![College of Architecture Trivandrum - [CAT]](https://img.collegedunia.com/public/college_data/images/logos/1742872659CATLogo.png?h=71.7&w=71.7&mode=stretch)
College of Architecture Trivandrum (CAT) is a private, stand-alone architecture and design institute established in 2011, located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and approved by the Council of Architecture (COA) for its B.Arch programme and by AICTE for B.Des and BMS programmes.
CAT Trivandrum is a young institution and does not yet appear in NIRF rankings.
The campus is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The college is described as one of the largest architecture and design schools in South India, with purpose-built design studios, fabrication workshops, and collaborative project spaces supporting studio-based learning in the built environment disciplines.
- B.Arch (5 years, 120 seats): Approved by COA, affiliated with KTU. Admission through NATA or KEAM. Total fees: INR 4.00 Lakhs.
- B.Des (4 years, 5 specialisations): Communication Design, Furniture Design, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Product Design. Total fees: INR 6.00 Lakhs.
- BMS in Real Estate Development Management (4 years, launched 2025): Total fees: INR 2.20 Lakhs.
Graduates of the B.Arch programme typically enter design-practice firms and architectural consultancies. B.Des graduates move into product design, communication design, and UX roles.
CAT Trivandrum Admission Dates 2027
Admissions for the 2026 academic session have concluded across all CAT Trivandrum programmes. The 2027 intake cycle is expected to open with NATA registration from January 2027 and KEAM B.Arch applications from April 2027. The table below summarises concluded 2026 cycle events and tentative 2027 timelines.
| Event | 2026 Cycle (Concluded) | 2027 Cycle (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| NATA Registration | January to February 2026 | January to February 2027 |
| NATA Phase 1 Exam | April 2026 | April 2027 |
| NATA Phase 2 Exam | August 2026 | August 2027 |
| KEAM B.Arch Application | April to May 2026 | April to May 2027 |
| KEAM B.Arch Rank List | July 2026 | July 2027 |
| CAT Management Quota Application | Rolling (online) | Rolling (online) |
| Counselling and Allotment | July to September 2026 | July to September 2027 |
| Programme Start | September 2026 | September 2027 |
The table below covers entrance exams accepted for each programme family for the 2027 intake cycle.
| Programme | Entrance Exam Accepted | Quota |
|---|---|---|
| B.Arch | NATA, KEAM | Government quota via CEE Kerala (NVR). Management quota via college portal. |
| B.Des | UCEED, NID-DAT, NIFT, KS-DAT | Government quota via LBS Centre. Management quota via college portal. |
| BMS | College aptitude screening | Management quota |
CAT Trivandrum Courses and Fees
CAT Trivandrum focuses exclusively on architecture, design, and built environment management, offering three full-time degree programmes. The fees below are for the general category and represent the total programme cost across all years.
| Course | Duration | Seats | Eligibility | Total Fees (General) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Arch | 5 years | 120 | 10+2 with PCM, 50%, valid NATA or KEAM score | INR 4.00 Lakhs |
| B.Des (5 specialisations) | 4 years | 60 per specialisation | 10+2 any stream, 50%, valid UCEED/NID-DAT/NIFT/KS-DAT | INR 6.00 Lakhs |
| BMS (Real Estate Development Management) | 4 years | As per intake | 10+2 any stream, 50% | INR 2.20 Lakhs |
B.Des specialisations span both product and communication disciplines: Communication Design, Furniture Design, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Product Design. The BMS programme, launched in 2025, focuses on real estate development and built environment management, which aligns with the college’s broader positioning as a design school for the built environment. Hostel charges are up to INR 80,000 per year for both boys and girls.
CAT Trivandrum Admission Process
All programmes at CAT Trivandrum operate under a dual-quota system: a government quota administered by Kerala state bodies and a management quota handled directly by the college.
B.Arch Admission
The B.Arch programme is regulated by the Council of Architecture (COA), which mandates a valid NATA score for admission across India.
- Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, minimum 50% aggregate. Candidates must have a valid NATA score.
- Government quota: Allotment through the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala under KEAM, using the KEAM Architecture Rank List. Institution code NVR.
