University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
Also known as Kerala University
- Fees / year
- ₹1,680 - ₹25,000
- Courses
- 6+
- Median salary
- ₹3.48 LPA
- Placed
- 56.1%
- NIRF Overall
- #42
- Established
- 1937
About University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
The University of Kerala, often called Kerala University, is a public state university headquartered at the Senate House campus in Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, with a second campus at Kariavattom. It began in 1937 as the University of Travancore, created by a royal promulgation of Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, who became its first Chancellor, with Sir C. P. Ramaswamy Ayyar as the first Vice-Chancellor. The Kerala University Act of 1957 gave it its present name. As newer universities took over other regions, its area narrowed to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha and part of Pathanamthitta. NAAC has re-accredited it with an A++ grade.
The university has 16 faculties and 44 teaching and research departments, and more than 180 colleges are affiliated to it. Its own departments focus on master's programmes and doctoral research and now also run four-year honours degrees. Admission to these departmental undergraduate and postgraduate programmes is through entrance examinations held by the university, while M.Tech. seats go on GATE scores. In NIRF 2025 it is ranked 5th among state public universities, 25th among universities and 42nd overall.
Highlights
The essentials students check first.
- Established
- 1937
- Institution type
- Government
- Location
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Affiliation
- State University
- Approvals
- NAAC
- NIRF 2025
- #42 Overall, #25 University, #5 State Public University
- Programmes
- 6Management, Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities
- UG fees
- ₹15,000 – ₹25,000 a year
- PG fees
- ₹1,680 a year
- Median salary
- ₹3.48 LPA2-year PG programmes, 2023–24
- Placement rate
- 56.1%2-year PG programmes, 2023–24
- Students enrolled
- 2,9392023–24
- Also known as
- Kerala University
- Website
- keralauniversity.ac.in
Placement and student figures: data submitted by the institution to NIRF 2025. Fees: first-year tuition as listed for each programme.
NIRF 2025 Rankings
National Institutional Ranking Framework (Ministry of Education), one list per category. It lists this college as Kerala University.
- #5State Public UniversityScore 67.93 (opens the ranking list on nirfindia.org)
- #25UniversityScore 59.05 (opens the ranking list on nirfindia.org)
- #42OverallScore 56.26 (opens the ranking list on nirfindia.org)
Source: NIRF India Rankings 2025, Ministry of Education. Data submitted by the institution (PDF)
Courses and Fees
6 programmes offered, with first-year tuition
| Course | Level | Specialisations | First-year tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) | Undergraduate | 1 | ₹15,000 |
| Bachelor of Business Administration | Undergraduate | 1 | ₹15,000 |
| Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) | Undergraduate | 1 | ₹15,000 |
| Bachelor of Science (Hons) | Undergraduate | 1 | ₹25,000 |
| Master of Law | Postgraduate | 1 | ₹1,680 |
| Master of Science | Postgraduate | 1 | ₹1,680 |
Admission 2027
Entrance exams accepted
Four-year undergraduate (Honours with Research) and postgraduate (CSS) programmes in the university's teaching departments admit only through entrance examinations conducted by the university's CSS office; M.Tech. admission is on GATE scores, with an entrance test for non-GATE candidates. Admissions to the affiliated colleges run through separate centralised allotments on the university's admissions portal.
Placements
2-year PG programmes, 2023–24
56.1%
Placement rate
₹3.48 LPA
Median salary
804
placed of 1,434 graduates
630
went on to higher studies
804 of the 1,434 students who graduated from University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram's 2-year PG programmes in 2023–24 were placed (56.1%), at a median salary of ₹3.48 LPA. 630 went on to higher studies.
Source: data submitted by the institution to NIRF 2025.
Scholarships and Fee Reimbursement
45.8%
of students reimbursed
1,346
students with full tuition reimbursed
In 2023–24, 1,346 of 2,939 students at University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram (45.8%) had their full tuition fee reimbursed by government schemes, the institution or private bodies (NIRF 2025 data).
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIRF ranking of University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram?
In the NIRF 2025 rankings, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is ranked #5 among state public universities, #25 among universities and #42 overall. NIRF lists it as Kerala University.
How are placements at University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram?
In the data University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram submitted to NIRF 2025, 804 of the 1,434 students who graduated from its 2-year PG programmes in 2023–24 were placed (56.1%), at a median salary of ₹3.48 LPA. Another 630 went on to higher studies.
What is the fee at University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram?
First-year tuition at University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is ₹15,000 (Bachelor of Business Administration - General) to ₹25,000 (Bachelor of Science (Hons) - General) for undergraduate programmes and ₹1,680 for its postgraduate programmes. Fees are per year and may change for new batches; confirm with the college before paying.
Which courses does University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram offer?
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram offers 6 programmes in Management, Science, Commerce, Arts & Humanities and Law, including Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science (Hons), Master of Science, Bachelor of Commerce (Hons), Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Master of Law.
Which entrance exams does University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram accept?
Depending on the course, admission to University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is through GATE.
What is the admission process at University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram?
Four-year undergraduate (Honours with Research) and postgraduate (CSS) programmes in the university's teaching departments admit only through entrance examinations conducted by the university's CSS office; M.Tech. admission is on GATE scores, with an entrance test for non-GATE candidates. Admissions to the affiliated colleges run through separate centralised allotments on the university's admissions portal.
Is University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram a government or private institution?
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is a government institution in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, established in 1937. It is affiliated to State University.
Which bodies approve or accredit University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram?
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram lists approval or accreditation from NAAC.
Do students at University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram get scholarships or fee waivers?
In 2023–24, 1,346 of its 2,939 students had their full tuition fee reimbursed: 492 through state and central government schemes and 854 by the institution (NIRF 2025 data).
How many students study at University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram?
2,939 students were enrolled across its programmes in 2023–24, 72.6% of them women (NIRF 2025 data).
What other names is University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram known by?
University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is also known as Kerala University.
Sources
Rankings: NIRF India Rankings 2025, Ministry of Education. Placement, student and fee-reimbursement figures: data submitted by the institution to NIRF 2025.
Courses and fees: as listed for University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram on CollegeChalo; confirm current fees with the college before applying.
Last updated 9 November 2026.
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