Holy Cross College (Autonomous) is earmarked as a renowned college of Arts and Science in the whole of Tamil Nadu. Founded in 1923, this Catholic institute has a history of maintaining high standard in the field of academics. Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod, Province of Tiruchirappalli, looks after the administration of the college. A Governing Board supervises it.

With the objective of serving the noble cause of educating women for more than 6 decades, Holy Cross College (Autonomous) was granted the self-governing status by Bharathidasan University in June 1987. Later, Holy Cross College (Autonomous) brought about innovation and changes in the academic curriculum and course planning as well. It was attributed with 5 stars by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) in 1999. In June 2000, this came under a dynamic system of Choice Based Study, focusing on the potential of a student, presentation and self-service. Holy Cross College (Autonomous) offers Aided courses in undergraduate level. These include-- B.Sc. in Botany, B.Sc. in Chemistry, B. Com. Commerce, B. Com. Commerce with specialisation in office management and secretarial practice, B.A. in Economics, B.A. in English literature with specialisation in communicative English, B.A. in Economics with specialisation in rural management, B. A. in History, B. A. in History with specialisation in tourism & travel management, B. Sc. in Mathematics, B. Sc. in Physics, B.R. Sc Rehabilitation science, B.Sc. in Zoology. In postgraduate level one also can take admission to courses like-- M.Sc. in Botany with specialization in Plant Bio-technology, M. A. in Economics, M. A. in English Language and Literature, M. Sc in Rehabilitation Science, M. Sc. in Zoology with specialisation in Endocrinology. Self-funded courses also are offered by Holy Cross College (Autonomous). Undergraduate courses in this category include-- B. Sc. in Bio-chemistry, B.Sc. in Chemistry with specialisation in Medicinal Chemistry, B. Sc. in Computer Science, B.C.A. (Bachelor of Computer Applications), B.Com with specialisation in Computer Applications, B. A. in History, B. A. in history with specialisation in Tourism and Travel Management, B. Sc. in Mathematics with specialisation in Computer Applications, B.Sc. in Physics with specialisation in Electronics, B.Sc. in Visual Communication. Postgraduate courses include-- M.Sc. in Bio-technology, M. Sc. in Chemistry, M.Sc. in Computer Science, M.C.A.( Masters of Computer applications), M. A in Human Rights, M.Sc. in Mathematics, M. Sc. in Physics, M. A in Tamil.

Students can also take admission to the diploma courses offered by Holy Cross College (Autonomous). The courses include--Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Management, Post-graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, Post-graduate Diploma in Bio-Informatics, Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technicians Course, Diploma in Computer Applications, Diploma in Special Education (Mental Retardation), Diploma in Pre School Education, Diploma in Office Management & Secretarial Practice, Post-graduate Diploma in Computer Programming, Post-graduate Diploma in Rural Management, Post-graduate Diploma in Cosmetology & Beautification, Post-graduate Diploma in Marketing Management, Advanced Diploma in Desk Top Publishing.

Certificate Courses on Autism, Competent Use Of English For Call Center Customer Care Services, Low-Vision, Pest Management, Psychology & Counselling, Servicing & Maintenance Of Household Appliances, Spoken English & Communication Skills, Training Children With Learning Disability are some of the additional courses in demand now-a-days. Research Programmes include M.Phil and Ph.D. M.Phil with specialisations in Commerce, English Literature, Economics can be easily opted for. Ph.D in Botany, English Literature, Rehabilitation Science, Zoology also are in demand amongst the students.

In addition, job centric add -on Courses are offered in Certificate / Diploma / Advanced Diploma level. The subjects include-- Journalism, N.G.O. Management, Video & TV Production, Art class, Basic Counselling, Beautician course, Career and self Management, Fabric Painting, Glass painting, Guitar class, Hindi Prathmic, Hindi Madhyama, Interview facing skills, Keyboard class, Personality development and Leadership qualities, Photography, Public speaking skills, Spoken English, Tailoring course and Type writing. Departments like English Literature, Rehabilitation Science, Economics, History, Commerce, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Computer Science, Bio-Chemistry, Bio-Tech, Visual Communication, Tamil, Hindi, French are also present in Holy Cross College.

