Tamil University, Thanjavur

About

The Tamil University was established at Thanjavur, by the Government of Tamil Nadu on 15th September 1981 under the provision of the Tamil University Act No.9 of 1982, for furthering the advancement of learning and research in Tamil language, literature and culture. The University Grants Commission, New Delhi recognized the University on 11th June 1985.

The idea of creating a separate University for Tamil language was mooted as early as 1925 by the learned scholars of Tamil society. This idea took a concrete shape only in 1981 under the leadership of the Hon’b1e Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr.M.G.Ramachandran. He announced at the Fifth World Tamil Conference held at Madurai, that a University, exclusively to promote the high level research in Tamilology would be set up at Thanjavur, as Thanjavur has been the epitome of art and culture for centuries together.The university is enshrined with the motto “Ulluvathellam Uyarvullal,” which means “WHAT ALL YOU THINK,THINK HIGHLY OF….”

It is a unitary type of university meant for higher research, with no affiliated colleges. Initially, the university focused only on research. Later this University started spreading its wings for the cause of academic training of the youth. In 1992, the University started conducting academic research by offering M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes in various disciplines, After a decade, the scope was further broadened. In 2002, Post Graduate courses in humanities were introduced, and subsequently in 2005, PG Courses in Sciences were included to meet the aspirations of Tamil society. Certificate and Diploma courses are also offered. Later through the Directorate of Distance Education, various certificates, diploma and degree courses were started. By this way, research and teaching have become the integral part of the University’s academic programmes.

Some Highlights of Tamil University, Thanjavur

Why Choose Tamil University, Thanjavur ?

1. Unique Cultural Heritage University – Established in 1981, exclusively to promote Tamil language, literature, culture, and traditions.

2. Wide Academic Scope – Offers UG, PG, M.Phil., Ph.D., Diploma, and Certificate courses in Tamil, Linguistics, Music, Sculpture, Drama, History, and related subjects.

3. Research Excellence – Recognized for in-depth research in Tamilology, archaeology, epigraphy, and folklore, with many publications and projects of national importance.

4. Specialized Departments – Houses unique departments like Maritime History, Siddha Medicine, Palm Leaf Manuscripts, Rare Arts, and Architecture.

5. Rich Resource Centers – Maintains one of the largest collections of palm-leaf manuscripts and ancient Tamil texts, supporting advanced research.

6. Cultural Preservation – Plays a key role in documenting, preserving, and promoting Tamil heritage, making it a hub for scholars worldwide.

7. National & International Recognition – Collaborates with universities and cultural institutions globally, giving students research exposure.

8. Location Advantage – Situated in Thanjavur, a historical and cultural city, providing a rich environment for students of arts, language, and heritage studies.

Vision & Mission of Tamil University, Thanjavur

Vision

• To analyze and identify the contribution of Tamil culture to the mosaic of Indian Culture
• To reconstruct and revive the scientific thoughts, intellectual achievements and the outstanding industrial knowledge of the ancient Tamils for the use of the contemporary society.
• To study the grammatical and linguistic theories of Tamil language. To study the structure of Tamil language and the potentiality of Tamil Language. To create modern methods for language teaching.
• To translate rare books of Tamil into other languages and vice versa. To preserve and publish Tamil inscriptions, palm-leaf manuscripts, rare-paper manuscripts and rare books.
• To publish encyclopedias related to literature, grammar, science and technical glossary and Philosophy in Tamil.
• To recover and publish the lost cultural components of Tamil and the historical monuments through systematic research.
• To facilitate research on the cultural impacts of the Tamil Diaspora and the foreign relations of Tamizhakam.

Mission

The mission of the University is to further the advancement of high level learning and research on Tamil language, literature and culture. The focus is not just on existence, but on excellence in all fields of knowledge for the benefit of the society.

Admission Procedure

Tamil University Thanjavur courses are offered at UG, PG, Doctorate level. There are 38 courses offered at Tamil University Thanjavur. The courses are offered in fields like Arts, Science, Computer Applications, Engineering. Tamil University Thanjavur courses includes Ph.D, MA, Diploma, M.Sc, PG Diploma, M.Phil, Certification. The popular courses at Tamil University Thanjavur is Ph.D, MA, Diploma.

Admission Criteria

Admission for UG Programme

Tamil University offers programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, Diploma, and Doctoral levels. Each branch has different intakes, which are mentioned in the table below:
Tamil University offers Diploma programs at the UG level. The course is offered in 3 specialisations. The minimum eligibility criteria for a UG Diploma are a 10th/12th/graduation. 

Admission for PG Programme

Tamil University offers PG Courses like MA, M.Ed., MLIS, and M.Sc. as a 2-year full-time degree program. The minimum eligibility criteria for a PG Course are a graduation. The table below represents the details of the PG Course.

Tamil University offers, MA as a 2-year full-time degree program. The course is offered in 12 specialisations. The minimum eligibility criteria for an MA are a graduation. The table below represents the details of the MA.

