BIT Degree in Sri Lanka (UCSC) | Matrix — No. 1 BIT Institute, Colombo

Apply for the 2026 intake

Enrolment is open for the BIT degree at Matrix Institute, Colombo. Speak with our admissions team to reserve your place.

Call admissions: +94 11 255 3331 →

About the BIT degree

A three-year external degree programme offered by the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) and awarded by the University of Colombo. Launched in 2000, the BIT is the most respected external IT qualification in the country and was Sri Lanka's first-ever external degree in Information Technology. The degree spans three Levels (years), each with two semesters; a minimum of 30 GPA credits per level is required, totalling 90 GPA credits. You register directly with the University of Colombo and study at a UCSC-recognised teaching institute such as Matrix.

Level I — Year 1 (Diploma in IT)
Information Systems, Computer Systems, Introduction to Programming, Database Systems, Web Application Development I, Software Engineering fundamentals.

Level II — Year 2 (Higher Diploma in IT)
Object Oriented Analysis & Design, Data Structures & Algorithms, Enterprise Application Development, IT Project Management, Agile Software Development, Computer Networks.

Level III — Year 3 (BIT Degree)
Software Development Project, Professional Practice, Information Security, Mobile Application Development, Software Quality Assurance, Network Security & Audit.

BIT degree entry requirements

There is more than one way to qualify for the BIT degree. You need one of the academic pathways below, together with the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O/L) requirement. Matrix admissions can confirm your eligibility in a few minutes.

Academic pathways (any one)

GCE A/L route
Three passes at GCE Advanced Level in one sitting — local A/L, Cambridge or Edexcel, in any subject stream (four passes for the old, pre-2000 syllabus).

FIT route (for O/L holders)
Pass the Foundation in Information Technology (FIT) programme offered by UCSC. Ideal if you have finished O/L but do not have A/L. Matrix teaches FIT as well.

HNDIT route
Higher National Diploma in Information Technology (HNDIT) issued and verified by the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE).

NVQ route
NVQ Level 5 or above qualification in IT, issued and verified by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC).

General requirement (in all cases)

GCE O/L (local, or Cambridge / Pearson Edexcel International O/L) with six passes including credit passes for Mathematics and English — credits may be obtained over one or more sittings. Equivalent qualifications such as the Mulika Piriven Final Examination are also accepted by UCSC.

Entry criteria are set by UCSC and may be revised. Students awaiting A/L results can often register provisionally. Please confirm the latest requirements with Matrix admissions.

DIT, HDIT & BIT — three qualifications, one programme

A key advantage of the BIT is its built-in exit points. Even if your plans change, each completed year leaves you with a recognised University of Colombo qualification rather than nothing.

DIT — after Year 1

Complete Level I and you are awarded the Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) by the University of Colombo — a standalone, employable qualification.

HDIT — after Year 2

Complete Level II and you earn the Higher Diploma in Information Technology (HDIT), recognised across the IT industry for technician and developer roles.

BIT — after Year 3

Complete Level III for the full Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) degree, opening graduate roles and postgraduate study up to PhD level.

Level I — Year 1 (Diploma in IT)

Semester 1

IT1106Information Systems4 Credits

IT1206Computer Systems4 Credits

IT1306Free & Open Source Software for Personal Computing3 Credits

IT1406Introduction to Programming4 Credits

IT1506Fundamentals of Mathematics1 Credit

Semester 2

EN2106Communication Skills I2 Credits · Non-GPA

IT2106Mathematics for Computing I3 Credits

IT2206Fundamentals of Software Engineering4 Credits

IT2306Database Systems4 Credits

IT2406Web Application Development I4 Credits

Level I total: 33 credits (31 GPA credits).

Level II — Year 2 (Higher Diploma in IT)

Semester 3

EN3106Communication Skills II2 Credits · Non-GPA

IT3106Object Oriented Analysis & Design3 Credits

IT3206Data Structures & Algorithms3 Credits

IT3306Data Management Systems3 Credits

IT3406Web Application Development II4 Credits

Semester 4

IT4106User Experience Design3 Credits

IT4206Enterprise Application Development4 Credits

IT4306IT Project Management3 Credits

IT4406Agile Software Development4 Credits

IT4506Computer Networks3 Credits

Level II total: 32 credits (30 GPA credits).

Level III — Year 3 (BIT Degree)

Semester 5

EN5106Fundamentals of Management & Entrepreneurship2 Credits · Non-GPA · Compulsory

IT5106Software Development Project (Sem 5 & 6)8 Credits · Compulsory

IT5206Professional Practice3 Credits · Compulsory

IT5306Principles of Information Security3 Credits · Compulsory

IT5406Systems & Network Administration3 Credits · Compulsory

IT5506Mathematics for Computing II3 Credits · Optional

Semester 6

EN6106Emerging Topics in IT2 Credits · Non-GPA · Compulsory

IT6206Software Quality Assurance3 Credits · Compulsory

IT6306Mobile Application Development4 Credits · Compulsory

IT6406Network Security & Audit3 Credits · Compulsory

IT6506e-Business Technologies3 Credits · Optional

Level III total: 37 credits (33 GPA credits) — select compulsory and optional courses to complete 30 GPA credits.

