Bharathidasan University (BDU) is a university in the city of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on Tiruchirappalli-Pudukkottai National Highway 336. It has affiliated colleges in the districts of Ariyalur district, Karur, Nagapattinam, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and Tiruchirapalli. It is a recognised university, supported by the University Grants Commission of India. All major faculties of science and arts are represented. The university has totally 4 Faculties, 16 Schools, 37 Departments and 29 Specialized Research Centres. The University Departments/Schools are offering 151 programmes including 40 PG programmes in M.A., M.Sc. and M.Tech. The above programmes are conducted under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) in Semesters: 31 M.Phil., 33 Ph.D., 19 P.G. Diploma, 11 Diploma and 10 Certificates. In addition to the regular teaching programmes in the Departments and Schools, the university under its Distance Education mode is conducting 15 UG and 26 PG programmes. All the UG and PG programmes are conducted under non-semester system and MCA and MBA programmes are conducted under semester system along with the regular programmes. The MCA and MBA programmes conducted under this mode are very popular. Faculties and schools The university has the following faculties and schools: Faculty of Arts School of Economics and Commerce & Financial Studies School of Education School of Social Sciences School of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship School of Performing Arts Faculty of Indian and other Languages School of English and Foreign Languages School of Indian Languages Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology School of Basic Medical Sciences School of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering School of Chemistry School of Computer Science and Engineering School of Engineering and Technology School of Environmental Sciences School of Geography School of Geology School of Library Information Science School of Life Sciences School of Marine Sciences School of Mathematical Sciences School of Physics Faculty of Management School of Management Studies Hostels Men's Cavery men's hostel Bhavani men's hostel Vaigai men's hostel Porunai men's hostel Sindhu men's hostel Women's Ponni women's hostel Mullai women's hostel Kurunji women's hostel Gangai women's hostel Affiliated colleges Autonomous arts and science colleges 1. Government Arts College (Autonomous), Karur - 639 005. 2. Government College (Autonomous), Kumbakonam - 612 001. 3. H.H. The Rajah's College (Autonomous), Pudukkottai - 622 001. 4. Rajah Serfoji Government College, (Autonomous) Thanjavur - 613 005. 5. Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli - 620 023. 6. Government College for Women (Autonomous),