In 1932 the institution became affiliated with the University of the Punjab for awarding a bachelor's degree in Engineering. After partition in 1947, the college was relocated to Roorkee in India and was renamed as East Punjab College of Engineering. In the year 1950 the word East was dropped. Towards the end of December 1953, the college shifted to its present campus in Chandigarh to function under the Government of Punjab. In 1966, with the formation of the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the college came under the control of the Government of India through the Chandigarh Administration. In October 2003, the Government of India recognized the college as a Deemed University and thereafter it became known as Punjab Engineering College (Deemed University). In 2009, the Board of Governors renamed the institution as PEC University of Technology. However, as per a recent notification released by the University Grants Commission (India), the institution has been ordered to drop the word "University" from its name. The institute has reverted to its former name Punjab Engineering College (Deemed-to-be-University)
The college campus extends over an area of 146 acres of the land situated close to the beautiful Shivalik hills. The campus is divided into various functional zones like hostels, Main College Building, Administration Block, Residential Complex for staff and faculty and a shopping centre. In addition to Lecture theatres, tutorial rooms and drawing halls, the college has an Auditorium, library, computer centre, reading rooms, workshops and well equipped laboratories. The college has spacious playgrounds, tennis courts, squash courts, swimming pool, gymnasium and a students centre. There is a branch of State Bank Of India and a post office in the campus. Adequate Hostel facilities for both boys and girls are available in the campus