The Department of Demography of the University of Colombo conducts a two-year MPhil Programme in Demography. The programme is directed towards students who have demonstrated an outstanding performance in Population Studies at the postgraduate level with proven ability in undertaking research. The MPhil degree programme is by research and takes two years for completion on a full-time basis. MPhil candidates who have demonstrated outstanding performance in their proposal defense will be upgraded to PhD in Demography.