Education Degree in Sri Lanka: Top-Ups and MAs for Teachers

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Education Degree in Sri Lanka: Top-Ups and MAs for Teachers

Education degree in Sri Lanka for teachers and preschool staff: one-year BA top-ups and MA programs on Uplift, with fees and entry rules.

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Lasantha Jayawardena

06 Oct 2026·6 min read

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TL;DR: An education degree in Sri Lanka on Uplift today means a UK-awarded qualification taught in Colombo by ESOFT Uni. Teachers and early childhood staff with an HND or other Level 5 qualification can top up to a BA (Hons) in one year for LKR 750,000 total tuition. Graduates can move on to an MA Education, listed at LKR 790,000. All four programs are awarded by London Metropolitan University (UK).

Many people working in schools, preschools and training roles reach the same point. You are already teaching, you have a diploma or an HND, and you want a degree that recognises the work you do. The good news is that you do not have to start from year one. This guide shows the education routes listed on Uplift and who each one is for.

Who these education programs are for

Every program in this guide is a continuation route. None of them is a three-year first degree that starts straight after A/Ls.

  • The BA (Hons) top-ups are for people who already hold a foundation degree, an HND or another Level 5 qualification in education or a related field.

  • The MA programs are for people who already hold a relevant bachelor's degree.

If you are still at the A/L stage, read our guide on what to do after A/L results first. If you hold an HND in another field, our top-up degree guide explains how top-ups work in general.

The four education programs on Uplift

ProgramLevelDurationTotal tuitionApplication fee
BA (Hons) in Education (Top Up)Bachelor's1 year, part-timeLKR 750,000LKR 25,000
BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies (Top Up)Bachelor's1 year, part-timeLKR 750,000LKR 25,000
MA EducationMaster'sCheck the course pageLKR 790,000LKR 25,000
MA Education (Early Childhood Studies)Master'sCheck the course pageLKR 790,000LKR 25,000

All four are awarded by London Metropolitan University (UK) and taught by ESOFT Uni. The BA top-up fees are listed for the weekend schedule.

BA (Hons) in Education: the top-up for teachers and trainers

Entry. A relevant foundation degree, HND or equivalent Level 5 qualification in education or a related field. Experience in teaching, youth work or community education is encouraged, and you need to show English language proficiency.

What you study. The listing names three compulsory modules: an education studies dissertation, educators as social pedagogues, and inclusion, education and equalities. The course draws on pedagogy, psychology, sociology and philosophy, with a focus on applying ideas in your own classroom or setting.

Where it leads. The listing names teachers, education officers, youth workers, community engagement managers and training coordinators, with a pathway into postgraduate study.

BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies: the top-up for preschool staff

Entry. A relevant foundation degree, HND or Level 5 qualification in early childhood or a related field. Professional experience working with young children is expected, so this route fits preschool teachers, daycare leads and early years assistants who already work with children.

Format. One year, part-time, on a weekend schedule. That means you can keep working during the week.

MA Education and MA Education (Early Childhood Studies)

Entry. A relevant bachelor's degree with at least second class honours, or equivalent. Experience in education is an advantage but is not required.

What the MA Education covers. The listing describes seven compulsory modules covering curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, research methods, leadership, social justice in education and language learning, ending in a dissertation. ESOFT says the program typically takes one to two years, depending on study mode.

Where it leads. School leadership, curriculum development, education policy advice, inclusive education and educational consulting, with a route into doctoral research.

The early childhood version follows the same entry rule and fee, with an early childhood focus.

How to choose your education route

  1. Check your current level. HND or Level 5 in education: the BA (Hons) in Education top-up. HND or Level 5 in early childhood: the early childhood top-up. A bachelor's degree: one of the MA programs.

  2. Pick the age group you work with. Preschool and early years staff get more from the early childhood versions. School teachers and trainers get more from the general education versions.

  3. Plan the next step now. A BA top-up followed by an MA gives a clear two-stage path from a diploma to a master's while you keep working.

  4. Confirm the intake. No intake dates are listed for these programs right now, so ask ESOFT Uni through the course page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get an education degree in Sri Lanka in one year?

Yes, if you already hold an HND or another Level 5 qualification in education or a related field. The BA (Hons) in Education top-up at ESOFT Uni takes one year, part-time.

How much does an education degree cost in Sri Lanka?

The BA (Hons) top-ups list LKR 750,000 total tuition and a LKR 25,000 application fee. The MA programs list LKR 790,000 total tuition and the same application fee.

Who awards these education degrees?

All four programs are awarded by London Metropolitan University (UK) and taught in Sri Lanka by ESOFT Uni.

Can I study while I keep teaching?

Yes. Both BA top-ups are part-time, with fees listed for a weekend schedule.

Do I need teaching experience for the MA Education?

No. Experience in education is an advantage, but the main requirement is a relevant bachelor's degree with at least second class honours.

PS. If you work with young children or teach in a school and hold an HND, the top-up is your shortest path to a full honours degree. Open the course page above, check the next intake, and apply through Uplift in a few minutes.

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Top-UpEducationPostgraduate

About the author

Lasantha Jayawardena avatar

Higher Education

Lasantha Jayawardena is the founder of Prosper Global Education. He arrived in Australia in 2009 as a Sri Lankan student at Swinburne University of Technology, went on to complete an MSc in Technology Management at Staffordshire University (UK) and an MBA in International Business at the University of Colombo, and built a 15-year career in Sydney as a Senior Business Analyst across Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, and Suncorp. In 2025 he founded Prosper Global Education to help ambitious Sri Lankan students and working professionals navigate the same path — choosing the right university, securing visas, and turning an overseas degree into a real career. He writes from both sides of the journey: as someone who lived it, and as someone who now guides families through it. Based between Sydney and Colombo.

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