Archaeology
Material culture, field methods, heritage and the human past.
Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka
Understanding society. Comparing ideas. Advancing knowledge.
Explore social sciences, archaeology, heritage, education and human thought through a distinctive academic environment shaped by rigorous inquiry and comparative engagement with Buddhism.
1998Department established
8Academic disciplines
9Study pathways
2Programme levels
Who We Are
Social inquiry grounded in context and comparison.
Established in 1998, the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies supports teaching and research across a broad range of social-science and humanities-related disciplines.
The department emphasizes practical knowledge, research experience and comparative study that engages Buddhist perspectives alongside wider academic traditions.
Since the establishment of the university’s faculty structure in 2012, the department has operated within the Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies.
Read our storyHistory
Sri Lankan, South Asian and European historical inquiry.
Sociology
Society, institutions, applied sociology and social research.
Philosophy
Classical and modern philosophical problems in comparative perspective.
Psychology
Modern, Buddhist, social, cognitive and counselling psychology.
Library & Information Science
Bibliographic control, information services and library technologies.
Heritage Management
Conservation, intangible heritage, tourism and museum management.
Education Science
Educational theory, methodology, measurement and professional practice.
Academic Programmes
All Programmes
Choose your field of study.
Explore the department’s Bachelor of Arts and Honours study pathways with year-by-year curriculum tables.
History
A structured historical programme spanning Sri Lankan, Indian and modern European history, art and religious history.
Psychology
An introduction to modern and Buddhist psychology with research, personality, social, cognitive and counselling perspectives.
Philosophy
Comparative philosophical study ranging from Indian and Greek traditions to ethics, religion, politics and contemporary thought.
Heritage Management
Study of heritage recognition, conservation, law, intangible heritage, tourism, museums and traditional cultural resources.
Sociology
A social-science pathway in sociology, anthropology, theory, applied sociology, social problems and research methods.
Library & Information Science
A professional foundation in librarianship, bibliographic control, information services, management and library technologies.
Student Portal
Academic resources in one place.
Quick access to department, library and examination resources.
Research & Activity
News & Events
Fieldwork, workshops and scholarship.
Recent university stories connected with department research and archaeology activities.
Communication and Leadership Skills Development Workshop
The “Guru Tharuwata Perahuruvak” (ගුරු තරුවට පෙරහුරුවක්) – Communication and Leadership Skills Development Workshop for Effective Teacher Leadership was successfully held on 25th August 2026.
Read storyForagers in ancient rainforests in Sri Lanka: Late Pleistocene to Late Holocene evidence from Fa-Hien Lena rockshelter
The Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka announces a significant milestone in its academic advancement with the publication of pioneering research by the Department of Social Sciences and Comparative Studies, Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies, in the internationally recognized Q1-indexed journal Quaternary Science Reviews.
Read storyHistoric Academic Milestone: Ven. Dr. Galwewe Wimalakhanthi Thero Appointed as Professor in Archaeology
Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka has marked a historic milestone in Sri Lankan higher education with the promotion of Ven. Dr. Galwewe Wimalakhanthi Thero to the post of Professor in Archaeology in the Faculty of Languages and Cultural Studies.
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