The Bombay Legislature through the Karnatak University Act 1949 formed Karnatak University and the university began its operations from the city of Bombay. Later, it was shifted to Dharwad from the 1st of March 1950 to the campus that is spread over an area of 750 acres.

The university Grants Commission has identified the university as the university with the potential for excellence. The university is the second oldest university in the state of Karnataka next to Mysore University.

The jurisdiction of the university is spread over seven districts of Karnataka namely Uttar Kannada, Haveri, Gadag, Dharwad, Bijapur, Belgaum and Bagalkot. The university is offering courses under seven faculties of education being social science, science & technology, management, law, education, commerce and arts. The list of constituent colleges and district-wise list of affiliated colleges to the university is as follows:

Constituent Colleges:

• Karnatak Arts College, Dharwad

• Karnatak Science College, Dharwad

• University College of Education, Dharwad

• University College of Law, Dharwad

• University College Of Fine Arts and Music, Dharwad

Affiliated Colleges:

Uttara Kannada:

• Govt. First Grade College, Ankola

• Govt. First Grade College, Bada-Kumta

• Govt. First Grade College, Bhatkal

• Govt. First Grade College, Haliyal

• Govt. First Grade College, Honnavar

• Govt. First Grade College, Joida

• Govt. First Grade College, Karwar

• Govt. First Grade College, Kumata

• Govt. First Grade College, Manki

• Govt. First Grade College, Mundgod

• Govt. First Grade College, Siddapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Sirsi

• Govt. First Grade College, Yellapur

• Gokhale Centenary College, Ankola

• KLE’s Education College, Ankola

• SES Shivaji Arts & Commerce College, Baad-Karwar

• SES’S Shivaji College Of Education, Baad-Karwar

• Anjuman Arts, Science & Commerce College, Bhatkal

• Ahams’s Anjuman Institute Of Management, Bhatkal

• BET’s Shri. Guru Sudhindra Arts And Commerce College, Bhatkal

• Soukhya College Of Education, Bhatkal

• Sri. Jnaneshwari College Of Education, Bhatkal

• Bangurnagar Arts, Science & Commerce College, Dandeli

• Dr. Dinkar Desai Arts College, Dandeli

• Kanara Welfare Trust’s B.Ed. College, Dandeli

• Sri. Bhadrakali First Grade Arts College, Gokarna

• NPES’s S D M Arts, Science, Commerce & B.B.A. College, Honnavar

• Divekar College Of Commerce, Karwar

• Kirloskar B.S.W. College, Karwar

• Dr. A V Baliga Arts & Science College, Kumta

• Dr. A V Baliga Commerce College, Kumta

• Kamala Baliga College Of Education, Kumta

• Bapuji Grameena Vikas Samiti’s Arts & Commerce College, Ramanagar

• Bapuji G V S Arts & Commerce College, Sadashivgad

• M G C Arts & Commerce And G H D Science College, Siddapur

• Mallikarjuna Arts & Commerce College, Siddar-Karwar

• Mes’s M M Arts & Science College, Sirsi

• Mes’s College Of Commerce, Sirsi

• Mes’s Law College, Sirsi

• Ses’s Mahasati Arts Science & Commerce College, Ulga-Karwar

• Anjuman Education College, Bhatkal

Haveri District:

• Govt. First Grade College, Akki-Alur

• Govt. First Grade College, Bankapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Byadagi

• Govt. First Grade College, Hangal

• Govt. First Grade College, Haveri

• Govt. First Grade College, Hirekerur

• Govt. First Grade College, Ranebennur

• Govt. First grade college, Savanur

• Govt. First Grade College, Shiggaon

• Govt. First Grade College, Sunkalla Bidari

• B M A Arts and Commerce College, Byadagi

• S K Arts and Commerce College, Hangal

• JES’s Sri. Kumareshwar Education College, Hangal

• M V P’s Mahanta Swamy Arts, Science and Commerce College, Haunsabhavi

• KLE’s G H College, Haveri

• S J M Vidyapeeth Basaveshwar B.Ed. College, Haveri

• T M A E Society’s College Of Education, Haveri

• T M A E S’s College Of Physical Education, Haveri

• K L E’s G H B.C.A College, Haveri

• B R Tambakad First Grade Arts and Commerce College, Hirekerur

• Shri Taralabalu Jagadguru College of Education, Hirekerur

• R T E S’s Arts, Science and Commerce College, Ranebennur

• R T E S’s Law College, Ranebennur

• R T E S’s College Of Education, Ranebennur

• B A J S S Arts College, Ranebennur

• S J V M and B A J S S Arts And Commerce College For Women, Ranebennur

• B A J S S Arts and Commerce College For Women, Ranebennur

• Priyadarshini Arts and Commerce College, Rattihalli

• S R J V Arts and Commerce College, Shiggaon

Gadag District:

