Degree Programmes

Degree Programmes are the key academic activity of the Institute. They offer opportunities for students to either follow a study programme leading to an MA/MSc degree by coursework or read for an M.Phil or a Ph.D. degree by researchsed. MA/MSc degree programmes by coursework are usually one year (two semesters) programmes while an M.Phil by research is a two year degree (four semesters). A Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of three years of research.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy is the highest degree awarded by the Institute and allows students to conduct an in-depth study on an issue or a problem of their interest in a given specialization or a discipline by conducting extensive research. Ph. D candidates may be asked by the relevant Board of Study to follow common courses and subject specific courses as necessary. The training transforms a graduate to high skilled scientific researcher with effective communication and interpersonal skills. This degree is placed at the highest level (Level 12) of the Sri Lanka Qualification Framework (SLQF).

Students can enrol to read for a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the following disciplines and specializations
Geography, Sociology, Archaeology, History, Political Science, International Relations, Sinhala, Tamil, English, Arabic, Economics, Management, Philosophy, Psychology, Education, Buddhist Studies, Pali, Sanskrit, Greek and Roman Studies, Fine Arts, Hindu Civilization,  Islamic Civilization or any interdisciplinary area of study such as Religious Studies, Cultural Studies, Language Studies, Social Work, Public Administration, etc

Applicants with the following qualification may be admitted to Doctor of Philosophy degree programme: 

  1. A Master of Philosophy degree in the relevant subject area;

OR

  1. A Master’s degree with a research component in the relevant subject area;                     

A student registered for PhD degree programme at the PGIHS will be awarded the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the discipline registered for upon successful completion of

  • courses as prescribed by the relevant Board of Study,
  • a thesis of not less than 60,000 words, and
  • a viva-voce examination of the thesis.

Master of Philosophy Degree (MPhil)

Master of Philosophy is a two-yearfull-time degree programme allowing students to specialize in an area of study or discipline by research. Students enrolled in the MPhil programme may be asked by the relevant Board of Study to follow 600 level courses in fulfilment of their qualification requirements. This degree is placed at SLQF Level 11 and is a requirement for promotion of service in academic fields and admission to doctoral studies. Students following an M.Phil degree programme may request to be upgraded to Ph.D. Degree programmes if she/he demonstrates exceptional scholarship during the first year of study.

Master of Philosophy degree is offered by the PGIHS of the University of Peradeniya in the following disciplines and specializations: 
Geography, Sociology, Archaeology, History, Political Science, Sinhala, Tamil, English, Arabic, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Education, Buddhist Studies, Pali, Sanskrit, Greek and Roman Studies, Fine Arts, Hindu Civilization,  Islamic Civilization or any interdisciplinary area of study such as Religious Studies, Cultural Studies, Language Studies, Social Work, Public Administration, International Relations, etc.

Applicants with the following qualification may be admitted to Master of Philosophy degree programme: 

  1. A Master’s degree in the relevant subject area or filed of specialization;

OR

  1. A Bachelor’s’ Degree (Special)  with First/ Second Class (Upper Division) pass in the relevant subject area;

OR

  1. Any other equivalent qualification acceptable to the relevant Board of Study of the Institute.

A student registered for MPhil degree programme at the PGIHS will be awarded the Degree of Master of Philosophy in the discipline registered for upon successful completion of

  • courses as prescribed by the relevant Board of Study,
  • a thesis of 40,000-50,000 words, and
  • aviva-voce examination of the thesis.

Master of Arts Degree (Coursework and Research) (MA Stream I)

This two-year masters’ degree programme provides opportunities for students to obtain a thorough knowledge in the area of study, develop critical thinking and analytical skills, research abilities and soft skills by following coursework requirements and undertaking a research under the guidance of a supervisor. The students follow 600 level courses in the first year and complete a thesis in the second year. This degree is placed at SLQF Level 10 and is a requirement for confirmation and promotion of service in academic fields. It also trains students to undertake advanced research leading to MPhil and PhD degrees.

Students can follow a programme leading to degree of Master of Arts from the PGIHS of the University of Peradeniya in the following disciplines: 

Geography, Sociology, Archaeology, History, Political Science, Sinhala, Tamil, English, Arabic, Economics, Philosophy, Buddhist Studies, Pali, Sanskrit, Greek and Roman Studies, Fine Arts, Hindu Civilization,  Islamic Civilization.

