Occupational Therapist Course in Kerala 2026: Top Colleges and Fees
Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At…
Occupational therapy courses in Kerala are offered by premier institutions like Kerala University of Health Sciences with fees around INR 1,32,000 for 4 years and NIPMER Thrissur. Graduates earn an average starting salary of approximately INR 3.6 LPA upon entering the allied healthcare field.
Prospective students can explore key course details, eligibility standards, top government and private colleges, fee structures, selection procedures, and career scope across Kerala institutions below.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 4 Years (Undergraduate) / 2 Years (Postgraduate) |
| KUHS Course Fee | INR 1,32,000 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Fee | INR 4,80,000 (4 Years) / INR 7,00,000 (2 Years) |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3.6 LPA |
| Eligibility / Prerequisites | Basic understanding of biology beneficial; specific criteria set by institutions |
Top Occupational Therapy Colleges
Kerala hosts several prominent institutes providing specialized education in rehabilitation and occupational therapy. Leading options include the National Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMER) established in 2005 at Kallettumkara P.O, Thrissur, and The College of Occupational Therapy at NISH established in 2020 at Sreekariyam P.O., Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, Kerala University of Health Sciences (established under the Kerala University of Health Sciences Act 2010 at Medical College PO, Thrissur) and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham at AIMS Campus, Ponekkara P.O, Kochi, offer recognized paramedical and rehabilitation programs.
Across India, at least 111 colleges offer Occupational Therapy degrees. State-wise distributions show Tamil Nadu leading with 23 colleges, followed by Karnataka with 18, Bihar with 13, Rajasthan with 11, Maharashtra with 10, and Uttar Pradesh with 9 colleges.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRM Institute of Technology | Kanchipuram | Private | — | 11 (Overall, 2025) |
| Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | Chennai | — | ₹3.30 lakh | 13 (Overall, 2025) |
| JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research | Mysore | — | ₹3.47 lakh | 21 (Overall, 2025) |
| Amity University Noida | Noida | — | ₹3.00 lakh | 22 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jamia Hamdard University | Delhi | — | ₹2.47 lakh | 47 (Overall, 2025) |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | Chennai | — | ₹4.00 lakh | 60 (Overall, 2025) |
| Chettinad Academy of Research and Education | Kanchipuram | — | ₹3.00 lakh | 61 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jain University | Bangalore | — | ₹4.00 lakh | 62 (Overall, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | Mumbai | Government | ₹29,700 |
| Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research | Cuttack | Government | ₹38,600 |
| Government Medical College Nagpur | Nagpur | Government | ₹1.01 lakh |
| Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College | Mumbai | Government | ₹1.04 lakh |
| Tata Memorial Centre | Mumbai | Government | ₹1.05 lakh |
| GSVM Medical College | Kanpur | Government | ₹1.08 lakh |
| National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities | Chennai | Government | ₹1.32 lakh |
| Topiwala National Medical College | Mumbai | Government | ₹1.36 lakh |
| Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Institute for the Physically Handicapped | Delhi | Government | ₹1.38 lakh |
| National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities | Kolkata | Government | ₹1.83 lakh |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Medical College Vellore | Vellore | Private | ₹78,185 |
| Seth GS Medical College | Mumbai | Private (aided) | ₹1.22 lakh |
| St. John’s Medical College | Bangalore | Private | ₹10.57 lakh |
| Sree Abirami Institutions | Coimbatore | Private | ₹3.20 lakh |
| ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences | Delhi | Private | ₹4.88 lakh |
| Patna Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Science | Patna | Private | ₹90,000 |
| East Point College of Engineering and Technology | Bangalore | Private | ₹2.54 lakh |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College | Belagavi | Private | ₹4.42 lakh |
| Revathi College of Nursing | Tiruppur | Private | ₹3.40 lakh |
| Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital | Chennai | Private | ₹4.00 lakh |
Occupational Therapy Fees
| Institute Name | Program Name | Duration | Total Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala University of Health Sciences | Paramedical / Occupational Therapy | 4 Years | 1,32,000 |
| National Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NIPMER) | BASLP / OT Programs | 4 Years | 3,50,000 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi | Paramedical Program | 4 Years | 4,80,000 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation | 2 Years | 7,00,000 |
Kerala University of Health Sciences offers a 4-year paramedical program with a fee of INR 1,32,000.
