Anna University is a state public university in Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was established on 4 September 1978 by bringing together four Chennai institutions, and is ranked 470th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[1][2] Its international office reports more than 13,300 students, including more than 450 international students.[3]
For international students in the NRI and CIWGC category the 2026–27 brochure lists annual tuition of US$7,500 for B.E. and B.Tech in computer science, IT, AI and data science, ECE and VLSI, US$3,750 for other B.E. and B.Tech branches, US$2,000 for most master’s degrees and US$2,000 for the PhD.[3] The sources we read do not state an English test requirement.
Key facts
| Official name | Anna University[1] |
| Location | Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India[4] |
| Type | State public university[3] |
| Founded | 4 September 1978, named after C. N. Annadurai, by integrating CEG, ACT, MIT and the School of Architecture and Planning[1] |
| Students | More than 13,300, including more than 450 international students (university brochure); 18,372 in UGC data as reported by Wikipedia[3] |
| Programmes | 32 undergraduate and 88 postgraduate programmes, 21 centres of excellence[3] |
| Constituent units | College of Engineering Guindy (CEG), Alagappa College of Technology (ACT), Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Architecture and Planning (SAP)[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 470th[2] |
| Tuition, NRI/CIWGC, B.E./B.Tech (CSE, IT, AI & DS, ECE, VLSI) | US$7,500 per year, 4 years (2026–27 brochure)[3] |
| Tuition, NRI/CIWGC, other B.E./B.Tech, B.Plan and B.Arch | US$3,750 per year (B.Arch 5 years)[3] |
| Tuition, NRI/CIWGC, master’s and PhD | US$2,000 per year (M.E., M.Tech, M.Arch, M.Plan, MCA, MBA, M.Sc., PhD); integrated M.Sc. US$5,000[3] |
| Hostel, twin sharing AC room | ₹1,18,000 per semester (room ₹65,000 + mess ₹53,000); ₹1,40,000 with the one-time fee and refundable deposit[3] |
| Official website | annauniv.edu |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.
About Anna University
Anna University was established on 4 September 1978 as a unitary university named after C. N. Annadurai, by integrating the College of Engineering Guindy (CEG), the Alagappa College of Technology (ACT), the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) and the School of Architecture and Planning (SAP).[1] Wikipedia adds that it became an affiliating university in 2001, was split into six constituent universities in 2007 and was merged back into one in 2012; it also oversees affiliated colleges across Tamil Nadu and has satellite campuses in other cities.[5]
The main campus is in Guindy, Chennai. The university’s own international brochure puts the student body at more than 13,300, whereas Wikipedia reports 18,372 from UGC data; the two sources count differently and give no common date, so we show both.[3][5]
How is Anna University ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Anna University is 470th in the world and 11th among Indian institutions in Careers360’s table.[2] Two other Indian sources give the same world position.[6][7] The university’s 2026–27 brochure still quotes the previous edition, QS 2026, in which it was 465th and 10th in India.[3]
The same brochure says Anna University is second among state public universities in India’s NIRF ranking, a claim in its own words; Wikipedia reports NIRF 2024 as 20th overall and 13th among universities.[3][5] Publishers use different methods and years, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Anna University?
The international brochure lists B.E., B.Tech and B.Arch programmes from biomedical, civil, computer science and electrical engineering to textile, leather, ceramic and food technology, and master’s programmes including M.E., M.Tech, MCA, M.B.A., M.Sc., M.Arch and M.Plan.[3] It counts 32 undergraduate and 88 postgraduate programmes.[3]
The “International Admissions 2024” list assigns each programme to a campus: CEG, MIT, ACT or SAP. For example computer science and engineering is taught at CEG and MIT, chemical engineering and food technology at ACT, and aeronautical, automobile and robotics programmes at MIT.[8] That list is from 2024; check the current offer with the Centre for International Relations.
How much does Anna University cost for international students?
