About
Sir Theagaraya College is a government-aided, co-educational, non-autonomous arts and science college located at 1047/345, T.H. Road, Old Washermenpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600021. The college was established in 1950 and has a long history of providing higher education in Arts, Science, Commerce, Computer Applications, and Management-related disciplines. It is affiliated with the University of Madras and is recognized by the UGC under Sections 2(f) and 12(B). The college campus covers approximately 5.5 acres.
The institution's history traces its educational roots to 1917, when Sir Pitti Theagaraya Chetty and his family set apart property for educational purposes. Sir Theagaraya College itself began in 1950 with Intermediate courses affiliated with the University of Madras and was upgraded to a first-grade college in 1954. Over the following decades, the college expanded its academic portfolio to include postgraduate, research, commerce, computer science, and management programmes.
Sir Theagaraya College offers a broad range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. programmes. Government-aided UG programmes include B.A. Historical Studies, B.A. Economics, B.Sc. Mathematics, B.Sc. Physics, B.Sc. Chemistry, B.Sc. Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, B.Sc. Advanced Zoology and Biotechnology, and B.Com. General. Self-financing UG programmes include B.Sc. Computer Science, B.C.A., B.Com. General, B.Com. Computer Applications, B.Com. Accounting and Finance, B.Com. Corporate Secretaryship, and B.B.A.
The postgraduate portfolio includes M.A. Historical Studies, M.A. Economics, M.Sc. Zoology, M.Com. General, and M.Sc. Computer Science. The college also provides Ph.D. research opportunities in Historical Studies, Economics, Zoology, Tamil, English, and Commerce, with full-time/part-time availability depending on the discipline.
The college provides facilities to support academic and student development, including classrooms, science laboratories, computer facilities, library resources, seminar and academic facilities, and other student-support infrastructure. The institution's academic environment supports both government-aided and self-financing programmes across Arts, Science, Commerce, Computer Applications, and Management.
Practical and career-oriented learning is incorporated through laboratory sessions, projects, seminars, workshops, presentations, assignments, computer-based learning, research activities, and departmental programmes. Science students receive laboratory-based practical exposure, while students in Computer Science, Commerce, Business Administration, Economics, and Historical Studies gain opportunities to apply classroom knowledge through projects and academic activities. The college's IQAC also coordinates teaching-learning improvements and activities such as seminars, guest lectures, workshops, faculty-development programmes, and hands-on series.
Research is an important component of Sir Theagaraya College. The Department of Zoology received recognition for Ph.D. research from the University of Madras as early as 1982, while the Departments of Economics and Historical Studies were subsequently upgraded as research departments. Current Ph.D. programmes provide opportunities for advanced research in Zoology, Economics, Historical Studies, Tamil, English, and Commerce.
The college also encourages students to participate in NSS, seminars, workshops, cultural activities, academic events, community-oriented programmes, sports, and student-development initiatives. The current college website records recent NSS activities including community programmes, awareness initiatives, health-related camps, and other social-outreach activities. These activities support the development of teamwork, communication, leadership, confidence, social responsibility, and professional awareness.
The institution also provides opportunities for career development and placement preparation through academic and student-support activities. Students can develop employability through skill-development programmes, presentations, seminars, workshops, computer training, internships where applicable, and career-oriented activities. The college's current website maintains dedicated sections for Admissions, Placement, Alumni, NSS, IQAC, and NIRF.
Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai, therefore provides opportunities for students interested in Arts, Science, Commerce, Computer Science, Computer Applications, Business Administration, Economics, Historical Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Plant Biology and Biotechnology, and research programmes. With its 1950 establishment, University of Madras affiliation, government-aided and self-financing programmes, UGC recognition under Sections 2(f) and 12(B), 5.5-acre campus, postgraduate and Ph.D. programmes, practical learning, research activities, and NSS/student-development initiatives, the institution provides a foundation for higher studies, research, employment, competitive examinations, and professional development.
Some Highlights of Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
College Name | Sir Theagaraya College, Chennai |
Also Known As | STC, Chennai |
Established Year | 1950 |
Location | Chennai |
Institute Type | Government |
| Affiliated to | University of Madras |
| Accreditation & Recognition | NIRF |
Courses | 6 Degrees / 7 Courses |
Exam | CUET-UG |
| Campus Size | 5.5 Acres |
| Website | http://stcchennai.edu.in/ |