Study in Chennai

Chennai for students

Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the fourth largest cosmopolitan city in India and the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India. 

Described as South India’s leading commercial centre, the city has a strong heritage of music, classical dance, architecture and crafts, so there will be more than enough to keep you entertained when lectures are over for the day.

Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal and has excellent transport links connecting it to many different parts of India as well as countries overseas, so you’ll easily be able to explore other parts of India when you are here.

Alternatively head over to one of Chennai’s many beaches with your friends to unwind in the sun after a long day of studying!

Have you studied in Chennai? Let us know your thoughts.

Best ranked universities in Chennai - QS Best Student Cities ranking: 125th

More about Chennai

Chennai currently has five universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings®: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) is the fourth best university in all of India.

To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.

Why study in Chennai?

Great for sport lovers

Cricket is undoubtedly the most popular sport in India, and Chennai is home to the Chennai Super Kings, one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League. Fans of the sport can expect to see Indian legends like former national captain MS Dhoni take to the pitch, as well as international stars like England's Mooen Ali. 

Beautiful beaches

Fancy relaxing on the sand after a long day of studying? Chennai has you covered, with the 13km long Marina Beach attracting up to 50,000 visitors a day, as well as the quieter Elliot's Beach, beginning where Marina Beach ends.

Historic sites

There are plenty of historic monuments to feast your eyes upon, including Vivekanandar Illam and Valluvar Kottam. The most notable site in Chennai can be found in the neighbouring town of Mahabalipuram, where the temples and rock carvings from the 7th century are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Delicious Tamil cuisine 

One major draw for studying in Chennai (and, indeed, India as a whole) is the delicious food. The speciality of Chennai is Tamil cuisine, which is traditionally vegetarian. On special occasions Tamil meals are served on banana leaves which adds further flavour to the delicious curry and rice dishes. 

Cost of studying in Chennai

Students thinking of studying in Chennai will be pleased to know the city ranks highly for affordability, coming in joint 42nd globally. This is because the city has a relatively low cost of living and cheaper tuition fees than many other countries.

Life & culture in Chennai

Often referred to as the "gateway to South India", Chennai is know for its distinct culture, combining Tamil traditions with a new cosmopolitan outlook. It's renowned for its classical music shows, holding a five-week 'Music Season' every December. It's also the base for the Tamil cinema industry, known as Kollywood. 

The city has been voted the safest in India to live in by the Mercer Quality of Living index, with lower crime rates and less corruption than some other major cities in the country. 

Careers in Chennai

Chennai scores the highest of all Indian cities in the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year for employer activity, indicating that graduates from universities in the city are highly valued by employers. 

Chennai is the industrial and economic capital of South India, with recent estimates placing it as the fourth most productive metropolitan area in the country. Popular industries for graduates include tourism, the automobile industry, finance, and software/software services.