[5] Calicut University manages around 400 independent affiliated colleges spread across northern Kerala.

Mohammed Koya the then Kerala Education Minister constituted a twenty-two member committee of experts to make a pilot study on establishing new universities in the State.

The twenty-two member Committee in its report unanimously recommended the immediate establishment of a University in Calicut to organize post-graduate departments of studies and research and to affiliate colleges in the northern districts.

On 23 July 1968 C.H Mohammed Koya obtained an Ordinance on creating the University.

Chacko, Special Officer, was appointed the first Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University; the University was formally inaugurated at a public function on 12 August 1968, the Calicut University Bill was passed by the State Legislative Assembly on 29 August 1968; and statutory bodies such as the Senate, Syndicate, Academic Council, Faculties and Boards of Studies were constituted.

Most of the teaching and research departments, the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, and the Administration Block are situated on the main campus.

The university also has two off-campus centers, one at Thrissur and the other, specially meant for tribal empowerment, located in the Western Ghats area of the state, Wayanad.

Each school in Calicut University comprises a group of related departments, headed by director.

[12] From the 2019 Annual Report[11] Its current jurisdiction extends to five central and northern districts of the state.

The Interzones are conducted among students from the independent 'affiliated colleges' spread across five northern Kerala Districts.

[21] The various Kerala Districts conducts different zonal competitions and the winners gain entry to the 'interzonal' event.