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BFA 2025: Full Form, Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Duration

Waytoadmissions
Sukanta Das

Content Curator

Updated On - Oct 28,2024

BFA, short for Bachelor of Fine Arts, is an undergraduate course spanning 3-4 years, depending on the chosen specialization. This program delves into the realms of visual, performing, or fine arts, encompassing disciplines such as painting, animation, or pottery. It is also commonly referred to as Visual Arts. Admission to BFA is determined through a combination of merit and entrance exams. Renowned universities like Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University, among others, offer BFA admission based on scores from exams like CUET. The average course fee in BFA colleges typically ranges between INR 30,000 to INR 3,00,000. The BFA syllabus is diverse, covering subjects such as painting, illustration, history, graphics, and more. Students can opt for various specializations like BFA Applied Art, BFA Painting, and BFA Photography. Post-graduation, candidates have the option to pursue MFA or explore job opportunities in the entertainment industry, media houses, marketing firms, publications, art galleries, schools, and colleges. The average monthly salary for BFA graduates in India falls within the range of INR 25,000 to 50,000. Fine Arts Courses provide a platform to nurture skills in painting, photography, singing, contributing to a thriving industry as a whole. Know More Details About Bachelor of Fine Arts Course.

BFA Course Details

BFA Full Form Bachelors in Fine Arts
Course Level Undergraduate
BFA Course Duration 3 - 4 years
BFA Course Mode Regular/full time
BFA Course Eligibility Criteria Class 12th Board exams with 50% aggregate marks or its equivalent 
BFA Course Admission Process Merit-Based/Entrance Exams
BFA Average Course Fees(INR) INR 30,000 - INR 3,00,000
BFA Average Salary (INR) INR 3 - 6 LPA
Areas of Employment Design, Film, Animation Industry, etc

Why Study BFA?

BFA is a diverse course as it offers a lot of career options in sectors of arts, writing, entertainment, media, and alike. 

  • Unlike other conventional courses, the course curriculum of BFA introduces you to new age topics like painting, aesthetics, making of ceramics and pottery, etc. Check: How to become a graphic designer?
  • The career opportunities after Bachelor of Fine Arts are diverse, and there are plenty of job profiles you can look for after Bachelor of Fine Arts. Art Teacher, Creative Writer, Art Director are some of the examples.
  • Graduates of Bachelor of Fine Arts course have the flexibility to pursue a career as a freelance artist, writer, or teacher. The freelance industry is in trend nowadays due to the flexibility and endless earning potential it has to offer.
  • As per payscale, the average salary that you can get after BFA course in the job roles of a fine artist, sculptor, or painter is INR 4,87,957.
  • Those who want to switch their profession after BFA can easily switch to master of arts (MFA) that specializes in different areas like Photography, Music, Painting, Film Making, etc.

BFA Admission Process

Admissions to the BFA course are made on the basis of merit as well as BFA entrance exams. The questions in the entrance exam are multiple-choice types. However, the exam pattern of the respective exam depends on the exam conducted by the respective College/university.

BFA Admission 2025

  • Some of the top BFA entrance exams conducted for admission in Bachelors in Fine Arts are BHU UET, UPSEE, AUCET, ITM NEST, etc.
  • The application fee for Bachelor of Fine Arts ranges from INR 200 to INR 1300.
  • The average course fee for Bachelors in Fine Arts ranges between INR 30,000 to INR 3,00,000.

BFA Eligibility

Students who want to take admissions to Bachelor of Fine Arts must meet the following requirements to be accepted into universities and BFA colleges:

  • The majority of the BFA colleges demand  to have completed Class 12th as a minimum requirement.
  • Each college also has a minimum aggregate mark requirement. In general, it should be at least 50%.
  • English or Hindi must have been one of the core subjects in the candidate’s high school.

BFA Entrance Exams

Students interested in pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts should pass the course’s required entrance test. The entrance tests are used to determine admission to particular Bachelor of Fine Arts colleges, followed by counseling.

ITM NEST, BHU UET, UPSEE, AUCET are among the various entrance exams held by BFA colleges to enroll students in BFA degree programs.