• Govt. First Grade College, Gadag

• Govt. First Grade College, Gajendragad

• Govt. First Grade College, Hulkoti

• Govt. First Grade College, Mulgund

• Shree Siddeshwar Govt. First Grade College, Naragund

• Govt. First Grade College, Naregal

• Basanagouda Giraddi Govt. First Grade College, Ron

• S J F Govt. First Grade College, Shirahatti

• K L E S’s J T College Of Arts, Science & Commerce College, Gadag

• A S S College Of Commerce, Gadag

• KLE’s S A Manvi Law College, Gadag

• K V V S J P College Of Education, Gadag

• K S S Arts, Science and Commerce College, Gadag

• Vijaya College Of Fine Arts, Gadag

• Shree Prabhurajendra College Of Physical Education, Gadag

• Dr. P G A S S Music College, Gadag

• J T V P’s Shree Basaveshwar Arts & Commerce College, Gadag

• Dr. P G A S S Arts College, Gadag

• H S S S’s Arts, Science and Commerce College, Gadag

• A U S C’s Taj Shameer Arts and Commerce College, Gadag

• Smt. M B Huilgol College of Education, Gadag

• P P G College Of Education, Gadag

• D C Pavate Education College, Gadag

• SBFVMCT College of Scientific Management & Other Studies, Gadag

• S M E S B.C.A. College, Gadag

• K L E’s J T College Of B.B.A., Gadag

• J T V P B.C.A. College, Gadag

• K K S B.S.W. College, Gadag-Betageri

• S M Bhoomaraddi Arts, Science and Commerce College, Gajendragad

• S K V P Arts, Science and Commerce College, Hole-Alur

• S K V P S B.C.A. College, Hole-Alur

• T M C Municipal Arts and Commerce College, Lakshmeshwar

• K S S Arts & Commerce College, Mulagund

• Priyadarshini College of Education, Mundaragi

• S J A V S Education College, Mundaragi

• K R Bellad Arts and Commerce College, Mundargi

• Govt. First Grade College, Mundargi

• Shree Annadaneshwar College, Naregal

• Rajeev Gandhi Education B.Ed. College, Ron

• R G S S’s College Of Physical Education, Ron

Dharwad District:

