1. What are the Study Programmes offered by the Faculty of Education?
Study Programmes are made up of different course combinations for the award of a
qualification through a
programme such as, Advanced Certificate, Honours
Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, and Masters’ Degree
programmes. Also, many short courses are offered by the Faculty of Education.
Certificate Programmes
• Advanced Certificate in Pre School Education Programme (ACPE)Bachelor’s Degree Programmes
• Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Natural Sciences [BEd Hons (Natural Sciences)] Degree ProgrammePost Graduate Programmes
• Post Graduate Diploma in Education Programme (PGDE)Masters’ Programmes
• Degree of Master of Education Programme(MEd)2. Are these programmes full time or part time?
• All programmes are full time and will be taught using open and distance learning mode.
3. What are the short courses conducted by the Faculty of Education?
Short Courses
• Short Course on Research Methodology
• Short Course on Child Development
• Short Course on Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities
• Short Course on Inclusive Education
4. Will I be an external student?
• All Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) students are internal students. We provide
comprehensive learner
support through study material, tutorial support and
other academic assistance to all our students.
5. Can I study while being employed?
• Yes, our university has been established primarily to cater to adults and the
employed.
• Flexible teaching-learning mode is particularly suited to those employed to achieve their higher
educational aspirations.
• Face-to-face teaching sessions are minimal. No regular lectures as in conventional universities.
6. When will applications be called for the Study Programmes?
• Applications are called once every year through newspaper advertisements and university website.
7. How can I apply for a study programme?
• Applications must be submitted ONLINE before the deadline, using the link in the OUSL
webpage.
• International students should contact the International Relations Division.
Email : dirir@ou.ac.lk ; ird@ou.ac.lk
8. What are the entry requirements for admission to a Study Programme?
• Please refer the latest Student Handbook in the Faculty webpage.
9. Is there any possibility to follow any degree programme without G.C.E. A/L qualification?
• Yes. However, you need to follow relevant Advanced Certificate Programme (foundation
programme)
recommended by the faculty before applying for the
programme.
10. How can I get more information about programmes?
• You may download the Student Handbook from the Faculty website.
11. Are there Selection Tests for study programmes?
There are selection tests for the following programmes.
• Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary Education Degree Programme
• Post Graduate Diploma in Education Programme
• Degree of Master of Education Programme
12. Are there interviews for study programmes?
There are interviews for the following programmes.
• Degree of Master of Teacher Education Programme
• Degree of Master of Arts in Education Programme
• Degree of Master of Special Needs Education Degree Programme
13. Is there any age limit to follow any programme?
• Should be over 18 years.
14. How am I informed about the registration?
• Students will be informed individually to register for the Programme on a specified date by e-mail.
15. What are the documents that I should produce for the registration?
• Educational qualifications, birth certificate, national Identity card (NIC)
• Two passport size colour photographs
16. When will the registration take place?
• Usually, one month after the closing date of the applications
• Must register on the date specified.
17. Do I have to come in-person for the registration?
• Yes, it is essential that you come yourself for registration as there may be
clarifications to make.
• In unavoidable circumstances you may send all relevant documents with copies through a nominated person
with a letter of authorisation.
18. How much will I have to pay?
| Serial No. | Programme | Amount (Approximately) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Certificate in Pre-School Education Programme Level 2 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| 2 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Natural Sciences Degree Programme Level 5 & 6 | Rs. 146,320/- |
| 3 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Drama and Theatre Degree Programme Level 5 & 6 | Rs. 247,420/- |
| 4 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Special Needs Education Degree Programme Level 5 & 6 | Rs. 150,200/- |
| 5 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary Education Degree Programme Levels 3, 4, 5 & 6 | Rs. 206,000/- |
| 6 | Post Graduate Diploma in Education Programme | Rs. 69,100/- |
| 7 | Post Graduate Diploma in Special Needs Education Programme | Rs. 80,000/- |
| 8 | Degree of Master of Education Programme | Rs. 90,000/- |
| 9 | Degree of Master of Teacher Education Programme | Rs. 111,000/- |
| 10 | Degree of Master of Special Needs Education Programme | Rs. 120,000/- |
| 11 | Degree of Master of Arts in Education Programme | Not yet offered |
19. Should I pay full amount at once during the registration?
• Payment can be made in four installments per year.
