The University of Calicut, the second university to be set up in Kerala, came into being in 1968 with the objective of developing human resources in the northern districts of Kerala by extending the reach of higher education and by promoting research in all areas of development with particular emphasis on technology and art and culture of Kerala.

The University made the beginning by taking into its fold the four postgraduate departments set up by the University of Kerala at Calicut and 54 constituent colleges spread across seven northern districts. With ‘Nirmaya Karmana Sree’ as it motto, the University has surmounted challenges to emerge as the largest residential cum affiliating University in Kerala. Its 31 post graduate departments and 304 affiliated colleges have now become a veritable light house beckoning lakhs of young men and women to benefit from higher education.

The University campus, located at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district, 24 km south of Calicut city, is the main hub of academic activities. In addition to the office of the Vice-Chancellor, the University administration, Pareeksha Bhavan, School of Distance Education, Academic Staff College, Educational Multimedia Research Centre, Computer Centre, University Library and other central support and service units, housed on the campus are 21 post graduate departments of teaching and research.

University of Calicut has many number of colleges affiliated with it. Following is given district which have UOC affiliated colleges.

KOZHIKODE
MALAPPURAM
THRISSUR
WAYANAD
PALAKKAD
LAKSHADWEEP