• Karnatak Arts and Commerce College, Dharwad

• Karnatak Science College, Dharwad

• University College of Education, Dharwad

• University College of Law, Dharwad

• University College of Music, Dharwad

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Alnavar

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Annigeri

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Dharwad

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Gudageri

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Hubli

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Kalaghatgi

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Kundgol

• Govt. Fine Arts College, Navalagund

• ASS’s Amruteshwar Arts & Commerce College, Annigeri

• J S S Banashankari Arts, Commerce & S K Gubbi Science College, Dharwad

• KPES Law College, Dharwad

• Kittel Science College, Dharwad

• M V A S Shree K G Nadgir College Of Physical Education, Dharwad

• KLE’s Mrityunjaya Arts and Commerce College, Dharwad

• BMHEC’s C S I College Of Commerce, Dharwad

• Hurakadli Ajja Law College, Dharwad

• Anjuman Arts, Science and Commerce College, Dharwad

• S J M V Mahantha First Grade College Of Arts & Commerce, Dharwad

• Kittel Arts College, Dharwad

• Srujanakala Fine Arts College, Dharwad

• Anjuman BBA Colege, Dharwad

• Govt. Fine Arts College, D I E T, Dharwad

• Anjuman Institute Of Information Science & Management, Dharwad

• St. Joseph’s B S W College, Dharwad

• K E BOARD’S First Grade Arts and Commerce College, Dharwad

• Shri Siddharoodh B.Ed. College, Dharwad

• Siddarameshwar Education College, Dharwad

• Sonia College of Education, Dharwad

• ADEPT College Of Business Administration, Dharwad

• Shri. G V V S’s G S Jarli Memorial Fine Arts College, Dharwad

• Basvareddy Education Society’s BCA College, Dharwad

• Vishwachetan College Of Computer Application, Dharwad

• R G E S’s B.C.A. College, Dharwad

• Basvareddy B.B.A. College, Dharwad

• R S Shetty College Of Business Administration, Dharwad

• R G E S’s B.B.A. College, Dharwad

• Rukmini Shetty Memorial Sudhakar Shetty B.C.A. College, Dharwad

• Dr. D G S E S’s R S Shetty College Of Commerce, Dharwad

• KLE’s S K Arts and H S K Science Institute, Hubli

• KLE’s P C Jabin Science College, Hubli

• Nehru Arts, Science, Commerce And BBA College, Hubli

• KLE’s J G Commerce College, Hubli

• JSS Sakri Law College, Hubli

• KLE’s G K Law College, Hubli

• KLE’s College Of Education, Hubli

• K S S Vijayanagar College Of Education, Hubli

• KSS’s Arts and Commerce College, Hubli

• S N C Dr. B R Ambedkar Smaraka Arts and Commerce College, Hubli

• KSS’s B S W College, Hubli

• KLE’s B.B.A. College, Hubli

• S J M V S Arts and Commerce College, Hubli

• R N S College Of Business and Hotel Administration, Hubli

• VVS’s College Of Business Administration, Hubli

• Dr. K. S. Sharma College of Computer Applications, Hubli

• SDM Institute of Information Science, Hubli

• Sana College of Information Science & Management, Hubli

• Anjuman Centenary B.Ed. College, Hubli

• Sana College of Education, Hubli

• Al-Mizan B.Ed. College, Hubli

• Oxford College of Business Administration, Hubli

• Oxford College of Computer Application, Hubli

• Oxford College of Commerce, Hubli

• Nithisha Lahari Society’s College Of Computer Application, Hubli

• Global College Of Computer Application, Hubli

• Vidya Bharati Foundation I.B.M.R.B.C.A College, Hubli

• Nithisha Lahari Society’s B.B.A. College, Hubli

• Global B.B.A. College, Hubli

• Vidya Bharati Foundation I.B.M.R.B.B.A College, Hubli

• Shri Miatri Association B.C.A College, Hubli

• Patima B.B.A. College, Hubli

• GNWS’s Arts, Science and Commerce College, Kalaghatagi

• GES’s G S Patil Arts and Commerce College, Kundgol

• Shri Shankar Arts and Commerce College, Navalagund

• Rural B.Ed. College, Sattur, Dharwad

• Indian Institute of Inspirational Leadership, Surashettikoppa

• J S S Sri. Manjunatheshwara Education College, Dharwad

• S C E S’s Sri. Sai B.Ed. College, Hubli

Bijapur District:

• Govt. First Grade College, Basavanbagewadi

• Govt. First Grade College, Bijapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Golasangi

• Govt. First Grade College, Indi

• Govt. First Grade College, Mamadapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Muddebihal

