GetMyUni's Verdict on Stella Maris College

Parvathy Krishnakumar

“Stella Maris College is one of the top-ranked women’s colleges in the country, renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant student body. Yet, its strict rules and lack of placement opportunities make aspiring students second-guess their decision to join the college.”

With various opportunities for exposure and growth, Stella Maris College is one of the prominent colleges for girls. The primary focus at this college is academics, along with various extracurricular activities and events. One of the significant factors that students have repeatedly mentioned on online platforms is its strict rules and regulations, which may be seen as too restrictive for those who are free-spirited. 

The college offers a wide array of programs across different disciplines. Even though the English and Management departments offer the top courses, almost all its departments hold a particular reputation within the academic community. As it is one of the renowned colleges in the state, students are also offered numerous career opportunities in various fields.

Admission to Stella Maris College is mainly based on students’ academic performance. Therefore, the overall atmosphere at the college tends to be highly competitive, both in academics and co-curricular activities. However, it has maintained its reputation through the years, with several students aspiring to be part of the college for higher education.

Table of Contents

• Major Focus on Academics
• Strict & Knowledgeable Professors
• Decent Infrastructure
• Limited Housing Facilities
• Restrictive Yet Engaging Campus Life
• Below Average Placements
• Final Verdict on Stella Maris College

Major Focus on Academics

The college remains one of the best choices for those who are passionate about academics and have an eye for gold. It is among the top women’s colleges nationwide, and students here are brilliant, which ensures an academically stimulating environment. The college offers a wide range of courses across a plethora of disciplines. It has courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels in the Science, Arts, and Commerce fields. 

The college offers both aided and self-financed courses based on the academic merit of the students and their preferences. Some of the top undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by the college are listed below. 

• BA English Literature
• B.Sc Physics
• B.Sc Psychology
• B.Sc Computer Science
• B.Com (Hons) with various specialisations
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• B.Voc in Food Processing and Quality Control
• M.Sc Information Technology
• M.Sc Biotechnology
• MA English Literature
• M.Com

The college has a well-structured curriculum for each course that ensures students have the required knowledge and training to excel in the professional world. In addition to that, the college regularly organises various academic activities, such as guest lectures, workshops, seminars, and other events that help students gain insight into the subject and learn more about their career prospects. 

The college is highly recommended for those who wish to pursue research and higher studies in specific fields. It provides the necessary resources and facilities to assist students in performing cutting-edge research. The college offers both M.Phil and Ph.D. programs with various specialisation.

Besides, the college also offers short-term certificate programs for those who wish to learn some topics and concepts in detail. Certificate courses are available in several fields. 

The college offers a conducive learning environment where students who aim for successful careers have the necessary resources and opportunities to achieve their academic and professional goals. Although it has strict rules and regulations, academic excellence is assured, and these rules will help students to be more disciplined in their academic lives.

Course Fee Structure

The course fees at the college are similar to most private colleges and universities in the country. The costs vary depending on the course type, specialisation, and year of study. 

According to the recent structure, the annual course fees for undergraduate programs like B.Sc, BA, BBA, BCA, and B.Com are INR 27,500, INR 25,100, INR 83,700, INR 64,700, and INR 75,700, respectively. The average course fees for postgraduate programs, like M.Sc, MA, and PG Diploma, are INR 62,640, INR 40,000, and INR 52,600. 

The course fees include several charges, such as the laboratory fee, tuition fee, library fee, examination fee, and others. The college offers several scholarships and financial aid programs to ensure students from different backgrounds have access to the same quality of education. These scholarships are offered based on the academic merit and financial need of the students.

Strict Attendance Policy

As a part of the strict rules and regulations, the college mandates students to maintain a minimum attendance of 85% in all subjects for both theoretical and practical sessions. Failing to meet the attendance requirements will result in the student being refrained from attending the final examination. 

Students whose attendance falls between 75% and 85% due to participation in extracurricular and co-curricular activities will be allowed to appear for the examination, provided they submit the recommendation letters and other required documents from the respective departments. If the student’s attendance is below 50%, they will be required to re-register and repeat the course requirements post-completion of their course duration.

