Educational institutions and study programmes

Secondary education is offered by schools, but students do their nationals exams via the Department of Examinations. Therefore, the Department of Examinations issues the official diplomas. These are the official secondary education diplomas:

• General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level); and
• General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level).

There are 2 types of higher education institutions:

• public higher education institutions; and
• private higher education institutions

Public higher education institutions

There are various types of public higher education institutions:

• public universities under the scope of the University Grants Commission (UGC);
• public universities that are not under the scope of the UGC, but of a ministry;
• institutes under the scope of the UGC;
• institutions that are under the scope of the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technical Education (SLIATE).

Public higher education institutions offer research-oriented and profession-oriented study programmes. SLIATE institutions are the exception: they only offer profession-oriented study programmes. The 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.

Private higher education institutions

In addition to public higher education institutions, there are private higher education institutions, which are often referred to as campus, college, institute or school. In some cases, a private higher education institution may also be a university. Recognised study programmes at private higher education institutions are usually profession-oriented.

• Some educational institutions are only recognised to offer certain study programmes. This usually concerns the private higher education institutions. On the UGC website, you can find an overview of these institutions' recognised study programmes: Other Recognized Degrees.
• 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 an overview of recognised external degrees and extension courses.