Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours

The Program

The Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours (BSEHons) programme aims to produce quality, skillful graduates in this rapidly developing discipline, which covers one of the major fields of computing according to the ACM/IEEE curriculum guidelines. The degree has been specially designed in response to the industry demand to produce graduate software engineers.

For those who aspire to become software architects, software engineers, system analysts, and QA engineers this programme would be of immense value. The duration of the program is four (4) years, however, if a student possesses accepted formal post-secondary educational qualifications at the entrance, he/she may complete the program within a shorter period.

This programme explores the design, construction and implementation of large, complex software systems, which meet information processing challenges, subject to constraints such as cost, time and risk management. Students should complete core units in computer science, programming, software engineering, mathematics and Quality Assurance and Testing. Special attention is given to making students proficient in communication skills.

All Day schools, lab sessions and discussions will be conducted in English medium

Special attention is given to making students proficient in communication skills

 

Delivery of the BSEHons programme is coordinated by the Center for IT Educational Services (CITES) 

Our Partnership

The OUSL has formed a close collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association for Software Service Companies (SLASSCOM), the largest association for companies exporting software. Experts from SLASSCOM member companies have provided input to the design of the curricula to ensure that the graduates of the program have the right attributes and qualities expected by the software industry. SLASSCOM member companies will also provide internship opportunities and scholarships for those with the right attitude and aptitude. We would also like to suggest that you take up the challenges listed at the FutureCareersBridge site maintained by SLASSCOM, so you can get a head start on developing  IT skills that will help you to secure internships as well as help in successfully completing the BSE degree program.

 

Program Dilivery

The OUSL use a technology-supported distance delivery model to deliver the programme. A Learner Management System (LMS), is used to manage the learner activities and provide access to materials. Tutorial support is provided through discussion forums and other facilities available in the LMS. A panel of dedicated tutorial support staff is coordinating small groups of students and provide individual assistance when required.

The Study Programme is delivered online mostly except for Final Examinations. Whenever possible on-site activities are arranged at selected Regional Centers.

 

Programme learning outcomes

PLO1: Apply knowledge of mathematics, basic sciences and engineering fundamentals to the analysis of complex engineering problems.

PLO2: Identify, formulate, research literature, conduct investigations and solve complex engineering problems to provide valid conclusions.

PLO3: Design systems, components or processes that meet specified needs.

PLO4: Conduct investigations of complex problems using research based knowledge and research methods.

PLO5: Create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering and IT tools to complex engineering activities.

PLO6: Assess societal, health, safety, legal, cultural and environmental issues related to professional engineering solutions.

PLO7: Demonstrate broad knowledge of sustainable development concepts and practices required for dealing with contemporary issues related to professional engineering practice.

PLO8: Demonstrate broad knowledge of ethical responsibilities and professional standards

PLO9: Demonstrate ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member.

PLO10: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering community and with society at large, such as being able to comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.

PLO11: Demonstrate broad knowledge of management and business practices, including financial management, risk and change management.

PLO12: Engage in independent and lifelong learning in the broad context of technological Change

 

Minimum and Maximum period of the study programme

This is a 4-year specialised degree in software engineering according to the contents of the programme. Maximum number years a student can take to complete the degree is 12 years. Study Programme will be delivered in 2 Semesters from the Academic year 2021/2022.

Exemptions

Students with prior academic qualifications beyond standard entry requirements may be eligible for course exemptions based on their learning history.

Exemption Details: Listed in the Student Guidebook of the respective academic year.
Minimum Credits Requirement: Even with exemptions, students must complete OUSL courses and earn a minimum number of credits to qualify for an award.

