University of Travancore was later named as University of Kerala and it was established with the previous name in the year 1937 by the Maharaja of Travancore. When the University of Travancore was initially set up 10 colleges which were under the affiliation of Madras University within the state of Travancore were allotted to this university. It is the 16th oldest university in India.

University of Travancore became University of Kerala in the year 1957 under the Kerala University Act 1957, which has three campuses in Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram of which the main campus at Thiruvananthapuram includes majority of the departments. Initially a wide area of the state of Kerala was under the jurisdiction of this university. But, the number of colleges was reduced with the introduction of new universities like Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala Agricultural University and Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala. The district-wise list of colleges affiliated to the university is given below:

Govt. /Aided Colleges:

Arts and Science Colleges:

Thiruvananthapuram District:

• Govt. College for Women, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram

• Govt. Arts College, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram

• University College, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram

• Govt. College, Kariavatttom, Thiruvananthapuram

• Govt. Sanskrit College, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram

• Govt. College, Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram

• Govt. College, Nedumangad , Thiruvananthapuram

• K .N.M. Govt.College, Kanjiramkulam, Thiruvananthapuram

• All Saint`s College, Thiruvananthapuram

• NSS College for Women, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram

• Mahatma Gandhi College, Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram

• Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira, Thiruvananthapuram

• S.N.College, Sivagiri, Varkala , Thiruvananthapuram

• S.N.College, Chempazhanthi, Thiruvananthapuram

• VTMNSS College, Dhanuvachapuram, Thiruvananthapuram

• St.Xavier`s College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram

• Christian College, Kattakada, Thiruvananthapuram

• Iqbal College, Peringammala, Thiruvananthapuram

• Mannaniya College of Arts&Science, Pangode, TVPM

• Loyola College of Social Sciences, Sreekariyam , TVPM-17

Kollam District:

• Govt.College, Chavara

• Fatima Mata National College, Kollam

• Devaswom Board College, Sasthamcottah

• TKM College of Arts& Science, Kollam

• St. Gregorios College, Kottarakara

• St. Stephen`s College, Pathanapuram

• NSS College, Nilamel

• SN College for Women, Kollam

• SN College, Kollam

• St. John`s College, Anchal

• SN College, Punalur

• MMNSS College, Kottiyam

• SN College, Chathannur

Alappuzha District:

• Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara

• Christian College, Chengannur

• MSM College, Kayamkulam

• NSS College, Cherthala

• SN College, Cherthala

• SD College, Alappuzha

• St. Joseph`s College for women, Alappuzha

• St. Michael`s College, Cherthala

• TKMM College, Nangiarkulangara

• SN College, Chengannur

• Sree Ayyappa College, Eramallikara, Thiruvanvandoor

Pathanamthitta District:

• St. Cyril`s College, Adoor

• NSS College, Pandalam

Fine Arts Colleges:

• College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram

• Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Mavelikara

Music College:

• Sri Swathi Thirunal College of Music, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram

Physical Education College:

• Lakshmi Bai National College of Physical Education, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram

Law College:

• Govt. Law College, Thiruvananthapuram

Training Colleges:

• College of Teacher Education, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram

• SN Training College, Nedumganda, Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram

• Mar Theophilus Training College, Bethany Hills, Thiruvananthapuram

• Karmela Rani Training College, Kollam

• Mount Tabor Training College, Pathanapuram

• NSS Training College, Pandalam

• Peet Memorial Training College, Mavelikara

Medical Colleges:

• Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram

• Thirumala Devaswom Medical College, Alappuzha

Ayurveda Medical College:

• Govt. Ayurveda Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram

Homeo Medical Colleges:

• Govt. Homoepathic Medical College, Iranimuttom, Thiruvanathapuram

• Sri Vidhyadhiraja Homoeopathic Medical College, Nemom

Self-financing Colleges:

Arts & Science Colleges:

• Sree Sankara Vidyapeedom College, Nagaroor P O, Kilimanoor

• AJ College of Science & Technology, Thonnakkal, Thiruvananthapuram

• Emmanuel College, Vazhichal, Kudappanamoodu, Thiruvananthapuram

• National College, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram

• CHMM College for Advanced Studies, Palayamkunnu, Varkala

• KVVS College of Science & Technology, Kaithaparambu, Adoor

• Mar Thoma College of Science & Technology, Chadayamangalam, Ayur

• Sree Vidhyadhiraja College of Arts & Science, Karunagapally

• IHRD Centre, Adoor

• IHRD Centre, Mavelikara

• National Institute of Speech &Hearing, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram

• Sree Narayana College of Technology, Vadakkevila, Kollam

• PMSA Pookoya Thangal Memorial Arts &Science College, Kadakkal, Kollam

• Naipunya School of Management, Near Manorama Jn, Cherthala

• Sree Narayana Guru Memorial Arts & Science College

• Sree Narayana Guru Memorial Catering College

• SNGM Arts& Science College

Training Colleges:

• National Training College for Women, Pazhakutty, Nedumangad

• Fathima Memorial Training College, Vadakkevila, Kollam

• CSI College of Education, Parassala, Tvpm

• Baselious Marthoma Mathews Training College, Kottarakara

• Mannam Memorial Training College, Vilakudy, Kollam

• National Training College, Pravachambalam

• Sobha College of Teacher Education, S.L.Puram. P.O, Cherthala

• KNMKNMS Training College, Vellarada, Thiruvananthapuram

• BNV College of Teacher Education, Thiruvallam, Tvpm

• KTCT College of Teacher Education, Kaduvayil, Thottacadu, Tvpm

• New B Ed College, Nellimoodu, Tvpm

• H.H. Marthoma Mathews II Training College, Adoor

• Jameela Beevi Memorial Centre for Teacher Education, Kayamkulam

• St. Thomas Training College, Mukkolakkal, Tvpm

• MAET Training College, Nettayam, Tvpm

• St. Jacob`s Training College, Menamkulam, Kazhakuttam, Tvpm

• Emmanuel College of B. Ed Training, Vazhichal, Kudappanamoodu, Tvpm

• Christ Nagar College of Education, Chavarapuram, Thiruvallam, Tvpm

• RV Training College, Valakam, Kottarakara, Kollam

• Buddha College of Teacher Education, Muthukulam North, Alappuzha

• Mannam Foundation Centre for Education Technology, Poruvazhy, Edakkal PO, Kollam

