# Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Chennai

> Stella Maris College is an autonomous Catholic minority college for women at 17 Cathedral Road in Chennai. Founded in 1947 and affiliated to the University of Madras, it offers regular programmes across arts, sciences, commerce, social sciences and visual arts, with aided and self-financing study options.

- Canonical page: https://www.studentstraffic.com/university/stella-maris-college-chennai
- Last reviewed: 2026-10-25
- Publisher: Students Traffic (https://www.studentstraffic.com/)

## Key facts

- Location: Chennai, [India](https://www.studentstraffic.com/countries/india)
- Type: Private
- Established: 1947
- Official website: https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/
- Published programmes on Students Traffic: 29

## Recognition and approvals

- University of Madras — listed aided autonomous affiliated college
- NAAC — cycle 4 A+, CGPA 3.44; institutional validity to 15 November 2026
- Verify: [University of Madras own aided-college directory](https://www.unom.ac.in/index.php?route=colleges%2Faided)
- Verify: [NAAC own valid-institution list 14 August 2025, C 43931](https://naac.gov.in/images/docs/ACCREDITATION_STATUS/Institutions_accredited_by_NAAC_having_valid_accreditation-as_on_14082025_1.xlsx)
- Verify: [Institutional AQAR 2023–24, datedcycle 4 validity](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/AQAR_2023-2024.pdf)

## Programmes

| Programme | Course | Duration | Medium | Tuition per year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [B.A. English](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-a-english) | B.A. English | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.A. History and Tourism](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-a-history-and-tourism) | B.A. History | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.A. Sociology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-a-sociology) | B.A. Sociology | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Com. Corporate Secretaryship](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-com-corporate-secretaryship) | B.Com | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Com. Commerce](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-com-commerce) | B.Com | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Sc. Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-sc-plant-biology-and-plant-biotechnology) | B.Sc. Biological Sciences | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Sc. Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-sc-advanced-zoology-and-biotechnology) | B.Sc. Biological Sciences | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Sc. Chemistry](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-sc-chemistry) | B.Sc. Chemistry | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Sc. Mathematics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-sc-mathematics) | B.Sc. Mathematics | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Sc. Physics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-sc-physics) | B.Sc. Physics | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.B.A. Business Administration](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-b-a-business-administration) | BBA | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.C.A. Computer Applications](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-c-a-computer-applications) | BCA | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.A. Economics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-a-economics) | Bachelor's Economics | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.Sc. Psychology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-sc-psychology) | Bachelor's Psychology | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.S.W. Social Work](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-s-w-social-work) | Bachelor's Social Work | 3 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [B.V.A. Visual Arts (Specialisation in Art or Design)](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-b-v-a-visual-arts-specialisation-in-art-or-design) | Bachelor's Visual Arts | 4 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.A. English](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-a-english) | M.A. English | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.Com. Commerce](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-com-commerce) | M.Com | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.Sc. Bioinformatics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-sc-bioinformatics) | M.Sc. Biological Sciences | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.Sc. Biotechnology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-sc-biotechnology) | M.Sc. Biotechnology | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.Sc. Chemistry](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-sc-chemistry) | M.Sc. Chemistry | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.Sc. Information Technology](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-sc-information-technology) | M.Sc. Information Technology | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.Sc. Mathematics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-sc-mathematics) | M.Sc. Mathematics | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.Sc. Physics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-sc-physics) | M.Sc. Physics | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.A. History of Fine Arts](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-a-history-of-fine-arts) | Master's Art History | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.A. Economics](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-a-economics) | Master's Economics | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.A. International Studies](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-a-international-studies) | Master's International Relations | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.A. Public Relations](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-a-public-relations) | Master's Media | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |
| [M.S.W. Social Work](https://www.studentstraffic.com/stella-maris-m-s-w-social-work) | Master's Social Work | 2 years | English | Fee plan on request |

## Why students choose it

- Regular women’s education across several academic and creative disciplines.
- Autonomous curriculum within University of Madras affiliation.
- Campus counselling, peer learning, library and community engagement support.

## Things to consider

- Choose the exact shift and programme; fees and class times differ.
- Published combinedfees do not establish isolated annual tuition.
- International/NRI charges and University of Madras eligibility need individual confirmation.

## Best fit for

- Women whose qualifying subjects match the programme’s current entry route.
- Students seeking regular campus study in central Chennai.
- Applicants ready to follow programme tests, interviews and separate campus logistics arrangements.

## Campus and city

The Cathedral Road campus brings academic departments, library resources, student clubs and community engagement together in central Chennai. Programmes run in morning or afternoon shifts. Undergraduate study combines major subjects with language, English, skill development and extension activity; postgraduate curricula include specialist and research-oriented study.

Stella Maris is at 17 Cathedral Road, Chennai 600086. The campus location gives students access to a major city’s cultural and public services. Plan daily travel around the exact shift, and arrange accommodation separately; a college admission offer does not guarantee a hostel vacancy.

Current curricula combine core and elective study with programme-specific practical work, internship or projects. Visual Arts has studio and design specialisations; Social Work includes community-oriented study and requires Tamil reading and speaking ability for entry. Obtain the exact departmental curriculum and any field-placement requirements before choosing a programme.