How to Apply for Exemptions?
If your qualifications are not listed in the guidebook, you may apply for exemptions by submitting a duly completed application form, available for download on the Faculty Webpage

Programme Code  :
   BS
Programme Category :
   Undergraduate Programme
Conducted by  :
   Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Technology
Programme duration  :
   Minimum 4 Years
Discipline(s) / Course(s) :
   Computing

• Obtained three (03) passes in G.C.E (A/L) Examination in any stream (excluding General English and General Information Technology subjects) in any number of sittings or
• Obtained “C” passes in any three (03) subjects in Cambridge/ Edexcel Advanced Level Examination, or
• Completed any Advanced Certificate Program offered by the OUSL , or
• Any other qualification acceptable to the Senate

Note:
Any other Qualification claimed in lieu of A/L must be equivalent to GCE (A/L) acceptable to the University

and 

  • Pass the Selection Test

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will conduct a series of pre-orientation sessions at selected Regional Centers together with webinars to present the details about the study program. Webinar links will be available in the near future.

Application Issuing date: The application issuance for the academic year 2024/2025 is now closed. Applications for the 2025/2026 academic year will be issued in late 2025.

For students registered for the academic year 2024/2025.

EfIL and Bridging Math course start date: Jan-March 2025
Start date of the Academic Year for 2024/2025 :  25 March 2025
Start date of EGAP : Jan 2025

Local and Foreign Students – Application fee – LKR 750

Local Students
Registration fee – LKR 500/=
Facilities fee – LKR 2500/=
Library Facilities fee – LKR 100/=. (A refundable deposit will be charged if you get the facility to borrow books from the library)
Per Credit fee – LKR 4190/=

(In a year a student may take up to 32 – 33 credits and to graduate a student must pass 130 credits)

Bursaries and Scholarship opportunities are available at OUSL for those who require financial assistance.

For more details Contact the coordinators via the Help Desk  http://helpdesk.ou.ac.lk

Address :
  Dept. of Electrical and Computer Eng/ OUSL/ Nawala
Contact :
  +94 11 288 1081,
  +94 70 181 9239 Tamil and English medium
  +94 70 181 9240 Sinhala and English medium
  +94 70 181 9241 English medium
Email :

About the Program

  • What is the Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours (BSE) degree of the OUSL?

BSE is a UGC-approved degree program offered by the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL). It is the first software engineering degree programme offered in Sri Lanka. The programme is designed according to the ACM/IEEE, global standards for computing degree programs, and is delivered in close association with the Sri Lanka Association of Software Services Companies (SLASSCOM). SLASSCOM is an umbrella organisation with over 400 of the largest software development companies in Sri Lanka. 

  • Where can I find more information about the BSE Degree Program?

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (FET) publishes an Annual Student Guide Book that contains details about all the degree programs offered by it. Students can find more information about the degree program in the BSE Guidebook 2024/2025.

  • Can anybody follow this degree?

Yes, if you have the entry qualification which are  three GCE A/L passes (excluding General IT (GIT) and General English) in any number of sittings or other equivalent qualifications and Pass the Selecon Test.

  • Do I need strong mathematical knowledge to follow the degree?

All the mathematical knowledge required for the degree program is included in the curriculum. In the first year, you will learn the basic mathematics that is required for the rest of the mathematics courses. However, we have also designed a bridging mathematics course for those who have studied arts or commerce subjects at the Advanced Level.

  • How much time does a student have to spend when following the program?

The BSE degree program consists of 90 SLQF credits. Each credit requires a learner to spend 50 notional hours. This includes face-to-face interactions, self-study time, lab classes, assignments and all other academic activities. Each course will be delivered for 15 weeks, thus students are expected to spend around 3 hours per week for each credit they take from the course.

  • Can a student do the BSE program while following another course of study at another institute?

A student following a course at another institute may register for the BSE program. However, such a student should keep in mind the workload of the program. In practice, it will be very hard to manage time to do more than one study program at a time.

  • Can a student do the BSE program while following another course of study at the OUSL?

Yes. But the total combined credits that can be offered in a year cannot exceed 38.

  • Is the BSE offered by the OUSL recognised?

Degrees offered by the OUSL are recognised by the UGC and professional bodies such as IESL. Like any other state sector university, OUSL also goes through rigorous review process every 5 years to ensure that its degree programs are of the highest standard. Students who graduated from OUSL are occupying the highest positions in the industry.

  • Can I take a year off and still continue my studies?

Yes. The flexibility offered by the OUSL allows you to take a year off. A Student can register to maintain only the studentship by paying a nominal fee without taking any courses within the year. Students are allowed 12 years to complete the BSE degree from the date of first registration

  • Do we need to come on weekdays to the university for lectures?

