The Department of Legal Studies, a heritage Department of the University of Madras was established in the year 1951. Prof.C.H.ALEXANDROWICZ was the Head of the Department from 1951 to 1961.

He started M.L. Degree in International Law & Constitutional Law, the first of its kind in India. Prof.T.S.Rama Rao another great international jurist succeeded him and was Head of the Department until 1988. After his retirement, Prof.N.Radhakrishnan became the Head of the Department and from 1995.

He was succeeded by Prof.Dr.N.Balu, who is the first Ph.D. in Law from the University of Madras. After Dr.N.Balu becoming the Vice-Chancellor of National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Cochin, Prof. (Dr.).A.David Ambrose assumed office and continuing as Head of the Department of Legal Studies from April 2013
The University imparts both Under Graduate and Post Graduate Education to the Affiliated Institutions which are spread over the district of Chennai, Thrivallur, and Kanchipuram.

Apart from teaching research activities in Arts, Humanities, Science, Management, and Technology are the main portals at the University.

A number of institutions affiliated to Madras University Concentrate in research activities were Ph.D., Programme is available in the respective specializations.

University has also offer teaching and Research in 4 Campuses of Madras University.

The University Department of study and Research which are 68 Departments spread over in 4 Campuses organized into 18 Schools offer Post Graduate Courses in respective specialization part-time and full-time Ph.D. Programmes, Diploma and Certificate Programmes.