USA Degree Transfer Program in Sri Lanka at Nawaloka College

TL;DR The USA Degree Transfer Program at Nawaloka College of Higher Studies lets you start a US university degree in Sri Lanka, earn up to 60 credits locally, and then transfer to a partner university in the USA or Canada to finish. You can apply after O/Ls or A/Ls. The college's own program page lists the partner universities, the entry rules and a scholarship of up to 70 percent on the local portion.

Some students want an American style of study but are not ready to start it overseas on day one. A transfer program splits the degree into two parts: you begin at a Sri Lankan college, then complete the degree at a partner university. This guide explains how that split works at Nawaloka, who can join, and what to check before you apply.

Apply now for the USA Degree Transfer Program

How the program is structured

The program is a transfer pathway, not a full degree awarded in Sri Lanka. Students study the first part of a US degree at Nawaloka and the remainder at a partner university. The college describes two options:

The main option has you complete up to two years, worth up to 60 credits, in Sri Lanka, then move to a partner university for the final two years.
A shorter local option has you complete one year, worth 45 credits, in Sri Lanka and transfer earlier for the remaining three years.

On Uplift the program is listed as a full-time undergraduate program of four years in total. The final degree is awarded by the partner university you transfer to, so the degree title, the major and the graduation requirements come from that university.

Programs at Nawaloka College of Higher Studies

What you study in Sri Lanka

The early years focus on US curriculum core subjects, English and communication, and mathematics. The program page also lists skills such as academic success in an American university environment and preparation for completing a degree overseas. You choose a major later: the program page says major selection is flexible in the third year.

Credits are described as transferable to other US universities as well, which matters if your plans change. Treat that as something to confirm in writing with the receiving university, because each university decides how it counts transferred credits.

Who can apply

You can apply with O/L or A/L results. The entry rules listed on the program page are:

Five passes at grade C or above at O/L, including English and Mathematics. UK, Cambridge and Sri Lankan O/L results are all named.
If you have not passed Mathematics, the college offers a Maths 45 module at no charge, and you need grade C in it.
English can be shown with an O/L grade C in English, or an IELTS overall band score of 5.5 with no band below 5.0.

These are the college's entry rules for the local program. The partner universities will set their own transfer conditions, which can include grade point averages and English scores, so ask the college for the current conditions for the university you have in mind.

Partner universities

The program page names these partner universities in the USA:

University at Albany (New York)
California State University Northridge
California State University Fresno
University of Lynchburg (Virginia)
College of Staten Island (New York)
Salisbury University (Maryland)
Austin Peay State University (Tennessee)

The page also mentions partner institutions in Canada, though it does not name them. Do not assume that every major is available at every partner. Ask which university offers your intended major before you commit.

Scholarships and cost

The program page states that students can receive scholarships of up to 70 percent for the studies completed locally. Awards are based on academic performance, athletic achievements and leadership qualities. Additional scholarships may be available at partner universities depending on GPA.

Uplift does not currently list a tuition fee for this program, so check the current fee with the college through the course page. When you compare costs, remember to include the second part of the degree: tuition and living costs at the partner university are separate and are set by that university.

Questions to ask before you apply

Which partner university and which major am I aiming for, and what grade do I need to transfer into it?
How many credits will be recognised, and is that confirmed in writing?
What are the current local tuition fee and payment options?
When is the next intake, and what is the application deadline?
What will the second part of my degree cost, and how will I meet the English and entry conditions of the partner university?

The intake dates for this program change from year to year, so confirm the next one on the course page instead of relying on an older date.

Is it the right fit?

A transfer program suits students who want to start close to home, build a US-style academic record, and finish at a partner university. It asks for a clear plan, because the second part of the degree happens outside Sri Lanka and depends on the partner's conditions. If you would rather stay in Sri Lanka for the whole degree, the foundation and degree programs listed on Uplift include options that finish locally.

Foundation programs on Uplift

Foundation

Asian Institute of Business & Science

Australian Foundation Year (AFY)

View

Foundation

Universal College Lanka

British Foundation Programme

View

Foundation

Colombo International Campus

Foundation Diploma in Business