- What are the Study Programmes offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences?
- Bachelor of Science Honours in Nursing [BSc Hons in Nursing]
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences Honours [BMLS Hons]
- Bachelor of Pharmacy Honours [BPharm Hons]
- Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology [BSc Hons in Psychology]
Higher Diploma in Psychology is an interim qualification of BSc Hons in Psychology programme.
- When will applications be called for the Study Programmes?
- Applications are called once every year through newspaper advertisements.
- For Academic Year 2020/2021: Applications are called between 11th October to 11th November 2020.
- Applications must be submitted ONLINE before deadline, using the link in OUSL homepage.
- International students should contact the International Relations Division. Email dirir@ou.ac.lk; ird@ou.ac.lk.
- What are the qualifications required for admission to a Study Programme?
- Check the Faculty Prospectus in the Faculty of Health Sciences webpage: https://www.ou.ac.lk/faculty-of-health-sciences/
Or use the following link: https://www.ou.ac.lk/programmes-health-sciences/
Please note:
- BSc Hons in Nursing, BMLS Hons and BPharm Hons: Applicants must possess prior qualifications in respective field (those having only A/Levels are not qualified for admission).
- BSc Hons in Psychology: May apply only with A/Level in any study stream or equivalent qualifications.
- In addition, selection for admission to programmes is based on a Selection test.
- Can I know more about the Selection Test?
- All four Programmes conduct a written selection test. For BSc Hons Psychology degree only, applicants are also required to face an oral examination.
- BSc Nursing & BSc Psychology Hons programmes: Written selection test will be computer based.
- BMLS Hons & BPharm Hons Degree programmes: Selection test will be paper based.
- Nature of the written selection test is informed in the Prospectus.
- When you apply online, an admission card will be generated informing the date, time, centre, and other details. Must produce a printout of the admission card and NIC at the test.
- Cut off mark for the selection of students is determined by each department.
- How will I know if I am selected for admission to the Programme of Study?
- List of provisionally selected students based on a merit list, will be published in the OUSL website.
- If selected, how do I register for the Programme of Study?
- Selected students will be informed individually to register for the Programme on a specified date.
- Must submit originals and photocopies of your educational and other required documents to confirm the registration.
- Must register on the date specified. Registration after the scheduled registration period will not be permitted.
- Following initial registration as a new student, you must re-register each academic year.
- Do I have to come myself for registration?
- Yes, it is essential that you come yourself for registration as there are decisions to make.
- In unavoidable circumstances you may send all relevant documents with copies through another person with a letter of authorization.
- Can I change courses after registration?
- Yes,the OUSL permits to add or drop courses on the add/drop date and to drop courses on the drop date.
- Add and drop datesare informed in the Prospectus.
- You cannot drop or add courses for an academic year beyond these dates, without academic and/or financial penalties.
- Can I withdraw from the whole programme after registration?
- You can withdraw from the programme with a refund, provided a request is made before the add/drop date.
- How much will I have to pay?
- Fees payable for the Academic year 2020/2021 by local students are:
| Fee (Rs) | Nursing | BMLS | BPharm | Psychology | ||||||
| Registration Fee | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | 400.00 | ||||||
| Facility Fee | 1500.00 | 1500.00 | 1500.00 | 1500.00 | ||||||
| Library Facility Fee | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | ||||||
| Laboratory Facility Fee | – | 1500.00 | 1500.00 | – | ||||||
| Refundable Lab Fee | – | 2500.00 | 2500.00 | – | ||||||
| Tuition fees per credit: | ||||||||||
| Levels 03 & 04 | – | 2870.00 | 2870.00 | 2720.00 | ||||||
| Levels 05 & 06 | 3030.00 | 3100.00 | 3110.00 | 3030.00 | ||||||
- Total amount payable will depends on number of courses a student offers for theacademic year. Also, fees can be paid in two installments for each academic year.
- Fees stated in the above table are applicable only for academic year 2020/2021 and may change in subsequent years.
- Can I get exemptions for prior qualifications?
- Yes, you may request for specific exemptions from courses based on relevant prior qualifications.
- Specific qualifications with respect to BSc Hons in Nursing, BMLS Hons and BPharm Hons programmes have been evaluated, and exemptions are granted as informed in the Prospectus.
- Applications can also be submitted for evaluation of other qualifications for exemptions. Application form can be downloaded from Faculty of Health Sciences webpage (https://www.ou.ac.lk/downloads-health-sc/). Must apply with proof before 25.02.2021.
- Total exemptions granted shall not exceed 60 credits. Exemptions granted should be claimed at Registration for them to be valid.
- How are the Study Programmes conducted and when will they commence?
- Academic activities of programmes will be conducted adopting the distance mode of teaching-learning.
- Medium of instructions is English.
- Most academic activities are conducted only at Colombo Regional Centre. Continuous Assessment Tests and Final examinations are conducted at Regional centres.
- Activities of the Academic Year 2020/2021 are tentatively scheduled to commence in April 2021.
- What is the distance mode of teaching-learning?
- Can pursue learning in your own time and pace, irrespective of location, age or other barriers.
- Face-to-face teaching sessions are minimal. Noregular lectures as in conventional universities.
- Learn via self-study course material in the form of written texts& audio/visual aids.
- Extensive support through online components.
- Day schools (discussions), tutorials and assignments facilitate learning. Day schools can be face-to-face or via web conferencing (such as Zoom platform).
- Other teaching-learning activities include compulsory practical components, continuous assessments, and final examinations.
- Can I study while being employed?
- Yes, our university has been established primarily to cater to adults and the employed.
- Flexible teaching-learning mode is particularly suited for those employed to achieve their higher educational aspirations.
- Will I be an external student?
- All OUSL students are internal students. We provide comprehensive learner support through study material, tutorial support and other academic assistance to all our students.
- What is the duration of the Honours Degree Programme and how many credits can I register for?
- All Honours degree programmes can be completed in a minimum of 04 years. Those who obtain exemptions, may even complete in less than 4 years.
- Can register for a minimum of 8 credits and a maximum of 30 credits for an academic year. You can decide the workload within this credit limit, depending on the time available for studies.
- You decide how many years you will spend on completing the programme (whether to complete within minimum duration or take more time).
- Should complete requirements for the award of the honours degree within 12 academic years from the initial registration to the programme.
- What is a credit?
- A “credit” is the academic value of an Open University course.
- Time you will have to allocate for studying a course depends on its credit rating.
- One credit = 50 notional learning hours.
- When will I be issued my study material?
- Course material will be given in electronic format after your registration to the programme is confirmed.
- Timetables and other relevant course information will also be provided via departmental webpage and the MyOUSL (the online student portal).
- Will I be able to obtain a Mahapola or other Bursary awarded by the Open University?
- You are NOT entitled for Mahapola bursaries if employed.
- But you may be entitled for other bursaries awarded by the OUSL on merit/need basis.
- Student handbook and OUSL website provide information on bursaries& how to apply.
- How can I get further information and help?
- Faculty Prospectus and Undergraduate Guidebook: These handbooks provide important information in more detail for prospective and registered students.
- Orientation and counselling sessions: Provide advice on how to plan studies before registration to a Programme. Each student will also be assigned a personal academic counsellor.
- Contact staff: After registering, meet academic staff in relevant department and get advice/clarify doubts on academic related queries.
- Contact relevant Head of Department:
| Department | Telephone | Post | |||||
| Head, Nursing | 011-2881325 | hdnurse@ou.ac.lk | P.O. Box 21, Nugegoda | ||||
| Head, MLS | 011-2881146 | hdmedilab@ou.ac.lk | |||||
| Head, Pharmacy | 011-2881131 | hdpharma@ou.ac.lk | |||||
| Head, Basic Sc. | 011-2881000 ext 663 | hdbasicsc@ou.ac.lk | |||||
| Head, Psychology and Counselling | 011-2881000 ext 702 | hdpcoun@ou.ac.lk |
- Contact Dean/Health Sciences on 011-2881075 or email: deanhealth@ou.ac.lk. Assistant Registrar on 011-2881355 or email: arhealth@ou.ac.lk
- OUSL Counselling Unit at Health Centre, Central campus: A professional counsellor is available during week days to offer free and confidential psychological counselling services to promote mental health and wellbeing of registered students. Telephone: 0112881361(Ext: 361); WhatsApp: 070 251 0820; Email: counsellor@ou.ac.lk