Kerala University Review and Verdict by CollegeDekho

Campus at a Glimpse

The University of Kerala, a.k.a Kerala University, is one of the first 16 universities in India. It was founded in 1937 as the University of Travancore, in the former princely state of Travancore (which is now the southern part of Kerala and some neighbouring parts of Tamil Nadu). Over the past seven decades, the university has grown and shrunk in size and has transformed itself in many ways. The university was modelled after the best universities in the United Kingdom, and it still retains some of its features. However, the university's affiliating system evolved differently from the college system in British universities.

At present, Kerala University has 16 faculties and 41 departments of teaching and research, as well as study centres and other departments. The university has over 150 affiliated colleges, which offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Of these colleges, 60 are arts and science colleges. There are also 2 law colleges, 17 engineering colleges, 9 MBA/MCA colleges, 37 teacher training colleges, 4 medical colleges, 4 Ayurveda colleges, 2 homoeopathy colleges, 1 Siddha medical college, 3 dental colleges, 10 nursing colleges, 4 pharmacy colleges, 2 fine arts colleges, and 1 music college.

Kerala University offers a plethora of courses in a variety of study fields, including B.Arch, BFA, ME/MTech, MSc, LLM, M.Phil, and PhD. However, the curriculum of Kerala University is frequently out of date when compared with current market/industry trends. This might make it difficult for students to get jobs when they graduate. Not only that but there have been suspicions of corruption in Kerala University administration. This raises several concerns among prospective students and impacts their decision-making process. 

As a prospective student, you're probably wondering what life at Kerala University is really like. Here's an honest and open review to help you understand what to expect in terms of curriculum, academia, faculty, infrastructure, rankings and more! 

Kerala University Rankings: Part of Top 50 Universities in India

Check out Kerala University’s NIRF rankings over the recent few years: 

• The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has placed the University at the A++ grade.
• Apart from the above-mentioned rankings, it is ranked #451-500 in Asian University Rankings 2023 and #=110 in Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia by QS Top Universities Rankings. 
• The university was also ranked 1001+ in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings of 2020.

Our Take:

The University of Kerala is one of the top 50 universities in India, according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), the most prestigious university ranking system in the country. This ranking is a full mark proof of the university's strong academic reputation and its commitment to excellence in teaching and research.

Founded in 1937, the University of Kerala has a long and distinguished history and is known for its high-quality teaching and research in a wide range of subjects, including science, technology, engineering, arts, and medicine. Overall, Kerala University is a well-recognised academic institution with a solid academic reputation. As per the rankings, it seems this University is an excellent choice for students seeking a high-quality education in a diverse and inclusive atmosphere.

Kerala University Academia & Batch Size

The University of Kerala has 16 faculties and 43 teaching and research departments. The university's mandate is to provide teaching, research, and knowledge extension. The departments primarily focus on postgraduate (master's) programs, MPhil programs (one-year research degrees), and doctoral research.

• Faculty Of Science
• Faculty Of Oriental Studies
• Faculty Of Applied Sciences & Technology
• Faculty Of Arts
• Faculty Of Social Sciences
• Faculty Of Commerce
• Faculty Of Education
• Faculty Of Fine Arts
• Faculty Of Law
• Faculty Of Management Studies
• Faculty Of Ayurveda & Siddha
• Faculty Of Dentistry
• Faculty Of Engineering & Technology
• Faculty Of Homoeopathy
• Faculty Of Medicine
• Faculty Of Physical Education

Our Take:

The fact that Kerala University has 16 faculties tells us that it is a large and comprehensive university with a wide range of academic offerings. With a relatively low cost of attendance, students can study a variety of areas, ranging from classic disciplines like English and literature to more specialised sectors like nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Academic Courses

The University of Kerala offers a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, covering a variety of academic fields. Some of the popular courses offered by the university include B.Arch, BSc, ME/MTech, MSc, M.Phil, PhD, and more. The areas of study covered by Kerala University courses include:

• Law
• Media, mass communication, and journalism
• Commerce
• Arts, humanities, and social sciences
• Education
• Computer application and IT engineering and architecture
• Management and business administration
• Hospitality and tourism
• Medicine and allied sciences
• Pharmacy
• Animation and design

Our Take:

It is clear that the University of Kerala is an excellent alternative for students seeking a diverse selection of courses. Regardless of their pursuits or academic aspirations, the university has something for everyone. According to NIRF rankings, the university also has a solid academic status and reputation. However, several students have stated that the Kerala University syllabus is out of date and does not reflect current business trends. This might make it difficult for students to secure jobs after graduation since they may lack the necessary skills and expertise.