## Hostel, food and safety

Six hostels are described in the college admissions guidance, with limited vacancies and separate application. The 2026–27 hostel prospectus lists admission-time term totals by residence and room type, including deposits and other charges. Allocation is subject to college approval; obtain current availability and the full residence schedule before planning a stay.

The hostel mess provides vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. The 2026–27 prospectus quotes INR 3,000 per month for mess, with milk and eggs at an additional cost. Confirm the current meal plan, any dietary requirements and the payment schedule with the hostel office.

Two campus infirmaries provide first aid, basic care and space to rest during minor illness before hospital referral. Hostel visitors require the Warden’s permission, and residence rules govern attendance and conduct. Follow the college’s grievance and anti-ragging procedures and obtain current emergency contact arrangements on arrival.

The college describes professional counselling, individual or group support, peer learning and mentoring. SMCDRIVE provides free confidential counselling and an English bridge course for first-year students. Library resources include automated services, digital access and subject collections; students should attend the library orientation and use departmental academic guidance.


## Frequently asked questions

### Who can apply to regular degree programmes?

Stella Maris is a women’s college. Women from India and overseas may apply if they meet the exact programme’s qualifications, subject requirements and admission assessment. A separately advertised coeducational diploma has its own route and does not change the regular degree restriction.

### Which university is the college affiliated to?

The college is autonomous and affiliated to the University of Madras. The University’s own aided-college directory lists it as autonomous. Programme choice and qualification equivalence still require the college and University’s admission assessment.

### When did first-year study begin in 2026?

The 2026–27 academiccalendar scheduled college reopening for first-year UG and PG on 22 June 2026, followed by UG induction 23–25 June. These dates describe that historical cohort; obtain the next year’s application and class-start notices.

### What is the teaching language?

English is explicitly recorded for the named programmes in the college’s historical 2013 or 2021 self-study reports. The source year is retained on each degree. Undergraduate language papers have separate choices; Social Work entry additionally requires Tamil reading and speaking ability.

### What is the difference between shifts?

Shift I runs 7:50 am–12:50 pm and Shift II 12:55 pm–5:30 pm in the current admission tables. Commerce and MAEnglish have more than one shift with different published fee amounts. Apply for the precise available shift and confirm its fee schedule.

### Are the listed fees annual tuition?

The undergraduate prospectus publishes combined Semester Ifee amounts by schoolboard category. The postgraduate tables publish fee amounts by prior-university category. Obtain a quotation that separates tuition, compulsory charges and payment periods; no full-course amount is established here.

### Do foreign nationals pay the same amount?

The current prospectuses say Foreign National and NRI students must pay additional University and other applicable charges apart from regular fees. Obtain a category-specific quotation, plus qualification-equivalence and immigration instructions, before accepting a place.

### Are admission tests required?

The admissions FAQ requires an entrance test before interview for BA English and all postgraduate programmes. BVA applicants take a drawing aptitude test. Selection also follows merit and the applicable government reservation policy; an interview call is not an admission guarantee.

### What must applicants from other boards or universities do?

Applicants outside the stated accepted board or university routes need University of Madras eligibility or equivalence approval. International qualifications must meet the exact subject and degree requirements, and applicants must provide the required valid immigration documents.

### Does admission include a campus logistics room?

No. campus logistics accommodation has a separate application and limited vacancies. The 2026–27 residence prospectus lists admission-time term totals by campus logistics and room type; confirm current allocation and charges with the college.

### What meals and wellbeing support are available?

Hostelmess provides vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals; the current prospectus quotes INR 3,000 per month, with milk and eggs extra. Campus support includes professional counselling, peer learning and two first-aid infirmaries.

### How current is the NAAC accreditation?

NAAC’s own 14 August 2025 validlist records cycle 4 A+, CGPA 3.44, declared 16 November 2021. The college’s 2023–24 AQAR states validity through 15 November 2026. Obtain updated status after that date; later renewal is not assumed.


## Sources

- [Current undergraduate prospectus 2026–27](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/StellaMarisCollegeProspectus-UG_2026-2027.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Current postgraduate prospectus 2026–27](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/StellaMarisCollegeProspectus-PG_2026-2027.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [First-year academiccalendar 2026–27](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/Academic_Calendar_2026-27.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Collegehandbook 2026–27](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/Handbook_26-27.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Currenthostelprospectus 2026–27](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/Hostel_Prospectus_26-27.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Admissions FAQ](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/Admission_FAQs) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Historical exact programme-medium record 2021](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/SSR_2021_SMC.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Historical exact programme-medium record 2013](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/smc_ssr_naac_14aug2013.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Affiliating university own directory](https://www.unom.ac.in/index.php?route=colleges%2Faided) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [NAACownvalidinstitutionlist](https://naac.gov.in/images/docs/ACCREDITATION_STATUS/Institutions_accredited_by_NAAC_having_valid_accreditation-as_on_14082025_1.xlsx) (checked 2026-10-25)
- [Institutional AQARexpiryrecord](https://stellamariscollege.edu.in/assets/documents/AQAR_2023-2024.pdf) (checked 2026-10-25)

## Free counselling

Students Traffic offers free admission counselling for this university and its programmes.

- Contact: https://www.studentstraffic.com/contact
- WhatsApp: https://wa.me/919176162888
- Phone: +91 91761 62888
- Email: hello@studentstraffic.com