Institute of English, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is a constituent unit of the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, was established in 1962.

It is as a nerve centre of research in English Language and Literature department of the University of Kerala, and managed by Department of Higher Education, Govt. of Kerala.

The Institute of English was established as a  programme for improving existing standards of teaching of English in schools and colleges.

It is one of the premier institute established to impart & provide in the field of higher education for the deserving candidates and prove to be a milestone on the part of progress.

The institute is self-affiliated with University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and it is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) & 12(B) under Act, 1956.

It is re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "A" Grade.

The aim of the institute is to provide quality education to the disadvantaged sections including women and senior citizen, to promote career advancement by encouraging diversification and updating of knowledge and to provide training in softer and technical skills.

It is a co-educational government Institute, providing a regular course in which is located in the rural part of Thiruvananthapuram played a pioneering role in the field of higher education.

In the institute, two ways one-year courses were started, one for the Diploma in English for School teachers and the other Diploma in English for third class postgraduates to improve their qualification.

The M.A. course in English Language and Literature was started in 1964 and in 1965 a part-time M.A. English evening course was started. In 1972, the evening course was discontinued and in 1973 the Diploma Course in the Teaching of English was also discontinued.

In 1982, the P.G. Diploma in English for Communication was started as an evening course.

The full-time regular M.A. course with greater facilities for research continued.

With the introduction of the M.Phil. course in 1978, the Institute became the nerve centre of research in English Language and Literature in Kerala.

The institute had received many awards and accolades at a city, state and national level for their educational advancements also received the numbers of achievements awards in the field of sports and curricular activities under the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram.

The institute offers two years of postgraduate course in Arts stream with various specializations under the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. It also offers Diploma, Ph.D., and Add-On courses.

Since 1973, the Institute of English has become a centre of advanced research in Literature and Language.

University examinations of different courses, examinations conducted by the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, and various other examinations are held in the institute premises.