The Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET) runs 39 Colleges of Technology and Technical Colleges that offer NVQ Level 3 to 6 courses, from short certificate courses to English-medium diplomas. This guide sets out who can apply, the fees, the bursary, how to apply and how selection works, taken from DTET’s official 2026 intake notice (Gazette No. 2461, 31 October 2025), so you know what to prepare before the next call.
Check the date first: the 2026 intake notice gave a closing date of 4 December 2025, so that call has closed. We could not find a 2027 call on DTET’s website when we checked on 17 October 2026. Last year’s notice was published on 30 October 2025. Watch dtet.gov.lk for the next one. Entry rules and fees can change between intakes.
DTET Technical Colleges: Key Facts
| Item | Details (from the 2026 intake notice) |
|---|---|
| Institutions | 39 in total: 9 Colleges of Technology and 30 Technical Colleges |
| Qualification levels | NVQ Level 3 and 4 (certificate courses) and NVQ Level 5 and 6 (diploma courses) |
| Age | Over 17 years of age by 4 December 2025 (the notice’s reference date) |
| Medium | Diploma (NVQ 5 and 6) courses in English only. NVQ 3 and 4 courses in Sinhala or Tamil, except language courses |
| Full-time course length | Courses in the notice run from 3 months to 2 years, including on-the-job training |
| Registration fee | Rs. 1,500 for NVQ 3 and 4 courses. Rs. 2,500 for NVQ 5 and 6 and language courses (paid through GovPay) |
| Bursary | Up to Rs. 5,000 a month under the Nipunatha Sisu Sawiya programme for students from low-income families, based on attendance |
| Where to apply | Online at dtet.gov.lk or mis.dtet.gov.lk, or by registered post to the college |
| Contact | Career Guidance Division 011 2348893; info@dtet.gov.lk; +94 11 2348897 |
Who Can Apply
- NVQ Level 3 and 4 courses: entry rules differ by course. Many ask for Grade 9 or the G.C.E. O/L, and some ask for six O/L subjects, including named subjects, in no more than two sittings. For many NVQ 4 courses, an NVQ 3 qualification in the relevant field is accepted instead.
- NVQ Level 5 and 6 diplomas: the notice extract we could read does not state the entry rules. Check the course page on dtet.gov.lk before you apply.
Read the entry rule listed against your chosen course code. It is the one that counts.
Fees and Support
- Registration fee: Rs. 1,500 for NVQ 3 and 4 courses and Rs. 2,500 for NVQ 5 and 6 and language courses.
- Part-time courses: Rs. 25,000 per semester for diploma courses, Rs. 30,000 for one-year courses, Rs. 20,000 for six-month courses and Rs. 15,000 for courses under six months. Foundation programmes are listed as free of charge.
- Instalments: allowed on request. The first instalment is half the fee at registration, the balance is due within six months of the course starting, and the full amount must be paid before the final examination.
- Bursary: full-time students from low-income families may receive up to Rs. 5,000 a month, paid according to attendance.
- Travel: a concessionary bus and train season ticket may be available based on need.
How to Apply
- Choose your course and note its course code and entry rule.
- Apply online through the DTET application portal. NVQ 5 and 6 diploma applications must be made online only.
- For a paper application, write it on an A4 sheet following the specimen form and send it by registered post to the Director or Principal of the college (not to a named person), or hand it to the college’s Career Guidance Unit.
- Write the course title and course code on the top left of the envelope, and send a separate application for each course.
- Do not attach certificates or other documents to the application.
The notice says late applications are considered only if vacancies remain.
How Selection Works
- Selection is based on subject knowledge, communication skills in the course medium, and an interview. A college may hold a written examination if it receives many applications.
- You must show acceptable documents at the interview, or you will be disqualified.
- To sit the final examination you need at least 75% attendance and satisfactory performance.
- Full-time NVQ 4 to 6 courses include on-the-job training, usually six months. The notice says a recognised service certificate can confirm relevant work experience in place of industrial training.
What the Notice Does Not State
- Fees for full-time courses. The notice extract we read lists registration and part-time fees only, so do not assume full-time courses are free until the college confirms.
- Examination fees.
- Entry rules and course lengths for the NVQ 5 and 6 diplomas.
- Seat numbers, and interview or test dates.
- The next intake date.
The notice also has small inconsistencies, such as spelling differences in college names and Maradana appearing in the course list but not in the college list. A government careers page listed an application period running to 18 December 2025, while the gazette gave 4 December 2025. Always confirm with the college.
Where this fits: an NVQ certificate or diploma is a vocational qualification. See how the levels compare in our NVQ levels explained guide, and compare other routes in the VTA courses list and the NAITA IETI apprentice courses guide.
BrightNook Tips
- Pick the college by the course, not the town. Not every college runs every course, and each application is for one course at one college.
- Prepare before the call opens. Keep your O/L results, birth certificate details and any NVQ certificates ready so you can apply as soon as the notice appears.
- Apply for more than one course if you qualify. The notice asks for a separate application for each course.
- Practise for the interview. Selection tests subject knowledge and communication in the course medium, so be ready to explain why you chose the trade.
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FAQ
Are DTET technical college courses free?
The 2026 notice lists registration fees and part-time course fees, and it does not state full-time course fees. Confirm with your college before you assume a course is free.
Is there an upper age limit?
The notice states only that applicants must be over 17 by 4 December 2025. It gives no upper limit.
Can I apply by post?
Yes for most courses, by registered post to the college. NVQ 5 and 6 diploma applications must be made online.
Do I attach my certificates?
No. The notice says not to attach documents. You show originals at the interview.
Official Links
BrightNook.lk is an independent education information site and is not affiliated with DTET. Details are taken from DTET’s 2026 intake notice and were checked on 17 October 2026. Fees, entry rules and dates can change, so always confirm with DTET or your chosen college before applying.
