Karnatak University, located at Dharwad is the second oldest University of Karnataka, after University of Mysore.It was set up in the year 1950.At that time it was situated at Mumbai.It has a sprawling campus of 750 acres .

The University has been recognised with `Potential for Excellence`by University Grant Commision.The Universities offers post graduation courses in various discplines through 48 postgraduate deparetments under 3 faculties including arts ,science and social sciences. The Univertsity has five postgraduate centers including the Post Graduate centre at Belgaum, Karwar, and Bijapur.There are five constituent colleges of the University.The University also offers undergraduate courses through 256 affiliated colleges spread over the district of Dharwad, Belgaum, Bijapur District, Bagalkot, Gadag, Haveri and Uttar Kannada.

Under faculties of social sciences there are departments of Political Science, Education, Geography, Economics, Sociology, Commerce, Anthropology, History & Epigraphy, Criminilogy & Forensic Science, Social Work, Women`s Studies, Law, Journalism & Mass Communication, Sports, Gandhian Studies, Psychology.There are 10 departments functioning under science departments including Mathematics,Zoology ,Chemistry,Physics,Botany,Sericulture Statistics,Library Science ,Polymer Science.Faculty of arts runs 10 departments including the departments of Marathi ,English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Music, Kannada Studies Yoga Studies.

The University has succeeded to expand the academic horizon and produced several scholar who are now holding important position in their own field.The University received five star status by NAAC.