St. Berchmans College: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Kottayam Campus Life

About St. Berchmans College - [SBC] Kottayam

St. Berchmans College (SBC), established in 1922, is located in Changanassery near Kottayam, Kerala. It is an autonomous Christian college managed by the Syro Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery and affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

The college holds an A+ grade from NAAC and is ranked 56th in the NIRF 2025 'Colleges' category. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across arts, science, commerce, and management disciplines, with a student strength of several thousand and a well-qualified faculty. SBC is noted for its academic excellence, research contributions, and vibrant campus life.

Key Highlights

Overview

St. Berchmans College (SBC), established in 1922, is located in Changanassery near Kottayam, Kerala. It is an autonomous Christian college managed by the Syro Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Changanassery and affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

The college holds an A+ grade from NAAC and is ranked 56th in the NIRF 2025 'Colleges' category. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across arts, science, commerce, and management disciplines, with a student strength of several thousand and a well-qualified faculty. SBC is noted for its academic excellence, research contributions, and vibrant campus life.

Key Highlights

Admission Dates 2026

St. Berchmans College Kottayam offers admissions primarily based on merit for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with MBA admissions requiring valid KMAT Kerala or national-level management entrance exam scores. The admission cycle for MBA includes KMAT Kerala 2026 registration and exam in February 2026, while UG admissions follow an online application process with offline finalization.

Admission Process

St. Berchmans College, Kottayam offers admission primarily through a merit-based system for most undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with online application followed by offline document verification and counseling. MBA admissions follow a separate entrance-based process.

Undergraduate (UG) Admission

Steps to Apply

1. Visit the official website www.sbcollege.ac.in and navigate to the “Admission 2025” section.
2. Register online using a valid email ID and mobile number.
3. Pay the application fee online (₹300 for General category, ₹150 for SC/ST, ₹100 for Management quota).
4. Fill and submit the online application form with required details.
5. Check the merit list published on the official website after the application deadline.
6. Visit the college campus for document verification and counseling the schedule.
7. Complete admission by paying the course fee and submitting all required documents.

Postgraduate (PG) Admission (Including MBA)

Steps to Apply

1. Register online on the college website under the PG admission section.
2. Pay the application fee online (₹400 for General, ₹220 for SC/ST, ₹100 for Management quota).
3. Submit the online application form with academic and personal details.
4. For MBA, appear for the required entrance exams as specified in the prospectus.
5. Check merit or entrance-based selection lists published by the college.
6. Attend document verification and counseling at the college campus.
7. Pay the course fee and complete admission formalities.

Eligibility Criteria & Fees

Documents Required

• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and certificates
• Graduation mark sheets (for PG admission)
• Entrance exam scorecard (for MBA)
• Transfer Certificate and Conduct Certificate from last attended institution
• Eligibility certificate from Mahatma Gandhi University (if applicable)
• ID proof (Aadhaar card or equivalent)
• Caste and community certificates (if applicable)
• Income certificate (for reservation/weightage claims)
• Passport size photographs

Placements 2025

St. Berchmans College, Kottayam, achieved strong placement outcomes in 2025 with over 350 students placed across various streams. The highest package reached ₹19 LPA, with most students securing offers in the ₹3-6 LPA range. Top recruiters included major IT, consulting, and core sector companies, reflecting a diverse placement profile.

Placement Statistics

Top Recruiters

IT: Infosys, Accenture, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, Deloitte, EY

Consulting: KPMG, Deloitte, EY

Core: Federal Bank, South Indian Bank, HDFC Bank, Royal Enfield, UltraTech Cement, Shell, UPL

Branch-wise Placement

Rankings & Accreditations

St. Berchmans College, Kottayam, holds a strong position in national rankings, securing the 56th rank in the NIRF 2025 College category. It has consistently been recognized for academic excellence and maintains a reputable NAAC accreditation.

NIRF 2025

Other Rankings

Accreditations

• NAAC: Grade A (Fifth cycle, valid till 2027)

Scholarships & Financial Aid

St. Berchmans College offers a variety of scholarships based on academic performance, merit-cum-means, and co-curricular achievements. Students can avail scholarships provided by the college itself as well as central and state government schemes through the National Scholarship Portal and Kerala state portals.

Institute Scholarships

Government Scholarships

External Scholarships

• Alumni Endowment Scholarships: ₹10,000 for meritorious and needy students, instituted by former professors and alumni

Comparison

St. Berchmans College, Kottayam, is compared with Assumption College, Changanassery, and Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam, as all are prominent autonomous colleges in Kerala with strong academic reputations, NAAC accreditation, and consistent presence in NIRF rankings, attracting students seeking quality higher education in arts, science, and commerce streams.

Key Strengths

• St. Berchmans College - [SBC] Kottayam: Renowned for its century-old heritage, strong research culture supported by DST-FIST, and consistent top 60 NIRF ranking with autonomous status and diverse postgraduate and doctoral programs.
• Assumption College, Changanassery: Known for its NAAC A+ accreditation, emphasis on women’s education, and strong placement record in arts and science streams with modern infrastructure.
• Mar Athanasius College, Kothamangalam: Recognized for its balanced focus on academics and extracurriculars, good industry connections, and steady NIRF presence within Kerala’s top 100 colleges.

