Central University of Kerala (CUK) admits students to BA (Hons) International Relations and MA programmes through a centralised entrance process. UG selection uses CUET UG or NCET, as applicable, while PG admission is based on CUET PG. The application charge is INR 1,000 for most programmes and INR 1,400 for selected courses.

CUK has three locations: its main campus at Tejaswini Hills, Periye, Kasaragod, the Capital Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, and the Law Campus in Thiruvalla.

Admission Update:
  • MA, MSc, MBA, LLM, MSW, and MPH admissions use CUET PG scores, followed by the CUK merit list and counselling.
  • BA, BSc, and Integrated BEd admissions are completed through the applicable entrance examination and CUK counselling process.
  • ITEP admission follows the NCET route through the official university portal.
  • CUK does not provide direct admission or admission based only on qualifying examination marks. A valid CUET score is required for UG and PG applicants.
  • The application charge is INR 1,000 for most programmes and INR 1,400 for selected courses.
  • PhD applicants need a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks and a valid UGC-NET, GATE, or JRF score.
  • Central Government reservation rules apply, with 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC, and 10% for EWS applicants.

Students can apply through the CUK admission portal.

CUK UG Admission 2026

At the undergraduate level, CUK offers BA (Hons) International Relations and the Integrated BEd programme. BA admission depends on CUET UG performance, while Integrated BEd applicants must take NCET. The university does not admit students to these programmes directly on the basis of Class 12 marks.

CUK UG Eligibility Criteria

ProgrammeEligibilitySelection Criteria
BA (Hons) International RelationsAt least 50% aggregate in 10+2 from a recognised boardCUET UG merit followed by CUK counselling
Integrated BEd (ITEP)At least 50% aggregate in 10+2 from a recognised boardNCET score followed by CUK counselling

CUK UG Selection Criteria 2026

For BA admission, CUK prepares the shortlist from scores in the relevant CUET UG subject. Integrated BEd selection uses the NCET score. After entrance results are released, applicants must register on the university admission portal and enter their programme choices. Seats are then assigned in counselling according to entrance rank and category.

  • UG selection does not include an interview or group discussion.
  • Seats are distributed category-wise under Central Government reservation rules.
  • An allotted seat is confirmed only after the student completes document verification and pays the required fees by the stated deadline.

How to Apply for UG at CUK?

  • Take CUET UG or NCET, according to the programme, through NTA.
  • Once the result is available, open cukerala.ac.in and complete registration on the CUK admission portal.
  • Select programme preferences and submit the required documents online.
  • Pay the programme application charge, which is INR 1,000 unless a different amount is specified.
  • Review the seat allotment and report to the university within the given deadline.

CUK PG Admission 2026

CUK runs 27 postgraduate programmes through 12 schools. Its PG choices include MA, MSc, MBA, LLM, MSW, and MPH. Every PG seat is allotted from the relevant CUET PG merit list through online counselling conducted by the university.

CUK PG Eligibility Criteria

ProgrammeEligibilitySelection Criteria
MA in English, Linguistics, Hindi, and other subjectsA relevant bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marksMerit in CUET PG
MSc in Zoology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, and other subjectsA BSc in the relevant science subject with at least 50% marksMerit in CUET PG
MBA, MSW, MPH, and LLMAny bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marksMerit in CUET PG

CUK PG Selection Criteria 2026

The university does not hold a separate entrance examination for its PG courses. It uses the applicant’s score in the relevant CUET PG paper to prepare the merit list. Shortlisted students join online counselling, submit their documents, and pay the fees to secure an allotted seat.

  • All PG seats come under one merit-based counselling system. CUK has neither a management quota nor an NRI quota.
  • Students in the final year of graduation may apply, but they must meet the course requirements when their documents are checked.

How to Apply for PG at CUK?

  • Appear for the CUET PG paper required for the chosen subject.
  • After the result is announced, register through the CUK admission portal at cukerala.ac.in.
  • Enter the preferred PG programmes and pay an application charge of INR 1,000 to INR 1,400.
  • Join the online counselling process and accept the assigned seat before the deadline.
  • Finish document verification and pay the admission fees to complete enrolment.

CUK PhD Admission 2026

CUK provides 26 doctoral programmes in different fields. Applicants need an eligible postgraduate degree and a valid UGC-NET, JRF, GATE, or CEED score. The university also assesses applicants through its entrance test and interview process.

  • Applicants must have at least 55% marks in a postgraduate degree. The minimum is 50% for reserved-category applicants.
  • Selection considers a valid NET, JRF, or GATE score, the CUK interview, and evaluation of the research proposal.
  • Applicants with JRF qualification do not have to take the university entrance test component.
  • CUK issues PhD application notices separately. Applicants should check cukerala.ac.in for the current notification.

CUK Scholarships 2026

Students at Central University of Kerala may apply for the following scholarships and fellowships, subject to the conditions of each scheme.

  • The UGC Scholarship supports meritorious students from non-creamy OBC and EWS groups.
  • The Post-Matric Scholarship is available to SC and ST students and covers tuition fees and a maintenance allowance.
  • The Maulana Azad National Fellowship is meant for postgraduate and doctoral students from minority communities.
  • The Central Sector Scheme supports Class XII toppers whose family income is below the prescribed limit.
  • Applications for all listed scholarships must be filed through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.

CUK Admission FAQs

Ques. Which entrance examination is needed for admission to CUK?

Ans. UG applicants must take CUET UG, while PG applicants need CUET PG. Integrated BEd admission follows the NCET route. CUK does not offer a separate direct or merit-only admission option outside the applicable entrance process.

Ques. What marks are required to apply for a postgraduate course at CUK?

Ans. A relevant bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks is required for PG admission. Students completing the final year of their degree can also submit an application, provided they meet the eligibility rules during document verification.

Ques. What happens after a student receives a CUET result?

Ans. Eligible students register online through the CUK portal and arrange their programme choices. The university assigns seats by considering CUET rank, reservation category, and available seats. Admission becomes final after document verification and fee payment.

Ques. How much does a CUK admission application cost?

Ans. Most programmes have an application charge of INR 1,000, while selected courses charge INR 1,400. Payment must be made online through the university admission portal.

Ques. Can a student enter CUK through an NRI or management seat?

Ans. No. CUK is a Central University and fills its seats through centralised merit-based counselling. It does not have management-quota or NRI-quota seats.

Ques. What postgraduate study options are available at CUK?

Ans. CUK has 27 PG programmes. These include MA courses in English, Linguistics, and Hindi; MSc courses in Zoology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science; and professional programmes such as MBA, LLM, MSW, and MPH. CUET PG is the selection route for all of them.

Ques. What qualifications does a CUK doctoral applicant need?

Ans. A PhD applicant needs a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks and a valid UGC-NET, JRF, or GATE score. CUK publishes a separate doctoral admission notice containing interview information, which applicants can find at cukerala.ac.in.

Ques. Where are the Central University of Kerala campuses located?

Ans. The main campus is at Tejaswini Hills in Periye, Kasaragod. CUK also operates the Capital Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and the Law Campus in Thiruvalla. The programmes offered differ by location.