# University of Madras

> The University of Madras (Madras University) is a Tamil Nadu state university founded on 5 September 1857 by an Act of the Legislative Council of India. Its main campus is at Chepauk, Chennai, with five more campuses in the city. It awards its own degrees and teaches master's, diploma and doctoral programmes in 87 departments grouped into 18 schools, plus a B.Sc. with the University of Melbourne.

- Canonical page: https://www.studentstraffic.com/university/university-of-madras
- Last reviewed: 2026-07-12
- Publisher: Students Traffic (https://www.studentstraffic.com/)

## Key facts

- Location: Chennai, [India](https://www.studentstraffic.com/countries/india)
- Type: Public
- Established: 1857
- Official website: https://www.unom.ac.in/
- Published programmes on Students Traffic: 2

## Recognition and approvals

- UGC - State University listed in the UGC consolidated list of universities (University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai, established 1857)
- DoTE Tamil Nadu - MBA/MCA Admissions 2026-27 participating University Department, counselling code 710
- Verify: [UGC - Consolidated list of all universities](https://www.ugc.gov.in/oldpdf/Consolidated%20list%20of%20All%20Universities.pdf)
- Verify: [DoTE Tamil Nadu - MBA/MCA Admissions 2026-27 information about the colleges](https://static.tn-mbamca.com/docs/TNMBAMCA-ENGINEERING-COLLEGES-BOOKLET-2026.pdf)

## Programmes

| Programme | Course | Duration | Medium | Tuition per year |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [U.G. B.Sc. (Blended) Physics / Chemistry / Mathematics Science Programme, offered jointly with the University of Melbourne, University of Madras](https://www.studentstraffic.com/unom-bsc-blended-science) | B.Sc. General Sciences | 3 years | English | ₹20,000 (2026-27) |
| [M.A. Public Administration (English medium), Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Madras](https://www.studentstraffic.com/unom-ma-public-administration) | MPA | 2 years | English | ₹1,650 (2026-27) |

## Why students choose it

- The University of Madras (Madras University), founded in 1857, teaches in 87 departments across 18 schools on six Chennai campuses and awards its own degrees.
- Regular University of Madras fees are low: the M.A. Public Administration charges Indian students INR 1,650 tuition a year, with total fees of INR 6,101 in year 1 (2026-27).
- The University of Madras B.Sc. (Blended) Science programme, run with the University of Melbourne at Guindy, is taught in English and benchmarked against Melbourne assessments.

## Things to consider

- University of Madras PG applications for 2026-27 closed on 1 June 2026, and each application must also be emailed and posted to the department with certificates.
- Foreign nationals and NRIs at the University of Madras pay separate INR fees: M.A. tuition is INR 40,000 a year against INR 1,650 for Indian students, plus an INR 12,500 eligibility fee for a foreign first degree and a US$200 repatriation deposit.
- University of Madras campus logistics places are limited to needy and deserving students, and admission for foreign students also depends on Government of India clearance and a student visa.

## Best fit for

- Indian graduates in Political Science or Public Administration who want a low-fee, English-medium M.A. at the University of Madras Chepauk campus.
- Class 12 Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics students who want an English-taught science degree designed with the University of Melbourne.
- Foreign nationals and NRIs seeking a University of Madras PG seat without an entrance test, through ICOM's 15% supernumerary seats.

## Campus and city

The University of Madras (Madras University) has six Chennai campuses: Chepauk (Senate House, the main library and most humanities departments), Marina (oriental and Indian languages), Guindy (most science departments), Taramani (Institute of Basic Medical Sciences), Chetpet (Madras University Union sports ground with athletic track and tennis courts) and Maduravoyal (botanical garden). The Chepauk library opens 8 am to 8 pm daily and every campus has an internet centre.

The University of Madras (Madras University) is in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. Its main campus and Senate House are at Chepauk (PIN 600 005), on Kamarajar Salai facing the Marina; DoTE lists Chennai Central railway station 2 km away. The Marina campus is also at Chepauk, the Guindy campus is at Guindy (600 025), the Taramani campus at Taramani (600 113) and the Chetpet campus on Spur Tank Road (600 031). Applications for foreign students go to the International Centre of Madras University (ICOM) at Chepauk.

The University of Madras (Madras University) requires a 4-6 week (2 credits) or 6-8 week (3 credits) internship in an organisation recommended by the department, in the summer after the first year of a master's degree, and 8 soft-skills credits for a two-year master's. The University Students' Advisory Bureau runs placement services, the INFORMEX careers exhibition and coaching for UPSC, TNPSC, SSC and UGC NET. In the University's NIRF 2026 data, 516 of 1,359 two-year PG graduates of 2024-25 were placed at a median salary of INR 5,95,000 and 318 went on to higher studies. An 'Earn While You Learn' scheme employs PG students as part-time laboratory and library assistants.


## Hostel, food and safety

The University of Madras (Madras University) offers limited hostel places to needy and deserving students: Mother Theresa Hostel for Women (Chepauk), Thiruvalluvar Hostel for Men (Marina), Bharathiar Hostel for Men and Avvai Hostel for Women (Guindy), and Bharathidasan Hostel for Men and Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Hostel for Women (Taramani). The Tamil Nadu MBA/MCA 2026-27 booklet lists room rent of INR 2,460 a year, mess charges of INR 30,000 a year and a deposit of INR 7,000.

