Path Category 05
After
A/L
Completed Advanced Level? Every path available to you — by stream. State university, private, professional qualification, and beyond.
Science Stream
Medicine (MBBS)
State & private medical faculties. 5–6 years. Highest Z-score required.
Dentistry (BDS)
University of Peradeniya & Sri Jayewardenepura. 5 years.
Engineering (BSc Eng)
Moratuwa, Peradeniya, Ruhuna & private institutes. 4 years.
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IT & Computer Science
BSc IT / CS from state or private — SLIIT, NSBM, APIIT. 3–4 years.
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Pharmacy (BPharm)
State & private universities. 4 years.
Architecture (BArch)
University of Moratuwa — competitive state entry. 5 years.
Nursing (BSc Nursing)
Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya. 4 years.
Physiotherapy
BSc Physiotherapy — Allied Health Sciences, Peradeniya. 4 years.
Agriculture / Veterinary
Faculty of Agriculture (Peradeniya, Ruhuna, Rajarata). Vet Science at Peradeniya. 4–5 years.
Quantity Surveying
BSc QS from SLIIT, NSBM; or HNDQS from SLIATE. Entry to construction PM. 3–4 years.
Food Science & Technology
Uva Wellassa University, Wayamba. Growing industry demand. 4 years.
Biotechnology / Bioscience
BSc Biotechnology at several state universities. 4 years.
Commerce Stream
BBA / BCom
Business Administration from state or private universities. 3–4 years.
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CA Sri Lanka
Chartered Accountancy via Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. 4–5 years.
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CIMA / ACCA
UK professional accounting — most demanded in corporates. Study part-time while working. 3–5 yrs.
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AAT Sri Lanka
Accounting technician entry point. Earns exemptions into CIMA & ACCA. 2–3 years.
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Banking (IBSL)
Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka professional exams. Bankers take this while employed.
CIM — Marketing
Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). High demand for brand, digital & sales roles.
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Economics Degree
BA / BSc Economics from University of Colombo or Kelaniya. 3–4 years.
Finance & Actuarial Science
BSc Finance at private universities. Actuarial exams via Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK).
IPM — Human Resources
Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM Sri Lanka). HR professional track. 3–4 years.
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CILT — Logistics & Supply Chain
Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport. Fast-growing sector in Sri Lanka.
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SLITHM — Tourism & Hospitality
Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management degree & diploma programmes.
SLII — Insurance
Sri Lanka Insurance Institute professional qualification. 2–3 years.
Arts Stream
LLB / Attorney-at-Law
Law degree at state universities, then Sri Lanka Law College SLAAS exams. 4–5 years.
BA Social Sciences
Sociology, Political Science, Geography at state universities. 3–4 years.
Education / Teaching (BEd)
Teacher training via BEd or PGDE. Leads to permanent government teaching service.
Journalism & Mass Comm.
BA Mass Communication from University of Kelaniya or private institutes. 3–4 years.
Social Work (BSW)
Bachelor of Social Work from state universities. NGO, healthcare, welfare careers. 3–4 years.
Fine Arts / Performing Arts
NCAS, Visual & Performing Arts at state universities, or private design colleges. 3–4 years.
Psychology / Counselling
BSc Psychology at private (NSBM, SLIIT) and state universities. Growing demand. 3–4 years.
Development Studies
Governance, NGO, public policy focus. State universities. Paths into UN, government. 3–4 years.
Archaeology & Heritage
BA Archaeology at University of Kelaniya. Museum, Department of Archaeology careers.
Linguistics & Translation
BA in Sinhala, Tamil, or Languages. Translation, civil service, media, teaching.
Tourism Management
BA Tourism at state unis or SLITHM diploma & degree programmes. Hospitality industry.
Library & Information Science
BSc Library & IS from state universities. Government and academic library service.
Technology Stream
HNDE — Civil Engineering
SLIATE / ATI Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering. Government-recognised. 3 years.
HNDE — Electrical Engineering
SLIATE HNDE Electrical & Electronics. ATIs across Sri Lanka. 3 years.
HNDE — Mechanical Engineering
Specialisations: Production, Automobile, Marine, Refrigeration & AC. 3 years.
IT Degree / Diploma
NIBM, SLIIT, NSBM, APIIT for IT / Computing degrees. Links to UK universities. 3–4 years.
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Quantity Surveying (HNDQS)
SLIATE HNDQS — enters construction project management. Can top-up to BSc. 3 years.
Aviation Technology
CINEC aeronautical programmes. Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or Aircraft Maintenance. 3–4 yrs.
Graphic Design / UX
Art & Design institutes, SLIATE HNDM (Multimedia), online bootcamps. 2–3 years.
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Food Technology (HNDFT)
SLIATE Food Technology diploma. Agri-processing & FMCG industry. 3 years.
Hotel & Tourism (HNDTHM)
SLIATE Hotel & Tourism Management diploma. Hospitality, events, travel sectors. 3 years.
Fashion & Textile Technology
Design colleges + apparel industry training (JAAF, BOI export processing zones). 2–3 years.
Electronics Engineering (HNDE)
SLIATE Electronics. Telecom, automation, electronics manufacturing. 3 years.
Surveying & Geo-informatics
ATI diploma or BSc Surveying (SLIIT). GIS, mapping, urban planning support roles. 3–4 years.
Cross-Stream
Open to All Streams
These options are available regardless of which A/L stream you sat.
Government Service (SLAS)
Sri Lanka Administrative Service open exam. Degree usually required for Class I & II. Highly competitive.
Teaching Service
National colleges of education and BEd programmes feed into the government teaching service. All-island intake.
Sri Lanka Armed Forces
Officer Cadet entry into Army, Navy, or Air Force. A/L + physical + interview selection process.
Sri Lanka Police (OIC Grade)
Sub-Inspector / OIC entry via competitive exam. A/L is minimum qualification. Physical + written tests.
Government Foreign Scholarships
Ministry of Education selects top A/L achievers annually for fully-funded bachelor's degrees at ranked overseas universities.
Study Abroad
Malaysia (HELP, APU, Sunway), India, UK, Australia, China — often competitive in cost vs. private Sri Lankan fees.
Online Degrees & Courses
Coursera, edX, University of London Online, and local platforms — accredited options. Best combined with part-time work.
Entrepreneurship
Register a sole proprietorship or startup. SLASSCOM programmes, BOI incentives for young founders in tech & export sectors.
Work + Professional Qualification
CIMA, ACCA, CILT, CIPM are designed to be studied part-time while employed. Employers often co-fund study fees.