BFA Entrance Exams Dates

Exam Name Application Period Exam Date
BHU UET To be Announced To be Announced
TISS BAT May , 2025 - May , 2025 September 2025
IPU CET March  – May , 2025 June  – June , 2025
JNUEE May , 2025 – June , 2025 To be Announced
CUET April  – June , 2025 July , 2025 – August , 2025

BFA Syllabus

Although the BFA degree course curriculum varies per college, it often includes foundation courses as well as optional courses for students to choose from based on his/her interests. 

BFA Subjects

The table below illustrates the common subjects as well as the subjects that are included in the organized BFA syllabus

BFA 1st year Syllabus

Aesthetics Portrait Painting  Illustration
History & Appreciation of Art Painting from full figure Poster Design
Methods & Materials 1 Composition Painting Press Advertisement

2nd year BFA Syllabus

Specialization Courses Graphics Printmaking Magazine Advertisement
Environmental Education Composition Composition B, dimensional, stone, and wood carving
Methods & Materials Ceramics & Moulds Aesthetics 1

3rd year BFA subjects

Specialization Courses History & Appreciation Composition Painting
Method & Materials 2 Life Study Drawing 3
Aesthetics 2 Printmaking Indian Aesthetic, Portrait Painting

What is BFA Course ?

There is a list of types of Bachelor of Fine Arts courses that are available for pursuing a Bachelors in Fine arts program. Some of them are Part-time, Full time and Distance Learning mode. Below is discussed in detail about each types of courses and their respective BFA colleges.

BFA Full time

The list of top BFA colleges offering Full-time BFA are Chandigarh University, Amity University, Lucknow University, Dhirendra Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, etc

Some other top colleges offering Full--time BFA degree program are tabulated below

Name of the College Average Fees (INR)
Banaras Hindu University (BHU),Varanasi INR 2,407
Ecole Intuit Lab - French Institute of Design, Digital & Strategy, Mumbai INR 4,50,000
Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai INR 75,000
BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar INR 21,760
CT University, Ludhiana INR 41,000
SAGE University, Bhopal INR 60,000
GOEL Group of Institutions, Lucknow INR 32,000
Alagappa University, Karaikudi INR 9,500

BFA Part-time

Top colleges offering Part-time BFA course are tabulated below

Name of the College Average Fees(INR)
Annamalai University, Annamalai INR 3,950
Venkateshwara Open University, Arunachal Pradesh INR 20,000

BFA Distance Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts is a typical Undergraduate degree for College students. The cost of education is cheaper, and the incidental expenditures of buying books are cheaper since the College is responsible for these expenses. Bachelor of Fine Arts can be done via Distance Learning within a 2-year duration.

Eligibility:

  • Candidates must secure a minimum of  45% in 12th Boards.
  • Candidates from any subjects in 12th can study BFA Distance Education

BFA syllabus for Distance Education is the same as the regular Bachelor of Fine Arts course. Students must visit BFA colleges on weekends for the classes. The average fees for BFA in Distance learning ranges from INR 12,000 to INR 25,000

Best BFA Distance Education colleges are tabulated below

Name of the College Average Fees (INR)
Sastra University INR 19,000
NIMS University INR 30,000
MKU University  INR 15,000
Himalayan University INR 12,000
Subharti University  INR 12,000
Jaipur National University  INR 15,000

BFA IGNOU

BFA IGNOU course is designed to meet the needs of working professionals who wish to finish this degree but are unable to attend a full-time BFA program. For a distant equivalent course, IGNOU is the popular Institution 

  • The Eligibility requirements are simple such as passing 10+2 in any subject
  • The BFA IGNOU course lasts for two years
  •  The cost of the BFA IGNOU course is INR 6,000

BFA School

India is home to numerous Bachelor of Fine Arts colleges. There are few private BFA colleges and a few government BFA colleges among them. Kamala Nehru College for women, Chandigarh University, University of Lucknow, and others are among the finest Institutions in India that offer Bachelors in Fine Arts course

The table below lists the top Bachelor of Fine Arts colleges in Delhi, BFA Colleges in Kerala, and other major cities region-wise.

