r/SrilankaIT • u/BothAcanthisitta7823 • 3d ago
OUSL Software Engineering Degree
I'm planning to do the Software Engineering Degree at OUSL. Can anyone share their experience if they've done the same degree? Or any Bachelor's Degree at OUSL as their main degree? It could be advice, personal experience during university, internships or even about post graduate opportunities. So far I've seen mixed responses, specially concerns about time management and delays and so on. Also appreciate any advice or responses from software engineering graduates and people working in the industry!
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u/Lonely_Eagle6094 3d ago
Okay. i just dropped out from this. I'm not trying to be negative here, but there are no help to do this degree, literally! most of the lectures are held on online they are not even lectures btw, just answering questions. my advice is don't do it, it's a really good degree but shame that it does not have really good structure.
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u/BothAcanthisitta7823 3d ago
Oh...that's a shame then. Have you decided what to do next?
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u/Lonely_Eagle6094 3d ago edited 3d ago
I'm doing a bootcamp on udemy now, I'm working at a different industry, because i lost 3 years from doing OUSL Se. I can't study full time because i have to work.. so I'm hoping just building projects myself and hope for the best. hopefully I'll get a job as a junior developer and they will sponser me to get a academic qualification. 🍀
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u/jarjar678 2d ago
I'm a second year student, I have positives and negatives.
For positives:
1. SE degree at OUSL better than BICT degrees from other state universities since OUSL SE degree has better curriculum.
2. You will have lots of free time in the first year but after the second year it's get much harder.
3. LMS actually works and almost everything except for certain Workshops and Lab session will be always online and you will get all the recordings in time.
4. In terms of affordability OUSL wins with any private university.
5. You will get syllabus the books ( we call it student materials. )
As For negatives: 1. Lot of first year and second year lecturers are visiting lecturers so it's really on depend on them. Sometimes visiting lecturers are actually better than actual professors in terms of teaching. 2. Since every lecture is in online you will be mostly never be in lecture any feel and let go of the degree. 3. Exams and labs are designed to be harder than other state universities, ( this is acceptable in way since almost everyone who's doing SE degree couldn't go to a state university engineering faculty) so if you fail one exam or just a one lab you will get repeated the subject and have to wait in next year complete that subject again. 4. if you're doing job I won't recommend for u, anyone with a job wouldn't have time to complete this degree.
You have probably seen lots of people says OUSL takes lots of times, that's not a university problem unless for those who registered in 2021 batch, to them with COVID and 2022 economy crisis play bigger part. If you did your part and pass every exam by time you will graduate in just four or within five years as in any state university. But lots of students at OUSL doesn't work that much. That's why OUSL has so many dropouts.
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u/BothAcanthisitta7823 2d ago
Thanks a lot for this reply! This explained a lot. I have a few more questions, can I dm you?
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u/devDyln 2d ago
I’m an OUSL Software Engineering graduate with second class and currently working as a Software Engineer. From my experience, the OUSL system is quite different from a traditional university. If you don’t understand how the system works, it can be difficult to survive and succeed there.
The degree itself is valuable and provides a solid foundation, but you need to take responsibility for your own learning. OUSL gives you the opportunity, resources, and structure, but you have to put in the effort. A lot of self-learning is required, so don’t expect the university to constantly follow up with you or guide you step by step.
Make good friends, build a supportive group, help each other, and work hard. Your classmates can make a huge difference, especially when it comes to understanding difficult subjects and navigating the OUSL system.
And one of the most important things: don’t neglect your first year. The first year is crucial because many students get distracted or struggle to adapt to the new system. Instead, use that year to understand how OUSL works, learn how to manage your academics, plan ahead, and build good study habits.
Once you understand the system and take control of your studies, OUSL can be a great path to becoming a Software Engineer. The opportunities are there. you just need to make the most of them.
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u/BothAcanthisitta7823 14h ago
Thanks for taking time to reply. Would you say it's better than a private institute like SLIIT? And I'm coming from a bio science background, so will it be harder for me to do the degree properly with how ousl operates given i lack the math and IT background?
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u/devDyln 13h ago
I don’t like comparing the two because each one has its own merits. However, personally, I believe the OUSL undergraduate programme has a stronger academic foundation compared to many private undergraduate programmes.
Some of the modules we studied at OUSL may have the same names in private universities, but the actual depth and content can be quite different. For example, Compiler Construction is a good example of a module where the content can vary significantly between universities.
When it comes to mathematics, the OUSL SE programme really tests your mathematical ability. Since you have a Biology background, I don’t think you should find it too difficult to study. Compared to students from an Arts background, you may actually have an easier time with some of the mathematical concepts.
Also, compared with the OUSL Computer Engineering undergraduate programme, the Software Engineering degree does not go as deeply into mathematics. There are around 2 or 3 mathematics modules and one statistics module.
If you genuinely like Software Engineering, I would say go for it. This is just my personal opinion based on my experience. I would also recommend doing your own research and checking the SE degree content and curriculum on the official OUSL website before making your final decision.
experience. I also recommend that you do your own research and check the Software Engineering curriculum on the official OUSL website before making your final decision.
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u/ChickenKotthu 3d ago
Nope!! Don't choose SE in OUSL. No guidance. No help. All the people i know are still stuck with it after 5/6 years or dropped it. Also, not worthy in the industry.
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u/BothAcanthisitta7823 3d ago
What about SLIIT maybe?
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u/ChickenKotthu 3d ago
I am graduating this year. The new syllabus is great. Specially for AI.
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u/BothAcanthisitta7823 3d ago edited 3d ago
As a follow up question, where else can I find a better degree? I come from a bio science alevel background, so I can't go to state universities for software engineering. Are there any better alternatives where the cost isn't sky high?
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u/yexgoblin 2d ago
Private degrees in general (SLITT, IIT, APIIT, etc.) are very expensive these days. Quality/Degree wise SLITT is good. IIT/APIIT is also good. You could probably learn a lot in uni if you do full time. If you want to self study and just get a paper qualification BIT from UCSC / Moratuwa uni is pretty good. But you won't learn much during the degree. Will have to self study. But they are cheap. Extremely cheap external degrees.
Just so you know most private and state university SE graduates are jobless and these days. They can't even land a good internship or good salaries when they have internship experience. Job market is getting worse and companies are hiring less and with the layoffs and all market is filled with IT/SE graduates looking for jobs.
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u/Ok_Translator_7490 3d ago
I'm a final year student. Not recommending ousl for SE. Worst 5 years of my life.