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Recognised non-state degree awarding institutes in Sri Lanka: how to check the official list

The Ministry of Higher Education publishes a list of institutes recognised under Section 25A of the Universities Act. Here is what it shows and how to check a degree before you enrol.

  • Pathway guide
  • A/L students and undergraduates
  • Ministry of Higher Education
  • Announced 27 Oct 2026

What it is

Some degrees in Sri Lanka are not given by a state university but by an institute that the government has recognised as a degree awarding institute. The Non State Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education keeps a public list called "Recognized Degree Awarding Institutes & Degree Programs (Under the Section 25A of Universities Act No. 16, 1978)". The list names each institute, the number of degree programmes recognised for it and the date each programme was accredited or gazetted.

When we read the list on 27 October 2026, the main table named 22 institutes. They include:

  • Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT): 64 recognised programmes, including Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and four engineering degrees.
  • National School of Business Management (NSBM): 42 programmes.
  • Cinec Campus (Private) Limited: 39 programmes, starting with Bachelor of Science (Hons) Maritime Science.
  • Sri Lanka Technology Campus (Private) Limited: 31 programmes.
  • KIU Campus (Pvt) Ltd: 21 programmes.
  • Horizon College of Business & Technology: 16 programmes.
  • Saegis Campus (Private) Limited: 12 programmes, starting with Bachelor of Information Technology.
  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka: 6 programmes, starting with Bachelor of Science in Applied Accounting.
  • Institute of Surveying and Mapping, National Institute of Social Development, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon and South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) are also listed, each with its own recognised degrees.

The list is long and changes over time, so use the official page for the full, current version.

Who can apply

The list does not state entry rules. Each institute sets its own entry requirements, fees and intake dates. Ask the institute and ask for the requirements in writing.

Key dates

The list gives accreditation and gazette dates for each programme. It gives no application dates.

Before you apply

  1. Open the official list: https://www.mohe.gov.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=352&Itemid=336&lang=en
  2. Find the institute, then find the exact degree programme. An institute being listed does not mean every course it advertises is recognised. Check the programme name and its dates.
  3. Compare the programme with the University Grants Commission pages for state university admission: https://www.ugc.ac.lk/
  4. Contact the Ministry's Higher Education Division if you are unsure: https://www.mohe.gov.lk/ shows its phone numbers and the address 18, Ward Place, Colombo 07.
  5. Compare with state routes before you pay. Our page on cut-off marks shows what state university places needed: https://hirantha.me/updates/university-cutoff-marks

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