Campus & Infrastructure

St. Berchmans College, located in Changanassery near Kottayam, Kerala, spans a 20-acre campus that blends historic architecture with modern facilities. The campus offers a serene academic environment with well-maintained green spaces and comprehensive infrastructure supporting diverse academic and extracurricular activities.

Campus Details

Academic Facilities

• Library: 142,228 books, 157 journals & periodicals, 4 online databases (DELNET, N-List, EBSCO, Prowess IQ)
• Labs: Multiple science and research labs with advanced equipment (exact number not specified)
• Classrooms: Well-equipped smart classrooms with Wi-Fi and IT-aided learning

Hostel

Other Facilities

• Two theatres: Shakespeare Theatre (Mr. Josy Joseph) and SB Theatre (Dr. Sunny Sebastian)
• Football ground
• Indoor stadium
• Running/jogging track
• Canteen with quality food at reasonable prices
• Medical inspection center
• Science center and science park
• Career orientation center
• NCC (National Cadet Corps) activities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the eligibility criteria for admission to undergraduate courses at St. Berchmans College?

For UG courses like BA, B.Sc, B.Com, and BCA, candidates must have passed 10+2 or equivalent with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. Admission is strictly merit-based through online application and counseling.

Is there an entrance exam for MBA admission at Berchmans Institute of Management Studies (BIMS)?

BIMS offers MBA programs affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, and admission is generally based on merit and entrance exams like KMAT or CAT scores university norms.

What is the fee structure for undergraduate programs at St. Berchmans College?

The fee varies by course but typically ranges between ₹30,000 to ₹60,000 per year for UG programs. Exact fees can be paid online during the admission process.

Are scholarships available for students at St. Berchmans College?

The college offers merit-based and merit-cum-means scholarships along with access to state and central government scholarship schemes for eligible students.

What are the placement statistics and top recruiters at St. Berchmans College?

The college has a good placement record with recruiters from sectors like IT, finance, and management. The placement rate is high, with top companies visiting the campus regularly, especially for MBA and commerce graduates.

What is the average salary package offered to MBA graduates from BIMS?

MBA graduates from BIMS typically receive average packages ranging from ₹3.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh per annum, depending on specialization and market conditions.

Does St. Berchmans College offer internship opportunities for students?

Yes, the college facilitates internships through industry collaborations, especially for management and science students, to provide practical exposure during their course.

What specializations are available in the BA and B.Sc programs?

BA specializations include Economics, English with Journalism, French, and Hindi. B.Sc specializations include Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, and Industrial Microbiology.

How experienced is the faculty at St. Berchmans College?

The college has qualified and experienced faculty members, many with doctoral degrees and active research profiles, across its 19 postgraduate and 8 research departments.

What hostel facilities are available for students at St. Berchmans College?

The college provides separate hostels with 2- or 3-sharing rooms for boys and girls, equipped with basic amenities like beds, study tables, cupboards, and common bathrooms.

How is the food quality and mess facility in the college hostels?

The hostel mess offers hygienic and balanced meals with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, maintaining good food quality student feedback.

Are there active student clubs and cultural fests at St. Berchmans College?

The college hosts various clubs for arts, sports, and social service, along with annual cultural fests and academic events that encourage student participation and talent development.

What is the daily commute like for students attending St. Berchmans College?

The college is located in Changanassery, 18 km from Kottayam, with good public transport connectivity including buses and autos, making daily commute convenient for local and nearby town students.

Is there a dress code or uniform requirement for students at St. Berchmans College?

There is no strict uniform, but students are expected to dress modestly and maintain decorum college guidelines during academic hours and official events.

Can students find part-time job opportunities while studying at St. Berchmans College?

While the college does not have formal part-time job placements, students often find opportunities in tutoring, internships, and local businesses in Changanassery and Kottayam.

How does St. Berchmans College compare with other autonomous colleges in Kerala in terms of academic reputation?

St. Berchmans College is among the top 100 Indian colleges ranked by NIRF and is recognized for academic excellence, autonomy, and research, making it highly reputed in Kerala.

What is the return on investment (ROI) for courses at St. Berchmans College?

With moderate fees, strong placement support, and quality education, the ROI is considered good, especially for commerce, management, and science graduates.

Does the college have a strong alumni network for career support?

The college has an active alumni association that engages in mentoring, networking, and supporting current students in career development and placements.

Are laptops or specific technical devices mandatory for students at St. Berchmans College?

Laptops are recommended for courses involving computer applications and research but are not mandatory; the college provides computer labs and internet facilities for student use.

What research opportunities are available for postgraduate students?

The college offers MPhil and PhD programs with eight research departments supported by government grants like DST-FIST, encouraging active research in sciences and humanities.