Education system Sri Lanka - NufficThe minimum requirements to be admitted to higher education in Sri Lanka: • The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) wit h at least

The education system of

Sri Lanka described and compared with the Dutch system

Flow chart | Evaluation chart

Education system Sri Lanka

Education system Sri Lanka | Nuffic | 1st edition, December 2019 | version 2, February 2020 2

This document contains information on the education system of Sri Lanka. We explain the Dutch equivalent of the most common qualifications from Sri Lanka for the purpose of admission to Dutch higher education.

Disclaimer We assemble the information for these descriptions of education systems with the greatest care. However, we cannot be held responsible for the consequences of errors or incomplete information in this document. Copyright

With the exception of images and illustrations, the content of this publication is subject to the Creative Commons Name NonCommercial 3.0 Unported licence. Visit www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/copyright for more information on the reuse of this publication.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/deed.nl




Background

• Country: Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The country used to be a British colony (Ceylon) between 1796 and 1948. There was a civil war in Sri Lanka from 1983 up until 2009.

• Responsible for education: the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MOHE) and the Ministry of Skills Development and Vocational Training.

• Compulsory education: ages 5-14. • Language of instruction: Sinhala, Tamil and English. • School exams: the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) in

December and the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) in August.

• Academic year: it varies per university and can also differ per faculty within a university. The academic year can run from December to November or from January to December, but can also start in October. The academic year is usually divided into 2 semesters (and occasionally into 3 trimesters). A semester is often 15 weeks.

http://www.moe.gov.lk/

http://www.mohe.gov.lk/


http://skillsmin.gov.lk/

http://skillsmin.gov.lk/




Flow chart: education system Sri Lanka

post

grad

uate

unde

rgra

duat

e

L8

3

Doctor of Philosophy(PhD)

L7

1-2

Master/MPhil(university education)

L6

3-5

Bachelor(university education)

L4

2

General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) - GCE A/L(senior secondary education)

L4Tertiary and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

L2

4

Junior secondary education

L1

5

Primary education

L5Higher National Diploma (HND)(higher professional education)

2-3

L3General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) - GCE O/L(senior secondary education)

2

0 Duration of education




Evaluation chart

The left-hand column in the table below lists the most common foreign qualifications. The other columns show the Dutch equivalent along with the corresponding levels in the Dutch and European qualifications frameworks.

Foreign qualifications Dutch equivalent and NLQF level EQF level

General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) in 6 subjects with marks ranging from A-C

at least a VMBO-T diploma 2 2

General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) in 6 subjects with marks ranging from A-C + the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) with an Ordinary Pass (S) in at least 3 subjects and a score of at least 30% for the Common General Test

HAVO diploma 4 4

Honours Bachelor HBO bachelor’s degree or 2 years of WO

6 6

Note: • The information provided in the table is a general recommendation from

which no rights may be derived. • NLQF = Dutch Qualifications Framework. EQF = European Qualifications

Framework. • The EQF or NLQF level is not so much a reflection of study load or content;

rather, it is an indication of a person’s knowledge and skills after having completed a certain programme of study.

• Information about Dutch equivalent qualifications can be found on our website: education and diplomas the Netherlands.

• The Cooperation Organisation for Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market (SBB), evaluates statements on foreign qualifications and training at VMBO and MBO level. The evaluation may vary if SBB evaluates the diploma for admission to VET schools or the labour market in the Netherlands.

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/nuffic-glossary/voorbereidend-middelbaar-beroepsonderwijs-vmbo/

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/nuffic-glossary/hoger-algemeen-voortgezet-onderwijs-havo/

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/nuffic-glossary/hoger-beroepsonderwijs-hbo/

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/nuffic-glossary/wetenschappelijk-onderwijs-wo/

http://www.nlqf.nl/english

https://ec.europa.eu/ploteus/content/descriptors-page

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/education-and-diplomas-netherlands/

https://www.s-bb.nl/en

https://www.s-bb.nl/en




Primary and secondary education

Primary education Primary education in Sri Lanka lasts 5 years. Pupils aged 5-10 go through grades 1-5. Types of schools There are various types of schools for primary and secondary education. Some schools offer both primary and secondary education. • government schools; • private schools; • Pirivenas (Buddhist centres); • international schools. National curriculum In primary education, children are taught subjects in the 4 subject fields of the national curriculum: language, mathematics, environment related activities and religion. In the language field, schools teach the native language (Sinhala or Tamil) in grade 1 and grade 2. Pupils are introduced to English in activity-based oral English (ABOE). This means that, although English is not an official subject in grade 1 and grade 2, children are already becoming acquainted with the language during daily activities. From grade 3 on, pupils are taught English and the 2nd national language (Sinhala or Tamil) as subjects. Grade 5 Scholarship Examination At the end of the last year of primary education, pupils can take the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination. This is a competitive test administered by the Department of Examinations. The aim of the test is: • to select excellent pupils from poor families for scholarships; • to select the best pupils for leading secondary schools.