Mention may be made of the Department of Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology of Holy Cross College (Autonomous). The DMLT course was started during the academic session of 2002, under the management of (All India Medical Laboratory Technology Association) Aimlta, Patna, with a total student strength of forty. The college is well served by a group of two hundred and twenty eight devoted and qualified faculty members and dedicated staff. Apart from that, one hundred and two non-teaching staff members are equally dedicated and obedient.

The library of Holy Cross College has a huge collection of 75,900 books. Recently, about five thousand more was added to the stock. Besides, it also subscribes to nearly two hundred and two journals, including few news magazines. The library also maintains a Book Bank that is of tremendous help to the underprivildeged students. Computerisation helps the readers to avail the Online Public Access Catalogue that can make the searching easy and smooth. There is an individual collection of hardback volumes of magazines and newspapers that help in writing assignments or research works. It remains open from 8.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. every day. Other facilities include 24 hrs power supply and a generator. Computer aided audio-visual equipments also are obtainable. A Book Exhibition is conducted for increasing the reading interest amongst students and staffs. In order to enlighten the students about the library`s functioning and also to gather knowledge, they can also work as a part-time staff there. The laboratories also are well equipped. In addition to the laboratories of science departments, the Language laboratory, Clinical laboratory and Photography laboratory also are worth mentioning. The Language Laboratory is equipped with facilities like- fifteen audio linguistic booths with teacher monitor, 60 CD`s, 68 D.V.Ds (original), 29 inches Flatiron, 304 books, 33 audiocassettes, a computer and television set. The DMLT department has a Clinical laboratory with automatic biochemical analyser, autoclave, centrifuge, digital colorimeter, hot air oven etc.

The Photography Laboratory provides shooting of photographs within the studio with artificial lighting arrangements. Besides students also can be trained in portrait photography, Table Top Photography and so on. Scope also is available to learn development and printing of photographs in the dark room.

Sports also is given due attention in Holy Cross College (Autonomous). Amenities available are-- Basketball court with new measurements and fibreboard, Volleyball court, Lawn tennis court, Hockey field, Football field, Kho-Kho court, Kabbadi court, 200m. track, Badminton indoor court, Table tennis indoor court, Weight lifting and Power lifting facilities, Dressing room for players. Medicinal facilities for basketball and volleyball players, skipping ropes, spiking stand for volley ball players, iron dumb bells for players, eighty hurdles, high jump stand and long jump pits, score boards, official stands, table tennis board, players` costumes and march-past uniforms are some of the equipments that are available for playing games and sports. In order to help the students to overcome their mental hazards, Holy Cross College (Autonomous) has formed a counselling cell with an experienced Counsellor.

Holy Cross College Hostel was established as early as 1923. It comprises five blocks, namely-Catholic Block, Little Flower Block, Maria Villa Block, Holy Family Block and St. Joseph`s Block. Amenities offered to the hostellers include- 2 separate kitchen for vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, amusement and reading hall with television and musical system, healthy drinking water tanks, indoor gaming facilities, laundry and dispensary, a spacious canteen, security service, photocopier, stationery shop etc. Input Sessions like Personality Development & Leadership Programme is also conducted within the college premises. Outside the college campus three hostels are available for postgraduate students, namely- Bethani Hostel, Amaithi Nilayam Hostel and Mambalasalai Hostel.

There is a video studio where students can learn the nitty gritties of camera, as well as online editing. For performing prayers, a chapel and a prayer hall are built, so that all the students can perform their religious fervour. There is a computer networking chain for proficient communication and coordination at the departmental level. Free internet browsing proves effective for students and staffs in conducting research works and teaching facilities.

A handful of seminar halls with the facility of elevators is of immense help to the students. Not only that, the college has formed the Holy Cross Disability Day Care Centre for physically disabled pupils. A slot for parking 2 wheelers also meets the need of students. The address of the college is-- Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Teppakulam Post, P.B.No.318, Tiruchirappalli-620 002.