/HNDBA/HNDFT (NVQ Level 6)/HNDQS/HNDBF

• Higher National Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management/HND in Agriculture/HND in Management3 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: HNDTHM/HNDT (Agri-NVQ Level 6)/HNDM

• NAITA - National Diploma in Engineering Sciences (NDES) NVQ level 64 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level or ages 16-25

  Awards: NDES NVQ Level 6

• Higher National Diploma in Engineering/ HND in Building Services3.5 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level or age below 23

  Awards: HNDE (NVQ Level 6) / HNDBS

• Higher National Diploma in Accountancy (HNDA)4 years, from age 19

  Minimum entry: GCE A-Level

  Awards: HNDA Non NVQ