"Let’s Study in Kerala!'' Foreign Student Applications Soar at Kerala University

Thiruvananthapuram: In a powerful endorsement of Kerala’s growing academic reputation, Kerala University has seen a record-breaking surge in applications from international students. A total of 2,620 applications from 81 countries have poured in this year alone, an extraordinary leap that marks Kerala University as a rising global education hub.
Just four years ago, in 2021, the university received 1,100 applications from foreign nationals. That number grew steadily to 1,400 in 2022, then 1,600 in 2023, and now it has skyrocketed to 2,620 in 2024. It’s not just the numbers that are impressive, but the diversity and depth of interest across academic programmes.
Out of the current applicants, 1,265 are seeking admission to undergraduate programmes, 1,020 to postgraduate courses, and 335 to PhD programmes. The majority of students hail from African countries, but interest is also strong from the United States, Russia, France, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bhutan, and Jordan.
To facilitate the admission process, the application list has been submitted to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Commerce and Management continue to be the most popular courses among international applicants.
Kerala University isn’t just attracting applications, it’s becoming a trusted destination. Students from 52 countries, including Colombia, Peru, and the USA, are currently studying in Kerala. A total of 205 students are pursuing education here with support from ICCR and other scholarship schemes provided by their home countries.
“Among all the universities in Kerala, ours consistently receives the highest number of foreign students,” said Dr. Sabu Joseph, Director of the Centre for Global Academics. “This reflects Kerala University’s commitment to academic excellence, internationalisation, and cultural diversity.”
With world- class faculty, a vibrant campus life, and a growing global reputation, Kerala University is fast becoming the first choice for students around the world who say with confidence: Let’s study in Kerala!