Our Students
After completing their degrees, graduates of the Department of English go on to work in various fields. Our alumni consist of those who have succeeded in academia, theatre, advertising, the media and many other corporate and government sectors.
General Academic Information
Requirements for studying English as a Subject at the Department
You may take English as a subject for your Degree with us if:
- You have at least a Pass in English at the A/Levels
OR
- You have obtained a Pass at the External GAQ Examination with English as a subject.
If you have not done English Literature at the A/Levels
You may take English as a subject if :
- a) You have been exempted from following English Proficiency courses at the New Admissions Test, and b) you have passed a test set by the English Department
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Special Intake for English
If you are a special intake student for English:
- You have to take English as a subject at the University
- You cannot specialize in any other subject at the University
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Student Exchange Programs
The undergraduates at the Department of English also have the opportunity to participate in student exchange programs with the University of Giessen (Justus Liebig University) in Germany and La Trobe University in Australia and spend a semester studying abroad at these partner institutions. To learn more about these student exchange programs, visit the International Unit of the University of Colombo (IUUC) at the Faculty of Arts.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- Q: Can you please tell me about FNDE 1108 & FNDE 1109?
A: These are courses offered by the English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU), not by the Department of English. Please contact the Coordinator of the ELTU for information on these courses.
- Q: Can second semester courses be taken in the first semester?
A: No.
- Q: What courses do I need to take to specialise in English?
A: You have to take any two courses offered by the English Department (ENG 1101, ENG 1102 or ENG 1203) in your first year and obtain at least a B in each. In addition, your grade for FND 1105 will also be taken into consideration.
- Q: I haven’t taken English as an A/Level subject but I would like to do my subjects in the English medium. Can I do this?
A: Please ask the Heads of the relevant Departments if this is possible.
- Q: I haven’t taken English as an A/Level subject but I have a pass in the A/Level General English Paper. Can I still take English as a subject?
A: You can take English as a subject only if you have been exempt from following English Proficiency courses, and have passed a test set by the English Department.
- Q: I am not doing English as a subject. But I would like to take FND 1105 (Written Composition) as a non-credit course unit. Can I do this?
A: Priority will be given to students who are taking English as a subject. However, if there is room in the class you may follow the course. Please speak to the relevant lecturer.
- Q: I haven’t done English for the A/Levels and I haven’t been exempted at the New Admissions Test. Can I do English as a subject?
A: No. Please see requirements above.
- Q: Can I audit any English Department courses?
A: It depends on classroom space. Please speak to the lecturer teaching the course to find out.
- Q: I am a Special Intake student for English. Do I have to take English in the first year?
A: Yes. And you must continue to take English as a subject during all 3 or 4 years.
- Q: If I am a Special Intake student for English can I specialise in any other subject?
A: No. Special Intake students for English can only specialise in English.
- I have already done my GAQ externally. Do I have to start as a first year student?
A: Yes.
- How important is attendance at lectures?
A: The English Department requires 80% attendance at all courses and lecturers keep records of each student’s attendance.
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