Master in Social Work [MSW]

Kerala University’s MSW is a 2-year postgraduate program in social work offered by the Department of Sociology at the Karyavattom campus, Thiruvananthapuram. Admission to the 30-seat program is through the university’s CSS Entrance Examination. Total program fees are INR 5,410, excluding the Department Development Fund. The university holds NAAC A++ accreditation and is ranked 25th in the University category and 5th among State Public Universities in NIRF 2025.

📋 Admission Status: Applications closed. Classes commenced 16 July 2026.

Kerala University MSW Fees 2026

• Department Development Fund amount is notified separately at admission.
• SC/ST and OEC candidates are exempt from fee payment at admission.
• Caution deposit is collected and refunded upon course completion.

Kerala University MSW Admission 2026

• General registration fee was INR 1,500 and INR 750 for SC/ST candidates.
• 25% of seats are reserved for candidates holding a BSW Degree.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university is eligible for MSW admission at Kerala University.
• Minimum 50% marks in the qualifying degree (CGPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale, 3.5 on a 7-point scale, or 5.0 on a 10-point scale). SC/ST candidates require 45% and SEBC candidates require 48%.
• 25% of the total seats are reserved exclusively for candidates holding a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) Degree.
• Candidates awaiting final year results may apply but must satisfy all eligibility criteria at the time of admission.

Admission Process

• Register online at admissions.keralauniversity.ac.in and pay the application fee.
• Download the admit card from the admissions portal before the exam date.
• Appear for the CSS Entrance Exam (100 MCQs, 100 marks, 2 hours, negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer).
• Rank list prepared based on percentile scores obtained in the entrance exam.
• Seat allotment through online counselling (25% of seats set aside for BSW graduates).
• Report to the Department of Sociology, Karyavattom, with original documents for verification and pay fees to confirm admission.

✓ Opt for this if

• Committed to a social work career in Kerala’s government or NGO sector.
• BSW graduate seeking a recognized PG with a reserved admission pathway.
• Looking for affordable PG social work education at a NAAC A++ university.
• Open to any undergraduate background and interested in community development.

✗ Skip if

• Expecting dedicated campus placements in corporate social responsibility roles.
• Looking for a university with a large pan-India social work alumni base.
• Seeking a part-time or online MSW programme.

Kerala University MSW Scholarships 2026

• SC/ST and OEC fee exemptions are applied directly at admission.
• Scholarship applications submitted via the National Scholarship Portal online.

Kerala University MSW FAQs

Ques. Is any specific undergraduate degree required for MSW admission at Kerala University?

Ans. No, any Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university makes a candidate eligible for MSW at Kerala University. Graduates from arts, science, commerce, and other streams can apply. The only condition is a minimum of 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in the qualifying degree. SC/ST and PWD candidates are eligible with 45% marks.

Ques. What advantage does a BSW degree give for MSW admission at Kerala University?

Ans. A BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) degree qualifies a candidate for the reserved BSW quota, which accounts for 25% of the total MSW seats. This creates a dedicated pathway for social work graduates and improves their chances of admission compared to candidates from other disciplines competing for the open merit seats.

Ques. What career options are available after MSW from Kerala University?

Ans. MSW graduates from Kerala University can work as Social Workers, Community Development Officers, Counsellors, Child Welfare Officers, and HR Executives in NGOs, government agencies, hospitals, schools, and corporate organizations. The degree also qualifies graduates for roles in the Kerala Social Welfare Department and other state government bodies. Higher studies and PhD programmes in social work are also viable options.

Ques. How is the seat allotment done for MSW at Kerala University?

Ans. Seat allotment for MSW at Kerala University is done through online counselling based on the rank list prepared from CSS Entrance Exam percentile scores. Of the 30 seats, 25% are reserved for BSW graduates and the remaining 75% are filled through open merit and community reservation as per Kerala government norms.

Ques. Is hostel accommodation available for MSW students at Kerala University?

Ans. The University of Kerala’s Karyavattom campus has hostel facilities for postgraduate students, subject to availability. Allotment is governed by university hostel rules and is separate from the academic admission process. Students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation when they report to the Department of Sociology, as seats are allotted based on home district distance.

Ques. What is the difference between MSW and M.Sc. Applied Psychology at Kerala University?

Ans. MSW (Master of Social Work) at Kerala University focuses on community development, social policy, welfare administration, and counselling practice. M.Sc. Applied Psychology focuses on psychological assessment, clinical psychology, and behavioural research. MSW accepts graduates from all disciplines, whereas M.Sc. Applied Psychology requires a B.A. or B.Sc. in Psychology. Both are 2-year programmes offered through the CSS system.