Anna University came into existence on 4th September 1978 as a unitary type of University. It offers higher education in Engineering, Technology and allied Sciences relevant to the current and projected needs of the society. Besides promoting research and disseminating knowledge gained there from, it fosters cooperation between the academic and industrial communities.

The University was formed by bringing together and integrating two well-known technical institutions in the city of Madras - College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG), Madras Institute of Technology, Chrompet (MIT) and three Technological Departments of the University of Madras. The university is also proud for the fact that the former President of India – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a student of this university and is now a visiting professor.

Located in the southern part of the city of Madras (Chennai), the University's main campus extends over 100 hectares abutting the Adyar River on the north and Raj Bhavan on the south. The Madras Institute of Technology at Chrompet constitutes the second campus of the University which extends over 20 hectares. Both the campuses have a variety of buildings serving the various needs of the University community.

A third campus extending over 80 hectares is located at Taramani near the Instronic campus, Adyar. The Bioprocess Laboratory donated by SPIC is located at present in this campus and a few more centers of advanced studies, like National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Sugar Research Institute, Mechatronics Institute, Entreprenuership Development Park, and Convention Centre will also be housed there in future.

Since December 2001, Anna University has become a large, highly renowned affiliated University, having brought into its umbrella about 225 Self-financing Engineering Colleges, six Government Colleges and three Government-aided Engineering colleges located in various parts of Tamil Nadu State.

The varsity offers undergraduate, post graduate programs in the field of engineering and technology. It also offers very competitive atmosphere for research activities.

Anna University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities, the Association of Commonwealth Universities and Partner of UNESCO International Center for Engineering Education (UICEE). It is an affiliating university which enjoys Five Star Status offered by the University Grants Commission. The status has been given for its excellence in the field of Technical Education and research.