The institution, now called the University College, was established as a private school in 1834 by the Government of Travancore during the reign of His Highness Sri. Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. In 1866, Raja's school was raised to the status of college affiliated to the University of Madras.

Later it was named H.H. The Mahaja's College, though it had the original school attached to it. Mr. John Ross, as inspiring teacher, was the first principal.

The college was a affiliated for the B.A Degree course to the University of Madras, first in Philosophy, in 1884. Mr. Robert Harvey who succeeded Mr. John Ross as Principal was the first Professor of Philosophy. B.A. Courses in Mathematics, Chemistry, History, Physics and Sanskrit and Dravidian Languages followed.

Among the great scholars who served the institution, the late A.R. Raja Raja Varma, Grammarian and Poet, deserves special mention. He was professor of Sanskrit and Dravidian Languages from 1910 to 1918 and also acted as Principal from 1915 to 1916. It is with a sense of pride that everyone remembers Dr. K.R. Narayanan, President of India, who is an alumnus of this college.

In 1957, the State Government took over the Mangament of the college. A special scheme for coaching students for the U.P.S.C. Examination (I.A.S.) was introduced in October 1961. An Evening College was started in June 1965.

The college celebrated its centenary in July 1966 Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the then President of India, inaugurated the celebrations..

M.Phil courses in twelve disciplines were started in 1994-95. The University College now comprises 20 Post Graduate Departments and 18 under graduate departments with 235 members of staff (Teaching and Non-teaching) and over 2455 students on its roll.

This Centre of Excellence college has been recognised by the University as a Research Centre for M.Phil & Ph.D. Degree in twelve disciplines.