School of Distance Education (SDE) of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore was established in 1991.

The School of Distance Education (SDE) of Bharathiar University was established during the Academic Year 1991-92 and Distance Education Council(DEC) as provisionally recognized all courses conducted by SDE vide its letter “F.No. Dec / 9909 / 2009/ dt. 17.12.2009. The school has limited its operation for the obvious reason of strengthening its base to provide quality education. Having realized the objective, the school has started extending its action by identifying and approving Spot Admission cum Learning / Information Centres through-out the country to help achieve higher enrolment ratio and higher literacy rate.

The School at present has about 308 Spot Admission cum Learning / Information Centres CPOP (162) spreading all-over India and the number is steadily increasing as more and more evince interest in starting Spot Admission cum Learning / Information Centres.

The School directly admits candidates and conducts the Personal Contact Programmes (PCPs) at specified centres in Coimbatore. Spot Admission cum Learning / Information Centres enroll candidates and conduct the Personal Contact Programmes in their centres or at specified Regional Centres. The study materials prepared in the prescribed format of the Distance Education Council (DEC) viz., SIM format are provided to the students supplemented with compact discs for hassle free use anywhere at materials.

VISION

Our vision is to provide Internationally comparable quality higher education to the youth. The aim is not only focused on imparting subject knowledge and skills, but also to mould the students with better conduct and character committed to the societal needs and national development. Enshrined with the motto “Educate to Elevate”. The University strives to realize the vision of India and excel in promoting and protecting the rich heritage of our past and secular ideals of the nation.

MISSION

To be innovative, inclusive and international University ; committed to excellence in teaching, research and knowledge transfer and to serve the social, cultural and economic needs of the nation".
To innovate and offer educational programmes in various disciplines with synergistic interaction with the industry and society.
To impart knowledge and skills to students equipping them to be ready to face the emerging challenges to the knowledge area.
To provide equal opportunity to women students and prepare them to be equal partners in meeting the scientific and technological demands of the nation.
To contribute to the advancement to knowledge through applied research leading to newer products and process.
To prepare the students to work for societal transformation with commitment to justice and equality.
To inculcate among students a global vision with skills of international competence.

The University is situated at the backdrop of Maruthamalai Hills in the Western Ghat range, in a sprawling campus of 1000 acres of land. 15 kms. from the City of Coimbatore. As of now the University has 127 affiliated colleges(13 Government Colleges,16 Aided Colleges,81 Un-Aided Arts and Science Colleges,13 Un-Aided Management Colleges, 3 University Consituent Colleges, and 1 Air Force Administration College). In addition, there are 31 Research Institutes of the State and Central Governments, which are recognized by this University for research purpose. And all these institutions cater to the educational needs of more than 1,50,000 students and research scholars.