The College of Engineering, Trivandrum was established in 1939 as the first Engineering College in the then Travancore State. The institution owes its foundation to the bold and inspired vision of Sree Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the then Maharaj of Travancore. Initially the College was housed in the former office and bungalow of the Chief Engineer (present PMG Office). Maj T.H Mathewman, a Britisher was the first Principal, Started as constituent College of Travancore University, the College has an initial intake of 21 students each for Degree and Diploma courses in Civil, Mechanical and Electrical branches.

Over the years, the intake of students increased and as of now with eight full-fledged departments offering eight undergraduate, 19 postgraduate and doctoral program under the University of Kerala. The college was ranked 18th overall among 100 Top Engineering colleges of the country by Dataquest-CMR Top T-Schools Survey 2011

Architectural Education in Kerala started in College of Engineering Trivandrum in the year 1964. The Department presently offers B.Arch. and M.Planning (Housing) program affiliated to the University of Kerala. The B.Arch. Program comprises of 10 semesters and is conducted as per the norms of the Council of Architecture, New Delhi. The M.Planning (Housing) program is recognized by the institute of Town Planners, India (ITPI)

• Year started 1939, 1964 (Architecture)
• Approved AICTE, Council of Architecture
• Affiliated Kerala Technological University
• Email principal@cet.ac.in
• Website www.cet.ac.in
• Location College of Engineering, Thiruvanathapuram 16
  
• Fax 0471 2598370
• Phone 0471 2598370
• Type Aided
• Courses B.Arch