University of Madras
Admission Open

University of Madras

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Ranking

#38

Courses

50+ Programs

Type

Public

About University of Madras

The University of Madras, established in 1857, is one of India's oldest and most consequential public universities. Set up by an Act of the Legislative Council of India, it stands as a State Public University under the Government of Tamil Nadu, spread across six campuses in Chennai.
With 73 academic departments, 200+ affiliated colleges, and 50+ recognised research institutions across Tamil Nadu, the university covers Arts, Sciences, Commerce, Management, Law, Social Sciences, Pharmacy, and Education. Its NAAC A++ accreditation (CGPA 3.59) places it among the country's top-accredited public universities.
The University also runs one of South India's most respected distance education arms — the Institute of Distance Education (IDE) — offering UGC-DEB approved UG and PG programmes at fees as low as ₹3,000/year.

Why Choose University of Madras?

University of Madras offers 168 years of legacy, NAAC A++ with CGPA 3.59, NIRF #38 among Universities, QS 541–550 globally, 73 departments across 6 campuses, fees from ₹2,800/year, TANCET-based MBA at under ₹60,000 total, and one of South India's strongest PhD research environments — all in Chennai, Tamil Nadu's financial capital.

Key Facts about University of Madras

  • Established in 1857 — one of India's three oldest universities.

  • NAAC A++ (CGPA 3.59) — highest accreditation grade.

  • NIRF 2025: #38 University, #68 Overall, #18 State Public Universities.

  • QS World University Rankings 2025: 541–550 globally; QS Asia #251–260.

  • 73 academic departments across 6 campuses — Chepauk, Guindy, Marina, Taramani, Chetpet, IDE.

  • 200+ affiliated colleges and 50+ research institutions across Tamil Nadu.

  • 525 PG students placed in 2025; median ₹6.04 LPA (PG 2-year).

  • MBA fee: ₹56,000–₹1.20 Lakh total (2 years) — lowest for NAAC A++ institution.

  • Distance MBA (IDE): ₹8,000–₹12,000/year — UGC-DEB approved.

  • PhD stipends: ₹37,000–42,000/month in DST-FIST funded departments.

Courses Wise Fees Structure

CourseFull FeesDuration
M.Sc. (Sciences)₹13,987–₹54,000/year | ₹27,974–₹1.08L total2 Years
M.A. (Humanities)₹2,800–₹8,000/year | ₹5,600–₹16,000 total2 Years
M.Com₹4,000–₹10,000/year | ₹8,000–₹20,000 total2 Years
MBA (Dept. of Management Studies)₹28,000–₹60,000/year | ₹56,000–₹1.20L total2 Years
MCA₹18,000–₹35,000/year | ₹36,000–₹70,000 total2 Years
MSW₹6,000–₹14,000/year2 Years
IDE Distance UG (BA/B.Com/BBA)₹3,000–₹6,000/year3 Years
IDE Distance PG (MA/M.Com/MBA/M.Sc.)₹4,000–₹12,000/year2 Years

Admission Process

1

Appear for TANCET / University Entrance Test

MBA/MCA: TANCET (conducted by Anna University in March). PG (M.Sc./M.A./M.Com/MSW): University of Madras Entrance Test. Register at unom.ac.in when applications open (April–May).

2

Apply via unom.ac.in

Apply online — upload documents, select programme, pay application fee (₹1,000–₹2,000).

3

Counselling / Merit List

MBA/MCA: TANCET counselling for seat allotment. PG: merit list based on entrance test and qualifying marks.

4

Document Verification

Report to the relevant department with original certificates within the stipulated date.

5

Fee Payment & Enrolment

Pay the semester fee and complete enrolment to confirm your seat.