Batch Size

The average batch size of students at Kerala University varies depending on the faculty and course. However, in general, the average batch size involves fewer students at the undergraduate level and more students at the postgraduate level. There are a number of factors that can affect the size of a class, including:

• Popularity of the program
• Availability of resources
• Space constraints
• Pedagogical approach of the faculty member

Kerala University Infrastructure

Kerala University is spread over a lush 359-acre campus with cluster architecture, ethernet, and compute nodes. The campus provides a conducive environment for learning with world-class amenities and facilities. In addition to classrooms and labs, the campus also has a number of specialized study centres, such as the Nano-technology Center, the Kerala Studies Center, the Bioinformatics Center, the Women's Studies Center, the Learning Difficulties Center, the Sree Narayana Studies Center, and the Gandhian Studies Center. 

The campus is also conveniently located near the domestic airport, business district, and corporate houses. Here are some of the key features of Kerala University's infrastructure:

• Hostel: Over 700 students, both boys and girls, are accommodated in the Kerala University hostels. The university has two men's dorms that can accommodate 187 students and three women's hostels that can accommodate 579 students. The hostels are well-kept and provide students with a safe and comfortable place to stay. There is a common area, dining hall, and kitchen in each hostel. Students can also take advantage of a library, a sports area, and a computer lab in the hostels. 

• Library: The Kerala University Library is a vast and well-stocked library with over 350,000 books and subscriptions to nearly 500 journals, periodicals, and magazines. It offers digital information services as well, such as UGC Infonet, for a better user experience. In addition to its general collection, the library also has a number of unique collections, including:
  • Women's Studies
  • Government Publications
  • General Biographies
  • UN and World Bank Publications
  • Bound volumes of newspapers and journals
  • Rare books

The library is located on the university campus and is open to all students, faculty, and staff. 

• Wi-Fi Facilities: Wi-Fi is now available on the Kerala University campus, with high-speed wireless networking established in both the Kariavattom and Senate House campuses. This means that workers, stakeholders, and students may now use the internet from wherever on campus.
• Transportation Facilities: Kerala University offers students with transportation in two ways:
  • Buses: The university has eight buses that are designated as instructional buses. These buses transport students on a range of routes, including those between the university campus and other sections of town.
  • Light-duty vehicles: The university also possesses a variety of light-duty cars that are used on research trips by various departments. Students can utilise these cars for field trips, research excursions, and other instructional activities.
• Cafeteria: The Kerala University canteen is also an excellent place for students to socialise and unwind while eating a tasty meal. It is also a practical and cost-effective choice for students on a restricted budget. 
• Auditorium: The university campus has several auditoriums and conference halls that can be used for a variety of events, such as conferences, seminars, and student activities. Many of the university's events throughout the year are held in the main auditorium.
• IT Infrastructure: Kerala University provides students with modern IT infrastructure to help them improve their technical skills. The university is well-networked and prepared for future technological advancements.
• Sports Facilities: Kerala University encourages students to participate in both indoor and outdoor sports. The university has a playground and a sports stadium for outdoor sports, where students can play games such as cricket, football, basketball, hockey and more. 

• Banks/ATM: There are multiple bank branches on campus that provide various services to students, such as ATMs and Internet banking. The facility is open to students, faculties, and employees.

Our Take:

Overall, Kerala University hostels are an excellent option for students searching for a pleasant and reasonably priced place to stay. However, according to students’ reviews on various social media platforms, the hostels may be noisy and crowded, the cuisine in the dining hall can be repetitive, and the internet connection in the hostels can be poor and inconsistent. It can be difficult to get a single room at the hostels, and there have been reports of rodents. 

Overall, students are pleased with Kerala University's infrastructure, but they feel it can be improved further. The university is attempting to address some of the students' issues, such as hostel conditions, IT infrastructure upgrades, improving the quality/hygiene of food offered at the cafeteria, and a lack of suitable sports facilities.

Kerala University Placements 

Kerala University welcomes a number of companies to campus for placement every year. To guarantee that the employment process operates well, the institution maintains a well-established placement unit. Pre-placement activities are organised by the placement cell so that firms may meet with students. The cell also organises a number of recruiting events to help students prepare for the final phases of the employment process.

The following table shows placement data from Kerala University placement report:

Our Take:

There seem to be mixed reviews about Kerala University's placement cell. Some students are happy with the services it provides, while others are not. It is important to remember that the placement cell's success rate depends on several factors, such as the student's academic performance, skills, and experience. We also feel that the median salary at Kerala University of INR 3.12 LPA is relatively low for a university that is ranked among the top 50 in India by NIRF.

