The University of Madras, established in 1857 as one of the three original universities created in British India (with Calcutta and Bombay), is a state affiliating university in Tamil Nadu. It affiliates approximately 136 colleges across Chennai and surrounding districts, with approximately 130,000 students enrolled across affiliated institutions and its own departments.
NAAC accreditation is A++ (CGPA 3.59), 4th cycle, awarded August 2023 (valid until 2028). NIRF 2025 ranks it Overall #68, University #38, and #18 among State Public Universities. The university operates four campuses in Chennai: Chepauk/Triplicane (Senate House, administration), Guindy/Maraimalai Adigal, Taramani/Sezhiyan, and Marina. Its own teaching departments offer PG and doctoral programmes in arts, science, commerce, law, education, management, and architecture. UG programmes (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, LLB) follow Tamil Nadu's 3-year pattern; PG programmes (MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, LLM) are 2 years.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | University of Madras |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Type | State affiliating university (government, public) |
| Ownership | Government (Tamil Nadu) |
| Location | Senate House, Wallajah Road, Chepauk, Chennai 600005 |
| Total Campuses | 4 (Chepauk/Triplicane, Guindy, Taramani, Marina) |
| Total Campus Area | 126 acres (across all 4 campuses) |
| Affiliated Colleges | ~136 colleges across Chennai and surrounding districts |
| Total Students | ~130,000 (across affiliated colleges and own departments) |
| NAAC Grade | A++ (CGPA 3.59; 4th cycle, August 2023, valid until 2028) |
| NIRF 2025 | Overall #68 |
| UG Pattern | 3-year UG (BA/B.Sc/B.Com); Tamil Nadu pattern |
| UG/PG Admission | Merit-based (Class 12) + university entrance test; TANCET for MBA/MCA; NATA for B.Arch |
| Hostel | 6 hostels across 4 campuses (3 men, 3 women); fees approx. Rs 25,000-40,000/yr |
| Website | unom.ac.in |
University of Madras operates its own PG and doctoral departments at the Chepauk, Guindy, and Taramani campuses. UG programmes are primarily at affiliated colleges. All programmes follow a 3-year UG / 2-year PG structure (Tamil Nadu pattern).
Undergraduate (3-year, Tamil Nadu pattern):
| Programme | Duration | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (various subjects) | 3 years | Rs 5,000-12,000/yr (aided) | Rs 15,000-36,000 |
| BA (Hons) | 3 years | Rs 5,000-12,000/yr | Rs 15,000-36,000 |
| B.Sc (various sciences) | 3 years | Rs 5,000-15,000/yr | Rs 15,000-45,000 |
| B.Com / B.Com (Hons) | 3 years | Rs 5,000-12,000/yr | Rs 15,000-36,000 |
| BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) | 3 years | Rs 10,000/yr | Rs 30,000 |
| LLB (Bachelor of Laws, 3-year standalone) | 3 years | Rs 10,000/yr | Rs 30,000 |
| B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) | 5 years | Rs 50,000/yr | Rs 2,50,000 |
| B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) | 2 years | Rs 10,000-15,000/yr | Rs 20,000-30,000 |
Postgraduate (2-year):
| Programme | Duration | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA (various subjects) | 2 years | Rs 11,000/yr | Rs 22,000 |
| M.Sc (various sciences) | 2 years | Rs 15,000-27,000/yr | Rs 30,000-54,000 |
| M.Com | 2 years | Rs 10,000/yr | Rs 20,000 |
| MBA (Master of Business Administration) | 2 years | Rs 50,000/yr | Rs 1,00,000 |
| MCA (Master of Computer Applications) | 2 years | Rs 30,000/yr | Rs 60,000 |
| LLM (Master of Laws) | 2 years | Rs 15,000/yr | Rs 30,000 |
Fees shown are for government-aided seats at university departments. Affiliated college fees vary. Verify current fees at unom.ac.in before applying.
University of Madras does not use CUET for most programmes. Admission routes differ by programme:
UG Arts, Science, Commerce (Affiliated Colleges):
LLB (3-year, Department of Legal Studies):
B.Arch (Department of Architecture):
PG Admissions (MA, M.Sc, M.Com, LLM):
MBA / MCA:
PhD:
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu Government Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students in TN; income criteria apply | Full tuition reimbursement + maintenance; apply via e-kalvi.tn.gov.in |
| Tamil Nadu BC/OBC Scholarship | BC/OBC/MBC/DNC students; non-creamy layer; income criteria | Tuition fee reimbursement; apply via e-kalvi.tn.gov.in |
| GoI Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST; family income below Rs 2.5 lakh/yr | Full tuition + Rs 2,250-7,000/yr maintenance; apply via NSP |
| Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS) | Top 20% Class 12 board scorers; income below Rs 8 lakh/yr | Rs 10,000/yr (UG Yrs 1-3); Rs 20,000/yr (PG); apply via NSP |
| Ishan Uday Scholarship | Students from North-East India; income below Rs 4.5 lakh/yr | Rs 5,400/month (hostellers) |
| UoM Merit Scholarship | Top performers in each department | Cash award or tuition waiver; applied automatically |
Use e-kalvi.tn.gov.in for Tamil Nadu state scholarships and NSP for central scholarships. Apply within 60 days of admission -- late applications are rejected. SC/ST students eligible for both state and central scholarships should apply simultaneously via both portals.