Secondary education Secondary education in Sri Lanka lasts 8 years and comprises 2 phases: • junior secondary, grade 6-9; • senior secondary, grade 10-13. Junior secondary During junior secondary, pupils aged 10-14 go through grades 6-9. In this phase, depending on the curriculum of a school, they can take a maximum of 5 subjects with English as language of instruction.

https://doenets.lk/




Senior secondary Senior secondary is divided into 2 stages: • Key stage 1 (grades 10-11) is concluded with a national examination for the

General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level). • Key stage 2 (grades 12-13) is concluded with a national examination for the

General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level). Since 2016, education has been compulsory for Sri Lankan pupils through grade 11. They are allowed to continue with grade 12 if they achieve the following examination results: • A passing grade for 6 subjects, including at least a credit pass as exam result

for their first language (Sinhala or Tamil), mathematics and 3 other subjects. National examinations The Department of Examinations is responsible for the national examinations that pupils take at the end of key stage 1 (grades 10-11) and key stage 2 (grades 12- 13). The Department of Examinations also awards the official diplomas: • General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level); and • General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level). Note: Documents provided by secondary schools are thus not official. General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) The General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) is often abbreviated as GCE O/L. • Duration: 6 years (4 years, grades 6-9 + 2 years, grades 10-11). • Content: the curriculum comprises main subjects and elective subjects (see

next section). Pupils can choose a maximum of 5 subjects to take in English. Diploma: General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level), issued by the

Department of Examinations.

GCE O/L curriculum In grade 6-9 the curriculum consists of 12 subjects: • religion; • Sinhala/Tamil language (first language); • English; • mathematics; • science;

In terms of level, the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) in 6 subjects with marks ranging from A to C is comparable to at least a VMBO-T diploma.

https://doenets.lk/




• history; • geography; • life competencies and citizenship education; • aesthetic subjects: music, art, dancing, drama and theatre; • practical and technical skills; • health and physical education; and • Sinhala/Tamil as a second language. In key stage 1 (grades 10-11), pupils take 6 main subjects: Sinhala or Tamil (first language), English (second language), science, mathematics, religion, history. In addition, they take 3 or 4 elective subjects from 3 fields: • languages and humanities; • aesthetic subjects; and • technical subjects. General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) is often abbreviated as GCE A/L. • Duration: 2 years (key stage 2: grades 12 + 13). • Content: there are 4 streams: science, commerce, arts and technology. Pupils

choose at least 3 subjects within their stream. The national examination comprises these 3 (or more) subjects, an English language test (General English) and a Common General Test.

Diploma: General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level), issued by the Department of Examinations.

Note: The subject General English does not count as 1 of the 3 subjects. In certain circumstances (if certain results are achieved), the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) + the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) are comparable in level to a VWO diploma. Get in touch with Nuffic to make a request for advice.

Vocational education and training The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) is responsible for policy related to and the quality assurance of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). After completing grade 9, pupils can start the lowest TVET level, which is level 1. The TVET has 7 educational levels.

In terms of level, the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) in 6 subjects with marks ranging from A to C + the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) with at least an Ordinary Pass (S) for 3 subjects and a score of at least 30% for the Common General Test, is comparable to a HAVO diploma.

http://www.tvec.gov.lk/




Admission to higher education

The minimum requirements to be admitted to higher education in Sri Lanka: • The General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) with at least an S for 3

subjects and a score of at least 30% for the Common General Test. University Grants Commission admission procedure The University Grants Commission (UGC) is in charge of admission to public institutions that are funded by the state. The UGC does not regulate admission to other public institutions, such as the SLIATE institutions, private institutions or the Open University of Sri Lanka. The UGC selects prospective students based on their Z score. This score is a value between -3 and +3 that indicates how a pupil's results relate to the exam results of all pupils that year. On its website, the UGC annually publishes the required minimum Z score for the degree programmes at the universities. The selection procedure is a strict one. Institutions ultimately only admit a small percentage of the GCE A level pupils.

Other admission procedures Candidates choosing to be admitted via the UGC may no longer apply to an admission procedure at a public institution that does not fall under the scope of the UGC, so candidates must choose an admission procedure: • of an institution under the scope of the UGC; or • of an institution not under the scope of the UGC.

