In 1887 (B.E. 2430), His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) established the first Sangha college in Thailand, called ‘Mahadhatu Witthayalai,’ which was located at Wat Mahadhatu in Bangkok. It was intended to be a place where monks, novices, and laity come to study the Tipiṭaka and higher education. It officially began providing education on 8th November 1889 (B.E. 2432). On 13th September 1896 (B.E. 2439), the college was given a new status and name about His Majesty King Chulalongkorn as ‘Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University.
Since the university has received the legal entity and becomes an educational institution under government supervision in 1997 (2540), the educational management of the university has expanded throughout the country. Many home and overseas students registered to study, and now there are 11 campuses, 23 Sangha colleges, 1 extended classroom, 7 academic service units, 1 domestic affiliated institute, and 5 international affiliated institutes.