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangalore | 10 | ₹2.54 lakh – ₹10.57 lakh | Jain University, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences |
| Chennai | 9 | ₹1.32 lakh – ₹5.00 lakh | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research |
| Patna | 8 | ₹90,000 – ₹4.30 lakh | Patna Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Science, Aryabhatta Knowledge University |
| Jaipur | 6 | ₹1.00 lakh – ₹2.70 lakh | Vivekananda Global University, NIMS University |
| Mumbai | 6 | ₹29,700 – ₹1.36 lakh | Homi Bhabha National Institute, Seth GS Medical College |
| Delhi | 5 | ₹1.14 lakh – ₹4.88 lakh | Jamia Hamdard University, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University |
| Coimbatore | 4 | ₹2.00 lakh – ₹3.40 lakh | Sree Abirami Institutions, KMCH College of Occupational Therapy |
| Kanchipuram | 3 | ₹1.00 lakh – ₹3.00 lakh | Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, SRM Institute of Technology |
Career Scope and Average Salary for Occupational Therapy Graduates
- Average Salary: The average salary for occupational therapists in India is approximately INR 3.6 LPA, with experienced professionals earning higher figures over time.
- Placement Support: Many occupational therapy institutions in Kerala offer job placement assistance.
- Practical Training: Institutions incorporate clinical internships for practical learning and developing clinical competency.
With growing demand in paramedical fields, pursuing occupational therapy in Kerala provides clinical exposure through practical learning internships. Many institutions also offer job placement assistance to help graduates begin their professional careers.
How to Choose an Occupational Therapy College
- Course Focus: The College of Occupational Therapy at NISH (established 2020 in Thiruvananthapuram) provides a 4-year course focusing on reasoning, problem-solving, clinical competency, and internship opportunities.
- Establishment Year: NIPMER in Thrissur was established in 2005 for physical medicine and rehabilitation.
- Internships and Placements: Many occupational therapy institutions in Kerala offer job placement assistance alongside practical learning internships.
Candidates should evaluate course focus, practical internship opportunities, and job placement assistance when selecting a college in Kerala. Comparing tuition fees across institutions also helps students choose the right program.
How to Apply for Occupational Therapy Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check eligibility criteria: Beginners can enroll in occupational therapy courses in Kerala as there are no strict prerequisites beyond college-specified eligibility.
- Select institution and course variant: Choose from programs offered by institutions such as NIPMER, The College of Occupational Therapy at NISH, or KUHS.
- Apply online or in person: Log on to official institute websites or visit campuses directly, such as NIPMER in Thrissur or NISH in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Review program details: Compare program durations and fee structures offered by different Kerala institutions before completing enrollment.
- Pay required course fees: Complete fee payment based on the selected institution, such as INR 1,32,000 at KUHS or INR 4,80,000 at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Occupational Therapy colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Students can apply to occupational therapy programs in Kerala either online through institute websites or by visiting campuses directly.
FAQs
What are the qualifications required to become an occupational therapist in Kerala?
Beginners can enroll in occupational therapy courses in Kerala. While there are no strict universal prerequisites, having a basic understanding of biology is beneficial, and specific eligibility criteria are set by individual colleges.
Which is the best institute for Occupational Therapy in Kerala?
What is the average salary of a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy graduate?
The average salary for occupational therapists in India is approximately INR 3.6 LPA, with experienced professionals earning higher figures over time.
What are the Occupational Therapy course fees in Kerala?
Fees vary by institution. For example, Kerala University of Health Sciences charges INR 1,32,000 for a 4-year program, whereas courses at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham range from INR 4,80,000 to INR 7,00,000.
Do occupational therapy courses in Kerala offer job placement assistance?
Yes, many institutions in Kerala offering occupational therapy programs provide job placement assistance alongside clinical internships for practical learning.
