Central University of Kerala's Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

In the culturally vibrant North Malabar region, the Central University of Kerala (CUK) stands as a pillar of higher education in this geographically diverse corner of India. The university was established by an Act of Parliament in 2009 to expand higher education opportunities in the backward region of Kerala. Initially, it secured a B++ NAAC grade and applied for the second cycle of accreditation in 2022. 

The 310-acre campus of the Central University of Kerala comprises a well-designed infrastructure surrounded by greenery and tranquilly. Currently, the university has 12 schools and 27 departments offering 26 postgraduate courses, 21 PhD programmes, five PG diplomas, a certificate, and an undergraduate programme through its three campuses. The courses are offered in multiple streams, such as arts, science, social sciences, medicine and public health, and humanities. 

CUK boasts its rich cultural diversity, with student representation from all the Indian states. However, the students hailing from outside Kerala account for only 27.8% as per the NIRF 2023 report. Women make up the majority of the students, representing 63% compared to 36% of men. It appears that the university has been a favourable choice for students in Kerala, especially women. The reasons can be directed towards the Central University of Kerala’s academia, administration, location, faculty, placement, exposure and a few other factors that we have discussed in this article. 

Central University of Kerala NIRF Ranking: Pretty Constant!

Central University of Kerala has been ranked among the top 150 universities in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2023. Let’s have a look at the CUK NIRF rankings for the last three years for better comparison. 

Our Take:

It is visible that Central University of Kerala has been constantly ranked in the 101-150 rank band for the last three years. This reflects the constant effort of CUK to maintain its NIRF rankings. However, further improvements across NIRF parameters could propel the university towards higher ranks. 

Central University of Kerala Academia & Batch Size

Academic Offerings and Fee Structure:

Central University of Kerala offers a bouquet of academic programmes under various schools ranging from traditional to advanced ones. Here is a list of the top CUK courses along with the fee structure for reference. 

Curriculum and Pedagogy:

Central University of Kerala has adopted the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and implemented it in all programmes from July 2022. It follows the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS) across all programmes. Through this system, students take ownership of their learning by actively choosing electives that spark their curiosity and passion. According to the CUK’s Self Study Report (SSR) 2022 for its second cycle of NAAC accreditation, the university has included the following as part of its curriculum: 

• Multiple Electives 
• Inter-Departmental courses
• MOOCs
• Value-Added Courses
• New Academic Programmes
• Collaborations 

Moreover, the Central University of Kerala uses a student-centric teaching methodology using multiple activities such as 

• Curricular Activities: Lectures, Lab work, Discussion, Presentations,  Field trips, Assignments, Projects, Internships, etc.
• Co-curricular Activities: Workshops, Conferences, Seminars, Symposia, workshops, invited talks, Journal clubs, Screening of films, Group Discussions, Open Debates, etc.

Along with this, CUK has a full focus on research, innovation and extension activities. The university has published around 1107 research articles and 378 book chapters in the last five years. 

Central University of Kerala Batch Size:

Our Take:

• The course offerings of Central University of Kerala are diverse for PG and PhD programmes. However, it can expand its course range for UG and PG Diploma levels. Moreover, the fee structure is highly affordable compared to other universities.
• While CUK has implemented an updated curriculum, student feedback on Quora indicates a discrepancy between some faculty members' teaching approaches and the actual examination content. If that's true, the university needs to keep a check on the implementation of its new curriculum. 
• According to the NIRF 2023 report, the total approved seat intake for the Central University of Kerala was 2551, and the total number of students enrolled in 2022 was 2,180. This means about 371 seats were left vacant, representing a demand rate of 14.5%. The university must take some measures to attract more students and increase its demand. 

Central University of Kerala Infrastructure

Classroom:

The university has 67 furnished classrooms, with more than 90% of classrooms equipped with ICT facilities as per the SSR 2022 report.

Auditorium/ Seminar Halls/ Labs:

The university has an auditorium, an open-air auditorium, a multipurpose hall and five ICT-enabled seminar halls to conduct regular activities and events. Moreover, every department has laboratories. 

Library:

The central library of the Central University of Kerala is large and well-resourced. The library has a collection of 58,141 books, 1318 e-books, 17000 e-journals, and 77 print journals. Additionally, it is fully digitised with high-speed internet access for students and staff. 

Internet:

CUK boasts of providing a high-speed internet facility of 1 Gbps across the campus. 

