SMS CUSAT (School of Management Studies) was established in 1964 in Kochi, Kerala, as a public institute. It is an integral part of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). The institute is approved by AICTE and recognised by UGC.
The MBA offered by SMS CUSAT is full-time for two years and part-time for three years. It also offers Executive MBA to working professionals with a minimum of two years of experience. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks to be eligible for the MBA program. The total fees for the executive MBA program is INR 3 lakh for two years. Admissions are based on entrance exams, such as SMS CUSAT test, CAT, CMAT, and KMAT, followed by a Group Discussion (GD) and a Personal Interview (PI).
Furthermore, SMS CUSAT is ranked by NIRF, QS World University Ranking and Times Higher Education. In the NIRF 2025 rankings, it secured the 10th position among State Public Universities and was ranked 51st overall among Higher Education Institutions in India. It also has an active placement cell with candidates getting placed in top companies like KPMG, TCS, ICICI Prudential, Aditya Birla Group, and Kellogg's. The highest package offered in 2024 was INR 18 LPA.
CAT 2025 registration started on 1 August, 2025, (10:00 AM), and the window will remain open until 13 September, 2025, (till 5:00 PM). Candidates will be able to download their admit cards between 5 November and 30 November, 2025. The exam is scheduled to be conducted on 30 November 2025. The results are expected to be declared in the first week of January 2026. The CAT registration fee has been increased to INR 2,600 for General category candidates and INR 1,300 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
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SMS CUSAT Highlights 2025
SMS CUSAT Courses and Fees 2025
SMS CUSAT offers full-time, part-time, executive MBA, and Ph.D programs to students. The two-year MBA is offered in various specialisations like Marketing, Finance, HRM, International Business, IT Management, Production & Operations, and Data Science & Business Analytics with the total fees of INR 1,12,000.
SMS CUSAT also offers a three-year part-time MBA program with a fee range of INR 1,20,000 to INR 1,56,000. Admission is based on entrance exams, such as CAT, CMAT, KMAT or SMS CUSAT Test, followed by GD and PI rounds. Candidates holding a master's degree with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for the reserved category) are eligible to apply for Ph.D program. They must also qualify for UGC-NET, GATE, or DAT, followed by a PI round.
SMS CUSAT Admission 2025
Admission at SMS CUSAT is entrance-based for all programs. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria before applying. The different stages of the SMS CUSAT admission process are given below:
CAT 2025 Registration
Candidates planning to appear for CAT 2025 can find complete details about the registration process below:
- Notification Release: The official CAT 2025 notification was released by IIM Kozhikode on July 27, 2025.Registration Start Date: The online registration window opened on August 1, 2025.
- Last Date to Apply: Candidates must complete their registration by 13 September, 2025.
How to Register:
- Registration is online only via the official CAT portal.
- A valid and unique email ID and mobile number are mandatory to begin the registration process.
- Upon registration, candidates will receive a User ID and Password to log in and complete the application form.
Important Guidelines:
- Candidates can fill the form in multiple sessions — progress will be saved automatically.
- Double-check all details before paying the application fee, as no edits will be allowed after payment.
- Incomplete or incorrect information may lead to immediate rejection of the application.
- SC/ST/PwD candidates must upload valid category certificates during registration. Category changes are not allowed post-registration.
- A correction window will be provided after registration closes, but only for a limited time.
SMS CUSAT Cutoff 2025
SMS CUSAT Cutoff has shown an increasing trend over the years. Although the official cutoff for 2025 has not been released, the previous year’s data reflect the increasing cutoff for the MBA full-time for the General category. The 2024 cutoff was 163 compared to 83 in 2023.
SMS CUSAT Placements 2025
The SMS CUSAT placement cell is very active. Total job offers in 2024 were 105 through the top recruiters, such as EY, Federal Bank, Max, ITC, Berger Paints, Asian Paints, Reliance, TNP, DHL, KPMG, TCS, ICICI Prudential, Aditya Birla Group, and Kellogg's. While the 2025 placement report has not been released yet, the highest package offered in 2024 was INR 18 LPA, and the average package stood at INR 8.49 LPA.
SMS CUSAT Ranking 2025
School of Management Studies, CUSAT has a strong ranking from various respected agencies. In the QS World University Rankings 2025, it was ranked 1st in Kerala for Sustainability, 38th in India, and fell within the global band of 971-980. NIRF ranked it the 10th Best State Public University and 51st among Higher Education Institutes in India in 2025. The following table provides an overview of the SMS CUSAT rankings:
SMS CUSAT FAQs
When was SMS CUSAT established?
School of Management Studies CUSAT was established in 1964 as part of Cochin University of Science and Technology.
Is SMS CUSAT approved by AICTE?
Yes, SMS CUSAT is approved by AICTE and recognised by UGC.
What courses are offered at SMS CUSAT?
School of Management Studies CUSAT offers MBA (full-time, part-time and executive) and Ph.D programs.
What is the flagship program of SMS CUSAT?
The flagship program of SMS CUSAT is the MBA program.
What are the highest and average packages offered at SMS CUSAT?
The highest package offered during the 2024 SMS CUSAT placement drive was INR 18 LPA, and the average package stood at INR 8.49 LPA
Who are the top recruiters at SMS CUSAT?
Top recruiters at SMS CUSAT include KPMG, TCS, ICICI Prudential, Aditya Birla, and Kellogg’s.
How can I reach SMS CUSAT by air?
The nearest airport to SMS CUSAT is Cochin International Airport, which is about 22km away from the campus.
How can I reach SMS CUSAT by bus?
The nearest bus stand to SMS CUSAT is the CUSAT Bus Stop in Kalamassery, which is within walking distance from the campus.
Does SMS CUSAT offer scholarships?
No, SMS CUSAT does not offer any kind of scholarships.
