University of Madras is the mother of almost all the Old Universities of Southern India. The University has been growing from strength to strength while widening its teaching and research activities. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council has conferred the "Five star Status" to the University of Madras. The University of Madras has been given the status of "University with Potential for Excellence" by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

His excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu is the Chancellor of The University. The Vice-Chancellor who is appointed by a term period is the principle executive officer. The Registrar of the University Who is the Secretary of the Syndicate is the custodian of all the records and Chief Administrator. The University imparts both Under Graduate and Post Graduate Education to the Affiliated Institutions.

Accessing the need for educating large number of the people in the Country. The University offered both under Graduate and Post Graduate education through the Institute of Correspondence Education of the University of Madras. The Institute which is popularly called ICE of Madras offers courses both under Open University System and Regular formal University system.