The Centre for Distance Education (CDE) of Bharathidasan University (BDU) was established in the year 1992 to serve the students who could not enter the regular colleges for higher education. As the educational programmes offered and the degrees awarded through distance mode are on par with the regular mode, qualitatively there is a demand for the programmes offered by the CDE of Bharathidasan University.

The Centre for Distance Education offers around 60 programmes including 12 UG, 21 PG, 06 Diploma / Certificate Programmes and 7 Professional Programmes in select disciplines including MCA and MBA programmes.

Besides the conventional courses, the Centre for Distance Education is offering programmes in Computer Science and Applications, Information Technology, E-Commerce, Bank Management, Financial Management, Library and Information Science, Animation etc. The laboratory oriented programmes are meticulously planned and executed with the same vigor as regular programmes, without compromising the practical requirements.

The Centre for Distance Education conducts theory and practical classes on Saturdays and Sundays. The conduct of the programmes is strictly monitored by the staff of the Centre for Distance Education and the Director through regular visits to the Personal Contact Programme (PCP) centres.