Tamil University, M.Sc. is offered as a 2-year full-time degree program. The course is offered in 4 specialisations. The minimum eligibility criteria for an Integrated M.Sc. are a graduation. The table below represents the details of the Integrated M.Sc.

Tamil University offers PG Diploma programs. The course is offered in 4 specialisations. The minimum eligibility criteria for a PG Diploma are a graduation. The table below represents the details of the PG Diploma.

Tamil University, Ph.D, is offered as a 3 to 6-year program. The course is offered in 8 specialisations. The minimum eligibility criteria for a Ph.D are a post-graduation. The table below represents the details of the Ph.D.

Tamil University, M.Phil, is an offered program. The course is offered in 6 specialisations. The minimum eligibility criteria for an M.Phil are a post-graduation degree. The table below represents the details of the M.Phil.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Tamil University offers various courses, and candidates must meet the required qualifications to be considered for admission. The eligibility and selection criteria are mentioned below:

• B.Ed.: Candidates will need to pass 10+2 from a recognised board with 45% marks. The Selection Criteria are based on merit.
  
• PG Courses (MA, M.Sc, MLIS, M.Ed): Candidates will need to pass a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC as applicable). The Selection Criteria are based on merit.
  
• Diploma/PG Diploma: Candidates will need to pass a 10th/12th/graduation based on the course requirements. The Selection Criteria are based on merit.
  
• M.Phil/Ph.D.: Candidates will need to pass a PG degree in the relevant subject with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC as applicable). The Selection Criteria are based on merit.
  

Application Process 2025

Tamil University's application process for admission to all the courses is given below. Applicants need to follow a sequence of steps to apply for the desired course. These steps are mentioned as follows:

• Open the official website of Tamil University.
  
• Click on “Admission Application Form 2025 - 2026”.
  
• Register yourself with a valid ID & password.
  
• Log in and fill out the relevant details.
  
• Confirm the details and proceed with the final submission.
  

Placement

Career Guidance & Counselling 

Aim and Purpose

• Educating and Facilitating career guidance for all students to focus on student development activities through Seminars and Workshops.
  
• Counselling the needy students to improve employability and address personality development issues.
  
• Extending the Career Guidance Activities to the needy student groups in Schools and Colleges, outside the Tamil University system.

Functions of Placement Cell & Career Guidance and Counselling Cell

• To gather information on job avenues and placements in different institutions and concerns related to the courses that the University offers.
• To analyze information in the local, regional and national contexts. To explore the relevance and utility of information for the students in their placements and on job-training.
• To organize seminars and guidance workshops for informing students about the emerging professional trends and events, job profiles, leadership roles, entrepreneurship, market needs and risks and implementation of national socio- economic policies and to impart training in soft skills.
• To promote discipline, healthy outlook and positive attitudes towards for national integration and removal of narrow provincial preferences and prejudices.

The Career Guidance and Counselling Cell is constituted to provide to student community all possible assistance in choosing the appropriate avenues. To enable the students to realize their primary ambition, it has become imperative to counsel and encourage them to set definite goals. The cell provides guidance and training by briefing about various avenues during the time of admission.

• Organizing talks and seminars regarding different job oriented and vocational courses.
• Inviting career counsellors to inform students about job prospects of different subjects, Conducting aptitude tests, mock interviews and group discussions.
• Arranging personal development programmes.
• Encouraging the students to participate UPSC, and other comprehensive TNPSC Examinations.
• Organizing career talks and seminars with the help of experts.
• Updating the students with latest information on Industry and Economic Trends.

Scholarships 

Tamil University provides scholarship and financial support opportunities to students, including BC, MBC, SC, and ST students. Our research shows that there are scholarships for foreign students conducting in-depth research about Tamil literature. Outside of low tuition, there are opportunities for merit-based springboard scholarships.

Also, there are scholarships for students from the State government of Telangana, but no loan facilities are available on campus. In addition, coaching is provided for exams like UGC-NET to help students obtain state-sponsored scholarships and state and private scholarships. Every year, three top-performing students from each department receive a special scholarship.

Tamil University, Thanjavur

The University has provisions for the sports club and sports activities. Competitions are also held during anniversaries and Pongal festival for the students to expose their sport-oriented activities. Arrangements are also on to send suitable candidates so as to participate in various cultural inter-University competitions in and outside the State. ” A Cell is formed to look after these affairs.guest_houseThe University has faculty guest house to accommodate the researchers and scholars who visit the university for various research and academic activities.The well-designed University Library, with more than 1,78960 books , Journals (345) and monographs and caters to the needs of the students ,research community and the public.

Classrooms and seminar halls of Tamil University are mainly for academic purposes. Other collaborating institutions may also use the facility for academic purposes after due permission from the Vice Chancellor. The Auditorium Karikalan Arangam with a seating capacity of 1000 persons.The University Health Centre/Gymnasium is functioning in the Karikalan Arangam. The gymnasium is well-equipped. For the benefit of students and staff, many medical camps are conducted. They include blood donation camp, eye camp and AIDS awareness programme.

Transport 

The University has a Transport facility for the students.