Documents Required

  • 10+2 Mark Sheet & Certificate
  • Transfer Certificate (TC) from previous institution
  • All semester marksheets and degree certificate
  • TANCET Scorecard / rank card (MBA/MCA)
  • University of Madras Entrance Test hall ticket and rank (PG)
  • Community / Caste Certificate (BC/MBC/SC/ST — TN categories, if applicable)
  • Income Certificate (for scholarship/fee concession)
  • PwD Certificate (if claiming fee concession)
  • Government-issued Photo ID (Aadhaar / Voter ID)
  • Passport-size Photographs
  • Migration Certificate (for applicants from other universities)

525

Students Placed (PG 2-yr)

₹6.04 LPA

Median Package (PG 2-yr)

₹6.13 LPA

Median Package (PG 3-yr)

₹9.8–₹12 LPA

Highest Package

Top Recruiters

TCS
TCS
Infosys
Infosys
Deloitte
Deloitte
Google
Google
Amazon
Amazon
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs

Career Outcomes by Stream

  • M.Sc. CS / MCA: Software Developer, Data Analyst, IT Analyst, Systems Engineer at TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Accenture, Cognizant, HCL in Chennai.

  • MBA (Management Studies): Management Trainee, Business Analyst, Sales Executive, HR Executive across BFSI and services sectors.

  • M.Sc. Sciences (Biotechnology, Biochemistry): Research Associate, Lab Analyst, Quality Control Officer, Pharma executive.

  • M.A. / M.Com: Bank PO, Government Service (IAS/IPS prep), Teaching Faculty, Financial Analyst.

  • Research & Government Services: Significant share of graduates pursue UPSC, TNPSC, UGC NET, and bank exams alongside campus placements.

Who Should Choose University of Madras?

  • NAAC A++ Degree at Low Fees: Fees from ₹2,800/year for a top-40 Indian university degree — unmatched value in South India.

  • TANCET-Based MBA Aspirants: MBA at under ₹60,000 total from a 168-year-old NAAC A++ university — no private B-school can match this ROI.

  • Research & PhD Aspirants: 73 departments, DST-FIST labs, and ₹37,000–42,000/month PhD stipends make Madras one of South India's strongest research destinations.

  • SC/ST & PwD Students: Full fee concession (including examination fee) for PG and M.Phil. programmes in university departments.

  • Distance Learning Seekers: IDE MBA/MA/M.Com at ₹4,000–12,000/year — UGC-DEB approved, widely recognised in Tamil Nadu and nationally.

Scholarships Available

University of Madras offers government-funded, institutional, and endowment scholarships — many automatically available without a separate application.

Full fee including examination fee Off

SC/ST Fee Concession (Tamil Nadu Govt.)

Eligible: All SC/ST students in PG and M.Phil. programmes in university departments

Full tuition and exam fee waiver for eligible SC/ST students.

Full fee including examination fee Off

PwD Fee Concession

Eligible: Students with valid disability certificate (RPWD Act 2016)

Full fee waiver for physically challenged students in PG and M.Phil. programmes.

₹3,500 per semester Off

Merit Fellowship (University Endowment)

Eligible: Top academic performers by semester CGPA ranking in PG programmes

Merit fellowship for rank holders in PG programmes.

Free education in select programmes Off

Madras University Free Education Scheme (MUFES)

Eligible: Meritorious students meeting university selection criteria

Select degree programmes offered free to meritorious students.

Partial or full fee support Off

Need-Based Financial Assistance

Eligible: Family annual income ≤ ₹2,00,000; financial hardship cases

Case-by-case financial support for genuinely needy students.

₹37,000–₹42,000/month Off

DST-FIST Ph.D. Stipend

Eligible: PhD scholars in DST-FIST funded departments

Monthly research fellowship at JRF/SRF level for doctoral scholars.

Rankings & Accreditations

#38

NIRF 2025

Universities · 2025

#68

NIRF 2025

Overall · 2025

#18

NIRF 2025

State Public Universities · 2025

541–550 Globally

QS World University Rankings 2025

Global · 2025

251–260 in Asia

QS Asia Rankings

Asia · 2023

Accreditations

NAAC A++ Grade (CGPA 3.59) — highest accreditation grade UGC Recognised AICTE Approved (MBA, MCA, technical programmes) AIU Member UGC-DEB Approved (IDE distance education)

6 (Chepauk, Guindy, Marina, Taramani, Chetpet, IDE)

Campuses

7 (across campuses)

Hostels

₹1,000–₹2,500/month

Hostel Fee

1857 (168 years)