The 2026–27 brochure for international students lists annual tuition in US dollars for the “NRI and CIWGC” category.[3]
| Programme | Duration | Annual tuition |
|---|---|---|
| B.E. / B.Tech. (CSE, IT, AI & DS, ECE, VLSI) | 4 years | US$7,500 |
| B.E. / B.Tech. / B.Plan. (other branches) | 4 years | US$3,750 |
| B.Arch. | 5 years | US$3,750 |
| M.E. / M.Tech. / M.Arch. / M.Plan. / MCA / MBA / M.Sc. | 2 years | US$2,000 |
| M.Sc. (Integrated) | 5 years | US$5,000 |
| PhD | not stated | US$2,000 |
Hostel and mess
The brochure lists one hostel option: a twin-sharing air-conditioned room at ₹65,000 room rent plus ₹53,000 mess charges per semester, ₹1,18,000 in total. With the one-time admission fee and a refundable caution deposit (₹22,000) the first payment is ₹1,40,000.[3]
Which category are you in?
The brochure is headed “for international students (NRI / CIWGC)”. An earlier notice for 2022–23 from the same office was addressed to students allotted under the “NRI / CIWGC / FN” category and asked for tuition of US$6,500 for B.E. and B.Tech, so the amounts have changed since.[9] The pages we read do not publish a separate rate card for foreign nationals in 2026–27, so ask the Centre for International Relations which line applies to you.
Indian students
Indian students are admitted through TNEA counselling and pay campus-specific rupee fees; the CEG notice for 2025–26 ends with the line “NRI candidates to pay as per CIR Norms”.[10] For rent and living costs, see our India guide.
How do you apply to Anna University?
The route depends on whether you apply as an international student or through the state system.
- International students (NRI / CIWGC): admission is run by the Centre for International Relations (CIR) at Anna University, Guindy. It lists the telephone numbers +91-44-2235 8676, 8561 and 8635 and, for admission questions, the address admissions.cir@annauniv.edu.[3][8] The CIR website is annauniv.edu/cir.[4]
- B.E. and B.Tech through the state system: students who are allotted a seat through TNEA counselling upload documents and pay fees on the university’s e-governance portal before reporting to the campus.[10]
- Postgraduate (Indian applicants): the university’s home page links a “TANCET / CEETA – PG 2026” admissions page.[1]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. The pages we read do not describe a Study in India or ICCR route for Anna University, so ask the CIR before you assume one.[4]
Which English level do you need?
The brochure, the CIR page and the admissions list we read do not state an English test or minimum score, or the language of instruction.[3][4][8] Ask the Centre for International Relations which proof of English it requires for your programme before you book a test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Anna University cost for international students?
The 2026–27 brochure for NRI and CIWGC students lists US$7,500 per year for B.E. and B.Tech in CSE, IT, AI and data science, ECE and VLSI, US$3,750 for other B.E. and B.Tech branches and US$2,000 for most master’s degrees and the PhD.[3] A twin-sharing AC hostel room with mess costs ₹1,18,000 per semester.[3]
How is Anna University ranked?
How do international students apply to Anna University?
Is Anna University a public or private university?
It is a state public university in Chennai.[3]
More about studying in India
- India: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in India
- Amity University (Noida)
- Banaras Hindu University
- BITS Pilani
- Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
- Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
- Indian Institute of Science
- Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology Indore
- Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
- Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
- Jadavpur University
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- University of Delhi
- University of Hyderabad
Sources
[1] Anna University: Home page (page without a date)
[2] Careers360: QS World University Rankings 2027, India list (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[3] Anna University CIR: Admission open 2026–27 for international students (NRI / CIWGC) – courses, fees, hostel (brochure for 2026–27; quotes QS 2026)
[4] Anna University: Centre for International Relations (page without a date; lists news up to Nov 2026)
[5] Wikipedia: Anna University (history, student numbers (UGC data), NIRF 2024)
[6] Buddy4Study: QS World University Rankings 2027, India (article of 26 Jun 2026)
[7] ThePrint: QS World University Rankings 2027, IITs lead as usual (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[8] Anna University CIR: International Admissions 2024, programme list by campus (list headed 2024)
[9] Anna University CIR: Instructions for students allotted under NRI / CIWGC / FN category, tuition payment (letter of 12 Oct 2022, so outdated)
[10] Anna University, College of Engineering Guindy: B.E./B.Tech admission 2025–26, documents and fee structure (notice of 26 Jul 2025)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.