Sri Lanka Education System & Credential Evaluation

A guide to the Sri Lankan education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.

Need your Sri Lankan credentials evaluated? Fast, USCIS-accepted reports from $85.

Apply Now →

Overview of the Sri Lankan Education System

Sri Lanka operates a 13-year system of general education with children starting school at age 5. The Ministry of Education is responsible for implementing state education policy and regulations. Secondary education is free and compulsory until the ninth grade. The academic year can run from December to November or January to December depending on the school. Education is conducted in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil, and English.

Structure of the Education System

Primary Education — 5 Years (Ages 5–9, Grades 1–5)

Covers Sinhala or Tamil (mother tongue), English, Mathematics, Environment-Related Activities, and Religious Education. Conducted in Sinhala, Tamil, or English medium schools.

Junior Secondary Education — 4 Years (Ages 10–13, Grades 6–9)

Students study a broad curriculum including languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and the Arts. No national examination at the end of Grade 9; internal school assessments used.

Senior Secondary Education — 2 Years (Ages 14–16, Grades 10–11)

Culminates in the Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) examination, administered by the Department of Examinations. Students select their subjects including compulsory Sinhala/Tamil, English, Mathematics, History, and Religion, plus elective subjects.

Collegiate Level — 2 Years (Ages 17–18/19, Grades 12–13)

Students select three subjects for in-depth study leading to the Sri Lanka GCE Advanced Level (A-Level) examination — the primary qualification for university admission. Very competitive: only the top scorers gain admission to national universities through the University Grants Commission (UGC).

University Education

Sri Lanka has 17 state universities. Bachelor's degrees take 3–4 years. Medical degrees (MBBS) take 5 years. Master's degrees are 1–2 years and PhD programs 3–5 years. Private higher education institutions and professional bodies also award recognized qualifications.

Grade Conversion Scale for Sri Lanka (GCE O-Level)

Grade (Score)	Description	US Equivalent
A (75–100)	Distinction	A
B (65–74)	Very Good	B+
C (55–64)	Credit	B
S (40–54)	Ordinary Pass	C
F (0–39)	Fail	F

Key Credentials

Sri Lanka GCE Ordinary Level (O-Level) — Grade 11 completion; not a complete high school diploma on its own
Sri Lanka GCE Advanced Level (A-Level) — Grade 13 completion; equivalent to a US high school diploma
Bachelor's Degree — 3–4 years; equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree

US Equivalency of Sri Lankan Credentials

The GCE A-Level is equivalent to a US high school diploma; strong A-Level results may be evaluated for college credit
The GCE O-Level alone is not a full high school diploma equivalent
A Sri Lankan 3–4 year Bachelor's degree is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree
A Sri Lankan MBBS is equivalent to a US first professional degree in medicine
A Sri Lankan Master's degree is equivalent to a US Master's degree

Why You Need a Credential Evaluation

A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions, and professional licensing.

If your documents are in Sinhala or Tamil

Documents issued in Sinhala or Tamil must be accompanied by certified English translations. Many Sri Lankan documents are also issued in English.

Evaluation Services for Sri Lankan Credentials

Document Evaluationfrom $85

Course-by-Course Evaluationfrom $180

High School Diploma Evaluationfrom $85

Certified Translation (Sinhala/Tamil → English)$35/page