University
Degrees

paths.lk currently lists 1152+ degree programmes across 17 government universities and 82+ private higher education institutions in Sri Lanka. Each programme includes entry requirements, A/L subjects needed, duration, annual fees in LKR, and career outcomes. Use the Entry Checker at paths.lk/educational-paths/entry-check to filter programmes by your exact A/L subjects.

Sri Lanka has 17 government universities under the University Grants Commission (UGC): University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, University of Moratuwa, University of Kelaniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Ruhuna, University of Jaffna, Eastern University, South Eastern University, Rajarata University, Sabaragamuwa University, Wayamba University, Uva Wellassa University, University of the Visual & Performing Arts, Open University, University of Vavuniya, and Trincomalee Campus of Eastern University.

Government university admission in Sri Lanka is based on your A/L Z-score. You must qualify at A/L with at least three passes in the same sitting, then apply through the UGC centralised admission system. Each year the minimum Z-score cutoffs vary by stream and district. Medicine and Engineering have the highest cutoffs, while Arts and Social Sciences have lower entry thresholds. You can also apply for private universities or foreign universities without the Z-score requirement.

Sri Lanka has 82+ private universities and higher education institutes. The leading ones include: SLIIT (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology) for IT and engineering; NSBM Green University for business and IT; APIIT (Asia Pacific Institute of IT) affiliated with Staffordshire University; IIT Sri Lanka affiliated with University of Westminster; ICBT Campus; Informatics Institute of Technology; and CINEC Maritime Campus for aviation and maritime. Most private universities offer degrees affiliated with UK or Australian universities.

Most bachelor degree programmes in Sri Lanka take 3 years (General) or 4 years (Special/Honours). Engineering and Architecture take 4–5 years. Medicine (MBBS) takes 5–6 years. Law takes 4–5 years (LLB). IT and Computer Science degrees at government or private universities typically take 3–4 years. Some universities offer 2-year top-up degrees for students who already hold a relevant HND or diploma.

Government university degrees in Sri Lanka are effectively free — tuition fees are subsidised and the only direct cost is living and registration fees (under LKR 5,000 per year for most programmes). The Open University of Sri Lanka offers the most affordable part-time degree option for working adults. Among private institutions, NSBM, SLIIT and local affiliates of UK universities charge LKR 300,000–800,000 per year — cheaper than studying abroad.

For Engineering at a Sri Lankan government university (especially University of Moratuwa), you need Combined Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry (or Information Technology for some programmes) at A/L, typically in the Physical Science stream. Private universities like SLIIT may accept Physical Science or Technology stream with Maths, Physics and one other subject. The Z-score cutoff for Engineering at Moratuwa is among the highest in Sri Lanka.