ESOFT in association with Kingston University, London will be launching 05 new IT related degrees in September 2018, which will significantly increase the career opportunities available to Sri Lankan students who are interested in getting a high quality British qualification in the IT field. Five years ago, ESOFT first partnered with Kingston University London to offer Engineering qualifications, and then enhanced the collaboration by offering three IT related MSc qualifications: The MSc in Information Technology and Strategic Innovation aims to build skills relating to managing information and imparts knowledge and understanding of innovation processes, business strategy and management.

The MSc in Software Engineering teaches the correct way to develop high quality software systems in a cost-effective and quality assured way. The MSc in Network and Information Security focuses on the issues faced with regards to confidentiality and security of data in today’s online world and how to tackle them properly. Entry requirements for the MSc’s depend on the specialization but require you to be at least 25 years of age with a first degree, with some experience in the industry. Kingston University London, founded in 1899, is a public research university with close to 20,000 students selecting it as their higher education partner each year. Kingston University has been ranked 58th in the UK in the latest Guardian University Guide rankings for 2019. 

Kingston University graduates are renowned for their employability, and with a degree or masters from this university, Sri Lankan students too can get a competitive advantage in their careers. Preparations are currently underway to launch five brand-new BSc degrees in September 2018. The handpicked qualifications focus on the areas which will be in demand in the IT industry for the next decade. These include: The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Software Engineering), which prepares students to analyse, design, develop and maintain software that meets a high standard; The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Networking and Network Security), which examines networking and network security to safeguard information that is shared over these networks;

The BSc (Hons) Computer Science (Web and Mobile Application Development) which focuses on the latest tools which can be used to develop user-friendly and interactive applications that operate across multiple platforms; The BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, which nurtures highly qualified cyber security and computer forensics graduates who are trained to help reduce crime online; and The BSc (Hons) Multimedia Technology, which develops creative, technical and conceptual skills required by creative industries, with a strong emphasis on 2D, 3D graphics and moving images. School leavers and other professionals are able to make a choice depending on their passion and the skills and talents they possess.

As an added incentive, students that have good results in their local or London Advanced Level Examinations can make use of the merit based scholarship that is offered by ESOFT. ESOFT is the premier private sector higher education network in Sri Lanka, which needs no introduction. With over 40 branches island-wide, the college is easily accessible. ESOFT offers qualifications from various esteemed international partners who are mostly from the UK and is an institution offering a wide range of demand-driven qualifications. The value of the qualification offered at ESOFT is that while other educational institutes offer HND (Higher National Diploma) and the University Final year, ESOFT offers the complete 3-year degree with the university curriculum.

The advantage is that while alternative entry pathways for a degree final year – which are called top up degrees – might be relatively cheaper, receiving a degree straight from the university ensures a well-balanced curriculum and more closely integrated modules, which ultimately gives the student a competitive advantage. ESOFT offers the full 3-year degree qualification here in Sri Lanka, with an option to transfer if the students choose to do so. The tuition fees are 9 times lower than what you would pay for the same in London, so it has been made considerably affordable to Sri Lankan students. Since the BSc programmes are full time courses, they are ideal for school leavers wi th an interest in Information Technology. ESOFT plans to introduce an optional 9-month industrial placement in the sandwich year between 2nd and 3rd years of the degree. Students will work with highly recognised and reputed IT Service companies so that the industry exposure they get will be of the highest standards. 

If they wish to continue employment during their 3rd year, they will have the option of studying for the BSc as a part-time student. As a supplementary value addition, ESOFT also integrates any special training that employers expect students to have by introducing these areas into the curriculum as an additional component, just to give the students that competitive advantage. Students who choose to study with ESOFT in partnership with Kingston University London are able to receive a UGC recognised qualification delivered by a University approved lecture panel, while learning from a cutting-edge curriculum designed with input from the global IT industry.

Payment plans have been prepared keeping the parents in mind, with convenient plans available for full, yearly, or semester based payments. The BSc and MSc programmes from Kingston University London are currently only available at ESOFT Colombo and Kandy, with two intakes per year - one in September and the other in February.

Source: Dr. Dayan Rajapakse Group Managing Director of ESOFT

Ayeshni Wickramasinghe