University of Kerala (Kerala University) is a state public university that started in 1937 and is based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and works as the affiliating university for more than 170 colleges in the southern districts of Kerala.

The university covers arts, science, commerce, law, engineering and professional courses. In NIRF Universities 2025, Kerala University is ranked 25 with a score of 59.05. It also holds the 5th position in NIRF State Public Universities 2025 with a score of 67.93.

The main teaching campus is at Kariavattom in Thiruvananthapuram. It has more than 30 departments, a University Library with over 5 lakh books, and research centres for science, environmental studies and social sciences.

Kerala University offers courses in many fields:

  • B.Tech has 13 branches: CSE, ECE, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, IT, Biotechnology, Aeronautical, Automobile, Applied Electronics, Industrial and Production Engineering. The total 4-year fee is INR 1,47,000.
  • BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BBA / BCA / BHM include arts, science and professional undergraduate courses. Fees range from INR 56,800 to INR 1,33,840, based on the subject.
  • LLB (3-Year) / BA LLB / BBA LLB are law courses admitted through the CEE Kerala entrance process. The 3-year LLB fee is INR 1,05,000.
  • MBA is a 2-year course offered at IMK and UIM through KMAT / CAT / CMAT. The total fee is INR 70,460.
  • MA / M.Sc / M.Com / M.Tech / LLM are postgraduate options filled through the CSS departmental entrance. MA fees start from INR 5,410, while M.Sc fees start from INR 6,460.
  • Ph.D is offered in science, engineering, humanities, law and management disciplines.

As per NIRF placement data for 2023-24, 804 of 1,434 eligible PG graduates were placed with a median package of INR 3.48 LPA. Many students also move into higher studies or prepare for government-service routes after completing their degree.

Admission Update: Kerala University admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are in progress. UG allotments through the CEE Kerala CAP process are in supplementary rounds. The Three-Year LLB provisional rank list was released on July 14, 2026, and counselling is continuing.

Kerala University Admission Dates 2026

For the 2026-27 session, UG and professional programme admissions are handled through CEE Kerala processes, while PG admission is conducted through Kerala University CSS. Only live admission activities are listed below.

EventDate
UG CAP Supplementary AllotmentOngoing
Three-Year LLB CounsellingOngoing

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

Kerala University Courses and Fees

Kerala University runs more than 150 programmes through 34 teaching departments. Fees for university department seats are regulated by the government, while affiliated college fees can differ by college and management type.

CourseDurationEligibilityTotal Fees
B.Tech (13 branches)4 years10+2 PCM with 45%; KEAM rankINR 1,47,000
BHM3 years10+2 in any streamINR 1,80,000
BCA3 years10+2 in any streamINR 1,28,800
LLB (3-Year)3 yearsGraduation in any disciplineINR 1,05,000
BA (most subjects)3 years10+2 in any streamINR 63,280 to INR 66,940
B.Sc3 years10+2 with relevant science subjectsINR 56,800 to INR 1,33,840
MBA2 yearsBachelor's degree with 50%; KMAT / CAT / CMAT + GD/PIINR 70,460
MA (most subjects)2 yearsRelevant Bachelor's degree with 50%INR 5,410
M.Sc2 yearsB.Sc in the relevant subjectINR 6,460 to INR 1,90,960
M.Tech2 yearsB.Tech with 50%; GATE / university entranceINR 16,320 to INR 53,324
Ph.DMinimum 3 yearsMaster's degree with 55% (50% for SC/ST)INR 75,000 to INR 2,85,040

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

Engineering options include Aeronautical, Automobile, Chemical and Applied Electronics, along with core branches. At the PG level, the university also offers specialised courses such as M.Sc Food Nutrition and Dietetics at INR 1,90,960. Computational Biology and Bioinformatics is available at the Ph.D level.

Kerala University Admission Process

Kerala University uses different admission routes for different courses. CEE Kerala manages UG, professional and B.Tech allotments through KEAM and CAP, while the university conducts CSS entrance tests for several PG courses.

