Madras University, Institute of Distance Education (MU-IDE), Chennai was established in 1981. Its affiliated to University of Madras.

The University of Madras has developed an excellent Institute of Distance Education in the year 1981 to help learners to achieve their educational, career and personal goals. It has completed more than 25 years of service in the field of Distance Education. Now the IDE is offering 15 Undergraduate Courses, 20 Postgraduate Courses under CBCS Pattern(Approved by UGC No.F.1-6/2018(DEB-1),dated 03.10.2018), 16 Diploma Courses and 12 Certificate Courses.

Admissions are made throughout the year for all these 63 Programmes in two streams namely Academic Year Admissions and Calendar Year Admissions.

To help learners to achieve their educational, career and personal goals.

It has completed more than 25 years of service in the field of distance education. Now the IDE is offering 22 undergraduate courses, 14 postgraduate courses, 9 postgraduate science courses, 5 professional courses, 16 diploma courses and 12 certificate courses.

IDE is a uniquely designed unit of the University of Madras. The Institute is providing quality study materials in self learning format to the students. Further, sincere efforts are taken to promote borderless education at global level through Tele- Education mode.

The IDE has 30 spot admission centers located in different parts of Tamil Nadu. It has 50 study centres located in other states and has 11 overseas study centers.