It all starts way back in 1834 when His Highness Sri Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the then Maharaja of Travancore started a school out of a desire to provide quality education of the Western type to the children of the State.

In 1866 , the school was raised to the status of a College affiliated to the Madras University. It was named H.H The Maharaja's College. Mr John Ross was the first principal.

By 1870, a spacious two-storied building was constructed forming the central block, which has lasted to this day.

In 1924, the Arts and Science Departments were bifurcated into separate Colleges for the respective disciplines. However, to bring back the bonhomie, the two colleges were subsequently amalgamated in 1942 and the new Institution christened University College, the name by which we know it today.

It has since grown from strength to strength with the addition of new courses from time to time. It is considered an honor and privilege to be a student or staff of the College.