• Govt. First Grade College, Sindagi

• A S S’s Smt. H A Nandi Arts College, Alamel

• G V V’s Sri. Shantaveer Arts College, Babaleshwar

• B L D E A’s Basaveshwar Arts and Commerce College, Basavanbagewadi

• S B Arts & KCP Science College, Bijapur

• A S Patil College Of Commerce & B.B.A., Bijapur

• Anjuman Arts, Science and Commerce College, Bijapur

• Secab Institute of Business Administration, Bijapur

• Anjuman Law College, Bijapur

• Sri Siddheshwar Law College, Bijapur

• B L D E A’s J S S College Of Education, Bijapur

• B D P H W A’s M A Khade Arts and Commerce College, Bijapur

• V V S’s Arts & Commerce College, Bijapur

• B D B V S’s Banjara Arts College, Bijapur

• Anjuman-E-Islam’s Education College, Bijapur

• S M R K Vidyavardhak Sangh College of Education, Bijapur

• Kumud Ben Durbar College of Business Administration, Bijapur

• Kumud Ben Durbar College of B.C.A., Bijapur

• Narendra B.P. Ed. College, Bijapur

• Power’s Jai Gurudev B.S.W. College, Bijapur

• S M Hilli Degree College, Bolegaon

• Sri. Sangameshwar Arts and Commerce College, Chadachan

• Jagadamba Arts & Science College, Hittinahalli Lt

• Sri. P N Chavan Memorial College of Education, Hittinalli Lt

• Sri. Renukacharya Arts College, Horti

• Sri. G R Gandhi Arts & Sri. Y A Patil Commerce Collge, Indi

• Karnatak Teacher’s Education College, Indi

• S K P V S’s Arts College, Loni (BK)

• S M E S S Sangnabasaveshwar Degree College, Masuti Kudigi

• M G V C Arts, Science & Commerce College, Muddebihal

• Shri. Veereshwar V V Sangh College of Education, Muddebihal

• Arihant Charitable Minority B.S.W. College, Muddebihal

• Sri. V V S’s Veereshwar Arts College, Nalatawad

• Sri. M V Nagathan Arts College, Nidagundi

• G P Porwal Arts, Science and Commerce College, Sindagi

• T S P S M’s C M Managuli Arts College, Sindagi

• J H Patel Education College, Sindagi

• Padmaraj B.Ed. College, Sindagi

• S P V V Sangh’s G.P. Porwal B.C.A College, Sindagi

• S K Arts And Commerce College, Talikoti

• S V V S’s Sri. Shankarappa Revappa Malage Arts College, Tamba

• K G S S Hemaraddi Arts College, Tidagundi

• B L D E A’s New Arts College, Tikota

• Grameena V V S’s Education College, Nidagundi

• S S V V S’s Kumari Monica Basavaraj Kanni B.Ed. College, Bijapur

• Sri. Ghanamatheshwar College of Education, Talikoti

• S S V S’S H S Patil BPED College, Talikoti

Belgaum District:

• Govt. First Grade College, Ainapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Athani

• Govt. College Of Teacher Education, Belgaum

• Govt. First Grade College, Chikkodi

• Govt. First Grade College, Gokak

• Govt. First Grade College, Hukkeri

• Govt. First Grade College, K K Koppa

• Govt. First Grade College, Khanapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Kittur

• Govt. First Grade College, Kokatanoor

• Govt. First Grade College, Mudalgi

• Govt. First Grade College, Nesargi

• Govt. First Grade College, Pashachapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Raibag