BFA Colleges in Kerala

Name of the College Average Fees (INR) per annum
Amrita School of Arts and Sciences(ASAS), Kochi INR 86,500
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Ernakulam INR 2,325
College of Fine Arts (CFA), Thiruvananthapuram INR 2,925

BFA Colleges in Mumbai

Name of the College Average Fees (INR) per annum
Sir JJ School of Art INR 75,000
Amity University  INR 80,000
Garware Institute of Career Education and Development INR 5,51,670
Rachna Sansad School of Design INR 41,100

BFA Colleges in Hyderabad

Name of the College Average Fees (INR) per annum
Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University INR 20,000
Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University (PSTU) INR 5,800
Sri Venkateswara college of Fine Arts INR 25,000
Tapasya College of Commerce and Management INR 25,000

BFA Colleges in Delhi

Name of the College Average Fees (INR) per annum
Jamia Millia Islamia University INR 10,550
Delhi University, College of Art INR 20,800
Delhi College of Art (DCA) INR 1,24,400
Vidya Knowledge Park(VKP) INR 55,700
GD Goenka University(GDGC) INR 1,29,000
Amity University INR 1,30,000

BFA Colleges in Bangalore

Name of the College Average Fees (INR) per annum
Shristi Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology INR 5,51,400
Bangalore University(BU) INR 1,857

BFA in Abroad

In international universities, BFA course (Bachelor of Fine Arts) are referred to as Art and Design. There are several top BFA colleges and universities who enroll students for this course. Below enlisted points will discuss the prerequisites for pursuing BFA course abroad,

  • Students should clear their class 12th or high school examination with high percentage and a consistently good academic record throughout
  • Language proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL are key language examinations to pass in order to gain admission with minimum marks required are as follows. A minimum of 6.5 in IELTS, Minimum 90 in TOEFL, Minimum 61 in PTE.

Below tabulated are few of the top Abroad Colleges offering BFA course

Name of the College Fees (INR)
Royal College of Art, UK 1,89,300
University of Arts, UK 15,10,000
Person School of Design, US 31,01,100
Rhode Island School of Design, US 37,70,000
MIT, US 38,91,500
The Glasgow School of Art, UK 17,96,000
Pratt Institute, US 40,64,330

Courses to Pursue After BFA

Post completing BFA degree, students can pursue higher studies such as MFA after finishing their Bachelor of Fine Arts course. The qualifying criteria for these course differ in terms of level and course structure.

The basic requirements for MFA are listed below for your reference

  • The eligibility for pursuing MFA is clearing graduation or BFA course from a recognized University with at least 55% marks in aggregate or equivalent CGPA
  • The admission into MFA course is based on qualifying exams followed by personal interview
  •  The average fee for Masters in Fine Arts ranges between INR 7000 - INR 4lakhs
  • The average salary after pursuing Masters in Fine arts ranges between INR 3 LPA to INR 13 LPA

Some of the top colleges offering MFA courses are tabulated below for your reference

Name of the College Average Fees (INR)
Delhi University, College of Arts 46,000
Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU 5300
Faculty of Fine Arts, Jamia Millia Islamia 20,800
Sir JJ Institute of Applied Arts 20,000
Amity School of Fine Arts 80,000
Vishwa Bharati University, Kala Bhawan 11,360

BFA Specializations

Depending on the student's interests and professional ambitions, the Bachelor of Fine Arts program offers a variety of BFA specializations. The following are some of the most prominent specializations:

BFA Painting

BFA Painting focuses on art history, how to draw from life, and other topics. Aside from the fundamentals of painting, students are taught many types and techniques of sculpting, animation, photography, and printing.

  • The average fee for BFA Painting is INR 2,00,000 
  • The average salary of a BFA Painting individual is INR 3,50,000 LPA

The top colleges offering BFA Painting are shown below for your reference

Name of the College Average Fees (INR ) per annum
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur 25,613
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hindi Vishwavidyalaya(ABVHV), Bhopal 9,100
Mangalayatan University (MU), Aligarh 25,00
Chandigarh University 85,000
RIMT University, Gobindgarh 85,000

BFA Applied Arts

BFA Applied Arts is a creative specialty that teaches the beauty of common items. This Bachelor of Fine Arts degree teaches all areas of item creation, such as sculpture, music, and interior design.

