A Principal Secretary to Government heads Department of Higher Education. Collegiate Education and Technical Education, also comes under this department. Directorate of Collegiate Education is the Government agency to make arrangements for starting new Government colleges, new courses and for payment of salary to the staff of aided colleges. Directorate of Technical Education is in charge of various institutions imparting technical education in the state including Engineering colleges, Polytechnics, College of Fine arts, Food craft institutes, Commercial Institutes, Technical high schools, Vocational Training Centres etc.

Institutions and organizations under the Higher Education Department
Kerala State Higher Education Council		APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University
Collegiate Education		University of Kerala
Technical Education		Mahatma Gandhi University
Common Entrance Examinations		Cochin University of Science & Technology
Center for Continuing Education		University of Calicut
NCC Department		Sree Sankaracharya  University of Sanskrit
Audio Visual Reprographic Centre		Kannur University
Kerala State Science and Technology Museum		National Service Scheme
LBS Centre for Science & Technology		Kerala State Central Library
Institute of Human Resources Development		Kerala State Library council