- Management quota: Applications directly through the college’s online portal, with shortlisting based on NATA score.
The KEAM 2025 B.Arch closing rank for the General Category at CAT Trivandrum ranged from approximately 426 to 869 in Round 3 allotment. This gives aspirants a calibration point for the 2027 cycle, though exact ranks vary each year with seat availability and applicant pool.
B.Des Admission
B.Des admissions are accepted through national design entrance exams as well as Kerala’s state-level design aptitude test.
- Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream with minimum 50%. No stream restriction.
- Entrance exams accepted: UCEED, NID-DAT, NIFT, and KS-DAT (Kerala State Design Aptitude Test).
- Government quota: Through LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Kerala.
- Selection stages: Score screening, portfolio assessment, and final merit list.
BMS Admission
The BMS programme in Real Estate Development Management was launched in 2025. Admission is through the college’s aptitude screening process. Eligibility requires 10+2 in any stream with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks.
CAT Trivandrum Placements and Career Outcomes
CAT Trivandrum, as an architecture and design school, does not conduct formal campus placements in the conventional sense. Graduates are assessed on portfolio quality and studio project outcomes rather than by a standardised campus recruitment process. Most B.Arch graduates pursue practice through internships at architectural and urban design firms.
Typical career pathways for CAT Trivandrum graduates include:
- B.Arch graduates: Junior architect roles at architectural firms and consultancies, urban planning bodies, government PWD departments, and real estate developers. Many graduates also pursue post-graduation in architecture (M.Arch) at institutions in India or abroad.
- B.Des graduates: Product design, communication design, UX/UI design, and furniture design roles at design studios, manufacturing firms, and technology companies.
- BMS graduates: Real estate development management and built environment advisory roles, an emerging field in India’s urbanising landscape.
The college offers internship placements as part of the curriculum, particularly in the final years of both the B.Arch and B.Des programmes. Internship partners include architecture and design firms based in Thiruvananthapuram and across Kerala.
CAT Trivandrum Campus and Infrastructure
CAT Trivandrum is located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, giving students access to the city’s government architecture offices, urban heritage zones, and professional design ecosystem. The campus houses design studios, model-making workshops, and digital fabrication labs built to support hands-on studio-based learning.
The college provides on-campus residential facilities for both male and female students. Boys Hostel and Girls Hostel are available with annual charges of up to INR 80,000. The campus has a cafeteria, Wi-Fi connectivity, and library facilities. Students rate campus infrastructure at 4 out of 5, with positive feedback on studio space and design facilities.
The college positions itself as a global design school within the built environment, with international partnerships and a curriculum framed around macroscale and microscale design disciplines. It was among the first institutions in Kerala to launch a full-time B.Des degree programme, doing so in 2019.
CAT Trivandrum vs Manipal School of Architecture vs MEASI Academy of Architecture
Aspirants considering CAT Trivandrum for B.Arch and B.Des often weigh it against other private architecture and design schools in South India. The comparison below covers key decision parameters for these three institutions.
| Parameter | CAT Trivandrum | Manipal School of Architecture and Planning | MEASI Academy of Architecture, Chennai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Manipal, Karnataka | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Established | 2011 | 1988 | 1984 |
| Type | Private, stand-alone institute, KTU affiliated | Private university (MAHE), COA approved | Private, affiliated with University of Madras, COA approved |
| Flagship Programme | B.Arch (5 years) plus B.Des | B.Arch (5 years) plus M.Arch | B.Arch (5 years) |
| B.Arch Total Fees | INR 4.00 Lakhs | Higher fee tier (private university structure) | Moderate fee tier (university affiliated) |
| Entrance Exam (B.Arch) | NATA, KEAM | NATA, MAHE entrance | NATA, TANCET |
| B.Des Programmes | 5 specialisations (launched 2019) | Limited design electives within architecture | Architecture focused, limited standalone B.Des |
| Campus Hostel | Available, up to INR 80,000/year | Available (MAHE campus) | Available |
CAT Trivandrum offers one of the lowest total B.Arch fee structures among private architecture schools in South India, making it attractive for Kerala aspirants who secure government quota seats through KEAM. Manipal School of Architecture has a longer track record and a larger alumni network across the country. MEASI Academy draws strongly from Tamil Nadu and is better positioned for graduates seeking practice in Chennai and nearby metros. Students prioritising a Kerala base and lower fees will find CAT the most accessible option.
