The Annamalai University was founded in the year 1929 as a unitary and residential University, by the munificence and single minded devotion of the far-sighted and noble-hearted philanthropist and patron of letter, the Hon'ble Dr.Rajah Sir Annamalai University of Chettiar of Chettinad, Kt, LL.D., D.Litt. Since then, during these eighty two years, the Annamalai University has grown into a premier institution of higher learning and research.

The Directorate of Distance Education established in 1979 offers five hundred and twenty five different programmes of study under the Regular Stream. It is created with the largest enrolment in India and is well equipped with computer and other infrastructure, adequate teaching faculty and administrative set-up of its own, study centres, computer training centres, etc., to serve its students clientele in their best interest at their door steps. It has also the unique distinction of offering first in India, Postgraduate Degree Programmes in Applied Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Bioinformatics and Law through Distance Education mode The Directorate of Distance Education is also offering the Programmes on Fashion Design, Textile Design, Interior Design, Hotel Management and Catering Technology Programmes, Retail Management, Twinning Programme, Programmes on Health Science, Commonwealth Youth Programme, Yoga, Music, Fire and Safety, Pharmaceutical and Taxation, Applied Management, Telecom Management And Business Application Programmes.