The City School of Architecture (CSA) with a history of over thirty-six years offers a path in architectural education towards a career in the building industry. Its structured curriculum, design studios, theoretical and technology based education and the experiences of the practice of architecture within the learn and work “sandwich concept” of the course, enable students to establish working relationships and links with the construction industry. Therefore, CSA courses are firmly rooted in the real world of practice. This enables CSA graduates to smoothly ascend from the student life to a professional career. 

CSA is an accredited School of the Board of Architectural Education (BAE), of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA). It received the full accreditation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for its Parts I & II Courses in January 2011 and was unconditionally re-accredited in March 2023 for next 5 years.

The School offers two course of study leading to professional qualifications.

The three-year full time Part I course leads to the CSA Diploma in Architectural Studies and gives the option of obtaining a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) Architecture degree from the University of the West of England (UWE) UK.

The three-year Part II course has a part time work and study component built into it and leads to the CSA Higher Diploma in Architecture with the option of obtaining a Master of Architecture and Environmental Design Degree from the   UWE, UK.

CSA students who successfully complete Diploma in Architectural Studies & Higher Diploma in Architecture Courses and Examinations will receive exemption from RIBA Part I & II Professional qualifications. These qualifications will enable students to apply for RIBA International Membership.

CSA advocates an equal opportunity policy and encourages equal participation of male and female students in the learning process. The diversity in age, cultural and social backgrounds in every batch of students, broadens students’ views and brings together diverse personalities to create a wholesome environment for higher learning.

Design is the core focus of the course and is conducted as interactive studios. An atmosphere of critical debate, innovative design thinking and a quest for creative design is encouraged through the faculty, tutors, critiques and resource persons drawn from the practice and academia, giving balanced teaching inputs. Peer interaction and reviews are also strongly encouraged.

Theory subjects, site and field visits, local and international visits experiencing architecture, joint study programmes with foreign universities, participation in local and foreign student conventions, apprenticing in a trainer practice – all offer the CSA students the necessary peripheral inputs to reinforce their design thinking and design skills to enrich them to become ‘Tomorrows Architects’.

Of the student batches that have gone through the portals of the school, many have established individual practices, whilst others have continued their education in academic institutions abroad, reading for Masters and Doctoral Degrees. Many Architects produced by the school have received awards and accolades locally and internationally.

www.csacolombo.edu.lk