University of Madras

What courses does University of Madras offer?

University of Madras offers more than 230 programmes across the undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), diploma and doctoral (PhD) levels in 2026, taught through 87 academic departments grouped under 18 schools. Founded in 1857 as one of India's three oldest universities, this Chennai-based state university spreads its teaching across six campuses (Chepauk, Marina, Guindy, Taramani, Maduravoyal and Chetpet) and is accredited NAAC A++, which qualifies it for UGC Category I autonomy. On the academic side the streams span sciences, social sciences, humanities, commerce, management, law, education and medicine.

At the UG level you can study BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, BCA and B.Ed; at the PG level the spine programmes are MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, MCA, LLM and M.Ed, capped by full-time PhD research across nearly every department. Professional programmes like the MBA and MCA admit through the Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET), while most arts and science programmes admit on 10+2 or graduation merit. Admissions for the 2026 session opened on 25 April 2026 with a last date of 19 June 2026, and the TANCET 2026 result was declared on 22 May 2026.

Course-Wise Fees, Duration & Eligibility (2026)

The table below is the quick-compare sheet for University of Madras: it lists each major programme, its level, duration, the total course fee where the university has published a definite figure, the entrance test (if any) and the eligibility bar. Use it to answer the two questions every applicant has first, namely "how long does it run" and "what do I need to get in." The two figures the university states most precisely are the professional PG fees: the full-time MBA at ₹53,482 (2026) and the MCA at ₹42,172 (2026). For most arts, science and commerce programmes the university charges modest state-subsidised tuition rather than a single fixed package, so those rows are marked accordingly; confirm the exact per-year amount on the department fee sheet at the time of admission.

The clear takeaway for 2026 is the cost gap by programme type: the entrance-gated professional PGs carry a defined fee (MBA ₹53,482, MCA ₹42,172) while the bulk of UG and arts/science PG programmes remain heavily state-subsidised, which is why University of Madras stays one of the most affordable research universities in Chennai. The second takeaway is the admission split, as only the MBA and MCA require a TANCET score, whereas BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA and BCA are decided on 10+2 merit. Lock the 19 June 2026 deadline before anything else.

Flagship & Most Popular Programmes at University of Madras

The most sought-after programmes at University of Madras in 2026 are the TANCET-gated MBA (2.0 years, ₹53,482) and MCA (2.0 years, ₹42,172), because they combine a recognised professional degree with subsidised fees and admission through a single state entrance test. The MBA runs across specialisations such as Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management and Operations, and is the programme most applicants benchmark when comparing the university with private B-schools in Chennai. The MCA is the natural draw for computer-application graduates who want a two-year PG without the premium fee of private institutes.

Beyond the professional duo, the university's reputation rests on its research-led science and humanities departments. The M.Sc and MA programmes pull strong demand because they feed directly into the university's PhD pipeline across 87 departments, and the Department of Legal Studies makes the LLM a recognised choice for law graduates in Tamil Nadu. This research depth is reflected in the rankings: University of Madras was placed 38th in the NIRF 2025 University category (score 55.23), up from 39th in NIRF 2024, ranked 68th Overall in 2025 (score 52.89) and 18th among State Public Universities (score 61.43). For an applicant, those numbers signal that the flagship PGs sit inside a genuinely top-40 research university, not a standalone teaching college.

How to Choose the Right Course at University of Madras

Pick your University of Madras course by matching the entrance requirement to your goal. If you want a management or IT career and already hold a bachelor's degree, target the MBA (₹53,482, TANCET) or MCA (₹42,172, requires 50% in graduation plus TANCET), and start TANCET preparation early since the 2026 result was declared on 22 May 2026 and counselling follows quickly. These two are the programmes with the clearest employability link, with the university's NIRF 2025 disclosure showing 483 PG two-year students placed at a median package of ₹4.20 LPA in 2024, up sharply from ₹2.73 LPA in 2023.

If you are a fresh 10+2 student, the three-year BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA or BCA give you a low-cost, NAAC A++ degree on the same campuses, and you can later progress into the matching two-year MA, M.Sc, M.Com or MCA inside the same university. If research or an academic career is the aim, treat the M.Sc or MA as a stepping stone to the university's PhD programme, where a relevant master's degree is the entry bar. In short: entrance-ready graduates should chase the professional PGs, merit applicants should use the UG tier as a feeder, and research aspirants should plan the PG-to-PhD route from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions: University of Madras Courses 2026

What courses are offered at University of Madras in 2026?

University of Madras offers more than 230 programmes in 2026 across UG, PG, diploma and PhD levels through 87 departments and 18 schools. UG options include BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, BCA and B.Ed, while PG options include MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, MCA, LLM and M.Ed, all capped by doctoral research. The university is accredited NAAC A++ and spans six Chennai campuses, covering sciences, humanities, commerce, management, law and education.

What is the MBA fee at University of Madras in 2026?

The full-time MBA at University of Madras costs ₹53,482 for the complete 2.0-year programme in 2026. Admission requires a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus a valid TANCET score, with the TANCET 2026 result declared on 22 May 2026. The MBA is offered across specialisations such as Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management and Operations, making it one of the most affordable recognised management degrees in Chennai compared with private B-schools.

How long are courses at University of Madras?

Most University of Madras courses run 2 to 3 years in 2026. Undergraduate degrees such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, BBA and BCA take 3.0 years, while postgraduate degrees including MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, MCA, LLM, M.Ed and B.Ed run 2.0 years. The PhD has a variable duration depending on the department and research progress. This standard structure lets students move smoothly from a three-year UG into a matching two-year PG within the same university.

What is the eligibility for MCA at University of Madras?

MCA admission at University of Madras requires a bachelor's degree with 50% marks and a valid TANCET score in 2026. The programme runs 2.0 years and costs ₹42,172 for the full course. Because TANCET is mandatory, applicants should prepare for the test and track counselling closely, as the TANCET 2026 result came out on 22 May 2026 and the university's 2026 admission window closes on 19 June 2026.

Which is the best course at University of Madras?

The MBA and MCA are widely regarded as the best courses at University of Madras in 2026 because they offer recognised professional degrees at subsidised fees of ₹53,482 and ₹42,172 respectively, both via TANCET. They sit inside a university ranked 38th in the NIRF 2025 University category, and the university's NIRF 2025 disclosure recorded 483 PG two-year students placed at a ₹4.20 LPA median in 2024. Research aspirants, however, often rate the M.Sc and MA highest for their PhD pathway.

What is the eligibility for the MBA at University of Madras?

The University of Madras MBA requires a bachelor's degree in any discipline plus a valid TANCET score in 2026. There is no stream restriction at graduation, so commerce, science, arts and engineering graduates can all apply. The programme is 2.0 years long with a total fee of ₹53,482. Applicants must complete the online admission process before the 19 June 2026 deadline and follow the TANCET-based counselling for final seat allotment.

How many courses and departments does University of Madras have?

University of Madras runs more than 230 courses through 87 academic departments grouped under 18 schools in 2026. It also oversees 121 affiliated colleges and a large network of approved research institutions across Chennai. This scale, combined with its NAAC A++ grade and a 38th-place NIRF 2025 University ranking, is why the university offers one of the widest subsidised course catalogues among Tamil Nadu's state public universities.