Arts (SP)-Performing Arts
Arts (SP) - Performing Arts in Sri Lanka: Careers, Curriculum & Future Outlook
💼 Targeted Job Roles
- Performing Artist (Musician, Dancer or Actor)
- Music, Dance or Drama Teacher / Lecturer
- Theatre & Stage Practitioner / Director
- Screen, Film & Television Practitioner (Screen Studies)
- Choreographer / Music Director
- Arts Administrator & Cultural-Event Producer
- Content Creator / Performer for digital media
- Pathway to postgraduate study and research in the arts
📘 Overview
The BA in Performing Arts at the Sri Palee Campus of the University of Colombo is a practice-based creative degree offered through the Faculty of Performing Arts. Students develop their craft across music, dance, drama & theatre, screen studies and art & design, combining performance practice with theory and history. It suits talented, dedicated students who want to build a professional foundation in the performing and creative arts.
It earns a moderate future-proof score: it is a passion-driven field where direct, stable employment can be limited, but teaching, screen/content production and the broader creative economy offer real pathways for versatile, entrepreneurial graduates.
📚 What You'll Study
The Department of Performing Arts teaches several main subjects, with performance and production at the core:
- Music (Oriental, Carnatic or Western traditions)
- Dancing
- Drama and Theatre
- Screen Studies (film and television)
- Art & Design
- History, theory and aesthetics of the performing arts
- Performance, production and stagecraft practice
- A research or creative project in the final year
⏳ Duration
The Performing Arts programme is a four-year degree.
✅ Entry Requirements
You need three Arts-stream subjects at the G.C.E. Advanced Level, subject to these conditions, plus two special requirements:
- Three A/L subjects from the Arts stream, with: not more than two Languages; not more than one subject from the Religions & Civilisations basket; not more than one Technological subject; and not more than one of Accounting, Business Statistics or Economics
- At least an Ordinary Pass (S) in English at O/L — a certified copy of the O/L certificate must be submitted with the application (failure to submit may lead to rejection)
- A pass in the Aptitude Test conducted by the Sri Palee Campus (which may include an interview, practical test and/or written test)
Final selection also depends on the aptitude test and your Z-score, which vary every year — check your eligibility with the free tool on findmydegree.lk.
🏛️ Where It's Offered
- Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo (Horana) — 110 seats
ℹ️ Entry requirements, seats and universities are sourced from official UGC data (2024/2025 A/L). Career and curriculum details are general guidance — confirm specifics with each university.