University Admissions for 2025/26 Academic Year in September 2026

COLOMBO (News 1st); Admissions to Sri Lanka’s state universities for the 2025/26 academic year are scheduled to commence in the first week of September 2026, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya told Parliament today (6).

The Prime Minister said that following the release of university cut-off marks, all student registration lists will be forwarded to the respective universities by August 31, 2026, enabling institutions to independently decide start dates for academic programmes from the first week of September.

Addressing Parliament in her capacity as Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr Amarasuriya said the government plans to admit 42,937 students to state universities.

She added that efforts are underway to enhance facilities for university students while ensuring programmes are conducted in a structured and efficient manner.

The Prime Minister noted that the intake numbers for first-degree programmes are expected to be maintained at levels similar to previous years. She also announced that two new degree programmes have been introduced for the 2025/26 academic year.

Dr Amarasuriya further said a special committee has been appointed to prepare a policy and framework for reforms in the higher education sector. The committee has been working for around six months and is currently focused on identifying existing issues within the sector, as well as changes required to align higher education reforms with broader reforms in general education.

She said future changes to the higher education sector will be planned based on the committee’s recommendations, following discussion on its report.