BIT degree fees & value

The BIT is widely regarded as the most cost-effective recognised IT degree in Sri Lanka, because you pay university fees directly to UCSC plus affordable tuition at your teaching institute. There is no large single lump sum — costs are spread across the three years.

Cost component	Paid to	Notes
University registration & examination fees	University of Colombo (UCSC)	Set by UCSC; paid per level / per semester
Tuition (lectures, tutorials, practicals)	Matrix Institute	Affordable instalment-friendly fees
FIT (only if you take the FIT route)	UCSC + Matrix	Short foundation for O/L holders

Fees are set by UCSC and the institute and are revised periodically. Contact Matrix admissions on +94 11 255 3331 for the current fee schedule and instalment options for the 2026 intake.

Why study the BIT at Matrix

Choosing the right teaching institute is the single biggest factor in BIT success. With UCSC, you can switch institutes at any time — and thousands of students choose Matrix.

No. 1 ranked institute

Matrix has ranked the No. 1 BIT teaching institute for several consecutive semesters and is officially recognised by UCSC.

Batch tops & medal winners

A consistent record of first-class passes, batch tops and prize winners across all three levels.

Central Colombo campus

Located at Bambalapitiya on Galle Road — easy to reach from across Colombo and the suburbs by bus or train.

Experienced lecturers

Industry-experienced, exam-focused lecturers who follow the official UCSC syllabus closely.

Full pathway under one roof

FIT, DIT, HDIT and BIT all taught at Matrix, so you can progress seamlessly from foundation to degree.

Strong employability

Graduates are placed across Sri Lanka's software and IT sector, with many progressing to postgraduate study.

Degree classification

First Class: overall GPA ≥ 3.70 · Second Class Upper: GPA ≥ 3.30 · Second Class Lower: GPA ≥ 3.00 · Pass: GPA ≥ 2.00. The degree must be completed within six consecutive academic years from initial registration.

Reputation & recognition

★ Awarded by the University of Colombo ★ UNESCO ICT in Education Award 2007–2008 ★ 40,000+ enrolled since 2000 ★ 3,700+ graduates ★ Aligned with IEEE / ACM & SLQF

Matrix Institute has ranked No. 1 BIT teaching institute for several consecutive semesters and is a UCSC-recognised BIT teaching institute.

Career opportunities

BIT graduates maintain a very high employability rate across these roles, and many progress to postgraduate study including doctoral programmes.

Software EngineerData AnalystQA / Test EngineerUX EngineerWeb DeveloperBusiness AnalystNetwork AdministratorInformation Security AnalystProject ManagerFull-Stack DeveloperDatabase Administrator

Postgraduate pathway

BIT graduates can proceed to the proposed Master of Computing Technology (MCT) at UCSC (1 year), or pursue MSc, MPhil and PhD programmes in Computing at UCSC and other universities locally and internationally.

Frequently asked questions

Who awards the BIT degree?

The BIT is an external degree conducted by the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) and awarded by the University of Colombo. Matrix is a UCSC-recognised BIT teaching institute, ranked No. 1 for several consecutive semesters.

How long is the BIT degree?

Three levels (years), each with two semesters, totalling 90 GPA credits, completed within six consecutive academic years of registration.

What are the entry requirements for the BIT degree?

One of these academic pathways: three passes at GCE A/L in one sitting (local, Cambridge or Edexcel); or the Foundation in IT (FIT) from UCSC; or an HNDIT from SLIATE; or an NVQ Level 5+ in IT. In every case you also need GCE O/L with six passes including credit passes for Mathematics and English.

Can I do the BIT with only O/L (no A/L)?

Yes. Complete the Foundation in Information Technology (FIT) programme offered by UCSC first — it qualifies O/L holders to register for the BIT. Matrix teaches both FIT and BIT.

What is the difference between DIT, HDIT and BIT?

They are the three exit points of the same programme. Year 1 earns the Diploma in IT (DIT), Year 2 earns the Higher Diploma in IT (HDIT), and Year 3 earns the full Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) degree.

How much does the BIT degree cost?

You pay UCSC university fees plus affordable tuition at your institute, spread across three years — making the BIT one of the most cost-effective recognised IT degrees in Sri Lanka. Contact Matrix admissions on +94 11 255 3331 for the current fee schedule and instalment options.

Can I change my teaching institute?

Yes. Because you register directly with the University of Colombo, you can switch teaching institutes at any time if you are not happy with the quality of lecturing — many students transfer to Matrix.

What can I do after a BIT degree?

Roles include software engineer, data analyst, QA engineer, web developer, network administrator, business analyst, information security analyst and project manager, with progression to MSc, MPhil and PhD programmes locally and internationally.