Kerala University (Courses, Fees, Admission, Ranking 2025)

The University of Kerala, established in 1937 at Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the oldest and highly reputed universities in India. The University was created to be an apex center of learning and possesses immense educational opportunities (a very wide course structure) along with an emerging research culture and more than 150 affiliated colleges scattered throughout the state. The University of Kerala offers a wide array of postgraduate courses, diplomas, and PhD programs in arts, science, commerce, education, management, etc. This blog offers an overview of courses, the admission process, fee structure, examination process, placement support, and the overall ranking of the University of Kerala as an academic base for making an informed choice. In this blog, we will discuss the different aspects of the University of Kerala.

About the University

The University of Kerala was formerly recognized as the University of Travancore and is one of the earliest and first public universities in India. It was founded in 1937 at Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, and has thus become almost synonymous with Indian higher education due to a number of academic standards, quality programs, research, and innovative practices. The University of Kerala is approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is now again reaccredited by NAAC with an outstanding `A' grade. 

The University has grown to become a comprehensive institution, with more than 150 affiliated colleges in the state, and has produced more than 150new and positive opportunities for many post-graduates, for diploma seekers, for doctoral students, and students involved in distance education programs. It is a popular university for its role in creating programs in the arts, sciences, commerce, technology, and education, where its program always seeks to make attractive changes according to the job market and academic society in general. 

Quality and education for the increasing social development talents, R&D, and D.C are the university's mission, including access, affordability, and inclusion. India has the potential to maintain its inclusive character with the University of Kerala, which continues to attract thousands of students from all parts of the country every year.

Why Choose the University of Kerala?

Here is the list of reasons to choose the University of Kerala for your academic journey:

• One of the oldest and esteemed universities in India (85 years old), 
• NAAC accredited with grade ‘A’ for quality education and academic integrity
• Offering a variety of postgraduate, diploma, and doctoral programs
• Affordable fee structure for higher education with access to all learners
• Over 150 affiliated colleges are under the academic network across Kerala
• An academic and research-based environment with experienced faculties
• Regular scholarships and means of financial support are available to deserving students 
• Hostel stay facilities, libraries, e-learning, sports, and labs
• Career-oriented courses with placement support and internship support
• Distance education through the School of Distance Education (SDE)  

Courses Offered by the University of Kerala

The University of Kerala offers a really good range of programs that try to accommodate students from many differing educational backgrounds and career perceptions. These types of programs may range from regular arts and science degrees to professional courses in fields as management, education, computer applications, and engineering. The programs are regular-mode based, with distance education mode, allowing access for students who cannot study full-time. In addition, students can access skill-based and job-oriented certification courses offered by various departments and centres throughout the university. Here is the detailed table of the PG & Doctorate courses offered by the University of Kerala: 

Post Graduate Courses

Here is a detailed table of postgraduate courses offered by the University of Kerala are listed below:

Course Name	Basic Eligibility	Approx. Tuition Fee (INR)	Duration	Specializations / Subjects Offered
MA (Master of Arts)	Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks	INR 5,000 per year	2 years	Sociology  Political Science  Malayalam Literature  Tamil Literature  Arabic Literature  English Literature  German  Russian  Music  Linguistics  Hindi  Sanskrit  Manuscript Studies  Archaeology  Economics  History  Islamic Studies  Philosophy  Psychology
MSc (Master of Science)	Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks	INR 4,500 per year	2 years	Geology  Environmental Science  Aquatic Biology & Fisheries  Biochemistry  Biotechnology  Botany  Zoology  Computer Science  Chemistry  Demography  Mathematics  Physics  Statistics  Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
MTech (Master of Technology)	Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks	INR 4,500 per year (estimated)	2 years	Computer Science Futures Studies Opto-Electronics
MBA (Master of Business Administration)	Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks	INR 30,000 per year	2 years	General Tourism Shipping & Logistics (offered via IMK Centre)
MSW (Master of Social Work)	Bachelor’s degree	INR 6,000 per year (estimated)	2 years	Social Work (various domains)
LLM (Master of Laws)	LLB degree	INR 10,000 per year (estimated)	1–2 years	Postgraduate Law Specializations
MCom (Master of Commerce)	BCom or equivalent with 45% marks	INR 6,000 per year	2 years	Commerce Finance Accounting Business Studies
MLISc (Master of Library & Information Science)	BLib.I.Sc degree	INR 9,775 total	1 year	Library Science & Information Management

Note: Fees vary by specialization and mode (Regular vs. Distance); the figures supplied are from expositional data, and approximate "typical" procurement range.

Important Topics:

• MA and MSc fees are also among the lowest in India, with many specialisations costing around INR 4,500 total tuition for Regular on-campus registration. Some languages and social science streams charge a little more, but not much (~INR 11,000 per year).
• MTech and MSW: I could not readily find detailed official fee data, but similar programmes at Kerala University more typically follow the MSc fee band (~INR 4,500/year) for public departments.
• As for getting fees from the Institute of Management in Kerala (IMK) for MBA study, fees are also generally higher, and depend on the type of specialization, like General, Tourism, or Logistics. 
• Total fees vary between INR 11–17k per semester, depending on specialization.
• Distance education (SDE) has a slightly higher total fee, possibly some fees due to the manner of delivery and infrastructure. For example, MA INR 10,305; MCom INR 10,305; MLISc INR 9,775; MSc INR 11,880–13,770 total

Doctorate Degree

The University of  Kerala has PhD programs in many disciplines under Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, and Engineering. These programs are for readers who are looking for further research opportunities after their Master's program at the University of Kerala. University of Kerala uses the UGC pattern for the admission process, which usually involves a written test and an interview. In many departments, there are also part-time and interdisciplinary research, giving readers various options for pursuing their research. Readers are advised to visit the official website of the University for exact and comprehensive details regarding this program.

