The Thiruvalluvar University was established at Vellore by Government of Tamilnadu in October 2002 under the Thiruvalluvar University Act, 2002 (Government of Tamilnadu Act 32 / 2002). The Post Graduate Extension Centre of the University of Madras, which was functioning in Vellore before 2002 formed the core of Thiruvalluvar University. The University was inaugurated on 16.10.2002 as a State University by our Honorable Chief Minister SELVI DR. J. JAYALALITHAA. The University is located in a Sprawling Campus of about 112368 acres at the Serkkadu near Vallimalai about sixteen km away from the Vellore City on the Ranipet-Chittoor Trunk Road. The University named after the great Tamil Saint "Thiruvalluvar".
In the University, every effort is harnessed to make Educational Institution as temple of learning. The aim of this University is to provide facilities for advancement in Research and dissemination of Knowledge with focus on the Economic and Social upliftment of the society.
The Thiruvalluvar University has been seven departments, Tamil, English, Economics, Zoology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Bio-Technology. 98 arts and Science college are affiliated to this university, of which 10 are government Arts and science colleges, 9 are aided Arts and science colleges, 3 are oriental title colleges, 72 are self financing Arts and Science Colleges and the remaining 4 are University Constituent colleges. A Post Graduation Extension Centre of this /university is functioning at Villupuram.
The Thiruvalluvar Institution of Distance Education (TIDE) of Thiruvalluvar University has come into existence from the academic year 2011-12.