We are not conducting lectures. We are conducting Interactive Learning Sessions (ILS) to guide students on the respective course. Day Schools are scheduled on the weekend. A Day School will be continued for two hours. There can be four or five Day Schools scheduled on weekends per course based on the course requirement. Due to the pandemic situation in the country currently, we are conducting all the DSs through Zoom (Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Webinars, Screen Sharing – Zoom).

  • When will the course start?

Guide to the existing website.

  • Can I exit the program without completing the degree and still get a certificate?

Yes. The flexible learning structure of the OUSL allows a student who satisfy the requirements to obtain a Higher Diploma in Software Engineering. Visit the BSE Guidebook 2024/2025 for a list of requirements.

  • How much will it cost to follow this program?

At the OUSL, course fees are calculated based on the number of credits. For the BSE degree program course fee for credit is LKR. 3,000. To get the degree a student needs to pass a minimum of 130 credits. Each year course fees are increased by 10% to account for inflation, . In addition, students should also pay the following registration fee and facilities fees.

Give the link to the BSE web page.

  • Does a student have to pay all the fees at the beginning of the year?

The OUSL allows students to pay the course fee in two instalments, 60% of the course fee at the beginning of the academic year and the balance at the beginning of semester 2. Other fees such as the facilities fees, registration fees have to be paid at the beginning of the academic year.

  • Is there any financial support to follow the program?

Yes. The Government of Sri Lanka has arranged an interest-free/low-interest loan from the government banks. The loan can be paid over a period of 60 months after graduation. In addition, the OUSL also has several bursary schemes to support dedicated students:

Besides, member companies of SLASSCOM are willing to provide the students who have the right aptitude and attitude internship opportunities and scholarships to follow the program. Visit the SLASSCOM Future Careers Bridge site and do the challenges given there. If a company becomes interested in your abilities and mindset, they will contact you. 

  • Does OUSL provide hostel facilities?

No. OUSL does not have hostel facilities. However, it provides temporary residential facilities (TRF) for those students who have to travel to Colombo, Kandy or Matara regional centres for scheduled academic activities such as Lab evaluations, CAT examinations, final examinations etc. The student has to obtain a TRF card by paying a fee of Rs. 1,500 which would allow the students to stay at the facility for 30 days. A student may use the TRF facility for 60 days in an academic year However, a student is allowed to stay only 6 consecutive days on any occasion.

  • How can I obtain a letter from the university to confirm the studentship?

You have to request the letter from Student Affairs/Student  Welfare division.

  • Does OUSL provide exemptions for qualifications obtained elsewhere?

Yes, You can request exemptions for qualifications that you have obtained elsewhere. The student will need to provide all the required information and pay a small fee to process the request. Once a request has been received, a departmental committee will evaluate the contents of the certification the student has obtained from some other institute and decide whether an exemption can be granted and recommend the same to the Faculty Board and the Senate.

The student guidebook contains a list of qualifications already accepted by the OUSL for exemptions. These exemptions are automatically granted if the student produces the relevant certificate at the time of registration.

  • Currently, I’m working in a company as a Software Engineer/ Quality Assurance Engineer. I have 1 year of experience. Can I get an exemption for the Industrial Training Course (EEW5611 Industrial Training – Software)?

All students have to undergo one year full-time training period to obtain the degree.  Training placements, assessments etc are handled by the Training Engineer.  After the second year, training can be completed at any time. Due dates for submissions are announced by the Training Engineer.

Please visit the Industrial Training section on the Faculty web page.

The required documents should be given to the Training engineer.

 

Avalable Courses for this Study Programme Find Courses

Contact Details

For more details Contact the coordinators via the Help Desk  http://helpdesk.ou.ac.lk

Address :
  Dept. of Electrical and Computer Eng/ OUSL/ Nawala
Contact :
  +94 11 288 1081,
  +94 70 181 9239 Tamil and English medium
  +94 70 181 9240 Sinhala and English medium
  +94 70 181 9241 English medium
Email :
Contact Programme Coordinator

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