Higher education

Higher education institutions in Sri Lanka can provide research-oriented as well as practice-oriented degree programmes. Types of institutions There are various types of institutions: • 15 public universities; • 17 postgraduate institutions under the scope of the University Grants

Commission (UGC); • 6 public universities that are not under the scope of the UGC, but of a ministry; • institutions that only provide higher professional education and that are under

the scope of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE).

In addition, there are private institutions, which are often referred to as institute, college, campus or school. In some cases, a private institution may also be a university.

http://www.ugc.ac.lk/





University and higher professional education

The public higher education institutions provide degree programmes that are oriented towards research or towards professional practice. Recognised degree programmes at private institutions are usually profession-oriented. The degrees that students can earn are: • Bachelor • Master • PhD Bachelor Institutions can offer 3 different types of bachelor's programmes: • general • honours • special degree Students with good study results for a special degree programme can be awarded an honours classification (1st/2nd class). See also the chapter entitled Assessment systems. • Duration: 3-5 years. Degree programmes for a general degree last 3 years.

The honours programmes and special degree programmes last 4 years. NB The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme is a general degree programme lasting over 5 years.

• Content: a bachelor's programme can be practice-oriented or a combination of theory and practice. In addition to attending lectures, students also complete practicals and possibly an internship. They do not write a thesis.

• Admission requirements: the GCE A/L in 3 subjects + General English + Common General Test and a good Z score. Degree programme departments can also have additional requirements, such as a stream, aptitude tests or certain exam results.

Diploma: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery.

In terms of level, the Honours Bachelor is comparable in level to a bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences (HBO) or 2 years at a research university (WO).




Master • Duration: 1-2 years. • Content: a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree programme involves

students attending lectures and in some cases also practical training (internship). Writing a thesis is not compulsory. This type of programme is referred to as a 'taught programme' and can be a combination of theoretical and practice-oriented education. In addition, there are master's programmes that focus on research (research programmes) and that do involve students writing theses. Such degree programmes often result in a Master of Philosophy degree being awarded.

• Admission requirements: a relevant bachelor's degree with good study results, or an honours bachelor's degree, and in some cases a master's degree.

Diploma: Master, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Philosophy.

PhD • Duration: 3 years. • Content: usually attending lectures, as well as writing and defending a

doctoral dissertation. • Admission requirements: a master's degree or a bachelor's degree, while

degree programme departments may also set specific requirements for the results achieved. In some cases, MPhil students can continue on to the PhD programme.

Diploma: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). External degrees and extension courses Candidates who have not been admitted to a regular degree programme have other options. Both public and private institutions provide the opportunity to earn what are known as external degrees or to take extension courses. These programmes are often practice-oriented. The admission requirements differ between institutions and often differ from the normal admission requirements. The UGC maintains a list of recognised external degrees and extension courses.

Higher professional education

There is an institute that only offers higher professional education and no research-oriented higher education. The Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) is under the direct control of the Ministry of Higher Education. SLIATE comprises 11 Advanced Technological Institutes (ATI) and 8 ATI Sections. As a result, there is a SLIATE institution in every province. SLIATE institutions offer full-time and part-time degree programmes. The duration of these varies, lasting 2 or 3 years, for example. The admission requirement is often a GCE A/L.

https://www.ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/external-degrees-a-extension-courses.html

http://www.sliate.ac.lk/





Assessment systems

Secondary education Since 2001, secondary education schools have been assessing results with the letters A through E, with an A as the highest score and E as the lowest possible passing mark. For the GCE O/L and GCE A/L, the Department of Examinations uses the following assessment system:

Score/Percentage Result Letter grade

100-75 Distinction A

74-65 Very Good Pass B

64-50 Credit Pass C

49-35 Ordinary Pass S

34-00 Weak/Failure W/F

Higher education Higher education institutions use a number of systems in conjunction. One system uses a 100-point scale. Sometimes, the points are therefore given as percentages, with 100% (100 points) as the highest score. In addition, institutions also use letters (grades) and a Grade Point Average (GPA). Some institutions award students with good study results with an honours classification (1st/2nd class), denoted on their diploma. Institutions use the GPA system to calculate who is eligible for an honours classification. Here is an example of the 3 assessment systems used by the University of Colombo.




University of Colombo Score (marks) on a scale of 100 Grade Grade Point Average (GPA)

80 and higher A+ 4.00

75 - 79 A 3.75

70 - 74 A- 3.50

65 - 69 B+ 3.25

60 - 64 B 3.00

55- 59 B- 2.75

50 - 54 C+ 2.50

45 - 49 C 2.25

40 - 44 C- 2.00

30 - 39 D 0.00 (fail)

0 - 29 E 0.00 (fail)

Incomplete I

No Credit NC

Audit AU

Withdrawn W

Withdrawn-failing WF

Repeat completed RC

Qualification frameworks

There are 2 qualification frameworks in Sri Lanka: • the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF); and • the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF). Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF), which in principle covers all education levels within higher education. In addition, the 2 secondary school diplomas, the GCE A/L and the GCE O/L, are also included in the framework. The SLQF describes 12 levels in total. Each level involves a minimum number of credits. The only levels that do not require any credits are Level 1 and Level 2.