This is a major source of anxiety for students. Universities must ensure that their graduates have the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the workforce. Kerala University should probably concentrate a little more on enhancing its placement rates and salary packages.

Kerala University Diversity & Demographics

Kerala University's student body is diverse, ranging with students from all across India. According to the NIRF 2023 report, Kerala University has a good student diversity score, having more female students than the average female students in most universities across India. 

Gender Participation as per NIRF 2023

Demographic Representation as per NIRF 2023

Our Take:

The above data indicates that the university has a relatively diverse student body. The university's policies and practices demonstrate its commitment to student diversity, especially in attracting the female student population. For example, the university provides several scholarships and fellowships to students from minority groups. The Women's Forum and the Equal Opportunity Cell are two student organisations that promote diversity and inclusion at the institution.

Kerala University Administration

Kerala University has over 150 affiliated colleges. The university's role is to set the curriculum, conduct exams, and issue certificates. It does not directly manage these colleges, but they are an important part of the university system.

As previously stated, the university has 16 faculties and 43 departments of teaching and research. These departments are responsible for teaching, research, and knowledge extension. The departmental councils, which consist of all faculty members in the department, have financial and academic powers. The heads of the departments are rotated on a regular basis. Each department falls under one of the faculties, which are headed by Deans. Various programs in affiliated colleges also fall under the respective faculties. 

However, over the years, there have been charges of corruption in the management of Kerala University:

• The previous vice-chancellor of the university was arrested on corruption accusations in 2018. He was accused of taking bribes from students and faculty. However, due to a lack of evidence, the charges were ultimately withdrawn.
• In 2021, the previous registrar of the university was arrested on corruption accusations. He was charged with taking bribes from contractors. The investigation is still underway.

Our Take:

These claims of corruption have raised questions about the university's administration's openness and accountability. It is important to emphasize, however, that these are only claims and have not been proven in court. If the claims of corruption are genuine, it indicates that the university is dealing with a significant problem. Corruption may hamper students' trust in the university and make attracting and retaining top talent difficult. 

Kerala University Location

Kerala University is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's capital. The institution is located on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the city. The 576-acre campus is home to a variety of facilities, including classrooms, labs, libraries, and hostels. Throughout the year, the weather at Kerala University is hot and humid. The average temperature is between 25 and 35 degrees celsius. The monsoon season lasts from June to September, with December and January being the driest months.

Our Take: As per our research based on students’ reviews and feedback, the university's location has both pros and cons:

Pros: 

• The campus is located in a beautiful and scenic setting. 
• It is well-maintained and has a good infrastructure, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and other facilities. 
• The university is also close to the city centre, which gives students access to a variety of amenities, such as shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. 
• Additionally, the university is close to the airport and railway station, which makes it easy for students to travel.

Cons:

• The campus is located on a hilltop, which can make it difficult for students to get around, especially during the monsoon season. Students who have mobility issues or who are not used to walking uphill may find it difficult to get around campus. 
• The campus is located in a crowded city, which can be noisy and polluted. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, is a large and crowded city.
• The cost of living in Thiruvananthapuram is relatively high as it is one of the most expensive cities in Kerala. 

Kerala University: Expectation vs Reality Verdict!

Kerala University is a public university in the Indian state of Kerala. It is Kerala's oldest and largest university, having over 150 colleges associated with it. The university provides undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in a wide range of fields. Kerala University is a highly regarded university with a strong academic reputation. Students expect the university's competent and experienced teachers to provide them with high-quality education. Students also anticipate well-developed infrastructure and resources, such as large classrooms, labs, and libraries.

The university is affordable, with fees more affordable than those of many other private universities in India. Overall, Kerala University somewhat meets the expectations. It provides high-quality education and has highly skilled and experienced professors. However, the university might still need improvement in a few areas. For example, the university can upgrade its hostel facilities. The hostels are now being renovated and might be more pleasant and well-maintained. Furthermore, the university can lower its batch sizes, especially in PG courses. Over the years, there have also been claims of corruption in the management of Kerala University. These claims of corruption have raised questions about the university administration's candour and accountability.

Final Verdict: We believe that it is important to select a university that is a good fit for your unique requirements and interests, and Kerala University is a fantastic option for students searching for a public university with a solid reputation for academic achievement but has a limited budget. Students should be aware of potential negatives such as huge batch size, redundant curriculum, administrative concerns, and the high cost of living in Thiruvananthapuram.

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