B.Tech and B.Arch

  • Students need 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. The required PCM aggregate is 45%, while SC/ST students need 40%. B.Arch applicants also need a NATA score or JEE Main Paper 2.
  • The process includes KEAM registration, entrance exam, rank list, CAP choice filling, allotment rounds, fee payment, document checking and final admission confirmation.
  • Diploma holders with 45% or more in the relevant branch can apply for lateral entry to the second year of B.Tech.

UG Arts, Science, Commerce, and Professional Programmes

  • For BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BCA, BBA, BHM and B.Ed, students must pass 10+2. Admission is based on Plus Two merit rank through CAP.
  • B.Pharm requires 10+2 with PCM or PCB and 45% marks. Admission is through KEAM rank and CEE Kerala allotment.
  • B.Sc Nursing in affiliated colleges needs 10+2 with PCB and 45% marks. Selection is through NEET UG score and CEE Kerala counselling.

Law (LLB and LLM)

For the Three-Year LLB, applicants must have a graduation degree from a recognised university in any discipline. For the Five-Year Integrated LLB, 10+2 is required. Both courses are filled through the CEE Kerala law entrance examination and CAP allotment. LLM admission needs an LLB degree, either 3-year or 5-year, and is also based on the CEE Kerala entrance.

PG Programmes (MA / M.Sc / M.Com / MBA / M.Tech)

  • MA, M.Sc and M.Com applicants need a relevant Bachelor's degree with 50%, or 45% for SC/ST. Admission is through the Kerala University CSS entrance exam and CAP allotment.
  • MBA applicants need any Bachelor's degree with 50%, or 45% for SC/ST/PwD, along with a valid KMAT / CAT / CMAT score. GD and PI follow after shortlisting.
  • M.Tech admission needs B.Tech or an equivalent degree with 50%. Selection is through GATE score or university entrance and CSS allotment.

Ph.D

Ph.D applicants must have a Master's degree with 55% marks. SC/ST/PwD applicants need 50%. The registration fee is INR 800. Selection is done through a university entrance test and a departmental interview by the concerned department.

Kerala University Placements and Career Outcomes

Kerala University's placement pattern reflects its role as a teaching and research university with many streams. A large number of students choose higher studies or government-service preparation, along with campus placements. In 2023-24, NIRF data shows 804 placements from 1,434 eligible PG 2-year graduates. The placement rate was 56%, and the median salary was INR 3.48 LPA. For 1-year PG courses, 32 of 37 students were placed with a median salary of INR 2.88 LPA. Another 630 students from 2-year PG courses chose higher studies in 2023-24.

Placement CycleGraduates (PG 2-Year)Students PlacedPlacement RateMedian Salary
2023-241,43480456%INR 3.48 LPA
2022-231,91488146%INR 3.15 LPA
2021-221,37668550%INR 3.12 LPA
2020-2174022230%INR 3.00 LPA

Recruiters from IT include UST Global, Tata Elxsi, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, IBM, Oracle and Amazon. Consulting recruiters include EY, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG and Accenture. Banking recruiters include Federal Bank, South Indian Bank, ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank. Manufacturing names include L&T, MRF, Bajaj and Samsung. The placement rate increased from 30% in 2020-21 to 56% in 2023-24.

Kerala University Rankings

Kerala University has ranked across NIRF categories and also appears in international ranking lists. Its best NIRF result in 2025 is in the State Public Universities category, where it stands at 5th.

Ranking BodyCategory2025 Rank2024 Rank2023 Rank
NIRFUniversities25 (score: 59.05)21 (score: 58.48)24 (score: 55.50)
NIRFState Public Universities5 (score: 67.93)9 (score: 65.15)-
NIRFOverall42 (score: 56.26)38 (score: 55.61)47 (score: 52.75)
India TodayUniversities1616-
OutlookState Public Universities62--
THEWorld University Rankings1201-1500 band (2026)--
QSAsia University Rankings339 (2025)--

Kerala University Campus and Infrastructure

The Kariavattom campus in Thiruvananthapuram is the main teaching campus of Kerala University. It has 34 teaching departments, the University Library and research centres. The library has more than 5 lakh volumes and also stores rare manuscripts and government publications. Students use computer laboratories, science research facilities and administrative blocks on the campus.

