The sisters of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel entered the field of university education in 1946 with the inception of St. Mary's College, Thrissur. It is the pioneer First Grade women's college in the district. It soon grew into a full-fledged First Grade college with two postgraduate courses in economics and English literature. In 1967, St. Mary's was bifurcated, the pre-degree section remaining in Thrissur and the undergraduate and postgraduate sections being shifted to Vimala College, Cheroor. In 1979 St. Mary's once again regained its status as a First Grade college with the starting of B.A., B.Sc. courses. Postgraduate courses in mathematics and history were introduced in 1995 and 1998 respectively. During 1981 to 1982 a new college, Carmel College, was started under the management of the CMC Educational Society. After the trifurcation in 1987, St. Mary's and Vimala Colleges were still under the CMC Educational Society, Thrissur, which have a creditable history in the field of education. In 1998, delinking of the pre-degree courses started and was completed in 2001. Later, B.Sc courses in polymer chemistry, biotechnology, microbiology and B.C.A were introduced. Postgraduate courses in microbiology, biotechnology and computer science were started in 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively. National Assessment and Accreditation Council, an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission, placed the college at the A+ level in 2009. The college celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2006.
The heart of the institution is its double-storied, library building. It is place where the students and faculty always cherish to spent time in reading and learning just because of its serene atmosphere and its valuable collection. As there is a large pond adjacent to the library, there is always a better and comparatively cooler atmosphere inside the library. The Library is well furnished and neatly kept, so that whoever comes in the library get a pleasant feeling.
Library Collection
It has a collection of more than 48,000 books, periodicals, video and audio cassettes, and 50 CD-ROMs. The Library collection includes many dictionaries and encyclopedias.
Services of the Library
The Library has launched a digital library with a digital collection of rare books and palm leaves. Old question papers, St.Mary's College magazins, Publications and dissertations of the faculty of St.Mary's College are also available there. For more details please go the link given. http://library.smctsr.ac.in The library also gives services to outside libraries and such other institutions to digitize their collection on demand. The members of St.Mary's College also can have access to the e-resources provided by the UGC INFLIBNET Centre https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INFLIBNET_Centre. To go to the home page of N-List please click the link given http://nlist.inflibnet.ac.in/
Hostel
The college hostel provides accommodation to students who come from distant places. Other students who do not live with relatives or guardians live in hostels approved by college authorities. The college hostel can house up to 300 students, and is under the direct control of the principal and under the immediate management of the warden.
Canteen
The college canteen serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian snacks and meals and has an ice cream parlour.