• Govt. First Grade College, Ramdurg

• Govt. First Grade College, Sadalaga

• Govt. First Grade College, Savadatti

• Govt. First Grade College, Telasang

• KJSS’s Sri. Adavi Siddheshwar Arts College, Ankalagi

• S M S College Of Arts, Science & Commerce, Athani

• S M S V Vidayapeetha B.S.W. College, Athani

• J E Society’s Arts, Science & Commerce College, Athani

• KLE Society’s College Of Education, Athani

• KLE’s Shri. S M S’s B.C.A. College, Athani

• SMES’s Shri. Murugarajendra Degree College, Athani

• G G D Arts, B M P Commerce & S V S Science College, Bailhongal

• KRCES’s College Of Education, Bailhongal

• Sri. Gangadhar Swamiji Virakatamath Arts College, Bailhongal

• KRCES’s Law College, Bailhongal

• KRCES’s B.C.A. College, Bailhongal

• LES’s K M Arts & Commerce College, Bedkihal

• Acharya Deshbhushane College Of Education, Bedkihal

• Lingaraj College, Belgaum

• KLE’s R L Science Institute, Belgaum

• SKES’s R P D College, Belgaum

• SKES’s G S Science College, Belgaum

• KLS Gogte College Of Commerce, Belgaum

• KLE’s R L Law College, Belgaum

• M P Mirji College Of Commerce, Belgaum

• DMSM’s B K College Of Arts, Science & Commerce, Belgaum

• Benon Smith College Of Physical Education, Belgaum

• KLE’s B V Bellad Law College, Belgaum

• K S R College Of Education, Belgaum

• Anjuman-E-Islam’s Arts & Commerce College, Belgaum

• MM’s Arts, Home Science & Commerce College, Belgaum

• MES’s Islamia Arts & Commerce College, Belgaum

• Beynon Smith Methodist Degree College, Belgaum

• JSS’s Bharatesh College Of Business Administration, Belgaum

• GVP’s College Of Business Administration, Belgaum

• Bharatesh College Of Computer Application, Belgaum

• PES College Of Corporate Secretaryship, Belgaum

• St. Xavier Business Administration College, Belgaum

• KLE Society’s College Of Education, Belgaum

• Sagar B.Ed. College, Belgaum

• PES’s Shaikh College Of Education, Belgaum

• M N R A Education College, Belgaum

• Govt. First Grade College, Belgaum

• Gomatesh Vidyapeetha College Of Computer Application, Belgaum

• SBMJS’s M A T’s College Of Business Administration, Belgaum

• SSSS’s College Of Business Administration, Belgaum

• A C P R Sri. Gurudev Ranade Yogic Science & Research College, Belgaum

• SKES’s G S B.C.A. College, Belgaum

• P L E F B.B.A. College, Belgaum

• SKES’s Rani Parvati Devi B.B.A. College, Belgaum

• S M E S’s B K B.B.A. College, Belgaum

• WWS’s B.S.W. College, Belgaum

• S B M Jain Trust B.C.A. And Commerce College, Belgaum

• Bharatesh College Of Education, Bellad-Bagewadi

• B K College Of Arts, Science & Commerce, Chikkodi

• Chousan College Of Education, Chikkodi

• KLES’s Law College, Chikkodi

• TCTES’s College Of Education, Chikkodi

• C L E Society’s College Of Education, Chikkodi

• CTE’s Arts & Commerce College, Chikkodi

• CTE’s College Of Physical Education, Chikkodi

• KLE’s Basavaprabhu Kore B.B.A. College, Chikkodi

• SGMT B.S.W. College, Devarshigihalli

• B Shankaranand National Arts College, Ghataprabha

• J S S Arts, Science & Commerce College, Gokak

• Sri. Laxmanrao Jarkiholi Law College, Gokak

• Sri. Laxmanrao Jarkiholi Arts, Science & Commerce College, Gokak

• LET’S Sri. Laxmanrao Jarkiholi College Of B.B.A., Gokak

• Sri. Laxmanrao Jarkiholi Education College, Gokak

• Gokak Education Society’s College Of Education, Gokak

• Basavagouda Ramangouda Patil B.S.W. College, Gokak

• Sves’s Arts & Commerce College, Harugeri

• S P M Arts, Science And Commerce College, Harugeri

• Shri. Siddhivinayaka Rural College Of Education, Harugeri

• SVES’S B.P.Ed. College, Harugeri

• SSES’s Shri. Vivekanand B.B.A. College, Harugeri

• L K Khot Arts & Commerce College, Hebbal

• Mes’s S S N Arts & Commerce College, Hukkeri

• Shivanand Arts & Commerce College, Kagwad

• Srss’s Arts College, Kallolli

• Kvs’s Sachidanand Swamiji Viraktamath Arts College, Katakol

• M M N Arts & Commerce College, Khanapur

• Knvv’s Arts & Commerce College, Kittur

• B Shankaranand Arts College, Kudchi

• SPM S F S Arts College, Madabhavi

• MES’s Arts & Commerce College, Mudalgi

• RDS’s B.S.W. College, Mudalgi

• JSPS’s Ajjappa Gadami Arts & Commerce College, Munavalli

• J S P Sangha’s College Of Education, Munavalli

