Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a 2-year Postgraduate program focusing on visual arts, performing arts, and creative writing. The course emphasises practical skills and artistic development along with theory and research. This course covers various specialisations such as visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture), performance arts (dance, theatre, film), and creative writing.
The eligibility criteria for admission to a Master of Fine Arts course are a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or a relevant discipline with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognised university. Candidates applying for this course must also qualify for entrance exams such as CUET-PG, MAH AAC CET, LPU NEST, BHU SET, and others.
The average fee for studying for a Master of Fine Arts degree in India ranges between INR 4,600-3,70,000 depending on the university affiliation, whether private or public. Some top universities are Jamia Millia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Delhi University (DU), LPU, Amity University, Shiv Nadar University, Chitakara University, etc.
Master of Fine Arts graduates can work in various fields of the Arts, such as job roles in Art & Craft Teacher, Product Designer, Painter, Graphic Designer, Jewelry Designer, Art Expert, Visual Arts Teacher, and many more. The average salary of MFA graduates ranges between INR 2.4-3.6 LPA for freshers and INR 4-8 LPA for experienced.
- Master of Fine Arts Course Highlights
- Why Pursue a Master of Fine Arts?
- Master of Fine Arts Eligibility Criteria
- Master of Fine Arts Entrance Exams
- Master of Fine Arts Colleges and Fees
- Master of Fine Arts Admission 2025
- Master of Fine Arts Syllabus
- Master of Fine Arts Jobs & Salary
- Master of Fine Arts FAQs
Master of Fine Arts Course Highlights
Given below are some of the key highlights for the MFA Course:
Particulars | Details |
Course Name | Master of Fine Arts (MFA) |
Level of Study | Post-graduation (Master's) |
Duration | 2-year |
Eligibility Criteria | Have a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts or related with 50% marks from a recognised university.
Qualify for applicable entrance exams depending on the college or university selected for admission. |
Entrance Exams | CUET-PG, MAH AAC CET, BHU SET, LPU NEST, DUET, JMI EE |
Admission Process | Merit-Based/Entrance-Based |
Course Fee | INR 4,600-3,70,000 |
Colleges/Universities | Jamia Millia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University, Delhi University, Manipal University |
Average Salary | INR 2.4-3.6 LPA (Freshers)
INR 4-8 LPA (Experienced) |
Job Roles | Art & Craft Teacher, Art Curator, Graphic Designer, Jewelry Designer, Art Expert, Visual Arts Teacher |
Why Pursue a Master of Fine Arts?
The advantages of studying for a Master of Fine Arts are:
- MFA offers focused and advanced training in the chosen art form, which allows students to enhance their skills and deepen their artistic practice.
- The program assists in fostering professional development, building a portfolio, building networks with industry professionals, and receiving high-quality training or mentorship.
- MFA graduates are qualified for teaching positions in schools or colleges and also open doors to various career opportunities such as working in art galleries, museums, and other creative domains.
- MFA graduates have increased job opportunities in diverse areas such as animation, commercial art, photography, and theatre.
Master of Fine Arts Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission into the Master of Fine Arts program are as follows:
- Candidates must have a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts or a relevant discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% marks.
- Candidates have to qualify for entrance exams, depending on the college or university requirements to which they are seeking admission.
- Few colleges and universities also conduct personal Interviews (PI) or Viva-Voice, which play key roles in the selection process.
Master of Fine Arts Entrance Exams
Some of the national, state, and university-level entrance exams for enrolling in a Master of Fine Arts course are:
Exam | Level | Registration Date (Tentative) | Exam Date (Tentative) | Application Fee |
DUET 2025 | University | 1-22 Mar 2025 | 15-31 May 2025 | INR 750 (UR/OBC)
INR 300 (SC/ST/PwD/EWS) |
CUET-PG 2026 | National | January 2026 onwards | March-April | INR 1400 (Gen.)
INR 1200 (OBC/EWS)
INR 1100 (SC/ST/TG/PwD) |
BHU SET 2026 | University | February 2026 onwards | May 2026 | INR 750 (Gen.)
INR 700 (OBC/EWS)
INR 650 (SC/ST/TG/PwD) |
MAH AAC CET 2026 | State | January 2026 onwards | April 2026 | INR 1900 (Gen.)
