Education in Kerala

With a literacy rate of 93.91% as recorded in the year 2011, Kerala is by far the most literate state of India. But it is not only the modern Kerala government that has contributed towards this phenomenal literacy rate in Kerala. Since the ancient days, Kerala has been the hub of Vedic learning in India. The ancient dynasties that ruled Kerala made arrangements for 'sabha mathams', a type of school where education was imparted on paper and through activities. Martial arts were an important part of the curriculum in ancient Kerala education. Education in Kerala is widespread; schools function even in the remote villages of this South Indian state. Professional education institutes have existed in Kerala even in the 14th and 16th centuries when education was only in its nascent stage.

Education System in Kerala

The education system in Kerala is distinctly divided into different tiers. Kerala, like most other states across the country, follows the 10+2+3 tier of learning. After completing 10 years of primary and secondary school, students progress on to 2 years of high school followed by three years in a general course or a professional course of study. There is also the scope for pursuing higher studies which is an individual choice of students. The education system of Kerala can be divided into these groups:

  • Primary School
  • Secondary School
  • College
  • University
  • Research / Doctorate
The medium of instruction in Kerala study centers is English if the institute is maintained by private trusts and individuals. A government institution uses Malayalam and English as the mediums of instruction.

Primary and Secondary Education in Kerala

A student in Kerala has to attend school for twelve years before pursuing higher education in colleges and universities. The schools are affiliated to any of the four boards, the Central Board of Secondary education (CBSE), the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or the Kerala State Education Board. Government Sanskrit schools still function in Kerala that use Sanskrit as the medium of instruction. Asides Malayalam and English, Kannada is also a popular language used as the mode of communication between teachers and students.

Schools in Kerala



Name of School Location Affiliation
Assisi Vidyaniketan Public School Kakkanad CBSE
Khutbuzzaman E M School Thirurangadi, Chemmad CBSE
Vidya Vihar Public School Ernakulam CBSE
Trivandrum International School Trivandrum ICSE
Alphonsa Residential School Bharananganam ICSE
Good Shepherd E M School Kurianoor ICSE


Graduation and PG Level Courses in Kerala



Kerala is home to a number of colleges and universities of repute. These colleges and centers of higher learning receive numerous application forms each year from resident and international students. You can opt for degrees in science, arts and commerce from these.

  • St. Berchmans College
    Location - Changanassery
    Courses Offered - Arts and Science
  • Sacred Heart College
    Location - Ernakulam
    Courses Offered - Arts and Science
  • University of Calicut
    Location - Calicut
    Courses Offered - Master Degree courses, M.Phil, PG Diploma, Certificate Courses and P.hD
  • University of Kerala
    Location - Thiruvananthapuram
    Courses Offered - Bachelor Degree courses, Master Degree courses, M.Phil, P.hD in the fields of science, arts and commerce.
  • Cochin University
    Location - Cochin
    Courses Offered - Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, M.Phil and P.hd study programs in Science

    Professional Study Programs in Kerala

    With job oriented courses being the call of the day, several institutes across Kerala have introduced professional courses which help them to face challenges in the job market.

    Type of Colleges College Degree
    Engineering College of Engineering, Government Engineering College, N S S College of Engineering B.Tech / BE
    Architecture College of Engineering, Architecture MES College of Engineering, National Institute of Technology B.Arch
    Law The Kerala Law Academy, Government Law College, national Institute for Advanced Legal Studies LL.B, LL.M
    Medical Government Medical College, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Kannur Medical College MBBS
    Management Mahatma Gandhi University, Rajagiri Intitute of Management, St. Berchamans Institute of Management BBA / MBA




    Education for Non Resident / Foreign Students in Kerala

    Kerala is the chosen destination for several students from other states of India, for NRIs and for foreign students. Every institute in Kerala keeps a number of seats reserved for non residents and foreign students. The government of Kerala also takes special precautions to ensure the social security of the non residential students in the state. There are foreign cells in the colleges and universities which help the NRIs, non residents and foreign students in the admission procedure and the hostel facilities.

    Hostels for Students in Kerala

    Since a large number of students migrate from their home towns and study in Kerala, the state educational institutes are equipped with state of the art hostels. Kerala hostels have modern facilities to make students feel at home away from their own home. Some popular hostels are:

    NSS Nursing Students' Hostel - Chiramudi, Pandalam
    Research Students Hostel - Karyavattom
    Youth Hostel - Cochin
    Hostels for Minority Groups like Muslims
    Hostels for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes