Kannur University was established by Act 22 of 1996 of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The University the name “Malabar University” had come into existence earlier by the promulgation of an Ordinance by the Governor of Kerala, on 9th November 1995. The University was inaugurated on 2nd March 1996 by the then Chief Minister of Kerala, Sri. A.K Antony. The objective of the Kannur University Act 1996 is to establish in Kerala state, a teaching, residential and affiliating University, promoting the development of higher education in Kasargod and Kannur revenue Districts and the Mananthavady Taluk of Wayanad District.

Kannur University is unique in the sense that it is a multi-campus university with campuses spread over various locations under its jurisdiction. The Act envisages that the University shall establish, maintain, manage and develop campuses at Kannur, Kasaragod, Nileswaram, Mangattuparamba, Mananthavady, Payyannur, Thalassery and such other places as are necessary for providing study and research facilities to promote advanced knowledge in Science and Technology and other relevant disciplines.