About Madras University

Madras University is one of the three oldest universities in India. The University of Madras, organized on the model of the University of London, was incorporated on 5 September 1857 by an Act of the Legislative Council of India. In 2004, all engineering courses of the University were shifted to Anna University. The University provides affiliation to several colleges for numerous courses. The various departments of the University also conduct research in addition to teaching. There are nearly 43 external research institutes in addition to centres of excellence withinthe University.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council has conferred the “Five star Status” to the University of Madras. The University of Madras was among the three oldest universities established by the British India. The proposal for setting up a varsity in South India was initiated in the year 1839. It was only in January 1840 that the University Board was constituted with Mr. George Norton as its President. In 1854 after a gap of 14 years the Government of India formulated a systematic educational policy for India and as a sequel to this on 5th September 1857 by an act of legislative council of India,the University was developed on the lines of London University.

At present, the University has a jurisdiction that is confined to 3 districts of Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Thrivallur and Kanchipuram. The university provides affiliation to the newly established colleges which fall under its jurisdiction. It offers both Under Graduate and Post Graduate Education through its dedicated departments and affiliated institutions which are spread over these three districts. Apart from teaching, research activities in Arts, Humanities, Science, Management and Technology are the main portals at the University. A number of institutions affiliated to Madras University Concentrate in research activities.

The University of Madras progressed and expanded throughout the nineteenth century to span the whole of South India and subsequently gave birth to and nourished universities like Mysore University, Osmania University, Andhra University, Annamalai University, Travancore University presently University of Kerala, Sri Venkateswara University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Bharathidasan University, Bharathiar University, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Anna University, Tamil University, Mother Teresa Women’s University, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Periyar University and the Tamil Nadu Dr.Ambedkar Law University.

The varsity offers teaching and research in 4 Campuses of Madras University. The University Department of study and Research which are 68 Departments spread over in 4 Campuses organized into 18 Schools offer Post Graduate Courses in respective specialization part time and full time Ph.D. Programmes, Diploma and Certificate Programmes. Owing to its academic achievements, Madras University has been accreditation with five star status by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of the UGC. The UGC has also recognized Madras University as the first centre for potentials of excellence in the Country.