Applicants with the following qualification may be admitted to Master of Arts (Coursework and Research) degree programme: 

  • A Bachelor’s degree (Special) with honoursin the relevant subject; OR
  • A Bachelors’ (General/ Combined) degree with minimum 30 credits from the relevant subject area with a minimum of average B grade or equivalent grade point in the relevant subject area ; OR
  • A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and a Postgraduate Diploma in the relevant subject area; OR
  • An equivalent qualification acceptable to the relevant Board of Study of the Institute

A student registered for Master of Arts (Coursework and Research) degree programme at the PGIHS will be awarded the Degree of Master of Arts in the discipline registered for upon successful completion of

  • 30 credits from coursework,
  • a thesis of 20,000-30,000 words (equivalent to 30 credits), and
  • a viva-voce examination of the thesis.

Master of Arts Degree by Coursework (MA Stream II)

The Master of Arts (by Coursework) degree at the PGIHS is a one year programme (two semesters of study). It is recognized at Level 9 of the SLQF and provides theoretical knowledge and analytical skills of subject maters and skills required to deal with practical issues and problems in the relevant field. The degree satisfies requirements for confirmation and promotion of employees of government and non-government sectors and admission to higher studies in the relevant field.

A person may obtain the degree of Master of Arts by Coursework from the PGIHS of the University of Peradeniya in the following disciplines: 
Geography, Sociology, Archaeology, History, Political Science, Sinhala, Tamil, English, Arabic, Economics, Philosophy, Buddhist Studies, Pali, Sanskrit, Greek and Roman Studies, Fine Arts, Hindu Civilization,  Islamic Civilization.

Applicants with the following qualification may be admitted to Master of Arts (Coursework) degree programme: 

  • A Bachelor’s Degree (Special) with Honoursin the relevant subject;

OR

  • A Bachelors’ (General/ Combined) degree with minimum 30 credits from the relevant subject area with a minimum of average B grade or equivalent grade point in the relevant subject area;

OR

  • A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline and a Postgraduate Diploma in the relevant subject area;

OR

  • Any other equivalent qualification acceptable to the relevant Board of Study

A student registered for Master of Arts (by Coursework) degree programme at the PGIHS will be awarded the Degree of Master of Arts in the discipline registered for upon successful completion of 30 credits (25 credits from courses and 5 credits from a guided project).  

Master of Arts in Applied Economics

The Master of Arts in Applied Economicsoffered by the Instituteaddresses a current human resource need of the country. The programme offers opportunity for graduates without formal qualifications in economics, especially graduates in sciences (including medical) and engineering to obtain training and qualification at postgraduate level. The participants in this programme upon completion are expected to return to their current positions or higher ones with enhanced opportunities keeping in lines with their augmented training in applied economics.

Applicants with the following qualification may be admitted to Master of Applied Economics programme: 

  • A Bachelors’ degree; OR
  • An equivalent qualification; AND
  • Two years of work experience

A student registered for Master of Applied Economics degree programme at the PGIHS will be awarded the Degree of Master of Applied Economics upon successful completion of 30 credits (25 credits from courses of the programme and 5 credits from a guided project).  

Master of Development Practice (MDP)

The Master of Development Practice (MDP) is a two-year graduate-level global multi-disciplinary programme geared toward equipping development professionals with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to address today’s complex development challenges. The Global MDP programme(see www.mdpglobal.org ) which began in 2009 at Columbia University in New York with 23 students now reaches out to over 1500 participants from 25 universities in 20 countries. The PGIHS of University of Peradeniya is proud to be the only Institute in Sri Lanka-and one of only five in Asia-selected to offer the MDP programme.The programme prepares students to work across different fields spanning Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Health Sciences and Management.
For programme details visit: http://pgihs.lk/mdp/

Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Master of Education is a fulltime course of one year duration and is specially designed for graduate teachers employed in government or private schools and other recognized educational institutes. The programme provides an in-depth knowledge in education with a firm foundation for professional development as a teacher or other educational professional and develops skills for professional practice with critical thinking and analytical skills.

Applicants with the following qualification may be admitted to Master of Education programme: 

  • Bachelor’s degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with a distinction or merit pass obtained from a recognized University/Institute; OR
  • Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree with a first or second class (upper division) pass obtained from a recognized University/Institute; OR
Bachelor’s degree obtained from recognized University/Institute and Postgraduate Diploma in Education obtained from the University of Peradeniya with six “A” or “B” grades for courses.  

Master of Education degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 32 credits in a distribution of 24 credits from course work, six credits from a guided research and another six credits from an independent project. 

Postgraduate Degree Programmes in Sustainable Tourism

The Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (PGIHS) is a National Institute of higher learning established for the purpose of providing, promoting and developing higher education in the Humanities and the Social Sciences. It conducts postgraduate degree and diploma programmes and short-term training courses in disciplines and specializations falling under Humanities and Social Sciences.
For programme details visit: More...