Strict & Knowledgeable Professors

The professors at the college are highly qualified and experienced, who strive towards excellence, and encourage students to reach their full potential. They are easily approachable and available to clarify doubts beyond the classroom. However, they are extremely strict and reprimand students who break the college rules. They are supportive and encouraging of their students as long as the latter follows the laws and regulations put in place by the college. 

The teachers at the college are dedicated to providing students with adequate knowledge and skills to help them excel in their careers. According to the students, the professors are considered to be both mentors and friends who are open to discussing students’ ideas and assisting them. 

Needless to say, the quality of professors varies from one department to another. However, the general quality of the professor is top-notch. They employ various techniques and methods to provide students with interactive and exciting learning experiences.

Most professors are actively involved in research within their respective fields, which also helps them provide students with relevant information. The only issue students face with the professors is when they break the rules or treat others disrespectfully.

Decent Infrastructure

Located in the heart of the city, the college generally has a well-facilitated infrastructure that is well-maintained and clean. The college has all the necessary facilities and amenities to provide students with a well-rounded campus atmosphere. While it has the facilities to cater to the academic and extracurricular needs of the students, the college is actively involved in making changes to include more facilities and resources to match the ever-evolving educational needs of the upcoming students. 

The college has multiple classrooms that are modern and well-equipped with audio-visual aids, such as projectors, smart boards, and computer systems to enable interactive learning. The classrooms are well-maintained, with comfortable seating arrangements, proper ventilation and lighting. Though some departments have less spacious classrooms, most classes are big enough to accommodate large groups of students. 

The college has dedicated laboratories for the relevant departments that are adequately equipped with the necessary facilities, instruments, and apparatus to provide a decent practical learning environment. According to the students’ reviews on online platforms, some departmental laboratories have outdated equipment, but renovations are underway to make the necessary facilities.

The central library at the college houses an extensive collection of both printed and electronic resources, such as books, e-books, journals, e-journals, and online databases. The various resources at the college library cater to the numerous academic needs of different disciplines. The library is spacious and fully air-conditioned, where students can read and study peacefully.

The library also boasts a vast collection of resources for research purposes. Students can access the online library through the computer systems available within the library as well as through the college’s official website.

The sports facilities in the college include courts and fields for different activities, such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc. Along with that, the college also has extensive grounds for other sports activities.

The college has multiple canteen and food stalls, namely a canteen, a health food centre, and a juice shop situated in different locations on the campus. The canteen is the primary hangout spot for students. Various types of food and beverages are available in the canteen and food stalls at affordable prices. 

Along with the facilities mentioned above, the college also has various other facilities, such as a medical centre, a DTP centre, banking and ATM facilities, common areas for students to relax and socialise with friends, a large auditorium, seminar halls, and conference rooms where different events are held, and many others.

Overall, the college has a good infrastructure with various facilities that enable students to have a wholesome campus life. Though there are limitations in some areas, the college is actively involved in renovations and upgrading the facilities.

Limited Housing Facilities

Though the college has 6 different hostels for the students, there are limited seats available. Therefore, students are expected to apply for hostel accommodation along with their application for the courses. The course admission does not guarantee hostel accommodation. The allocation of hostels is entirely done on a first-come-first-serve basis. Along with that, the strict rules and regulations of the college are also applicable in the hostels.

Only one hostel is located within the college campus, and the rooms in this hostel are mainly allotted to first-year students. All students have unanimously expressed their remorse for the strict rules that restrict them from using their mobile phones and going out on weekdays. The college hostels also have strict curfew timings, which also guarantee the safety of students.

The hostels mostly have multiple occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms. The rooms are generally well-maintained and furnished with separate beds, tables, chairs, and cupboards for each individual. 

Timely meals are served through the mess facilities in each hostel. The food is hygienic, and the dining area is clean and well-kept. Though there is a lack of variety in the food items and the general quality is average, students are satisfied with the food served by the hostels.

Those students who were unable to obtain a seat in the hostel can opt for off-campus hostels and private PGs, which are available at different budgets and preferences. The monthly rents in these PGs vary based on the facilities and luxuries provided. 

