College of Engineering, Pune’s precursor, The Poona Engineering Class and Mechanical School was opened in July 1854, with an aim to provide suitable learning to the subordinate officers in the Public Works Department. The School was situated in Bhawani Peth, Poona , and the accommodation consisted of three small detached houses for teaching purposes and a separate house for the Principal. In June 1865 Mr. Theodore Cooke, M.A , who held that appointment for 28 years was appointed Principal. The foundation stone of the new college was laid by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Bartle Frere, on the 5th August 1865. In 2003, the college got autonomous status, thus giving it the freedom to set its own curricula and manage its own finances. This has been the biggest change as far as pedagogy at COEP is concerned.

At present the admissions are conducted on the basis of the marks secured in JEE Mains and HSC board combined The various clubs of College of Engineering, Pune provide the students the much-cherished opportunity to come together to discuss and exchange ideas with like-minded people. Here, there’s something for everyone! The Astronomy Club is for the astro-enthusiasts. It organises regular star-parties, wherein the students get a chance to star-gaze and learn more about the dark and starry vastness. If you are a quizzing enthusiast, the Boat Club Quiz Club is the place for you. It’s the open-to-all quiz club, with quizzing enthusiasts meeting at the Boat Club on weekends to “pick each others’ brains”. The Robot Study-Circle is the robotics club of CoEP. It participates in the annual ‘Robocon’. It also conducts workshops for students. The college is also active in promoting awareness about not just the environment but also about social development of the less-fortunate through it’s environmental club, Janeev.

The institute has a well-equipped library with an integrated automation system installed recently through SLIM 21Ex.  It is one of the important resources centers of the institute serving both, students as well as the faculty of the institute.  The library has a varied collection comprising of books, technical reports, and periodicals.  A large number of National and International Print/Online Journals are subscribed covering all disciplines. The Library of College of Engineering Pune is a technology embracing library.