Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) started in 1971 as the University of Cochin and received its present name in February 1986. It is a Government of Kerala state public university, is recognised by the UGC, and has NAAC A+ Grade accreditation. The School of Engineering’s B.Tech programmes are NBA reaccredited under Tier I Category till December 2028.

In NIRF 2025, CUSAT stands at 50th overall in India and 32nd among Universities. The university is also listed at 13th in Law and 6th among state public universities in the NIRF State Public University category.

CUSAT has its main campus at Kalamassery, Kochi, across 180 acres. It works through nine faculties: Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Humanities, Law, Marine Sciences, Medical Sciences and Technology, and Social Sciences. The university has 29 departments and is known for engineering, marine sciences, photonics, law, management, and research programmes.

  • B.Tech is offered in 12 specialisations: CSE, ECE, IT, Electrical and Electronics, Civil, Mechanical, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture and Ship Building, Artificial Intelligence, Safety and Fire Engineering, Polymer Engineering, and Instrumentation Engineering.
  • B.Sc + M.Sc Integrated 5-year courses are available in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Photonics, and AI and Data Science.
  • BCA + MCA Integrated, BA + MA (Hindi), B.Sc LLB, BBA-LLB Hons., and B.Com LLB Hons. are also offered as integrated programmes.
  • PG choices include MBA, EMBA, MCA, M.Sc in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Statistics, MA in Applied Economics and Hindi, and standalone LLM / LLM (IPR).
  • M.Tech is available in 20+ specialisations, including AI and Data Science, Cyber Security, Marine Biotechnology, Optoelectronics, VLSI Design, Atmospheric Sciences, and more.
  • The university also offers M.F.Sc (Seafood Safety and Trade), B.Voc, M.Voc, and Ph.D. programmes across major fields.

For General category students, the total fee for most B.Tech streams is INR 2,74,168 for four years. B.Tech (Marine Engineering) costs INR 10,11,168. The 5-year B.Sc + M.Sc Integrated fee is between INR 1,16,710 and INR 2,95,710, while the MBA fee is INR 1,79,584 for two years.

Placement activity at CUSAT is mainly led by its engineering and management schools. In 2024, more than 600 students were placed. The highest package was INR 25 LPA and the average package was INR 6.7 LPA. Cisco, TCS, Accenture, IBM, MRF, and Ernst and Young are among the recruiters.

Admission Update: CUSAT’s current 2026 admission portal lists B.Tech branch/college transfer applications for eligible first-semester B.Tech students admitted in 2026. Applications are accepted from 03.10.2026 to 09.10.2026. Students should use the official CUSAT admissions portal at cusat.ac.in for current instructions and deadlines.

CUSAT Admission Dates 2026

CUSAT admissions are handled through the university admission portal. B.Tech admission is based mainly on CUSAT CAT, management admission uses CAT, CMAT, or KMAT scores, and many PG science and humanities courses use CUSAT entrance tests.

Event Date
B.Tech branch/college transfer application for eligible first-semester B.Tech students admitted in 2026 at SOE, Thrikkakara and CUCEK, Pulincunnoo 03.10.2026 to 09.10.2026
Last date to register for B.Tech branch/college transfer 09 October 2026

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

CUSAT Courses and Fees

CUSAT runs over 100 programmes under nine faculties. The fee details below are for General category students for the full course duration. NRI quota fees are much higher than General category fees.

Course Fee
B.Tech (CSE / ECE / IT / EEE / AI / Safety and Fire Engineering)
Duration: 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2 PCM + CUSAT CAT		 INR 2,74,168
B.Tech (Civil / Mechanical Engineering)
Duration: 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2 PCM + CUSAT CAT		 INR 5,12,594
B.Tech (Marine Engineering)
Duration: 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2 PCM + CUSAT CAT		 INR 10,11,168
B.Tech (Naval Architecture and Ship Building)
Duration: 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2 PCM + CUSAT CAT		 INR 1,77,278
B.Sc + M.Sc Integrated (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Stats, Biology)
Duration: 5 years; Eligibility: 10+2 Science		 INR 1,16,710
B.Sc + M.Sc Integrated (Photonics / AI and Data Science)
Duration: 5 years; Eligibility: 10+2 Science		 INR 2,95,710
BCA + MCA Integrated
Duration: 5 years; Eligibility: 10+2 with Mathematics		 INR 4,39,710
BA-LLB Hons. / BBA-LLB Hons. / B.Sc LLB (integrated)
Duration: 5 years; Eligibility: 10+2 any stream with CUSAT CAT		 INR 3,55,710 to INR 4,24,710
MBA
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: Graduation + CAT/CMAT/KMAT		 INR 1,79,584
EMBA
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: Graduation with work experience		 INR 2,45,184
MCA (Regular)
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: BCA or B.Sc (CS/IT/Maths)		 INR 76,784
M.Tech (CSE / AI and DS / VLSI / Cyber Security)
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: B.Tech/B.E. + GATE		 INR 1,03,184
M.Tech (Civil / Mechanical / Electrical)
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: B.Tech/B.E. + GATE		 INR 2,62,326
M.Sc (Physics / Chemistry / Maths / Statistics)
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: B.Sc in relevant discipline		 INR 37,584
LLM / LLM (IPR)
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: LLB or equivalent		 INR 85,184 to INR 2,05,984
M.F.Sc (Seafood Safety and Trade)
Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: B.Sc/B.Tech relevant		 INR 90,384
Ph.D.
Duration: 3 to 5 years; Eligibility: PG in relevant discipline		 INR 29,400 to INR 37,200