• Nres’s M G Arts & Commerce College, Nandagad

• S N J P S N M T B.C.A. College, Nidasosi

• G I B Arts, Science & Commerce College, Nippani

• V S M College Of B.B.A. & B.C.A., Nippani

• V S M College Of Education, Nippani

• KLE Society’s College Of Education, Nippani

• VSM’s College Of Physical Education, Nippani

• KLE’s G I Bagevadi B.C.A. College, Nippani

• SHES’s J P Shiragaonkar Degree College, Paramanandwadi

• SPM’s Arts & Commerce College, Raibag

• S P M S P Physical Education College, Raibag

• Net’s National Physical Education College, Ramadurga

• C S B Arts, M R P Science & Commerce College, Ramdurg

• Vidya Prasarak Samiti’s Education College, Ramdurg

• D V V S’s Arts College & T P Science Institute, Sankeshwar

• L K Khot College Of Commerce, Sankeshwar

• SDCSS’s B.B.A. College, Sankeshwar

• ANS’s Mahatma Gandhi Law College, Sankeshwar

• ASNSS’s B.Ed. College, Sankeshwar

• SDVSS’s B.S.W. College, Sankeshwar

• SDVVS’s B.C.A. College, Sankeshwar

• Kle’s S V B Arts & Commerce College, Savadatti

• B.S.W. College, Tukkanatti

• Vishwabharati Arts & Commerce College, Turnur

• Tuswset’s Arts & Commerce College, Ugar-Khurd

• Yvvs’s Arts College, Yamakanamaradi

• S P M’s Education College, Harugeri

• P G S’s BSW College, Harugeri

• P E S’s BCA College, Belgaum

Bagalkot District:

• Govt. First Grade College, Badami

• Govt. First Grade College, Bagalkot

• Rudragouda Patil Govt. First Grade College, Bilagi

• Govt. First Grade College, Hunagund

• Govt. First Grade College, Hunnur

• Govt. First Grade College, Ilkal

• Govt. College of Teacher Education, Jamkhandi

• Govt. First Grade College, Lokapur

• Govt. First Grade College, Mudhol

• Govt. First Grade College, Savalagi

• Govt. First Grade College, Terdal

• S V P S’s Sri. S B M Arts, Science And Commerce College, Badami

• SKES’s B.S.W. College, Badami

• Basaveshwar Arts College, Bagalkot

• Basaveshwar Science College, Bagalkot

• Basaveshwar Commerce & B.B.A. College, Bagalkot

• B V S S Basaveshwar College Of Physical Education, Bagalkot

• VPM’s S R N Arts & M R S Commerce College, Bagalkot

• BVV’s S C Nandimath Law College, Bagalkot

• BVV Sangh’s College Of Education, Bagalkot

• Vidhyaprasarak Society’s College Of B.C.A., Bagalkot

• JSS S T C Arts & Commerce College, Banahatti

• AVVS’s Shri. P S S Arts College, Bewoor

• Sir M V V S College Of B.B.A., Bilagi

• Sri. Maliyappaiah Swami Education College, Gaddankeri

• S M B Arts, R R B Commerce & S K R Science College, Guledagudd

• S J G V V C S’s B.S.W. College, Guledagudd

• V M S R Vastrad Arts, Science & V M Commerce College, Hungund

• S V M Arts, Commerce & Science College, Ilkal

• S R Kanthi College of Education, Ilkal

• Svm College of B.B.A., Ilkal

• Shri. Vijay Mahantesh College Of B.C.A., Ilkal

• BLDEA’s Commerce, BHS Arts & TGP Science College, Jamakhandi

• BLDEA’s 5 Years Law College, Jamakhandi

• BLDEA’s B.B.A. College, Jamakhandi

• Siddartha College of Education, Jamkhandi

• Shri. H V S’s Rural Arts College, Kamatgi

• SKES’s Arts College, Kerur

• S C P Arts And D D S Commerce College, Mahalingapur

• B V V S Shri. S R Kanthi Arts & Commerce College, Mudhol

• Sri. Sadashiva B.Ed. College, Mudhol

• Shri. Kadasiddeshwar College Of B.B.A., Mudhol

• R G Sheelavant Arts and Commerce College, Rabakavi

• S D M Trust B.ED. College, Terdal

• S B V S Arts & Science College for Women, Bagalkot

Karnatak University has five postgraduate campuses functioning at Karwar, Gadag, Haveri, Bijapur and Belgaum other than the main campus located at Dharwad. The main campus of the university includes several facilities like gymnasium, indoor badminton hall, stadium, computer center, auditoriums, central library, health centre, printing press, canteen, post office, banks and guesthouses.

In addition to these, the main campus is also acting as the house for 43 departments functioning under the university and it includes two museums being the animals and plant museum and research institute museum. Furthermore, 23 hostels are functioning under the university and initially only 23 colleges were affiliated to the university, but now the number of affiliated colleges has crossed 500 numbers so far.