  • The average fee for a BFA Applied Arts is INR INR 2,00,000
  • The average salary of a BFA Applied Arts is INR 4,00,000 LPA

The top colleges offering Bachelor of Fine Arts Applied Arts are shown below for your reference

Name of the College Average Fees (INR) per annum
Chandigarh University (CU), Chandigarh 84,000
Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI), Delhi 10,550
MIT World Peace University(MITWPU), Pune 1,20,000
Manipal University(MU), Jaipur 1,16,500
Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata 997
Noida International University(NIU), Greater Noida 62,000

BFA Animation

BFA Animation explains the many forms, methods, and other crucial aspects of animation. It covers topics including 3D animation, computer graphics, and character design, among others.

  • The average fee for a BFA Animation is INR 2,50,000
  •  The average salary of a BFA Animation is INR 4,00,000 LPA

The top colleges offering BFA Animation are shown below for your reference

Name of the College Average Fees (INR) per annum
Amity University, Noida 1,44,000
Sri Sri University, Cuttack 1,41,890
Swami Vivekanand Subharti University(SVSU), Meerut 71,000
Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwa Vidyalaya(SVVV), Indore 35,000
Chandigarh University (CU), Chandigarh 1,37,000

BFA Pottery & Ceramics

A student pursuing a BFA in Pottery & Ceramics will study the fundamentals as well as advanced skills in pottery. Slip casting, mold manufacturing, hand building, and other techniques are among the topics covered.

  • The average fee for a BFA Pottery & Ceramics is INR 1,50,000
  •  The average salary of a BFA Pottery & Ceramics Individual is INR 4,00,000 LPA

Below table illustrates the top colleges in India offering BFA in Pottery & Ceramics

Name of the College Average Annual Fee (INR)
MIT Art, Design and Technology University, Pune  60,000
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), University 3,080
Sir JJ School of Arts (SJJSA), Mumbai  20,000

BFA Textile Design

The BFA in Textile Design program includes a wide range of topics in textile design, including knitting, printing, weaving, and weaving. This BFA degree also teaches BFA course details such as color, needlework, and texture.

  • The average fee for a BFA Textile Design is INR 1,00,000
  • The average salary for a BFA Textile Design Individual is INR 4,00,000

Below table illustrates the top colleges in India offering BFA in Textile & Design

Name of the College Average Annual Fees(INR)
Sir JJ School of Arts (SJJSA), Mumbai 20,000
International Institute of Fine Arts (IIFA), Modinagar -
Tatyam School of Design (TSD), Delhi 1,37,000

BFA Course Comparison: Bachelor of Arts vs Bachelor of Fine Arts

Below mentioned table gives us a glimpse of the two most attempted courses in this field and points out the differences between them, in form of a comparison

Parameters BFA BA
Full-Form  Bachelors in Fine Arts Bachelor of Arts
Duration 2 - 4 years 3 years
Distance mode/part-time yes yes
Course type  Undergraduate Undergraduate
Course summary BFA students learn the fundamentals of visual arts as well as other fine arts topics. Students enrolled in the BA degree are taught a variety of arts and social science areas, as well as liberal arts, language, and scientific courses.
Course Objective  The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a vocational foundation curriculum that prepares students for a variety of creative careers after graduation. Students with a BA can study a wide range of subjects, from the arts to the social sciences.
Average Fees INR 2,00,000 INR 60,000
Employment areas Design, Film, Theatre, Painting, Education, Animation, and Educational Institutions, to name a few fields. Academic Institutes, Art Galleries, Museums, Retail Sales Executive, Art Liaison Officer, Academic Research Editor, Flash Animator
Average Salary INR 3 - 6 LPA INR 2.3 - 6 LPA

BFA Colleges Comparison

The table below illustrates a comparison between two BFA colleges Chandigarh University and Amity University offering Bachelor of Fine Arts course

Parameters Chandigarh University Amity University
Established year 2012 1995
Duration 4 years 4 years
Mode Full-time, Classroom Full-time, Classroom
Average salary 3.6 LPA 3.5 LPA
Total fees average 3.4 Lakhs 5 lakhs
Selection criteria CUCET entrance based 12th Merit-based
NAAC Accreditation A+ A+
Amenities Moot Court (law), Design studio, Library, Hostel, Cafeteria, Sports complex, etc Moot Court (law), Design studio, Library, Hostel, Cafeteria, Sports complex, etc

BFA Jobs & Placements

Students are given positions in a variety of sectors after finishing BFA course, including entertainment, therapy, and teaching. The average of an individual with BFA ranges between 3 - 6 LPA.

