TL;DR: If you want to study counselling in Sri Lanka, the Uplift catalogue currently lists a 12-month Diploma in Psychology and Counselling at KIU University, plus psychology degrees at KIU and ESOFT Uni that include counselling skills. The diploma is the shorter first step. The degrees are the longer route for a career in mental health support. Check entry rules, fees and recognition before you choose.
Counselling interests many students: teachers who want to support pupils, HR staff who handle difficult conversations, nurses who meet distress daily, and school leavers who simply want to help people. The right course depends on how much time you have, what you have already studied and where you want to work.
Diploma, degree or short course
A counselling diploma teaches the basics of helping conversations and the psychology behind them. It is shorter than a degree, and it suits people who already work with others. A psychology degree goes deeper into theory, research methods and ethics, and it keeps more doors open for further study.
Neither choice makes you a licensed therapist on its own. Before you enrol, ask the institute what the qualification allows you to do in Sri Lanka and what further training or supervised practice employers expect. Do not assume the title of a course tells you the job it leads to.
The Diploma in Psychology and Counselling at KIU
The record describes this as a foundational program that introduces core psychological principles and practical counselling skills. It runs for 12 months full-time. The program combines theory, applied practice and personal development, and it is aimed at people who want to move toward psychology or counselling, as well as professionals in education, healthcare, HR and community work.
The entry rules are a pass in G.C.E. O/L with a simple pass in English, and completion of G.C.E. A/L in any stream, local or London. A tuition fee is not listed in the record today, so confirm the current fee on the Diploma in Psychology and Counselling page before you plan. Intake dates also change, so check the course page for the next one.
The psychology degrees
BSc Honours in Psychology at KIU
This is a four-year full-time honours degree. The record describes it as UGC-recognised and approved by the Ministry of Higher Education, and as blending core theories, research methods and clinical skills. The entry rule is at least three passes at G.C.E. A/L in any stream, or an equivalent international qualification, and a minimum pass in English at O/L. A fee is not listed in the record today. Details are on the KIU psychology degree page.
BSc (Hons) in Psychology at ESOFT Uni
This is a three-year full-time degree, awarded with London Metropolitan University (UK) as the partner named in the program title. The record describes a mix of theoretical foundations, counselling skills, ethical practice and research competency, aimed at roles in mental health support. Tuition is listed at LKR 1,620,000 in total, with a separate application fee of LKR 25,000. Entry is an A/L qualification or equivalent with at least two passes for direct entry, or a relevant HND or foundation qualification. See the ESOFT psychology degree page.
For a full comparison of the degree routes, read our guide to the psychology degree in Sri Lanka.
