Kochi: As a new academic year begins, arts and science colleges in the city are witnessing a marked rise in admissions. Several institutions have reported significantly more applications than they received last year, signalling a gradual recovery from the sharp decline in student interest seen after the pandemic in 2020.
BCom and BBA remain the most sought-after programmes, but courses in behavioural and health sciences, along with IT-related subjects, are drawing growing interest. At Sacred Heart College, Thevara, where the second allotment is underway, applications have more than doubled compared to last year, rising to around 13,000 from nearly 6,000 in 2025-26. “New-generation courses such as BBA Logistics and BCom FinTech are seeing higher demand, while interest in conventional courses has stayed largely unchanged,” said a college official.
According to college officials, admissions in city colleges have traditionally been dominated by students from Ernakulam, but more applicants are now arriving from north Kerala districts such as Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod to pursue higher education in Kochi.
Cut-off marks have risen alongside the increase in applications. BCom programmes continue to record the highest cut-offs, touching nearly 99% in some colleges, while cut-offs for subjects such as Botany and Malayalam remain comparatively lower.
Bharata Mata College has also seen a rise in applicants this year. “We have seen at least 1,000 additional applicants so far. There is strong interest in subjects that promise employment opportunities, including Psychology, Data Analytics and Computer Applications,” said Johnson K M, academic director at the college.
At St Albert’s College, applications have remained stable without any significant decline. “A peculiarity we have observed is the high interest among students in subjects related to behavioural and health sciences, including Fitness Management and Sports Nutrition. The growth of gyms and health services in society appears to be reflected in admission trends as well,” said Sabu MC, examination controller at the college.
College officials attribute the rise in applications to Kochi’s growing appeal as a study destination and a decline in student migration abroad, linked to stricter visa regulations and the weakening rupee. “The challenges posed by visa regulations in several countries traditionally preferred by students for overseas education have contributed to an increase in admissions here,” said Sacred Heart College Principal Franklin John.
Maharaja’s College Ernakulam, the city’s only government autonomous institution, has also reported around a 10 per cent increase in applications compared to the previous academic year. However, unlike several other arts and science colleges in the city, traditional subjects continue to dominate admissions at the institution.
Maharaja’s College Ernakulam, the city’s only govt autonomous institution, has reported a 15% rise in applications over the previous academic year. Unlike most other arts and science colleges in the city, traditional subjects continue to dominate applications here.
“Subjects such as Economics, Political Science, History, English and Zoology have attracted more applicants,” said Venugopal B, admission coordinator at the college.
