Address
Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo. View mapNext Intake 2025
Introduction
The Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo (FGS-Colombo) offers high-quality postgraduate training programmes where students are encouraged to research in a multidisciplinary environment that pays special attention to the challenges that developing countries face. The Faculty has made its national and international mission to deploy the skills and developing-country context-based experience of its staff to promote training and research that is of particular relevance to developing countries.
The recently revised development studies programme is conducted in close collaboration with other Universities in Sri Lanka and in the region, as well as with other organizations involved in development related-activities. The curriculum of the programme looks at development issues in a multi-disciplinary manner and emphasizes contextual relevance of training and analysis.
The programme aims to provide an opportunity to those who are committed to engage in and promote development-related activities to obtain a broad understanding of development-related issues and discourses, both theoretical and practical, in order to enhance their skills and productivity.
The need for a programme of this nature has been repeatedly pointed out by several organizations and individuals engaged in matters relating to development-oriented activities both in Sri Lanka and abroad have repeatedly pointed to the need for offering such a programme. FGS believes that its Master in Development Programme meet this need.
Semester I
MDS 6101 – Economic Growth and Development
MDS 6102 – Research Methodology
MDS 6103 – Statistical Techniques for Development Research
MDS 6104 – Appraisal Techniques in Development Projects
Semester II
MDS 6201 – Economic Development of Sri Lanka
MDS 6202 – Sociology of Development
MDS 6203 – International Trade and Development
MDS 6204 – Education and Development
MDS 6205 – Independent Study
The program leading to the MDS Degree, which is unless otherwise decided by the Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of the FGS for special reasons, as prescribed in the schedule shall be one academic year with eight (08) courses of 25 total credits values, and an Independent Study component of 7000- 8000 words which carries 05 credits, offered in two semesters as prescribed in the Schedule.
The titles of the courses, syllabi, course codes, credit values and other details are those set out in the Schedule and the Senate shall have power, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board to amend, add to, delete from or vary the courses, their titles, syllabi, course codes, credit values and other details of the program. Such amendments shall come into effect after due notice.
The Program of Study and Examinations leading to the MDS Degree shall be conducted in the conventional mode and/or through the information communication technology driven on-line mode or a combination of multi-modes and these By-Laws, and other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Regulations passed by the University shall be so applied and interpreted in order to facilitate the effective conduct of the study program without compromising its integrity and quality.
The medium of instruction and examination shall be English.
The Senate, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board shall appoint a Board of Examiners to conduct examinations and assess the performance of candidates.
- Duration: One year
- Weekends Programme
- Lecture mode: Online & Onsite
- Virtual Lectures
(three or four weekends) - Physical Lectures
(One weekend per month)
- Virtual Lectures
- SLQF level: 9
- Number of Credits: 30
- Medium of Instructions: English
- A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized University/Institution in Development studies; OR
- Any other Bachelor’s degree, with prior learning/work experience in Development studies; OR
- Postgraduate Diploma (SLQF 8) from a recognized University/Institution or an equivalent Qualification acceptable to the Faculty Board and Senate of the University with prior learning/ work experience in Development studies; OR
- Professional qualification in Development studies from a recognized professional body which is acceptable to the Faculty Board and Senate of the University with prior learning/ work experience in Development studies; OR
- Completion of NVQ level 7 (Equivalent to bachelor’s degree in SLQF) with relevant work experience in Development as determined by the Faculty Board and Senate of the University; And
- A good knowledge of the English language and satisfactory performance at a selection test/ selection interview.
- A person who wishes to apply for the FGS programmes shall forward the application to the Deputy Registrar, Faculty of Graduate Studies, No.35/30, Pro. Stanley Wijesundara Mawatha, Colombo 07.
- Applications can be downloaded from (fgs.cmb.ac.lk) the faculty website.
- The students will be selected through an interview.
- The next intake will be announced via the website, at the time of calling for applicants.
Course Fee ( Local Students)
Application Fee: LKR 3,000/=
Registration Fee: LKR 5,000/=
Course Fee: LKR 177,500/=
Library Fee: LKR 1500/=
Examination Fee: LKR 16,000/=
(Per one paper 2000*8)
Refundable Library Deposit: LKR 5,000/=
Course Fee ( Foreign Students)
Application Fee: 40 USD
Registration Fee: 65 USD
Course Fee: 2291 USD
Library Fee: 19 USD
Examination Fee: 206 USD
Refundable Library Deposit (Optional): LKR 5000/=
Senior Professor K Amirthalingam
Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo
Professor Chandana Aluthge
Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo
Professor MTM Mahees
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo
Dr M Ganeshamoorthy
Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo
MR Rajasuriya
Department of Business Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo
Dr SN Morais
Department of Social Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka
KA Vimalenthirarajah
Director General- Department of Fiscal Policy, General Treasury, Ministry of Finance
Course Coordinator
Senior Professor K. Amirthalingam
PhD, University of Colombo
Email: amir@econ.cmb.ac.lk
Course Assistant
Mr. Sahan Shashika
Email: mds@fgs.cmb.ac.lk
Phone: (+94) 11 205 56 56