Typically, the PG rents range from INR 3000 to INR 15,000 per month. Apart from the PGs, there are multiple student apartments available on the college premises with monthly rents starting from INR 15,000 up to INR 30,000, depending on the number of rooms, facilities, and location.

Restrictive Yet Engaging Campus Life

As mentioned earlier, the college has strict rules that are imposed on all its students, and it is primarily focused on academics, which makes the overall campus atmosphere highly competitive. However, the college offers a plethora of extracurricular activities and conducts various events throughout the year, which enhances the student’s campus experience. In addition to that, the college also has a vibrant student body with students who are actively involved in various activities.

The students must join at least one club in the college. There are numerous clubs for different interests, which include dance clubs, entrepreneur development clubs, Rotaract clubs, event management clubs, music clubs, etc. One of the major drawbacks of being a part of these clubs is that students are expected to pay a requisite amount to join the club and for various activities. Even then, being an active member of these clubs helps students polish their soft skills, nurture their interests, and improve their interpersonal skills. 

The clubs at the college conduct various academic and extracurricular events throughout the year. These events enable students to perform and showcase their talents in different areas. As most of these events are organised by the students themselves, they have the opportunity to explore, learn and grow both personally and professionally. Students become more responsible once they are part of such clubs. 

The college also organises various cultural events and celebrates different festivals, which instil a sense of community within the students. These programs make it possible for students to learn more about other cultures and enjoy themselves with their fellow students while managing their academic difficulties.

In short, the college offers a vibrant and enriching campus experience with ample opportunities to learn and grow academically, personally, and professionally. A major factor that enhances the campus experience is the multicultural student community, which is accepting and inclusive of students from all walks of life.

Diversity on Campus

In terms of diversity within the college community, the majority of the students are from the southern part of the country, with Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada being the widely spoken languages. Yet, students from other regions of the country are also part of the student community. Hence, the college has a culturally diverse campus with an active exchange of traditions and languages.

Even though the course fee structure is more expensive than that of public universities, the scholarships provided by the college make it easy for students from different socioeconomic backgrounds to gain a good education.

Dress Code

As it is a women’s only college, there are no particular restrictions in terms of a dress code, nor does the college have a defined uniform. Nevertheless, students are expected to wear simple and modest clothing appropriate for an academic setting. Along with that, students are not permitted to wear short or sleeveless attire.

Below Average Placements

Even though the college is ranked among the top colleges in the country for its academic excellence, it has witnessed a decline in its placement records over the past few years. Its placement rate is around 60%, which is still better than several other private colleges in the country.

It is only less successful in terms of the salary packages offered to the students. However, the students at the college are provided myriad career opportunities at reputed companies, which give them a good headstart to a successful career. 

Students are offered job opportunities across various sectors. Based on the past year’s placement records, the college witnessed a 21% increase in the placement package provided to undergraduate students and a decrease of 17% for postgraduate students compared to the previous years’ salary packages. Apart from job placements, the students are also offered internships and scholarship programs, which help them enhance their chances of getting placed by prestigious companies.

According to the previous year’s reports, the median salary package offered to undergraduate students was between INR 2.40 LPA and INR 3.82 LPA. The median placement package provided to postgraduate students was INR 3 LPA.

Final Verdict on Stella Maris College

It can be concluded that Stella Maris College is an ideal college for students who are academically driven and whose ultimate goal is to obtain a quality education. With its strict rules and regulations, the college may not be the right choice for those who wish to have a wholesome campus life with restrictions and limited opportunities to explore various aspects.

Despite being majorly focused on academics, the college does offer various extracurricular activities and opportunities to explore different interests. The aspiring students must be prepared to manage their time and deal with a highly competitive environment.

Nevertheless, the college has managed to maintain its long-standing reputation of being one of the most prestigious colleges for women in the country. Though there are some drawbacks in terms of its infrastructure facilities and placement opportunities, the college has taken the necessary steps to improve the situation in these areas.

Finally, aspirants are advised to connect with past and present students to learn more about the college and the career prospects of their desired courses. Some pros and cons of Stella Maris College are also mentioned below to give a better understanding.

*Source: Stella Maris College Facebook and stellamariscollege.edu.in