CAT Trivandrum FAQs
Ques. What is the total fee for B.Arch at College of Architecture Trivandrum?
Ans. The total fee for B.Arch at CAT Trivandrum is INR 4.00 Lakhs for the entire 5-year programme for the general category. The annual fee works out to approximately INR 80,000. Government quota seats allotted through KEAM and CEE Kerala may have a different fee structure, which is determined by the state fee regulatory committee.
Ques. How does admission to CAT Trivandrum B.Arch work?
Ans. B.Arch admission at CAT Trivandrum works through two routes. The government quota is allotted through KEAM B.Arch counselling under the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala, using the Institution Code NVR. The management quota is filled by the college directly, with applicants shortlisted on NATA score. A valid NATA score is mandatory for B.Arch admission under COA regulations. Eligibility requires 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, and a minimum of 50% aggregate.
Ques. What B.Des specialisations does CAT Trivandrum offer?
Ans. CAT Trivandrum offers five B.Des specialisations: Communication Design, Furniture Design, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Product Design. The B.Des programme is 4 years in duration, and admission is through UCEED, NID-DAT, NIFT, or the Kerala State Design Aptitude Test (KS-DAT). Government quota B.Des admissions are handled by LBS Centre for Science and Technology, Kerala.
Ques. Does CAT Trivandrum have hostel facilities?
Ans. Yes. CAT Trivandrum provides on-campus hostel facilities for both male and female students. Annual hostel charges are up to INR 80,000, covering accommodation and mess. The hostels are located on or near the main campus in Thiruvananthapuram.
Ques. Does CAT Trivandrum conduct campus placements?
Ans. CAT Trivandrum does not conduct formal campus placements in the conventional sense, as is typical of architecture and design schools in India. The college facilitates internship placements as part of the curriculum, particularly in the final years of B.Arch and B.Des. Graduates typically pursue roles at architectural firms, design studios, and urban planning bodies, or proceed to post-graduation. The college has a developing alumni network in Thiruvananthapuram and across Kerala.
Ques. What is the KEAM B.Arch cutoff for CAT Trivandrum?
Ans. Based on KEAM 2025 data, the B.Arch closing rank for the General Category at CAT Trivandrum ranged from approximately 426 to 869 in Round 3 allotment. Ranks vary each year depending on seat availability and the applicant pool. Candidates should track the official CEE Kerala allotment list for updated 2027 cycle data.
Ques. Is College of Architecture Trivandrum a government or private college?
Ans. College of Architecture Trivandrum (CAT) is a private institute, established in 2011 and affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU). It is approved by the Council of Architecture (COA) for B.Arch and by AICTE for B.Des and BMS. While it is a private institution, it participates in the government quota allotment process through KEAM and LBS Centre, Kerala, for a portion of its seats.
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UCEED 2026 Exam will be held on January 18, 2026, from 9 AM to 12 PM, for B.Des admission. The Admit card for the same has been released @uceed.iitb.ac.in.
At the College of Architecture, Trivandrum, the Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) program is a five-year course focusing on the design, planning, and construction of buildings. It encompasses subjects such as architectural design, history, structures, building materials, and services, along with practical training in model making and site analysis.
The Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program, lasting four years, offers specializations in Furniture and Interior Design, Product Design, Communication Design, and Game Design. This course emphasizes creative problem-solving, user experience, and design fabrication, integrating local craft methods and entrepreneurship skills
The College of Architecture Trivandrum (CAT) has not officially announced the opening of admissions for the Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program for the 2025 academic year
The fee for the BDes course is mentioned below:
The College of Architecture Trivandrum (CAT), established in 2011, is affiliated with the University of Kerala and is recognized by the Council of Architecture (COA) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). There is no specific information available regarding its affiliation with the University Grants Commission (UGC) or accreditation by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA).
Eligibility Criteria
Admission Guidelines
Candidate must have appeared UCEED/NATA examination for the selection process