Job Profiles

Depending on the specialization chosen, BFA students have access to a variety of work opportunities. Artists, Graphic Designers, Art Directors, Musicians, Actors, Visual Artists, Screenwriters, Animators, Cartoonists, and others can all work in the field.

Following is a list of some of the most frequent BFA job profiles and career possibilities following Bachelor of Fine Arts

Job Profile Job Description
Fine Artist A fine artist's primary responsibility is to create artwork utilizing various techniques. A fine artist could work as a painter, sculptor, illustrator, or printer at a commercial art studio, design firm, publishing house, or advertising agency, among other places. Fine artists can also work on their own and sell their work through art galleries.
Animator The primary responsibility of an animator is to create images and visuals for films, video games, books, television, and other media. Although most animation is now computer-generated, animators must still draw their first designs by hand.
Cartoonist Cartoonists can work in a variety of mediums, including television, the internet, short films, and movies, as well as creating their works.
Graph Designer Typically, a graphic designer generates visual designs by hand or using software to express ideas that both enlighten and engage people. For commercials, publications, and brochures, a graphic designer creates an overall layout and production design.
Art teacher As an art teacher, a candidate can instruct others in their chosen medium. A candidate can teach in any Fine Arts disciplines, such as painting or sculpture. However, in order to begin a career as a teacher, a candidate must also hold a bachelor's degree in education or B.Ed.
painter A candidate can create a variety of artworks as a painter, including watercolor paintings, oil paintings, ink wash paintings, acrylic paintings, pastel color paintings, glass paintings, and encaustic paintings, among others. A painter often works alone and displays or sells his or her work at art galleries.
Art Conservator A conservator, often known as an art restorer, is in charge of conserving and analyzing antiquities and works of art. S/he is also in charge of restoring damages to sculptures, paintings, murals, pottery, fabrics, books, historical relics, and other types of artwork.
Art Director Candidates who complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a graphic or multimedia design specialization are frequently hired as art directors. An art director's main tasks include directing the production of visual and textual content through artwork and copy layout and design. A common job for an art director is to work for a publishing business or an advertising agency.

BFA Salary

The average salary after completing a BFA is between 3 and 6 LPA; however, incomes may vary according to the position and employment responsibilities.

A handful of the job profiles for a BFA graduate are shown here, along with their typical compensation.

Job Profile Average Annual Salary (INR)
Fine Artist 4,00,000
Animator 3,30,000
Cartoonist 4,00,000
Graphic Designer 3,06,000
3D Visualizer  4,80,000
Photographer 6,04,000
What are some trending career opportunities after BFA?

Curator, Gallery Assistant, Community Artist, Theater Set Designer, Freelance Studio Artist, Gallery Artist, Illustrator, Creative Designer, Art Historian, Art Acquisition Specialist, Curator, Gallery Assistant, Community Artist are trending Career Opportunities of BFA graduates.

Who can pursue BFA?

Art is a slow-moving process of self-discovery. Students with an interest in art and creativity, as well as the ability to learn and, more significantly, unlearn, are perfect individuals for BFA.

Do BFA colleges provide any Financial Aid to their students?

Yes, Some of the colleges provide Scholarships for SC/ST/BC students. Various Central Government Schemes and NGOs also provide Scholarship schemes to BFA students who need Financial Aid.

Can I study BFA after 10th?

No, the basic eligibility requirement for BFA is Clearing 10+2 in any stream or its equivalent from a recognized board. However, students can opt for Diploma in BFA is provided by various colleges in India for 10th qualification individuals.

What is the Highest pay package for a BFA graduate at Amity University, Noida?

The highest pay package of a BFA  Individual at Amity University, Noida was 7.5 lakhs