University of Kerala Admission Process Steps

Most courses are admitted through a centralized admission process to bring in transparency and accessibility for the students. If you are applying for postgraduate or diploma courses, you must complete the Admission Process online via the official website of the University of Kerala.

Below is the admission procedure in a stepwise manner: 

• Log in to the official website of the University of Kerala and go to the Admission section.
• Register yourself on the Admission portal with your user ID created using your email ID and mobile number.
• Fill in the online application form, which shall include your details as well as your academic qualifications and the course you wish to pursue.
• Upload the necessary documentsmarks sheets, your photograph and signature, ID proof, and a district or category certificate, if any.
• Payments may be made through online fee payment of your choicecredit/debit card, UPI option, or net banking.
• Submit/click on Complete, and download the confirmation slip.
• Wait for the Merit list/Entrance examination schedule from the University for your course.
• Attend counseling/document verification rounds as per the schedule and confirm your admissions.

Note: For some postgraduate and professional courses like MBA, MCA, and M.Tech, entrance test scores based on CAT, GATE, and entrance tests specific to university-level admission may be required.

University of Kerala EMI Details

The University of Kerala provides an excellent education system, and most programs offered are available for very affordable tuition rates. For self-financed and professional courses, the fee charged may be comparatively higher. When this is the case, an institution can permit the student to pay the tuition fee in instalments.

Together with banks and third-party financing partners, the university permits payments on an EMI basis during selected programs, for example, the MBA, MCA, and PG Diplomas. The EMI options are flexible and can be repaid over a duration between 6-24 months, which will be determined through the agreement made. Additionally, students can also apply for government or private education loans if needed. For more details, students are advised to contact the finance department or the specific college where they seek admission.

University of Kerala Examination Pattern

Most academic programs at the University of Kerala are assessed largely with semester examinations after each semester is completed. The entire academic year is divided into two semesters (odd and even), during which examinations take place at the end of each semester. The University of Kerala uses a credit-based grading system along with a continuous evaluation to evaluate student progress. 

Note: A minimum of 40% marks is required in each subject to pass

• The examination system has various features that include:
• Internal Assessment (mid-semester tests, assignment, viva-voce): 20% to 30%
• End Semester University Examination (theoretical and practical): 70% to 80%
• The minimum pass mark in each subject is 40%
• Students are also being evaluated on a grading system that is based on their GPA (Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative GPA).
• Practical exams, i.e., skills assessments and other evaluation activities, occur in laboratories and fieldwork environments for science and technical courses. 
• The University distributes and publishes the timetable, admit card, and results online using its exam portal.

Note: The exam system is geared towards promoting the student's ability to adapt to continuous learning, approach independent study, and strategically evaluate their experience and performance in both theoretical and practical subjects, "considering an interdependent relationship."

University of Kerala Documents Required

When applying for any course at the University of Kerala, candidates will be required to upload and submit the following documents:

• Recent passport-size photographs
• Mark sheets and certificates of both the 10th and 12th standards
• Degree certificate (if the application is for PG admissions)
• Transfer Certificate (TC) from the last qualified institution
• Conduct a Certificate issued by the school/college
• Caste/ category Certificate (in case a candidate is applying for 'reservation' or quota benefits)
• Income Certificate (if a candidate is applying for fee concessions/scholarship)
• Entrance exam scorecard (in case of courses such as MBA, M.Tech, MCA, etc.)
• Identity Proof - Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or PAN Card.

Note: All documents must be clear, authentic, and uploaded and/or submitted before the deadline to avoid disqualification.

University of Kerala Placement Partner

The University of Kerala provides active placement assistance, especially for students in the postgraduate and professional courses. The university has many departments, such as Management, Computer Science, Commerce, and Social Work, which have their placement cells that make linkages with the best employers. Students are offered placements and internships from various organizations;

Some are listed below:

• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) 
• Infosys
• Wipro Technologies 
• Cognizant Technology Solutions
• UST Global 
• HCL Technologies 
• Tech Mahindra 
• Federal Bank 
• South Indian Bank 
• The Government of Kerala, Government departments, or Public service bodies. 

Placement support can extend to placements from campus interviews at the affiliated colleges of the university. Placement support includes resume writing, interview preparation, aptitude training, and job fairs.

Want to earn a degree that’s both flexible and affordable?

Many UGC-approved universities in India now offer fully online Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), and Doctoral degree programs. These courses enable you to study when you want and where you want, making them ideal for students and working professionals alike. 

By studying online, you have a viable alternative to classroom study. For example, if you are starting your studies or already working and developing your leadership skills or professional knowledge, online programs allow you to develop whilst working, with minimal disruption to your work-life.

An example of a programme like this is the Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), which provides an excellent option to learn and apply knowledge to real business problems, without committing to a full-time PhD programme. Many other online degree options have become cheaper and are now more manageable and flexible, providing another opportunity for you to upgrade your qualifications without significant demands on your expertise, time, and ability.

Below is a quick preview of online UG, PG, and PhD programs are listed below: 

UG Courses	PG Courses	Doctorate Courses
Online BA	Online MA	Online DBA
Online B.Sc	Online M.Sc
Online B.Com	Online M.Com
Online BBA	Online MBA
Online BCA	Online MCA