Source: Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF), UGC (2015). National Vocational Qualifications Framework In addition to the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF), there is also a national qualifications framework for vocational education, the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF). The NVQF has 7 levels.

Accreditation and quality assurance

The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) is part of the University Grants Commission (UGC). The QAC has various duties: • The QAC provides the degree programme accreditation in higher education

(public and private institutions). • Since 2017, the QAC has been evaluating public universities with an

institutional review. Every year, a number of universities have their turn to be assessed. The QAC is expected to evaluate the final 3 universities in 2021.

• The QAC also evaluates degree programmes that result in a first degree (bachelor's programmes). This is the ‘programme review'. Not all universities

https://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_SLQF_2016_en.pdf

https://www.ugc.ac.lk/attachments/1156_SLQF_2016_en.pdf

http://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac

https://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac/institutional-review.html

https://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac/prog-review.html




participate in this. In addition, not all faculties within participating universities participate in a programme review.

• The QAC also provides peer review for fields of study and subject reviews for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Internal Quality Assurance Unit (IQAU) All of the public universities have a department that is responsible for quality assurance. These departments are referred to as Internal Quality Assurance Units (IQAU). An IQUA evaluates an institution itself, as well as its degree programmes.

Checking documents

Secondary education The Department of Examinations issues the General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) and the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level). Note: Documents provided by secondary schools are thus not official. Higher education Required for the assessment of a higher education diploma: • The diploma and list of marks, preferably an official transcript of record.

Credential evaluation Nuffic evaluates qualifications according to the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (1997). A practical implementation of these standards can be found in the European EAR manual.

Overview of institutions of higher education

There are 15 public universities that are under the control of the UGC. • University of Colombo • University of Peradeniya • University of Sri Jayewardenepura • University of Kelaniya • University of Moratuwa • University of Jaffna • University of Ruhuna • The Open University of Sri Lanka • Eastern University, Sri Lanka • South Eastern University of Sri Lanka • Rajarata University of Sri Lanka • Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka • Wayamba University of Sri Lanka • Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka • University of the Visual & Performing Arts

https://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac/subject-review.html

https://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac/iqa.html

https://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac/iqa.html

http://eurorecognition.eu/emanual/





The UGC also provides overviews of recognised higher education institutions: • Universities • Campuses • Institutes • Other government universities

Useful links

• The Ministry of Education (MOE). • The Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation (MOHE). • The Department of Examinations including information about the GCE A/L

and GCE O/L exams and certificates. • The University Grants Commission (UGC) including overviews of all recognised

higher education institutions and a list of recognised external degrees and extension courses.

• The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) provides information about the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework.

• The Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) provides information about recognised TVET institutions and courses.

• The Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technical Education (SLIATE) provides an overview of the 11 Advanced Technological Institutes (ATI) and 8 ATI Sections.

Glossary

• Duration: The official length of the full-time programme (not part-time) without study delay.

• GCE A/L: General Certificate of Education Advanced Level. • GCE O/L: General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level. • GPA: Grade Point Average, a standard way of measuring students’

achievement. • Graduate programme: A higher education programme after completion of a

bachelor’s degree. See also the description in the Nuffic Glossary: graduate. • Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC): The Convention on the Recognition of

Qualifications Concerning Higher Education in the European Region, was drafted in 1997 by the Council of Europe and Unesco to facilitate and promote fair recognition among Parties of the Convention. Read more on the website of the Council of Europe.

• UGC: University Grants Commission. • Undergraduate programme: A programme for a bachelor’s degree. See also

the description in the Nuffic Glossary: undergraduate.

https://ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/universities.html

https://ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/campuses.html

https://ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/institutes.html

https://ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes/other-government-universities.html

http://www.moe.gov.lk/


https://doenets.lk/


https://ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes.html

https://ugc.ac.lk/en/universities-and-institutes.html



http://www.eugc.ac.lk/qac

http://www.tvec.gov.lk/


https://www.nuffic.nl/en/nuffic-glossary/graduate/

https://www.coe.int/t/dg4/highereducation/recognition/lrc_en.asp

https://www.nuffic.nl/en/nuffic-glossary/undergraduate/




Examples of diplomas

General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Official statement




General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Results schedule




Bachelor Diploma




Bachelor Transcript of Records (page 1)




Bachelor Transcript of Records (page 2)