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

CUSAT also offers Certificate courses in French and German at INR 11,800 each. PG Diploma options include Academic Writing, Communicative English, and Functional Hindi. NRI quota fees are substantially higher across all programmes.

CUSAT Admission Process

CUSAT admission depends on the course selected. B.Tech seats are allotted through CUSAT CAT ranks, MBA and EMBA admission uses national or state management test scores with GD-PI, and many PG programmes use CUSAT subject entrance tests.

Programme Entrance Exam Accepted Admission Basis
B.Tech CUSAT CAT CUSAT CAT rank + qualifying marks in PCM
B.Tech (Lateral) No separate exam Diploma / B.Sc merit
B.Sc + M.Sc Integrated / BCA-MCA Integrated CUSAT CAT or subject entrance Entrance test + HSC merit
MBA / EMBA CAT / CMAT / KMAT Entrance score + GD + PI
M.Tech GATE (preferred) or CUSAT entrance GATE score + graduation marks
M.Sc / MA / MCA / LLM CUSAT entrance test Entrance score + graduation marks
Ph.D. UGC NET / CSIR NET / GATE or CUSAT test Qualifying exam + research proposal + interview

B.Tech (Undergraduate Engineering)

For B.Tech, CUSAT uses CUSAT CAT, its own Common Admission Test held every year for engineering admission.

  • Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for reserved categories)
  • Allotment is decided by CUSAT CAT rank for the selected programme and specialisation
  • Steps include CUSAT CAT registration, exam, rank publication, seat allotment, document check, and final admission confirmation

CUSAT CAT ranks are used to allot seats in all B.Tech branches. CSE, ECE, and IT usually have stronger demand and higher closing ranks than Civil, Mechanical, and Marine Engineering.

MBA and Executive MBA

The School of Management Studies selects MBA students through CAT, CMAT, or KMAT scores. Shortlisted students then attend Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. EMBA applicants must also have relevant work experience. The full MBA fee for two years is INR 1,79,584.

M.Tech

GATE score is the main route for M.Tech admission at CUSAT. Some departments may consider non-GATE students through a CUSAT entrance test. GATE-qualified students can receive AICTE/UGC stipends during the programme.

M.Sc, MCA, LLM, and MA Programmes

CUSAT conducts subject-based entrance tests for these PG courses. The eligibility rule changes from one programme to another.

  • M.Sc: B.Sc in the relevant science subject with 50% aggregate
  • MCA: BCA or B.Sc (Computer Science / IT / Mathematics) with 50%
  • LLM: LLB or equivalent, either 3-year or 5-year
  • MA (Applied Economics): Graduation in Economics or Social Science

Integrated Programmes

The 5-year integrated B.Sc + M.Sc courses at CUSAT, including Photonics, AI and Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry, admit Class 12 students through CUSAT CAT scores or separate subject entrance tests.

CUSAT Placements

The Central Placement Office manages recruitment for B.Tech, MBA, MCA, and M.Tech students. In 2024, CUSAT placed more than 600 students. The highest package reached INR 25 LPA, while the average package was INR 6.7 LPA. In the same season, 50 recruiters joined the process and four companies made offers above INR 15 LPA.

Parameter 2024 Placement Data
Students Placed 600+
Highest Package INR 25 LPA
Average Package INR 6.7 LPA
Companies Participated 50+
Offers above INR 15 LPA 4 companies

Cisco, TCS, Accenture, IBM, Air India, Tata Projects, MRF, and Ernst and Young recruit from CUSAT. CSE, ECE, and IT students in B.Tech have the strongest placement conversion rates. MBA and EMBA students mainly join FMCG, consulting, finance, and logistics companies in South India and the Gulf region. Marine Engineering graduates move into shipping companies and the Merchant Navy.