Hostel:

Currently, there are 8 on-campus hostels, 5 for boys, and 3 for girls. The accommodation in rooms ranges from 2 to 4 beds. While the hostels are well-furnished, the locality is a breeding ground for mosquitos. Due to this students suffer through deadly diseases such as dengue and malaria.  

Activities:

The Central University of Kerala hosts several extracurricular activities throughout the year. The university tries to cover cultural, sports and social areas through various activities, events, competitions and festivals. One such event is a three-day students-led annual cultural fest known as Cankama which is highly appreciated by the students. 

Cafe/ Hang-out:

The university campus has a canteen and two cafeterias providing a variety of hygienic food at affordable prices. Moreover, the hangout areas near the campus are limited due to its remote location. However, students can visit the beaches and hilltops to enjoy the sunset. 

Central University of Kerala Internships and Placements 

CUK Internships:

Central University of Kerala has made internship compulsory for all programmes from 2022. The university provides adequate on-campus opportunities to students under its internship programmes. The following data was retrieved from the SSR report 2022 of CUK. 

CUK Placements:

Central University of Kerala achieved a 36% placement rate in 2022 as per the NIRF 2023 report. Moreover, no undergraduate students were placed during the placement drive. The students on Quora expressed unsatisfactory reviews about the low placement rate of the university. According to them, the university should expand its industry connections to provide better opportunities to the students. 

Let’s do a comparative analysis of Central University of Kerala placement statistics for the last three years for a better understanding. 

UG Programme: BA | 3-Years

PG Programmes | 2-Years

Our Take: 

Central University of Kerala’s internship and placement scenario isn’t very promising. Firstly, the number of recruiters visiting the campus to hire interns and graduates is very limited. Lastly, the data showing all the graduates chose higher education in the last three years looks contradictory. The truth is not always what it seems! Furthermore, the comparison of PG placement statistics over the past three years reveals a significant decline in the placement rate. This suggests that the university isn’t focusing much on this side. CUK should put more emphasis on strengthening industry connections to get better placement results. 

Central University of Kerala Diversity & Demographics

Despite its location in the southernmost part of India, Central University of Kerala boasts a diverse student body. Students hailing from different states of India such as Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi add a significant diversity to the student population. However, North Indian students on the internet expressed their problems caused by language barriers and regional differences during their initial days. 

Here is the detailed demographic representation of the Central University of Kerala as per the NIRF 2023 report for more clarity. 

CUK Student Population:

CUK Gender Representation:

Quick Analysis:

Our Take:

• With only 27.8% of students coming from other states and 0.3% of international students, CUK is not as diverse as it boasts. Its location can be the main reason for the low number of inter-state students. 
• Central University of Kerala has an outstanding female representation with 63.1% women, representing a strong commitment to gender balance. The male-to-female ratio stands at 1:1.7.
• Regional differences and language barriers are common for North Indian students in a South Indian university. However, the welcoming nature of teachers and students helps them adjust with time. 

Central University of Kerala Faculty/College Administration & Management

According to the NIRF 2023 report, the faculty at the Central University of Kerala stands at 118 including permanent and ad-hoc teachers. The university has an optimum faculty-to-student ratio of about 1:15, creating a conducive environment for personalised learning. 

The majority of students on online platforms expressed that most faculty members at CUK are qualified, experienced and supportive. However, some added that a few faculty were arrogant and not so friendly. Guess it's a scenario of every educational institution!  

Furthermore, the administration and management of the Central University of Kerala appear to be competent. No major controversies or issues have been raised by the student population regarding the administration and management of the university. However, they can always strive to do better! 

Central University of Kerala Location

The main campus of the Central University of Kerala is located along the National Highway 66 at Tejaswini Hills Periye, Periya Village, Kasargod, Kerala. The two other campuses are situated in Trivandrum and Thiruvalla. 

CUK’s main campus is located in a remote area, far away from the city life. It is about 12 km away from the nearest bus stand and railway station is about 73 km away from the nearest airport. While the environment looks peaceful, travelling to the campus seems a bit inconvenient!

Central University of Kerala: Expectation vs Reality CLD Verdict!

Central University of Kerala offers a wide range of academic programmes with a highly affordable fee which ranges between 24 K to 60 K. This encourages students, especially from lower economic backgrounds to pursue higher education. CUK also boasts about its updated curriculum and skilled faculty which helps in transforming students into professionals. 

While the students get ample exposure through extracurricular activities and research projects, they seem dissatisfied with the limited internship and placement opportunities. Along with that, its remoteness and the danger of diseases caused by mosquitos discourage students, especially North Indians from applying for Central University of Kerala.admission

Our Final Checklist!