• Manjappara Educational and Charitable Trust B.Ed Centre, Manjapara, Ayur

• Sree Narayana Training College, Sreekandeswaram, Poochakkal PO, Cherthala

• Fathima Memorial Training College, Mylapore, Umayanalloor, Kollam

• Sabarigiri College of Education, Anchal, Kollam

• College of Teacher Education, Arkanoor, Ayoor, Kollam

• Victory College of Teacher Education, Olathanni, Tvpm

• Millath College of Teacher Education, Sooranad PO, Kunnathur, Kollam

• SNGM B.Ed College, Valamangalam South PO, Thuravur, Cherthala

• Sri Vidyadhiraja Model College of Teacher Education, Vendar PO, Kottarakara, Kollam

• Iqbal Training College, Iqbal Nagar, Peringammala, Tvpm

• Kaviyattu College of Education Pirappencode PO, Thiruvananthapuram

• Sree Narayana Guru Kripa Trust B. Ed College, Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram

• Haneefa Kunju Memorial College of Education, Estate Road, Umayanallur, Kollam

• Valiyam Memorial College of Teacher Education, Edappallikkotta, Chavara, Kollam

• Jamia Training College, Chithara, Kollam

• KPM B. Ed Training College, Cheriyavelinalloor

Engineering Colleges:

• Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engg, Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram

• Marian College of Engg, Menamkulam, Kazhakoottam, Thiruvananthapuram

• LBS Institute of Technology for Women, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram

• Mar Baselios College of Engg &Technology, Bethany Hills

• Sree Buddha College of Engg, Pattoor P.O,

• Muslim Association College of Engg, Venjaramoodu

• Amrita Institute of Technology & Science, Vallikavu

• Mohandas College of Engg & Technology, Anad

• Basilous Mathew II College of Engg, Muthupilakad

• Lourde Matha College of Science & Technology

• Shahul Hameed Memorial Engg College, Al—Hameed Estate

• Travancore Engg College, Oyoor

• P.A. Aziz College of Engineering & Technology

• Younus College of Engg& Technology, Vadakkevila

• Mary matha college of Engineering & Technology, Paliyode

MBA Colleges:

• T K M Institute of Management, Kollam

• Member Sree Narayana Pillai Institute of Management & Technology,

• Allama Iqbal Institute of Management, Daivapura .P.O

• Snehacharya Institute of Management & Technology

MCA Colleges:

• KVM College of Engg & Information Technology, Cherthala

• KVVS Institute of Technology, Kaithaparambu, Adoor, Pathanamthitta

• Mar Thoma Institute of Technology, Chadayamangalam, Ayur

• Mar Baselios Institute of Technology, Anchal.PO, Kollam

• Sree Narayana Institute of Technology, Vadakkevila, Kollam

Nursing Colleges:

• Holy Cross College of Nursing, Kottiyam, Kollam

• C.S.I. College of Nursing, Karakonam

• St Joseph`s College of Nursing, Anchal, Kollam

• KVM College of Nursing, Cherthala, Alappuzha.

• Sree Narayana Trusts Medical Mission College of Nursing, Chathannur

• Bishop Benziger College of Nursing, Vadakkevila, Kollam

• Sivagiri Sree Narayana Medical Mission College of Nursing, Sreenivasapuram, Varkala

• Archana College of Nursing, Archana Hospital Complex, Pandalam

• Upasana College of Nursing, Upasana Hospital, Q.S.Road, Kollam

• Vijaya College of Nursing, Kottarakkara, Kollam.

• Azeezia College of Nursing Meeyannoor Kollam

Dental Colleges:

• PMS College of Dental Science & Research, Vattappara, Tvpm.

• Azeezia College of Dental Science & Research, Diamond Hill, Meeyannoor, Kollam

Siddha College:

• Santhigiri Siddha Medical College, Koliakode, Tvpm

Ayurveda Medical College:

• Pankaja Kasthuri Ayurveda Medical College, Kattakada, TVPM

• Sree Narayana Institute of Ayurvedic Studies & Research, Puthur, Kollam

Medical Colleges:

• Dr Somerwell Memorial CSI Medical College, Karakonam, TVPM

• Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Venjaramoodu

Pharmacy Colleges:

• St. Joseph`s College of Pharmacy, Muttom, Cherthala

• Mar Dioscorus College of Pharmacy, Alathara, Sreekariyam, Tvpm

• Dale View College of Pharmacy & Research Centre, Poovachal

• Ezhuthachan National Academy Pharmacy College, Marayamuttom,

Law College:

• The Kerala Law Academy Law College, Peroorkada

Kerala University includes districts like Alappuzha, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and some parts of Pathanamthitta under its jurisdiction. The university includes several centers for conducting research activities and the teachers in the affiliated colleges are offered refresher and orientation courses through the academic staff college set up by the university with the help of University Grants Commission.

The university campus includes a manuscript library, which has a precious collection of invaluable and rare manuscripts and this library has been made the Nodal Agency of the state for documentation and preservation of manuscripts.