Kerala University MATA Tourism Administration: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. Both MTA and MTTM are postgraduate programmes in the tourism domain offered under the University of Kerala, but they are distinct programmes. The MTA (Masters in Tourism Administration) is offered through the Department of Tourism Studies at the Kariavattom Campus under the CSS framework, with admission through the KU CAT entrance exam. The MTTM (Master of Tourism and Travel Management) is offered through the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS), a government institution under the Kerala Tourism Department, with a slightly different curriculum focused more on travel management and operations. Students should choose based on their specific career interests - MTA is more academically oriented with a broader tourism management focus, while MTTM has a stronger industry-operations focus.

Ans. Graduates of the MTA from Kerala University can pursue careers in a wide range of roles including Tourism Manager, Destination Marketing Executive, Travel Agency Manager, Hotel Operations Manager, Event Manager, Eco-Tourism Consultant, Tourism Policy Analyst, and Tourism Researcher. Key employers include Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), major hotel chains, airlines, travel companies, and government tourism boards. The programme also prepares students for academic and research careers in tourism studies, including PhD programmes. Given Kerala's status as India's top tourist destination, graduates have excellent local employment opportunities, and many also find placements in the Gulf region's hospitality sector.

Ans. The KU CAT (Kerala University Common Admission Test) for MTA consists of 100 multiple choice questions for 100 marks, to be completed in 2 hours. The exam covers subject knowledge at the qualifying examination level (tourism studies, geography, general knowledge about tourism) along with logical and numerical reasoning. There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer. The exam is conducted offline (OMR-based) at designated centres across Kerala. The difficulty level is moderate, and candidates with a background in tourism studies, geography, or hospitality management are generally well-prepared. Candidates from other backgrounds should focus on general tourism knowledge, current affairs related to tourism, and basic reasoning skills.

Ans. Yes, the MTA at Kerala University is open to graduates from any discipline, provided they meet the minimum eligibility criteria of 50% marks in their Bachelor's degree. There is no specific requirement for a tourism or hospitality background. Candidates with degrees in commerce, arts, science, or any other field are eligible to apply. However, the KU CAT entrance exam will test subject knowledge relevant to tourism studies, so candidates from non-tourism backgrounds should prepare accordingly. Many successful MTA graduates at Kerala University have come from diverse academic backgrounds, and the programme is designed to build foundational tourism knowledge from the ground up.

Ans. The University of Kerala provides hostel facilities at the Kariavattom Campus for both male and female PG students, including MTA students. Hostel admission is separate from course admission and is done through the university's hostel portal (hostel.keralauniversity.ac.in). Preference is given to students residing more than 40 km from the campus. The hostel fee is approximately Rs. 12,230 per year (subject to revision). Given the limited hostel seats, students are advised to apply for hostel accommodation immediately after securing course admission. Students who do not get hostel accommodation can find private accommodation in the areas surrounding the Kariavattom Campus, which is well-connected to Thiruvananthapuram city.

Ans. Yes, the MTA degree from the University of Kerala is a UGC-recognised postgraduate degree from a statutory university established under the Kerala University Act of 1974. It is valid for government jobs that require a PG degree in tourism or related fields, including positions in KTDC, ITDC, and other government tourism bodies. For higher studies, MTA graduates are eligible to apply for PhD programmes in Tourism Studies, Management, or related disciplines at the University of Kerala and other universities. Graduates who wish to pursue a PhD should also consider clearing UGC NET in Tourism Administration and Management, which would make them eligible for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Assistant Professor positions in tourism departments.