Swinburne Diplomas in Sri Lanka at Nawaloka College

TL;DR: Nawaloka College of Higher Studies (NCHS) in Colombo runs UniLink diploma programs awarded by Swinburne University of Technology, in business, information technology, health science and engineering. Each diploma is listed as 8 months full-time. Entry asks for A/L completion in at least three subjects and a set English level, and the application fee is LKR 150,000 where listed.

Not every student wants to commit to a long degree on day one. A short university diploma lets you test a field, build study habits and then decide what comes next. NCHS offers this through its UniLink diplomas, and they are worth understanding before you apply.

What a UniLink diploma is

A UniLink diploma is a university pathway program. The Uplift record for the Diploma of Health Science says it is built to mirror the first year of a Swinburne bachelor's degree, with smaller classes and more time with lecturers. On completion, the record says students can progress with one year's credit into a designated Swinburne bachelor's degree.

That progression is the program's own design, and it is optional. You can also use the diploma as a standalone qualification while you decide your next step.

Diplomas at NCHS on Uplift

The list below is pulled live from the Uplift catalogue. Each row links to the course page and the application form.

Swinburne diplomas at NCHS

The programs and their fees

Fees below come from the Uplift course pages at the time of writing. Check each page for the latest figure.

Diploma of Business

Listed as 8 months full-time, with a total tuition fee of LKR 1,000,000 and an application fee of LKR 150,000. It covers marketing, economics and accounting, and builds problem-solving and communication skills. See Diploma of Business (UniLink) at NCHS.

Diploma of Information Technology

Listed as 8 months full-time, with a total tuition fee of LKR 1,083,000 and an application fee of LKR 150,000. It introduces database modelling, computing hardware and software, web applications and cloud computing. See Diploma of Information Technology (UniLink) at NCHS.

Diploma of Health Science

Listed as 8 months full-time, with a total tuition fee of LKR 1,083,000 and an application fee of LKR 150,000. Core units include human biology, global health, public health, human nutrition and health research. See Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) at NCHS.

Diploma of Engineering

Listed as 8 months full-time. It covers material analysis, kinematics and sustainable practice, and teaches you to make the calculations used in project design. The catalogue does not currently show a fee, so check the Diploma of Engineering (UniLink) at NCHS page for the current figure.

Which diploma suits which student

Business

A good first step for students who like organising people, money and ideas. It keeps options open across marketing, accounting and management.

Information technology

Suits students who enjoy databases, web applications and cloud tools, and who want a structured year to build technical habits.

Health science

Suits students interested in public health, nutrition and human biology, who want a university style year before a degree decision.

Engineering

Suits students who like analysis, calculation and design. Confirm the fee and the structure with NCHS before you apply.

Costs to plan for

Two kinds of fee appear on the course pages. The tuition fee is the total for the program. The application fee is a separate amount paid when you apply. Where the catalogue lists both, add them together for a first budget, then ask NCHS about any other charges, such as exam fees or study materials.

A one-year diploma also saves time. If you later move on to a degree, you may be able to use the credit described in the program record, but only the institute can confirm what applies to your results.

Entry requirements

The Uplift records list the same entry route for the diplomas above.

Academic entry

Sri Lankan GCE A/L: satisfactory completion of a minimum of three subjects.
UK or Cambridge A-Level: three subjects completed, or predicted grades of three passes with a minimum score of six.
Other recognised route: completion of an Australian-recognised foundation program in Sri Lanka.

English proficiency

A C grade for English Language at O/L together with A/L completion, or a C grade for General English at A/L.
IELTS Academic overall 5.5 with no band below 5.0, or PTE Academic 42 with no communicative skill below 36.

If you need a foundation first

Students who are not yet ready for the diploma can look at the Swinburne Foundation Year at NCHS, listed as 6 months in hybrid mode. For the wider foundation picture, read our guide to the foundation programme in Sri Lanka. For other NCHS programs, see the Nawaloka College of Higher Studies courses guide.

Intakes

The Uplift catalogue does not currently show a future intake date for these diplomas. Confirm the next start date with NCHS on the course page before you plan your year.