Overview
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) is Sri Lanka's defence-affiliated university, offering both military (cadet) degree programmes that combine academic study with officer-cadet military training, and civilian (non-cadet) degree programmes open to the general public without a military service obligation.
Who can apply
For military (cadet) intake, applicants must be Sri Lankan citizens, meet the age range and physical/medical fitness standards for officer-cadet training, and hold the GCE Advanced Level qualification with the subject stream and grades required for the chosen degree. Civilian (non-cadet) intake generally follows Sri Lanka's standard university admission requirements based on GCE Advanced Level results, without the military fitness and age criteria.
Exam pattern
Military (cadet) applicants go through a selection process that includes a written aptitude test, a physical fitness assessment, a medical examination, and an interview, in addition to meeting the GCE Advanced Level academic cut-off for the chosen degree programme. Civilian (non-cadet) applicants are selected mainly on GCE Advanced Level results through the standard university admission process.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through KDU's official admission process, following the application procedure and deadlines published separately for military (cadet) and civilian (non-cadet) intakes each academic year.
After the exam
Cadet-stream graduates are commissioned as officers in the Sri Lanka Army, Navy or Air Force (depending on their stream) after completing both their degree and military training, with an obligatory period of military service. Civilian-stream graduates receive their degree without a service obligation.
Preparation tips
Because cadet and civilian intakes have different selection processes under the same university, confirming which stream is being applied for — and preparing for the relevant academic cut-off plus, for cadet applicants, the physical fitness and aptitude test — avoids confusion between the two very different admission paths.
Does every KDU student have a military service obligation?
No, only cadet-stream students, who combine their degree with officer-cadet training, have a military service obligation; civilian (non-cadet) stream students do not.
What does cadet-stream KDU admission involve beyond academic results?
A written aptitude test, a physical fitness assessment, a medical examination, and an interview, in addition to meeting the GCE Advanced Level academic cut-off.