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Entry Qualifications

Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Degree Program

Admission Requirements

The applicant must possess at least one of the following qualifications in the relevant subject area as specified in the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF)

  1. Postgraduate certificate (SLQF L7), diploma (SLQF L8), Masters Degree (SLQF 9) or MSc degree (SLQF L10) from a university/ institute recognized by UGC OR
  2. A BSc Honors Degree (SLQF L6) from a university/ institute recognized by the UGC with a minimum of 30 credits in a related field and with a GPA >3.0 in a scale of 0 – 4.0; if GPA is less than 3.0, the candidate is required to pass a qualifying exam OR
  3. A BSc Degree (SLQF L5) from a university/ institute recognized by the UGC once the following additional conditions are fulfilled:
    • If GPA is > 3.0, obtaining a grade of C or better for 30 credits equivalent to SLQF L6 or SLQF L7 in the same or relevant field followed by successful completion of a qualifying examination
    • If GPA is <3.0, with one of the qualifications specified in (i) above.
  4. NVQ L7 with GPA is > 3.0, obtaining a grade of C or better for 30 credits equivalent to SLQF L6 or SLQF L7 in the same or relevant field (specified by PGU-FAS) followed by successful completion of a qualifying examination.

Qualifying Examination

  • A candidate may be required to appear for a Qualifying Examination as in above requirement list (2 and 3).
  • The examination may be a combination of a literature search, laboratory work, written papers, oral examination or any other appropriate format which is recommended by the Board of Study and approved by the PGU.
  • The Head of the academic Department where the research candidate is attached should be responsible for all aspects of the examination. For external candidates, the Faculty Board will be appointing a suitable academic staff member to conduct this qualifying examination.
  • A candidate failing the qualifying examination will not be permitted to proceed with his/ her degree program or to enter again for the qualifying examination without the recommendation of the relevant Board of Study, PGU, Faculty Board and the approval of the Senate.

Transfer from MPhil to PhD

  • A candidate who has been registered for an MPhil degree program and who has made good progress may at his/ her request and upon recommendation of the supervisor/s, the relevant Board of Study and the PGU be recommended by the Faculty Board and permitted by the Senate, to transfer registration to a PhD degree program under the rules governed by such a program.
  • A candidate may apply for such a transfer only after completion of at least one year of the MPhil program.
  • Such candidates will be required submit a fresh proposal emphasizing additional work planned with justification and to do a presentation before a panel appointed by the PGU.
  • The PGU will consider the following when deciding on allowing transfer from an MPhil to a PhD program:
    1. Justification for additional work planned or done (other than the work described in the MPhil application)
    2. Performance at the presentation stated above
    3. Work outlined in the original application for the MPhil degree
    4. Progress of work so far
    5. Reports of proposal (new) reviewer/s
  • The PGU may or may not recommend transfer from a MPhil to PhD.
  • In case where transfer is not recommended, the candidate may reapply considering the suggestions of the PGU and/ or inclusion of additional work in consultation with the supervisor/s after a period of time, but before the maximum period permitted for the MPhil lapses.
  • If the transfer is recommended, upon registering for the PhD, his/ her MPhil registration will lapse.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree Program

Admission requirements

The applicant must possess at least one of the following qualifications in the relevant subject area as specified in the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF)

  1. MPhil (SLQF 11) or Masters Degree (SLQF 10) from a university/ institute recognized by UGC OR
  2. A BSc Honors Degree (SLQF L6) from a university/ institute recognized by the UGC with a minimum of 30 credits in a related field and with a GPA >3.0 in a scale of 0 – 4.0; with or without a qualifying exam as decided by the relevant Board of study and PGU OR
  3. A BSc Honors Degree (SLQF L6) from a university/ institute recognized by the UGC and has registered to follow MPhil may be upgraded OR
  4. A BSc Degree (SLQF L5) from a university/ institute recognized by the UGC with GPA > 3.0, obtaining a grade of C or better for 30 credits equivalent to SLQF L6 or SLQF L7 in the same or relevant field followed by successful completion of a qualifying examination and registered to follow MPhil may be upgraded.

Qualifying Examination

  • A candidate may be required to appear for a Qualifying Examination as in above requirement list (2 and 4).
  • The examination may be a combination of a literature search, laboratory work, written papers, oral examination or any other appropriate format which is recommended by the Board of Study and approved by the PGU.
  • The Faculty Board, on the recommendation of the relevant Board of study and PGU, will appoint a suitable academic staff member/s to conduct this qualifying examination.
  • A candidate failing the qualifying examination will not be permitted to proceed with his/ her degree program or to enter again for the qualifying examination without the recommendation of the relevant Board of Study, PGU, Faculty Board and the approval of the Senate.

Transfers from PhD to MPhil

  • A candidate who has registered for a PhD, later, if wishes to proceed instead to a MPhil must request to the relevant Board of Study through his/ her supervisor/s for permission to do so.
  • The length of further time, if any, which he/ she will be required to pursue for the MPhil will be decided by the Board of Study and PGU of the faculty on an individual basis.
  • The decision of Senate on recommendation of the Faculty Board will be the final.
  • On registering for the MPhil, the candidates PhD registration will lapse.