The Thiruvalluvar University was formed in the year 2002 on the 16th of October, by the Government of Tamil Nadu under the Thiruvalluvar University Act 2002. Before the year 2002, a Post Graduation Extension Center belonging to University of Madras was functioning at Vellore in Tamil Nadu and this center was extended as Thiruvalluvar University.

The university aims at fostering integrated development, providing quality higher education through extension, research and teaching programmes, motivating reciprocal growth, creating stimulating environment and arousing the sense of social awareness among the young generations of the country. Its mission is ‘empowerment through higher education’ and its vision is ‘liberation of knowledge’. Initially, the university started functioning with four departments being physical education, chemistry, zoology and economics. In addition to these, the university developed nine more universities in the later years. The district-wise list of colleges affiliated to the university is as follows:

Cuddalore District:

• Aries Arts and Science College for Women, Karunkuzhi

• B. Padmanabhan Jayanthimala College of Arts and Science, Srimushnam

• C. Kandaswami Naidu College for Women

• Dr. S. Ramadoss Arts and Science College, Periyavadavadi

• Government Arts College Chidambaram

• Jawahar Science College, Neyveli

• Krishnaswamy College of  Science, Arts and Management for Women, S. Kumarapuram

• M.R.K. Arts and Science College, Kattumannarkoil

• Periyar Arts College

• Shree Raghavendra Arts and Science College, Chidambaram

• Sree Arumugham Arts and Science College, Tholudar

• Sri Thangam Periyasamy Arts and Science College for Women, Virudhachalam

• St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science (Autonomous)

• Thiru Kolanjiyappar Govt. Arts College, Viruthachalam

• Thiruvalluvar Arts and Science College, Kurinjipadi

• Vallalar Arts and Science College (Co-Ed.), Vadalur

Thiruvannamalai District:

• Al-Ameen Arts and Science College, Somasipadi

• Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Cheyyar

• Arunkrishna College of Arts and Science, Chengam

• Dhivya Arts and Science College, Chetpet

• Dr. M.G.R Chokalingam Arts College, Arni

• Government Arts College, Thiruvannamalai

• Indo - American College, Perungalatur

• Kamban College of Arts and Science for Women, Mathur

• King Nandhivarman College of Arts and Science, Thellar

• Loyola College, Vettavalam

• Shanmuga Industries Arts and Science College

• Sri Akilandeswari Women’s College, Vandavasi

• Idaya College of Arts and Science for Women, Pudupalayam

• Indian Arts and Science College, Agaramsippanthi Village

• Sri Bharathi Arts and Science College (Co-Ed.), Kunnathur

• Sun Arts and Science College, Keeranur Village

Vellore District:

• Adhiparasakthi College of Science, Kalavai

• Arakkonam Arts and Science College, Itchiputhur

• Arcot Sri Mahaalakshmi Women’s College, Villapakkam

• Arcot Sri Mahaalakshmi Women’s Institute of Management and Computer Application, Villapakkam

• Arignar Anna Govt. Arts College for Women, Walajapet

• Auxilium College (Autonomous), Katpadi

• C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam

• Darul Uloom Latheefia Arabic College

• Dhanabagiyam Krishnaswamy Mudaliar College for Women (Autonomous)

• Government Thirumagal Mill’s College, Gudiyattam

• Holy Cross Arts and Science Collge for Women

• Islamiah College, Vaniyambadi

• Islamiah Women’s Arts and Science College, Vaniyambadi

• Jamia Darussalam Arabic College, Oomerabad

• Jothi’s College, Katpadi

• K.M.G College of Arts and Science, Gudiyattam

• Marappan Lakshiamma Arts and Science College, Kurumberi

• Marudhar Kesari Jain College for Women, Vaniyampadi

• Mazharul Uloom College, Ambur

• Mercury College of Arts and Science, Thandalam

• Muthurangam Govt. Arts College (Autonomous)

• M.M.E.S. Women’s Arts and Science College, Melvisharam

• Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Tirupattur

• Vanavil Arts and Science College

• Voorhees College

• Tirupathur Arts & Science College, Tirupathur

• SSS College Art, Science & Management, Arcot

• Sri Bharathivelu Arts and Science College, Kalpattu Village

• Kaveripakkam Arts & Science College, Kaveripakkam

Villupuram District:

• Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Villupuram

• Bharathi Arts and Science College, Thatchur

• BWDA Arts and Science College, Kolliyangunam

• Dr. R.K. Shanmugam College of Arts and Science, Kallakurichi

• Immaculate College for Women, Viriyur

• Indira Gandhi Jayanthi Womens College, Kilgudalore

• Joseph Arts and Science College

• K.S. Raja College of Arts & Science for Women, Chellapiratti Village

• RAAK Arts and Science College [Co-Ed.], Perambai

• Rajeswari Arts and Scinece College for Women

• RTG Arts and Science College for Women

• Sanghamam College of  Arts and Science, Annamangalam

• Saraswathy College of arts and Science (Co-Ed.), Olakkur

• Siddhar Sivagnaani Arts and Science College for Men, Bommayapalayam Village

• Siga College of Management and Computer Science, Kappiyampuliyur Village

• Sri Aravindar Arts and Science College

• Sri Vinayaga College of Arts & Science, Ulundurpet

• Srimath Sivagnana Balaya Swamigal College, Mailam

• Swami Vivekananda Arts and Science College (Co-Ed.), Lakshmipuram

• Theivanai Ammal College for Women

• Thiru A. Govindasamy Govt. Arts College, Tindivanam

• Thirukkoilur College of Arts and Science, Thirukkoilur

The university follows semester pattern of education in some of its affiliated colleges, whereas non-semester pattern of education is also followed in some of the colleges. The sources of finance for the university are grants-on-aid given by Indian and Tamil Nadu Government and income is also earned through research schemes of Indian Government in addition to fees collected from students.

Apart from educational activities, the university also encourages the students to take part in sports activities and NSS & RCC activities and so training in 20 different sports is offered by the university. The university admits students every year for M. Sc, M. Phil and Ph. D in Zoology.