TL;DR. A diploma in English in Sri Lanka is a structured English course, usually six months to one year, that sits above a basic certificate and below a Higher Diploma or a BA in English. Choose one by your current level, your goal and the awarding body, and start with a certificate if your English is still at a beginner level.
Students and working adults search for a diploma in English for different reasons: to qualify for a degree, to meet a job requirement or to speak with more confidence. This guide explains the levels, what the diplomas listed on Uplift look like, and how to pick the right starting point.
What is a diploma in English in Sri Lanka?
A diploma in English is a course that builds reading, writing, speaking and listening to a set standard, and ends with an award from the institute or an awarding body. It is longer and broader than a short certificate, and it is usually the step before a Higher Diploma or a degree in English.
On Uplift, English programmes sit at several levels:
Certificates of about three to six months, for beginners and improvers.
Diplomas of about six months to one year, for general, spoken, business or academic English.
Higher Diplomas of about two years, such as the Higher Diploma in English awarded by Cardiff Metropolitan University at ICBT Campus.
Bachelor's degrees and top-ups in English, English studies and English teaching.
If your English is at a beginner or improver level, a certificate is often the better first step. The certificates below are listed by an Uplift partner institute and build up in levels before diploma study.
Which English courses does KIU University offer?
KIU University lists a Certificate in English Language Competency at three levels. Each level is full-time:
Elementary Level, 12 weeks: for beginners or students with limited English, focusing on everyday speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Intermediate Level, 12 weeks: for students who completed the elementary level or have a basic grasp of English, with essay writing, presentations and debates.
Advanced Level, 18 weeks: academic writing, research reading, public speaking and professional communication, with preparation towards IELTS and TOEFL standards.
KIU does not list a fee for these certificates on Uplift, so ask the university for the current figure. You can apply for the Elementary Level on Uplift.
How long is a diploma in English?
Most English diplomas listed on Uplift run for six months to one year. Examples from the course pages:
International Diploma in English at ICBT Campus: six months part-time, awarded by OTHM Qualifications, with monthly intakes listed.
Diploma in English for Professionals at NIBM: one year part-time, LKR 200,000 total tuition.
Diploma in English (for after A/L Students) at NIBM: one year full-time, LKR 200,000 total tuition.
Diploma in English Language (Full Time) at BIMT Campus: six months, awarded by EduPro UK.
Diploma in General English at SLIM Business School: six months.
Where a page lists no fee, ask the institute for the current figure.
