Aquinas College, Kochi (Dist. Ernakulam) was established on 1st October 1981 by the Diocese of Cochin which has a history of 455 years. The Late Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kureethara is the Founder Patron of the college and the former Bishop of Cochin (1975 - 1999).

It is one of the premier colleges established to impart & provide in the field of higher education for the deserving candidates and prove to be a milestone on the part of progress.

The college is now administered by Aquinas Educational and Charitable Trust registered under the Indian Public Trust Act with the registration number 45/IV/02 dated 18th March 2002.

The college is affiliated with the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and it is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) & 12(B) on 1st October 1981 under Act, 1956.

It is re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "B" Grade - (CGPA Score 2.21 on a 4 Point Scale in 2nd Cycle) on 8th July 2013.

It is a co-educational Religious, Christian, & Latin Catholic college, providing regular courses at primarily the higher secondary and undergraduate levels which are located in an Urban part of a Kochi played a pioneering role in the field of higher education.

The college was named after St. Thomas Aquinas, the great Italian Scholastic Philosopher and Theologian. The college, established and administered by the Latin Catholic Diocese of Cochin, now functions under the patronage of His Excellency, Rt. Rev. Bishop Joseph Kariyil, Bishop of Cochin, and stands as an inspiration to all.   

The college conferred the status of grant-in-aid college that the fees and all the facilities for the students are fixed by the government. The student's admission is done as per the Admission Criteria prescribed by the affiliating university.

The college has awarded as the best college by the affiliating university and also a number of awards in publication, offering scholarship & also awarded by the different society.

At present offers instruction in degree courses in Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Commerce, English, Electronics (self-financing) and P.G. courses in Physics and Biotechnology (self-financing). We have applied for more P.G. courses and are waiting for the University and Government to grant permission.

The college offers three years undergraduate courses in Arts, Science, Commerce streams & offers two years postgraduate courses in Science & Commerce stream with optional specializations under the Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. It also offers Add-On Certificate courses.

Vision:

• Develop the college into a centre of excellence, to provide opportunities for study and research to the highest level to the society with special attention to its marginalized sections

Mission:

• To provide opportunities for higher education to economically and socially backward communities, especially to the Latin Catholic minority community and also to strive for educational excellence and the development of the whole person
• To make its mission fruitful, Aquinas College is willing to incorporate all innovations and research in the field of higher education, especially the advantages of information technology. It is also committed to upholding the secular values, envisaged in the Constitution of India