The University of Madras offers research programs in various fields, including:

Ancient history and archaeology, Indian history, Historical studies, Anthropology, Criminology, Psychology.

The university also offers a PhD program in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Microbiology at the ICMR-NIE. The Satya Nilayam Institute of Philosophy and Culture also conducts research leading to a PhD in Philosophy and Sanskrit. 

The university also has other research institutions, including:

• Adyar Cancer Institute
• Central Leather Research Institute
• Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture
• Institute for Financial Management and Research
• King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research

The University of Madras's Institute of Distance Education (IDE) offers a variety of programs:

• Undergraduate programs: BA, BCom, BSc, BCA, BBA, and Bachelor of Literature in Tamil (BLit in Tamil)
• Postgraduate programs: MBA, M.A, M.Sc, MCA, MCA (Lateral)
• Other programs: B.A Criminology & Police Administration, B.Sc. Psychology, M.F.A. Music, M.Com. Commerce, Master Of Computer Application, M.B.A. Systems Management, M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, M.Sc. Cyber Forensics & Information Security

The University of Madras has 53 approved research institutions. The university also has 68 departments of study and research, spread across four campuses

The University of Madras offers endowment scholarships, including:

• Endowment lectures and seminars for university departments
• Prizes and medals for annual convocation for university departments and affiliated colleges
• Ph.D scholarship for university departments
• Madras University merit fellowship for university departments

Other scholarships offered by Madras University include:

• The Lions International Endowment Scholarship
• Rotary Club of Madras city Endowment Scholarship
• The Srimathi Padmasani Bai Endowment Scholarship
• The Sir T. Muttuswami Ayyar Endowment Scholarship
• Srimathi Sivakama Radhakrishnan Scholarship