The University of Madras operates across four campuses in Chennai covering 126 acres:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Senate House address | Wallajah Road, Chepauk, Chennai 600005 |
| Total campus area | 126 acres (across 4 campuses) |
| Hostels | 6 hostels: 3 men (Thiruvalluvar, Bharathiar, Bharathidasan) and 3 women (Mother Theresa, Avvai, Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy) |
| Hostel fees | ~Rs 25,000-40,000/yr (room + mess; government-subsidised) |
| Hostel eligibility | Outstation students; apply via unom.ac.in student support portal |
| Nearest station (Chepauk) | Chennai Beach or Chepauk (MRTS/Suburban Railway, walking distance); Chennai Central (3 km) |
| Transport | MRTS, MTC buses on Marina Beach Road and Anna Salai |
The Senate House and Marina campus are within walking distance of Marina Beach (second-longest urban beach in the world). The Guindy and Taramani campuses are reachable via Chennai Suburban Rail or MTC buses. Hostel demand at all campuses is high relative to capacity; outstation students should apply for accommodation at the time of departmental admission.
The University of Madras was established in 1857, one of three original modern universities created in British India. Its NAAC A++ accreditation (CGPA 3.59) from the 4th cycle in August 2023 is the highest accreditation grade and confirms continuing institutional strength. The Senate House on Marina Beach is a 19th-century Indo-Saracenic heritage building (designed by Robert Chisholm, 1874-1879) and one of the iconic educational landmarks in India. For students whose bachelor's or master's degree carries the University of Madras affiliation, the institutional credential is backed by 168 years of history and current A++ NAAC standing.
NIRF 2025 ranks the University of Madras #38 among universities, #68 Overall, and #18 among State Public Universities. For a Tamil Nadu state government university, these rankings signal both academic reputation and research output. Research in science departments (chemistry, physics, crystallography, biochemistry) has historically driven UoM's scholarly standing. For students looking for a government-backed nationally ranked PG education in Chennai, UoM's own departments at its four campuses represent the most affordable entry into that tier.
University of Madras affiliates approximately 136 colleges across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and nearby districts. Prominent affiliated colleges include Pachaiyappa's, Presidency (arts/science), MCC (Madras Christian College), Loyola, Women's Christian College, and Stella Maris. Degrees from all these colleges carry the University of Madras affiliation. The college choice within the UoM system varies significantly: top affiliated colleges like MCC, Loyola, and Stella Maris compete at NIRF College top-50 level, while others are accessible with lower cutoffs.
University of Madras and its affiliated colleges follow Tamil Nadu's 3-year UG pattern (BA, B.Sc, B.Com = 3 years; 6 semesters). This is distinct from Delhi University's 4-year FYUP. Students complete their undergraduate degree in 3 years under University of Madras affiliation. PG (MA, M.Sc, M.Com) is 2 years. This structure is common to all state universities in Tamil Nadu.
UoM operates across 4 campuses in Chennai (Chepauk, Marina, Guindy, Taramani) covering 126 acres total. Government-aided UG fees at affiliated colleges are Rs 5,000-15,000/year. PG fees at university departments are Rs 5,000-27,000/year. Six hostels across campuses (3 for men, 3 for women) accommodate outstation students at government-subsidised rates (~Rs 25,000-40,000/yr including mess). Tamil Nadu's Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship equivalent (Amma Two-Wheeler, e-Kalvi scholarships) and GoI Post-Matric Scholarship are available.
| Framework | Category | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | State Public University | 2025 | #18 |
| NIRF | University | 2025 | #38 |
| NIRF | Overall | 2025 | #68 |
15 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
| Course | Specialization | Duration | Total seats | Total fee | Avg package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) | — | 60 months | — | ₹2.5L | — |
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | Hons | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) | M.Ed | 24 months | 50 | — | — |
| B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | Honours (General) | 36 months | — | ₹0.15L | — |
| BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.3L | — |
| LLB (Bachelor of Laws) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.3L | — |
| LLM (Master of Laws) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.3L | — |
| M.Com (Master of Commerce) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.2L | — |
| M.Sc (Master of Science) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.54L | — |
| MA (Master of Arts) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.32L | — |
| MBA (Master of Business Administration) | — | 24 months | — | ₹1L | — |
| MCA (Master of Computer Applications) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.6L | — |
1-year placement history, latest data from 2024.
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