The University of Madras (Madras University) hostels run messes at INR 30,000 a year, according to the Tamil Nadu MBA/MCA 2026-27 booklet. The University publishes no menu or provision for specific regional or religious diets, so ask the hostel warden before joining.

The University of Madras (Madras University) prohibits ragging on all campuses and deals with offenders through the University authorities. A Sexual Harassment Complaints and Redressal Committee receives complaints from women students and staff, and all University Department students are covered by a compulsory student safety insurance scheme.

The University of Madras (Madras University) runs the University Students' Advisory Bureau for counselling and careers, an SC/ST cell, NSS and NCC, and ICOM for international students. Fee concessions include full waivers for students with disabilities and one waiver per PG programme for a student with family income below INR 3,00,000.


## Frequently asked questions

### Is the University of Madras UGC approved?

Yes, the University of Madras (Madras University) is a state university on the University Grants Commission's consolidated list of universities, listed at Chepauk, Chennai with 1857 as its year of establishment. It was incorporated on 5 September 1857 by an Act of the Legislative Council of India and is governed by the Madras University Act of 1923.

### Does the University of Madras admit international students?

Yes, the University of Madras (Madras University) admits foreign nationals, NRIs and refugees through its International Centre of Madras University (ICOM). Every PG programme has 15% supernumerary seats for foreign nationals including NRIs, and they are exempt from the entrance test. Admission needs a valid passport and an Indian student visa and is subject to Government of India clearance.

### What is the fee for M.A. at the University of Madras?

At the University of Madras (Madras University), regular M.A. programmes in humanities and social sciences charge Indian students INR 1,650 tuition a year in 2026-27, with total fees of INR 6,101 in year 1 and INR 4,761 in year 2. Foreign nationals pay INR 40,000 tuition a year, with totals of INR 87,500 and INR 58,500. Self-supportive programmes cost more.

### How do I apply for PG admission at the University of Madras?

Apply online on the University of Madras (Madras University) admission portal, paying INR 354 per programme through SBI Collect, then email and post the printed form with certificates to the department. For 2026-27 the window ran from 25 April to 1 June 2026. Foreign applicants send their application to the Director, ICOM, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

### Which entrance exam does the University of Madras use?

The University of Madras (Madras University) ranks most PG applicants on their qualifying degree marks; programmes open to several degree streams weigh the degree 50% and a department entrance test 50%. In 2026 these tests ran between 8 and 18 June. MBA and MCA seats are filled through TANCET and the Tamil Nadu DoTE single-window counselling, college code 710.

### What is the University of Madras B.Sc. Blended programme with the University of Melbourne?

The B.Sc. (Blended) at the University of Madras (Madras University) is a three-year, English-taught science degree run with the University of Melbourne at the Guindy campus. Students study mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology together for two years and major in Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics in year 3. Fees in 2026-27 are INR 49,531 in year 1 and INR 48,326 a year after that.

### Does the University of Madras have campus logistics?

Yes, the University of Madras (Madras University) runs six campus logistics on its Chepauk, Marina, Guindy and Taramani campuses, but places are limited to needy and deserving students. The Tamil Nadu MBA/MCA 2026-27 booklet lists room rent of INR 2,460 a year, meal arrangements charges of INR 30,000 a year and a deposit of INR 7,000.

### How many campuses does the University of Madras have?

The University of Madras (Madras University) has six campuses in Chennai: Chepauk (main campus and Senate House), Marina, Guindy, Taramani, Chetpet and Maduravoyal. Most humanities and social science departments are at Chepauk, language departments at Marina, science departments at Guindy and basic medical sciences at Taramani.


## Sources

- [University of Madras - Prospectus 2026-2027, Admissions for University Departments under CBCS](https://egovernance.unom.ac.in/CBCS2627/download/Prospectus.pdf) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [University of Madras - Prospectus 2026-2027, U.G. B.Sc. (Blended) Science Programme with the University of Melbourne](https://egovernance.unom.ac.in/CBCS2627/download/BScBlendedProspectus.pdf) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [University of Madras - University Departments Admissions 2026-2027 portal (important dates)](https://egovernance.unom.ac.in/CBCS2627/) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [University of Madras - Entrance, Interview and Syllabus Details 2026-27 (admission portal)](https://egovernance.unom.ac.in/CBCS2627/AdmissionPGMPHIL/FrmsyllabNew.aspx) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [University of Madras - ICOM application for foreign nationals and NRIs 2026-27](https://egovernance.unom.ac.in/ICOM2627/FrmInsructUCIR.aspx) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [University of Madras - NIRF 2026 data submitted (Overall, IR-O-U-0462)](https://egovernance.unom.ac.in/nirf/upload/2026/NIRF_2026.pdf) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [UGC - Consolidated list of universities (as on 25.01.2023)](https://www.ugc.gov.in/oldpdf/Consolidated%20list%20of%20All%20Universities.pdf) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [DoTE Tamil Nadu - MBA/MCA Admissions 2026-27 college booklet](https://static.tn-mbamca.com/docs/TNMBAMCA-ENGINEERING-COLLEGES-BOOKLET-2026.pdf) (checked 2026-10-23)
- [University of Madras - Official website](https://www.unom.ac.in/) (checked 2026-10-23)

## Free counselling

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