Fakir Mohan University is based in Vyasa Vihar, Balasore, Odisha. The university has two campuses, the old one is situated in VyasaVihar, and the new campus is located at Nuapadhi. Fakir Mohan University was established in 1999 by the Government of Odisha, under Section 32 of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989 (Act 5 of 1989). 

Fakir Mohan University, or FMU, is recognized by UGC, has an NAAC A grade, and has also been accredited by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It is a public university with the Governor of Odisha serving as its Chancellor. FMU affiliates 96 colleges and 14 professional colleges, two of which are autonomous colleges, named FM Autonomous College and Bhadrak Autonomous College.

Fakir Mohan University offers several online and distance learning courses as well, in addition to the regular PG courses. Its Center for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) was launched to make quality education reachable to the maximum people who have paused their studies due to financial constraints or full-time commitments. Fakir Mohan University has been offering distance learning courses since 2007 through its Center for Distance and Continuing Education (CDCE). It was then renamed as the Directorate of Distance and Continuing Education (DDCE). Now, as per the updated educational guidelines of 2020 by the UGC, it is named as Center for Distance and Online Education (CDOE).

The CDOE wing of the Fakir Mohan University offers a variety of courses like MA in (English, Economics, Political Science, History, Sociology, Odia, Sanskrit, Education), Master of Commerce (M.Com), and Master of Social Work (MSW). All of these courses are UGC-DEB-approved. FMU’s CDOE wing also adheres strictly to the rules and regulations set by the UGC and NCTE for delivering online courses. Fakir Mohan University also provides authenticity to its online students by making CDOE a part of its Old Campus, F.M. University, Januganj, Balasore.