Established

Hostel Amenities

  • 7 hostels across Chepauk, Guindy, Marina, and Taramani campuses
  • Separate accommodation for male and female PG students
  • Hostel fee: ₹1,000–₹2,500/month; mess: ₹1,200–₹1,800/month
  • Rooms with beds, study tables, wardrobes; Wi-Fi access in hostel zones
  • International Student Hostel at Taramani — for foreign students and research scholars
  • Marina International Guesthouse — AC suites for visiting faculty
  • Four campus libraries — one of the largest university library collections in South India
  • Sports complex at Chetpet — athletic track, volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis
  • Chepauk Senate House (1874) — historic heritage structure; one of Chennai's most iconic buildings
  • Incubation and startup support centre; 45+ international university collaborations

Hostel Fee Structure

TypeAnnual Fees
Hostel Fee (per month)₹1,000–₹2,500 (campus and room-type dependent)
Mess Charges (per month)₹1,200–₹1,800 (actual usage)
Application Fee (one-time)₹1,000–₹2,000

4.3

4,000 Reviews

5 Star
67%
4 Star
54%
3 Star
32%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
6%

Guindy campus DST-FIST labs — best for research in South India

The Guindy campus labs are genuinely well-equipped for an Indian public university. DST-FIST funding means you're not scrambling for basic reagents. The PhD stipend structure is one of the best in South India at this fee level.

M.Sc. Chemistry Student

Batch of 2025 — University of Madras

TANCET MBA — NAAC A++ at under ₹60,000 total fee

TANCET-based admission means everyone in the class has gone through a credible filter. The Management Studies department is well-connected to Chennai's corporate circuit. The fee — under ₹60,000 for the full MBA — is something no private B-school can match.

MBA Student

Department of Management Studies, Batch of 2024 — University of Madras

IDE Distance MBA — UGC-DEB approved, under ₹10,000/year, widely recognised

I was working at a logistics firm and needed an MBA the HR department would respect. The IDE degree is UGC-DEB approved and widely recognised in Tamil Nadu. At under ₹10,000/year, it's genuinely the most cost-effective credible option in the South.

IDE Distance MBA Student

Batch of 2025 — University of Madras IDE

Campus Facilities

Four Campus Libraries

One of the largest university library collections in South India — Chepauk, Guindy, Taramani, Marina.

DST-FIST Research Labs

DST-FIST funded research laboratories across science departments — advanced research infrastructure.

Campus-Wide Connectivity

Wi-Fi access across hostel zones and academic areas at all 6 campuses.

Chetpet Sports Complex

Athletic track, volleyball, basketball, badminton, 2 tennis courts — 30+ inter-university meets annually.

International Collaborations

45+ international university partnerships for research exchange and co-supervised doctoral work.

Heritage Senate House (1874)

The iconic Chepauk Senate House — one of Chennai's most historic academic buildings.

EMI CalculatorSalary Predictor

What's New?

University of Madras retains NIRF #38 University rank — QS 541–550 globally (2025).
EduTeam March 2026 Read in 2 minutes
Madras University 2026 admissions open — TANCET MBA, PG entrance, and IDE distance programmes.
EduTeam Feb 2026 Read in 2 minutes

Student Reviews

4.3 out of 5
(4,000 Reviews)
5 Star
67%
4 Star
54%
3 Star
32%
2 Star
14%
1 Star
6%

NAAC A++ MBA under ₹60,000 total — TCS and Infosys came to campus

TANCET-based admission means everyone in the class has gone through a credible filter. The Management Studies department is well-connected to Chennai's corporate circuit. The fee — under ₹60,000 for the full MBA at a NAAC A++ university — is something no private B-school can match.

MBA Student

Department of Management Studies, Batch of 2024 — University of Madras

Let's Clear some doubts

Don't just pick a course. Build a career. Our AI mentor helps you navigate top universities and programs tailored to your ambitions.

MBA at Department of Management Studies: ₹28,000–₹60,000/year (total 2-year: ₹56,000–₹1.20 Lakh). Distance MBA (IDE): ₹8,000–₹12,000/year. One of the lowest MBA fees for a NAAC A++ institution in India.

Explore other Colleges

Don't just pick a course. Build a career. Our AI mentor helps you navigate top universities and programs tailored to your ambitions.

WhatsApp