CUSAT Rankings

CUSAT holds NAAC A+ Grade accreditation, and its B.Tech programmes have NBA reaccreditation under Tier I Category. In NIRF 2025, the university is ranked 50th overall, 32nd in the University category, 13th in Law, and 6th among State Public Universities.

Ranking Body Category 2025 Rank 2024 Rank
NIRF Overall 50 51
NIRF Universities 32 34
NIRF Law 13 Not ranked
NIRF State Public Universities 6 Not in published list

CUSAT Campus and Infrastructure

CUSAT’s main campus is at Kalamassery, Kochi, in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. The campus covers 180 acres, has public transport access to Kochi city, and is 20 km from Cochin International Airport.

The campus includes the following facilities:

  • International School of Photonics, a major South Asian photonics research centre working in laser systems and biophotonics
  • Marine Sciences Department, with one of Asia’s largest marine science libraries for oceanography, marine biology, and fisheries science research
  • School of Engineering, with NBA Tier I reaccredited laboratories for all B.Tech programmes
  • Boys Hostel and Girls Hostel on campus, with fees from INR 320 to INR 520 per month
  • Central library, computational centres, and sports facilities on the 180-acre green campus
  • Marine science collections and an atmospheric research centre that support national-level research projects

The School of Legal Studies and School of Environmental Studies are also on the main campus. CUSAT has three campus locations in Kerala.

CUSAT vs NIT Calicut vs University of Kerala

CUSAT, NIT Calicut (NITC), and University of Kerala are major institutions in Kerala. CUSAT and NITC are common choices for engineering and technology students, while University of Kerala covers a wider range of humanities, law, science, and other disciplines.

Parameter CUSAT NIT Calicut University of Kerala
Location Kalamassery, Kochi Kozhikode Thiruvananthapuram
Type State University (Kerala) National Institute of Technology (Central) State University (Kerala)
Established 1971 1961 1937
NAAC Grade A+ Not applicable (NIRF-ranked, not NAAC) A
NIRF 2025 50 (Overall), 32 (University) ~30 (Engineering category) University category (state university tier)
Key Strength Marine Sciences, Photonics, Law, Engineering Core Engineering, Computer Science Humanities, Social Sciences, Science
B.Tech Admission CUSAT CAT JEE Main (NIT counselling) No B.Tech (affiliating university)
B.Tech Fees (CSE) INR 2,74,168 Comparable (central institute fee norms) Not applicable

CUSAT is a strong option for Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Photonics, and Integrated Law. These are areas where the university has a distinct national-level position. NIT Calicut has stronger national visibility and placement outcomes for core engineering through JEE Main. University of Kerala serves students across Arts, Science, Commerce, and professional degree programmes.

CUSAT FAQs

Ques. Where does CUSAT stand in NIRF 2025?

Ans. In NIRF 2025, Cochin University of Science and Technology is ranked 50th overall and 32nd in the University category in India. It also holds 13th rank in Law and 6th rank among State Public Universities.

Ques. Which test is used for B.Tech admission at CUSAT?

Ans. CUSAT conducts CUSAT CAT, a university-level Common Admission Test, for admission to B.Tech courses in its School of Engineering. The CUSAT CAT rank is used for allotment to branches such as CSE, ECE, IT, Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, and other specialisations.

Ques. How much does B.Tech cost at CUSAT?

Ans. For General category students, most B.Tech specialisations such as CSE, ECE, IT, AI, Safety and Fire Engineering, and EEE have a total four-year fee of INR 2,74,168. The fee is INR 5,12,594 for B.Tech Civil / Mechanical and INR 10,11,168 for B.Tech Marine Engineering because of its specialised training requirements.

Ques. Are hostels available for CUSAT students?

Ans. Yes, CUSAT has boys and girls hostels on its Kalamassery, Kochi main campus. The hostel fee ranges from INR 320 to INR 520 per month, so on-campus stay is affordable for students.

Ques. What is the fee and selection route for CUSAT MBA?

Ans. The CUSAT MBA fee is INR 1,79,584 for two years. Admission is based on CAT, CMAT, or KMAT scores, followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview at the School of Management Studies. For EMBA, the fee is INR 2,45,184 and candidates need relevant work experience.

Ques. Should engineering students choose CUSAT or NIT Calicut?

Ans. Both are well-known engineering institutions in Kerala, but they suit different goals. NIT Calicut admits students through JEE Main and has stronger national visibility for core engineering. CUSAT uses CUSAT CAT and offers special options such as Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Photonics, and Integrated Law, which are not available at NIT Calicut.

Ques. Which scores are accepted for MBA admission at CUSAT?

Ans. CUSAT accepts valid CAT, CMAT, or KMAT scores for MBA admission. Shortlisted applicants are invited for Group Discussion and Personal Interview at the School of Management Studies, Kochi.