ST. THOMAS COLLEGE, THRISSUR
ST. THOMAS COLLEGE, THRISSUR is a higher education institution located in Thrissur, Kerala, India.
Overview
St. Thomas College (Autonomous), Thrissur is a historic government-aided premier institution of higher education located in Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, India. Founded originally in 1889 by Rt. Rev. Dr. Adolphus Medlycott (the first Vicar Apostolic of Thrissur) and conducted by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur, it holds the distinction of being the first Catholic college in the state.
Affiliated with the University of Calicut and possessing autonomous status, St. Thomas College has been reaccredited with an 'A++' Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and recognized as a College with Potential for Excellence by the UGC. The institution offers comprehensive undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral research programs across science, humanities, commerce, and computer science disciplines.
History
The institution traces its origins back to 1889 when it was established as a lower secondary school by Bishop Adolphus Medlycott. It was formally raised to a second-grade college in arts in 1918–1919 under the University of Madras, with Mgr. John Palocaren serving as its legendary founding principal. Over subsequent decades, it expanded into a first-grade college, transitioned its affiliation to the University of Calicut, attained autonomous status in 2014, and celebrated its glorious centennial milestone with national dignitaries.
Programs
St. Thomas College offers a diverse and rigorous selection of academic courses structured across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral tracks:
- Undergraduate Programs (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, BCA, B.Voc):
- Bachelor's degrees spanning major disciplines including Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Statistics, Computer Science, Commerce, and Management Studies.
- Postgraduate Programs (M.A., M.Sc., M.Com, MCA):
- Master's degree specializations across core sciences, literature, humanities, and computer applications.
- Doctoral Research Programs (Ph.D.):
- Recognized research departments offering Ph.D. programs in Botany, Chemistry, Commerce, Economics, English, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology.
Facilities
The campus features state-of-the-art educational infrastructure, historic architecture, and extensive student support facilities:
- Central Library & Knowledge Hub: A rich, computerized resource library housing rare manuscripts, extensive academic volumes, research journals, and digital archives.
- Advanced Laboratories & Research Centres: Fully equipped departmental science laboratories, high-end computing facilities, and DST-supported research labs.
- Centre for Career Development & Placement: An active placement cell coordinating campus recruitment drives with major national and multinational corporations.
- Hostel & Campus Amenities: On-campus residential hostels, auditoriums, sports complexes, and active student clubs (NSS, NCC, and various cultural associations).
Admissions
Admissions to programs at St. Thomas College are strictly merit-based:
- **Undergraduate & Postgraduate Admissions:** Processed transparently via the University of Calicut Centralized Admission Process (CAP) alongside institutional merit and community quota categories.
- **Doctoral Admissions (Ph.D.):** Administered through entrance examinations and formal interviews complying with University of Calicut norms and regulatory guidelines.
Affiliations
- An autonomous government-aided institution affiliated with the University of Calicut, Kerala
- Managed by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur
Alumni
- E. M. S. Namboodiripad – First Chief Minister of Kerala
- John Palocaren – Renowned educationist and founding principal
- Joseph Mundassery – Renowned literary critic and former Education Minister of Kerala
- Eluvathingal Devassy Jemmis – Padma Shri awardee and distinguished scientist
- Sathyan Anthikad – Acclaimed Malayalam film director and writer
- Johnson – Legendary Malayalam film music director
- Ancy Sojan – Prominent Indian athlete