The university started its academic programme on 28 November with classes of MA (Preliminary) programme with only 200 students in the departments of Bangla, English, History and Economics under the faculty of Arts. After a short while Medical, Engineering, Law and Education Colleges situated outside the university campus were incorporated as separate faculties, and thus the university's educational activities kept expanding.
Under Arts faculty, the departments of Bangla, History and English were established in 1966, that of Fine Arts in 1970, Philosophy in 1972, Islamic History and Culture, and Oriental Languages in 1974, Arabic and Persian Languages in 1977, and of Journalism in 1994. These departments have programmes of BA (Honours), MA (Preliminary), and MA (Final). Under Science faculty, the departments of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics were set up in 1968, Statistics in 1970, Zoology and Botany in 1973, Oceanography Institute in 1971, Institute of Forestry in 1976, and the Research Centre for Mathematical and Physical Sciences in 1989 opened by the Nobel Prize winner scientist Professor Abdus Salam. The departments under the Science faculty have programmes of B Sc (Hons), M Sc (preliminary) and M Sc (Final). The Social Science Faculty was founded in 1971. Under this faculty the departments of Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration and Anthropology started in 1966, 1968, 1970, 1980, and 1997 respectively. Departments under this faculty conduct BSS (Honours), MSS (Preliminary) and MSS (Final) programmes. The Commerce faculty was established in 1971. Departments of this faculty conduct BBA (Honours) and MBA programmes. The department of Law under the faculty of Law was established in 1992.
All the faculties publish a research journal of the common title The Chittagong University Studies (now renamed Chittagong University Journal) distinguished by the name of the individual faculty suffixed to it. Chittagong University Journal of Arts, Chittagong University Journal of Social Science, Chittagong University Journal of Business and Chittagong University Journal of Law come out once or twice a year.
In addition to the faculties of Arts, Science, Social Science, Commerce and Law, Chittagong University has a Medical Faculty that comprises of
Medical Colleges:
Chittagong Medical College Chittagong
Comilla Medical College Comilla
Cox’s Bazar Medical College Cox’s Bazar
Nowakhali Medical College Nowakhali
Rangamati Medical College Rangamati
BGC Trust Medical College & Hospital BGC Biddyanagar, Chandanaish, Chittagong
Central Medical College & Hospital Paduar Bazar, Bishaw Road, Comilla
Eastern Medical College & Hospital Kabila, Dhaka-Chittagong Highway Road, Burichang, Comilla
Moynamoti Medical College & Hospital Moynamoti Jhawtala, Comilla
Southern Medical College and Hospital mozaffer Ahmed Chowdhury Road, East Nasirabad, Khulshi, Chittagong
Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Medical College Agrabad, Chittagong
Brahmanbaria Medical College Hospital Ghatura, Brahmanbaria
Chittagong International Medical College & Hospital 206/1, Hazi Chand Mia Road, P.O.-Darul Marif, Shamsherpara, Chandgaon, Chittagong
Marine City Medical College 553, O.R. Nizam Road Chittagong
Dental Colleges:
Chittagong International Dental College 206/1, Hazi Chand Mia Road, P.O.-Darul Marif, Shamsherpara, Chandgaon, Chittagong
Nursing Colleges:
Chittagong Nursing College (Nearby Chittagong Medical College)
Faujdarhat Nursing College Faujdarhat, Chittagong
Art Nursing College Ashik Tower, Paduar Bazar, Bishow Road, Comilla
Medical Technology:
Chittagong Institute of Medical Technology House-6, Road-1, Lane-5, Block-A, Agrabad Access Road, Halishahar, Chittagong
United Care Institute of Medical Technology Ghatura, Brahmanbaria
Engineering Colleges:
Newcastle University College (NUC) 245, Kapashgola Road, Chawk Bazar, Chittagong
Chittagong Institute of Engineering & Technology 129, CTC Bhaban, Muradpur, Bishwaroad, Chittagong
Fashion & Design:
Chittagong Institute of Fashion & Technology (CIFT) Bangladesh Tea Board Building (2nd Floor), 171-172, Baizid Bostami Road, Baizid, Chittagong
The first regular Convocation of Chittagong University was held in 1994. Before that a special Convocation had been held in 1981. In that Convocation physicist Abdus Salam was awarded an honorary D Sc degree. A special Professor's Chair has been created in Chittagong University after the name of poet kazi nazrul islam.