Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy, commonly known as SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur, is a well-known deemed-to-be university in Tamil Nadu. Established in 1984 as Shanmugha College of Engineering, SASTRA University Thanjavur received its deemed-to-be university status in 2001. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has awarded SASTRA Thanjavur an 'A++' grade upon re-accreditation. Additionally, it is recognized as a Category I institution by the UGC. The engineering programs offered by the university are acknowledged by the Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), UK, and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Furthermore, the Government of India has recognized the university as a Scientific & Industrial Research Organization. In the NIRF 2024 rankings, SASTRA Deemed University is placed 47th in the Overall category, 28th in the University category, and 38th in the Engineering category.
The university operates two branches: Shanmugha Polytechnic College and the Srinivasa Ramanujan Centre. Shanmugha Polytechnic College is situated within the main campus of SASTRA University, while the Srinivasa Ramanujan College is located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. SASTRA University Thanjavur also includes several schools and centers, offering a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across diverse fields such as Science, Engineering, Medicine, Education, Arts, Law, and Management. Courses at SASTRA Thanjavur include BTech, BEd, BCom, MTech, MBA, MCom, and more. The university also provides online and distance education programs, including ODL courses like BCom, BBA, BCA, MBA, MSc, and MA, among others.
Admissions at SASTRA Tanjore are based on both merit and entrance exams. The college accepts scores from various national-level entrance examinations, including CAT and JEE Main, for specific courses. SASTRA Deemed University Thanjavur has partnered with numerous international universities and industries to facilitate student internships during their final semester. Collaborations include institutions such as Arizona State University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Alabama, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Washington, and several others. According to the NIRF report, the median package offered during the SASTRA University placements in 2023 was INR 7.60 LPA for BTech and INR 5.50 LPA for MTech programs. The university also provides scholarships to outstanding students. The key highlights of SASTRA University are summarized in the table below:
| Particulars | SASTRA University Highlights 2025 |
|---|
Establishment year | 1984 |
Ownership type | Private Deemed-to-be-University |
Also known as | SASTRA Deemed to be University |
Location | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
Campus size | 232 acres |
Recognised by | UGC |
Top accreditations | - NAAC Grade 'A++' - Institution of Engineers (India) - TCS |
| NIRF Ranking 2024 | - 28th under the University category - 38th under the Engineering - 47th under the Overall category |
| Official website | www.sastra.edu |