Chennai colleges gear up to launch new courses

Chennai: Quantum computing, visual arts, fintech with AI, cyber security, international business are some of the new courses that city colleges are planning to offer for undergraduate students from the next academic year (2026-27). Many colleges want to increase intake in courses such as BBA, BCA and computer science to meet the demand from students and parents.In a new trend, colleges are planning to embed artificial intelligence into humanities, sociology and commerce curriculum to prepare students for the future.As many as 52 colleges under the University of Madras have applied for new courses and an increase in intake for next academic year (2026-27). About 15 colleges have applied for closure of courses, including English literature, maths, physics and biochemistry. Some colleges are also planning to offer more freedom for students to choose the elective courses.Ethiraj College for Women plans to start BSc cyber security and Master of Social Work (MSW) from next academic year. "We want to incorporate artificial intelligence in existing courses. In the first phase, three courses, computer science with AI, viscom with AI and business economics with data analytics, are likely to change the nomenclature," said Uma Gowrie, principal of the college.Madras Christian College is planning to rebrand BSc maths and physics courses by adding computer science to the curriculum.Stella Maris College is planning to start a BA in mass communication and an MSc in data science from next academic year. "We are planning to include co-curricular and extra-curricular activities in the marksheets from the 2025-26 batch," said Stella Mary, principal of the college.Guru Nanak College is planning to start a new course, BCom international business and finance. "Financial services sector needs commerce graduates with international business systems and law. This course will help students to have careers in international companies," said Swati Paliwal, dean (academics), Guru Nanak College. The college is also planning to offer AI to commerce programmes, including BCom fintech with AI, from next academic year.Madras University plans to start new PG courses in AI, machine learning and data science, molecular and structural biology for 2026-27. "We also have plans to launch new PG course for defence personnel in science, technology and national security from next academic year," an official from the university said.Meanwhile, the deemed universities in the city are trying to offer more arts and science courses including multimedia, economics, political science and international relations. "VIT will introduce the Adoptive Curriculum for Excellence, under which a student will be allowed to take 40 credits in engineering, humanities and management," said professor Nithya Darisini P S, dean (academics), VIT Chennai.