Hostel accommodation is available at the University Women's Hostel at Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. Hostel fees go up to INR 6,115 per term. The campus is connected with the city's public transport network and is 12 km from Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station. The university city is also home to Technopark, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and several public sector undertakings, which support internship and research exposure for technical and science students.

Kerala University functions from different locations. Senate House in Palayam serves administrative work, Kariavattom houses teaching departments, and University College, Thiruvananthapuram is one of its oldest affiliated institutions. Law students also get exposure through the Kerala High Court's Thiruvananthapuram bench for moot court and internship-related learning.

Kerala University vs Mahatma Gandhi University vs University of Calicut

Students looking for public university options in Kerala often compare Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam and the University of Calicut in Thenhipalam. All three are UGC-recognised public affiliating universities, follow government-regulated fee ranges and use CEE Kerala-based admission routes for several programmes.

ParameterUniversity of KeralaMahatma Gandhi UniversityUniversity of Calicut
LocationThiruvananthapuramKottayamMalappuram (Thenhipalam)
Established193719831968
NIRF Universities 202525Not in NIRF Universities top 25Not in NIRF Universities top 25
B.Tech FeesINR 1,47,000 (4 years)Government-regulated similar rangeGovernment-regulated similar range
B.Tech AdmissionKEAM rank, CEE Kerala CAPKEAM rank, CEE Kerala CAPKEAM rank, CEE Kerala CAP
Affiliated Colleges170+ in southern districts250+ in central Kerala450+ in northern and central Kerala
Geographical ReachThiruvananthapuram, Kollam, PathanamthittaKottayam, Ernakulam, IdukkiMalappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad

Kerala University has the strongest NIRF rank and research infrastructure among the three. Mahatma Gandhi University serves central Kerala with a wide network around the Kottayam science and technology cluster. The University of Calicut has the largest affiliated college network and is a common choice for students from Malabar and central Kerala. All three have comparable government-subsidised fee ranges and use KEAM for engineering allotments.

Kerala University FAQs

Ques. Where does Kerala University stand in NIRF 2025?

Ans. Kerala University is ranked 25 in NIRF Universities 2025 with a score of 59.05. It is also ranked 5 in NIRF State Public Universities 2025 with a score of 67.93 and 42 in NIRF Overall 2025 with a score of 56.26.

Ques. How much is the full B.Tech fee at Kerala University?

Ans. The complete B.Tech fee for any of the 13 branches in Kerala University's teaching departments is INR 1,47,000 for 4 years. This fee applies to government-regulated teaching department seats. Fees in affiliated colleges may differ.

Ques. What is the route for B.Tech admission at Kerala University?

Ans. B.Tech seats at Kerala University and its affiliated engineering colleges are filled through KEAM rank and the CEE Kerala Centralised Allotment Process (CAP). Students must pass 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, with 45% aggregate in PCM or 40% for SC/ST. Choice filling and allotment are completed online through the CEE Kerala portal.

Ques. What placement percentage did Kerala University report?

Ans. For 2023-24, NIRF data records a 56% placement rate for PG 2-year graduates. This means 804 students were placed out of 1,434, with a median salary of INR 3.48 LPA. Many graduates also choose higher studies or prepare for government service exams. Engineering and MBA students usually have stronger industry placement results.

Ques. Can CAT scores be used for MBA admission at Kerala University?

Ans. Yes. The MBA programme at the Institute of Management in Kerala and University Institute of Management accepts CAT, KMAT and CMAT scores. Shortlisted students attend Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds. Applicants need a Bachelor's degree with 50% marks, while SC/ST/PwD applicants need 45%.

Ques. How does Kerala University compare with Mahatma Gandhi University?

Ans. Kerala University has a higher NIRF Universities 2025 rank at 25 and stronger research infrastructure across 34 teaching departments. Mahatma Gandhi University has a larger affiliated college network in central Kerala. Kerala University is better suited for Thiruvananthapuram-area colleges and students looking for a higher NIRF standing, while MG University suits students targeting Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.

Ques. Are hostels available at Kerala University?

Ans. Kerala University runs the University Women's Hostel at Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, for women students in the university teaching departments. Hostel fees can go up to INR 6,115 per term. Seats are limited and are allotted to students of the university's own teaching departments.