Both TiC and core-shelled TiC@TiO₂ are investigated as catalyst supports for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). TiC is thermally stable, possesses both low solubility in sulphuric acid and high electronic conductivity. However, TiC undergoes irreversible electrochemical oxidation in dilute perchloric acid and the operating potential range of 0–1.2V_RHE. TiC@TiO₂ core–shell composite is found to be more stable than TiC. Both these materials are used as supports for Pt and Pt–Pd alloy catalysts (Pt/TiC, Pt₃Pd/TiC and Pt₃Pd/TiC@TiO₂) and are synthesized by microwave-assisted polyol process. The catalytic activities of both Pt₃Pd/TiC and Pt₃Pd/TiC@TiO₂ toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are much higher than those for Pt/TiC. Accelerated durability tests show that TiC supported catalysts are not electrochemically stable. The corresponding TiC@TiO₂ supported catalyst is more stable than that supported by TiC, indicating that with a protective oxide layer on the TiC core, TiC@TiO₂ is a promising PEMFC catalyst support.