OUSL Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development Degree Programme 2026/2027
The Department of Social Studies under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) has officially opened admissions for its Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development (BYCD) degree program for the 2026/2027 academic cycle. Designed to build practical leadership, civic policy skills, and community intervention strategies, this three-year undergraduate program offers flexible study routes for both direct school leavers and development practitioners across Sri Lanka.
🇱🇰 සිංහල සාරාංශය
ශ්රී ලංකා විවෘත විශ්වවිද්යාලයේ (OUSL) මානවශාස්ත්ර හා සමාජීය විද්යා පීඨයේ සමාජ අධ්යයන අංශය මගින් මෙහෙයවනු ලබන තරුණ හා ප්රජා සංවර්ධන ශාස්ත්රවේදී (BA in Youth and Community Development) උපාධි පාඨමාලාව සඳහා 2026/27 අධ්යයන වර්ෂයට අදාළව අයදුම්පත් කැඳවා ඇත. උසස් පෙළ (A/L) ඕනෑම විෂය ධාරාවකින් සාමාර්ථ 3ක් හෝ NVQ 4 මට්ටම සම්පූර්ණ කර ඇති අයට අයදුම් කළ හැකිය. අයදුම්පත් භාරගන්නා අවසන් දිනය 2026 සැප්තැම්බර් 30 වන අතර, අයදුම්පත් ගාස්තුව රු. 500/- කි.
🇱🇰 தமிழ் சுருக்கம்
இலங்கை திறந்த பல்கலைக்கழகத்தின் (OUSL) மனிதநேய மற்றும் சமூக அறிவியல் பீடத்தின் கீழ் உள்ள சமூக கற்கைகள் திணைக்களத்தினால் நடாத்தப்படும் இளங்கலை இளைஞர் மற்றும் சமூக அபிவிருத்தி (BA in Youth and Community Development) பட்டப்படிப்புக்கான 2026/27 ஆம் கல்வி ஆண்டு விண்ணப்பங்கள் கோரப்பட்டுள்ளன. க.பொ.த உயர்தரத்தில் (A/L) 3 பாட தேர்ச்சி அல்லது NVQ மட்டம் 4 தகைமை பெற்றவர்கள் விண்ணப்பிக்க தகுதியுடையவர்கள். விண்ணப்பங்களைச் சமர்ப்பிப்பதற்கான இறுதித் திகதி செப்டம்பர் 30, 2026 ஆகும். விண்ணப்பக் கட்டணம் ரூ. 500/- ஆகும்.
📌 Key Overview & Vital Details
🎓 Detailed Eligibility Criteria & Entry Pathways
The Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development degree offers flexible, multi-pathway entrance criteria approved by the Senate of the Open University of Sri Lanka. Prospective applicants must fulfill at least one of the following official minimum criteria:
- Pathway 1 (G.C.E. Advanced Level): Obtained a minimum of three (03) passes at the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examination in any subject stream in a single sitting.
- Pathway 2 (Higher Education Credits): Successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits at Level 2 or above from any recognized or approved higher educational institution or Open University foundation route.
- Pathway 3 (Vocational Qualification / NVQ): Completion of the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 4, or formal certified professional experience in community work deemed equivalent to NVQ Level 4 standards.
- Pathway 4 (Equivalent Recognition): Any higher academic, professional, or vocational qualification formally evaluated and recognized as equivalent by the Senate of the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Since the degree program is delivered entirely in the English medium, candidates should possess a working knowledge of written and spoken English sufficient to complete continuous assessments, fieldwork reports, and final examinations.
📊 Programme Structure & Evaluation Details
| Component | Description & Specifications |
|---|---|
| Delivery Medium | English Medium via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) methodologies. |
| Academic Level | Undergraduate Degree (SLQF Level 5 / Level 6 exit pathways). |
| Curriculum Focus | Youth policy development, sustainable community mobilization, project management, and social advocacy. |
| Center Allocation | Supported via OUSL Colombo Central Campus (Nawala) and selected Regional/Study Centers nationwide. |
| Student Evaluation | Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs), practical field assignments, and annual final written examinations. |
📝 Important Candidate Directives
- Ensure all educational qualifications (G.C.E. A/L result sheets, NVQ credentials, or institutional transcripts) are available in digital format before starting the online application.
- The application processing fee of Rs. 500/- must be settled either through the integrated online payment portal (using a Credit/Debit Card) or by generating a bank voucher payable at any designated bank or OUSL regional study center cashier.
- Double-check that your active mobile phone number and primary email address are entered accurately, as login verification codes (OTPs) and admission letters are communicated via these channels.
- Applicants seeking entry under the NVQ or equivalent professional experience pathway must ensure employer or institutional service letters clearly specify duties related to community, youth, or social welfare work.
🪜 Step-by-Step Online Registration Guide
- Visit the official OUSL admission portal at https://apply.lmsousl.lk/.
- Register your account using an active Sri Lankan mobile number to receive and authenticate the one-time SMS verification code (OTP).
- Locate the Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Community Development (BYCD) under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences section.
- Fill out your personal profile, national identity card (NIC) data, and preferred regional study center.
- Select your specific admission pathway (A/L Passes, NVQ Level 4, or Higher Education Credits) and provide the relevant examination results or credential details.
- Pay the non-refundable Rs. 500/- processing fee online, or upload the stamped bank payment voucher slip.
- Review your completed application carefully and submit it before 11:59 PM on September 30, 2026. Keep a saved PDF copy of your application confirmation slip.
📥 Official Download & Application Links
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
📞 Issuing Authority & Inquiry Contact Points
For administrative or academic clarifications regarding this programme, contact the Department of Social Studies:
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
The Open University of Sri Lanka, P.O. Box 21, Nawala, Nugegoda.
☎️ Direct Phone: 011-2881417 / 011-2881300 / 011-2881083 / 011-2881082
✉️ Email Contacts: nsabe@ou.ac.lk / hdssd@ou.ac.lk
🌐 Web: www.ou.ac.lk
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