The University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is an affiliating university located in Trivandrum in the state of Kerala, India. It was established in 1937, long before the birth of the state of Kerala in India, by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Sri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma who was also the first Chancellor of the university. Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, the then Diwan (Prime Minister) of Travancore, was the first Vice-Chancellor. It was the sixteenth university to be set up in India, and ten colleges within the state of Travancore which were affiliated to Madras University became the affiliated colleges of the University of Travancore. The Kerala University Act (Act 14 of 1957) was brought into force and the University of Travancore was renamed University of Kerala. The university had three campuses located in the state. They are Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozikhode. 

The university has over 150 affiliated colleges. There are 2 Law colleges, 17 Engineering Colleges, 9 MBA/MCA Colleges, 37 colleges for training future teachers, 4 Medical Colleges, 4 Ayurveda colleges, 2 Homeopathy Colleges, one Siddha Medical College, 3 Dental Colleges, 10 Nursing Colleges, 4 Pharmacy Colleges, 2 Fine Arts Colleges, and a Music College. It is awarded with a B++ grade by (NAAC). The motto of the university is "Karmani Vyajyate Prajña"