Top M.Arch Colleges in Chennai 2026

Shikha KumariVerified Author
Updated on - Apr 17, 2026 06:59 PM IST

Some of the top MArch colleges in Chennai include School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Meenakshi College of Engineering, and Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute. There are around 15-20 colleges in Chennai offering MArch courses across different specialisations. Out of these, a few are government colleges, while the majority are private institutions.

MArch colleges in Chennai offer popular specialisations such as Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Architecture, Housing, and Building Management. For admission, candidates must have a B.Arch degree with at least 50-55% aggregate. While many colleges offer admission based on merit, top institutes also accept entrance exams like GATE or institute-level exams. The average MArch course fee in Chennai ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3,00,000 depending on the college.

Best MArch Colleges in Chennai Highlights 2026

There are around 15-20 MArch colleges in Chennai, including both government and private institutions. Key highlights are given below:

ParticularsHighlights
Total MArch colleges in Chennai15-20
Number of government colleges2-3
Number of private colleges12+
Top specialisations offeredUrban Design, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Architecture, Housing, etc.
Minimum eligibility criteriaB.Arch with 50-55% aggregate
Admission processMerit + Entrance based
Entrance exams acceptedGATE, CEETA-PG (Tamil Nadu), institute-level tests
Top MArch college (Govt)School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University
Top private collegesSRM IST, Hindustan Institute, Dr. MGR Institute
Average feeRs 50,000 - Rs 3,00,000

What is the Eligibility Criteria for MArch Colleges in Chennai?

The eligibility criteria for MArch admission in Chennai are mostly similar across colleges, with slight variations:

  • Candidates must have completed a B.Arch degree from a recognised university.
  • A minimum of 50-55% aggregate is required (may vary by college).
  • Some institutes require valid GATE or CEETA-PG scores.
  • Final-year B.Arch students can also apply (subject to conditions).

How to Get Admission to MArch Colleges in Chennai 2026?

The general admission process for MArch colleges in Chennai includes the following steps:

Step 1: Apply for admission (college or centralised portal)
Step 2: Appear for entrance exam (if required)
Step 3: Participate in counselling or interview rounds
Step 4: Document verification
Step 5: Confirm admission by fee payment

Exams Accepted for MArch Colleges in Chennai Admission 2026

Most top MArch colleges accept national or state-level entrance exams. Some of the exams accepted by MArch colleges in Chennai is listed below:

  • GATE (Architecture & Planning)
  • CEETA-PG (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test for PG)

GATE 2027 (Tentative Schedule)

The tentative schedule for GATE 2026 exam can be checked below:

Events

Timeline

Notification ReleaseAugust 2026
Application StartAugust 2026
Last Date to ApplySeptember 2026
Admit CardJanuary 2027
Exam DatesFebruary 20267
Result DeclarationMarch 2027

List of Top Private MArch Colleges in Chennai

There are several private colleges offering MArch in Chennai. The list of private colleges in Chennai are given below::

College NameCourse Fees
SRM Institute of Science and TechnologyRs 1,00,000 - Rs 2,50,000
Hindustan Institute of Technology and ScienceRs 75,000 - Rs 2,00,000
Dr. MGR Educational and Research InstituteRs 80,000 - Rs 2,00,000
Meenakshi College of EngineeringRs 50,000 - Rs 1,50,000
Chettinad School of ArchitectureRs 1,00,000 - Rs 2,00,000

Best Government MArch Colleges in Chennai

Government colleges offer quality education at lower fees. The list of government colleges in Chennai are given below:

College NameCourse Fees
School of Architecture and Planning, Anna UniversityRs 50,000 - Rs 1,00,000
Government College of Architecture (Anna University affiliated)Rs 50,000 - Rs 80,000

Specialisations Available at MArch Colleges in Chennai

MArch colleges in Chennai offer a variety of specialised programmes. More details on MArch colleges in Chennai specialisations can be checked below:

SpecialisationPopular Colleges
Urban DesignAnna University, SRM IST
Landscape ArchitectureAnna University
Sustainable ArchitectureHindustan Institute, SRM IST
HousingAnna University
Building ManagementPrivate universities

Highest Package Offered by MArch Colleges in Chennai

Placement opportunities depend on skills, portfolio, and specialisation. On average, MArch graduates in Chennai receive packages between Rs 4 to Rs 8 LPA. More details on MArch colleges in Chennai placement can be checked below:

College NameHighest PackageAverage PackageTop Recruiters
Anna University (SAP)Rs 10-12 LPARs 5-7 LPAL&T, AECOM, Arcadis
SRM ISTRs 8-10 LPARs 4-6 LPADesign firms, real estate companies
Hindustan InstituteRs 6-8 LPARs 4-5 LPAArchitecture & construction firms

Top Low-Cost MArch Colleges in Chennai

Some of the low cost options for pursuing MArch in Chennai include:

College NameFees
School of Architecture and Planning, Anna UniversityRs 50,000 - Rs 1,00,000
Meenakshi College of EngineeringRs 50,000 - Rs 1,50,000
Government College of ArchitectureRs 50,000 - Rs 80,000



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Showing 11 M.Arch Colleges in Chennai

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Anna University specialties

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  • 4.2Rating
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  • Batch UGC
    ...+3 MHRD , NAAC , ABET
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    1,10,000 M.Arch

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    #14 NIRF Ranking

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    CSIR NET Exams

    ...+6 NEET MDS , CBSE 12th , NEET , NEET SS , Tamilnadu 10th , SRMJEEE
SRM University Chennai is a Private Institute, established in 1985. SRM University Chennai is one of the best Engineering colleges in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. M.Arch is one of the most popular programs at SRM University Chennai offered for a duration of 2 Years. SRM University Chennai M.Arch fees is INR 1,10,000. Read More
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    #66 NIRF Ranking

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Sathyabama University specialties

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    80,000 M.Arch

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    #102 NIRF Ranking

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B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology is a Private Institute, established in 1999. B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology is one of the best Engineering colleges in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. M.Arch is one of the most popular programs at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology offered for a duration of 2 Years. B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology M.Arch fees is INR 80,000. Read More
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    ...+3 CMAT , CBSE 12th , HITSCAT

Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai specialties

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    30,000 - 1,60,000 M.Arch

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    ...+3 Tamilnadu 12th , JEE Main , NEET MDS

Dr. M.G.R. Educational And Research Institute specialties

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  • 4.5Rating
    (19 Reviews)
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    ...+3 AICTE , BCI , NAAC
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MEASI Academy of Architecture specialties

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Mohamed Sathak A.J.Academy of Architecture is a Private Institute, established in 2010. Mohamed Sathak A.J.Academy of Architecture is one of the best Engineering colleges in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. M.Arch is one of the most popular programs at Mohamed Sathak A.J.Academy of Architecture offered for a duration of 2 Years. Mohamed Sathak A.J.Academy of Architecture M.Arch fees is INR 1,00,000. Read More
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Meenakshi College of Engineering Chennai is a Private Institute, established in 2001. Meenakshi College of Engineering Chennai is one of the best Engineering colleges in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. M.Arch is one of the most popular programs at Meenakshi College of Engineering Chennai offered for a duration of 2 Years. Read More
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  • 4.4Rating
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