20. Will I be able to obtain a Mahapola or other Bursary awarded by the Open University?
• You are entitled to Mahapola bursaries if you are unemployed.
• But you may be entitled to other bursaries awarded by the OUSL on merit/needs basis.
• Student Handbook and OUSL website provide information on bursaries.
21. Can I add/drop courses after registration?
• Yes, the OUSL permits to add or drop courses during the ‘add/drop’ period, and to drop
courses on the ‘drop
date’.
• Add/drop’ period and ‘drop date’ are informed through the Faculty webpage.
• If you fail to drop a course during the ‘add/drop’ period but drop it subsequently, the fees applicable to
that course will be forfeited. However, this will not have
any effects on the grades that you would get
for
this course after a subsequent registration.
• If you fail to drop a course even on the ‘drop date’, you are considered to have failed the course, and if
you
register again and follow the course the highest
grade you are entitled to is C grade.
22. Can I withdraw from the programme after registration?
Yes, you can. If you withdraw from the programme before the ‘add/drop’ period, you are
refunded 90% of the
course fees paid. Otherwise, all the course fees
paid will be forfeited.
23. Can I get exemptions for prior qualifications?
• Yes, you may apply for specific exemptions from courses based on relevant prior
qualifications.
• Please refer Student Handbook for exemptions approved by the Faculty.
• Applications can also be submitted for evaluation of other qualifications for exemptions. Application form
can
be downloaded from Faculty webpage.
24. Can I follow the Study Programme from any centre?
• All study programmes are conducted at Colombo Regional Centre.
• Also, most of the study programs are conducted in Regional and study centres. For more information read
the
student handbook of the relevant study
programme.
25. What is the medium of Instruction?
• In most of the programmes medium of instruction are Sinhala, Tamil, and English.
26. What is distance mode of teaching-learning?
• Can pursue learning in your own time and pace, irrespective of location, age, or other
barriers.
• Learn via self-study course materials in the form of written texts and audio/visual aids.
• Minimum number of face-to-face interactive sessions are conducted called ‘dayschools’.
• Extensive support through online components.
• Day schools (discussions), tutorials, and assignments facilitate learning. Day schools can be face-to-face
or
via web conferencing (such as Zoom platform).
• Other teaching-learning activities include compulsory practical components, continuous assessments, and
final
examinations.
27. What is the duration of the Programme(s)?
| Serial No. | Programme | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Certificate in Pre School Education Programme | 1 year |
| 2 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Natural Sciences Degree Programme | 4 years |
| 3 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Drama and Theatre Degree Programme | 4 years |
| 4 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Special Needs Education Degree Programme | 4 years |
| 5 | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary Education | 4 years |
| 6 | Post Graduate Diploma in Education Programme | 15 months |
| 7 | Post Graduate Diploma in Special Needs Education Programme | 15 months |
| 8 | Degree of Master of Education Programme | 1 year |
| 9 | Degree of Master of Teacher Education Programme | 1 year |
| 10 | Degree of Master of Arts in Education Programme | 2 years |
| 11 | Degree of Master of Special Needs Education Programme | 2 years |
28. What is a credit?
• A “Credit” is the academic value of an OUSL course.
• Time you will have to allocate for studying a course depends on its credit rating.
• One Credit = 50 notional learning hours.
29. When will I be issued my course material?
• Course material will be issued during the registration in print/ soft copy format after the registration.
30. How can I get further information and help?
• Faculty Prospectus and Student Handbook: These publications provide important
information in more detail for
prospective and registered students.
• Orientation and counselling sessions: Provide advice on how to plan studies before registration to a
Programme.
• Contact staff: After registering students can meet academic staff in relevant department and get advice/
clarify doubts on academic related queries.
• Contact Faculty Help Desk- Ms. Morin Perera on 071-6368235 /raper@ou.ac.lk
• Contact relevant Head of the Department.
| Department | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
| Head/Department of Secondary and Tertiary Education | 112881425 112881231 |
hdste@ou.ac.lk |
| Head/Early Childhood and Primary Education | 112881400 | hdecpe@ou.ac.lk |
| Head/Special Needs Education | 112881015 | hdsne@ou.ac.lk |
| Head/Educational Leadership and Management | 112881668 | hdelm@ou.ac.lk |