INR 1400 (Res.) |
JMI EE 2026 | University | March 2026 onwards | April 2026 | INR 700 |
LPU NEST 2026 | University | January 2026 onwards | March 2026 | INR 1000 (SCK)
INR 1500 (PCK) |
Master of Fine Arts Colleges and Fees
A few of the top colleges in India offering Master's in Fine Arts courses have been listed below:
University | Specialisations | NIRF Ranking (University) | Average Fees |
Jamia Millia Islamia | Art History | #13 (Overall)
#3 (University) | INR 7,300 |
Banaras Hindu University | Applied Art, Painting, Textile Design, Plastic Art (Sculpture), Pottery, Ceramics | #48 (Management)
#11 (Overall) | INR 4,620 |
Delhi University | Painting, Sculpture, Fine Arts | #6 (University) | INR 12,400 |
LPU | Painting, Applied Art, Sculpture | #27 (University)
#50 (Engineering)
#16 (Pharmacy)
#38 (Management) | INR 2,00,000 |
Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology, and Research Academy (SASTRA) | Bharatnatyam | #14 (Law)
#28 (University) | INR 1,04,000 |
Amity University | Applied Art | #29 (management)
#49 (Overall) | INR 82,000 |
Mumbai University | Painting, Applied Arts, History of Arts | #61 (University) | INR 1,16,000 |
Shiva Nadar University | Art History, Art Theory, Photography, Moving Image, Painting, Sculpture, Mixed Media | - | INR 1,92,000 |
Manipal University, Jaipur | Applied Art | #64(University)
#73 (Management) | INR 2,25,000 |
Chitakara University | Painting, Printmaking, Art History, Sculpture | - | INR 3,70,000 |
Master of Fine Arts Admission 2025
The admission process for the Master of Fine Arts course at Delhi University is given below:
- The applicants must check whether they meet the eligibility criteria as per the college and then fill out the application form for their particular course.
- Applicants must provide all the required information when filling out the application form and pay the application fee while submitting the form.
- The applicants will have to sit for the online or offline DUET examination as per their feasibility.
- The candidates qualifying for the entrance examination will be called for a personal interview (PI).
- The final selection of applicants will be based on marks obtained in DUET, performance in PI or VV, and past academic performance.
- The candidates will be informed about their selection via mail or a call from the admission counsellor.
- Selected candidates must pay the admission fee to book their seats in their respective courses.
- After this, they can attend orientation sessions and start a new academic journey.
Master of Fine Arts Syllabus
The syllabus of the MA in Fine Arts course may vary depending on the course curriculum and specialisation offered by the universities. The syllabus for the Master's in Fine Arts course at Amity University (Gurugram) has been listed below:
Semester-1 | Semester-2 |
Advertising & Marketing Research-I | Report & Viva |
Creative Painting-I | Advertising & Marketing Research - II |
Drawing-I | Creative Painting - II |
Graphic Designing-I | Drawing-II |
History Of Art (20th Century)-I | Graphic Designing - II |
Visualization-I | History Of Art (20th Century) - II |
Basics Of Communication | Visualisation - II |
Foreign Business Language | Corporate Communication |
Open Elective Course | Behavioural Communication And Relationship Management |
Outdoor Activity-Based Course | Foreign Business Language |
- | Open Elective Courses |
- | Outdoor Activity-Based Course |
Semester-3 | Semester-4 |
Dissertation & Viva - I | Dissertation & Viva - II |
Advertising & Business Organization-I | Advertising & Business Organization - II |
Art Criticism (Painting)-I | Art Criticism (Painting) - II |
Creative Painting-III | Creative Painting - II |
Drawing-III | Drawing-IV |
Graphic Designing-III | Graphic Designing - IV |
Visualization-III | Visualisation - IV |
Interpersonal Communication | Cross-Cultural Communication |
Leading Through Teams | Professional Excellence |
Foreign Business Language | Foreign Business Language |
Open Elective Courses | Open Elective Courses |
Outdoor Activity-Based Course | Outdoor Activity-Based Course |
Master of Fine Arts Jobs & Salary
MA Fine Arts graduates can work in various fields related to the arts; some of the job roles available on job portals like Naukri.com and Indeed are given below:
Job Role | Recruiter | Experience Level | Average Salary |
Teacher-Graphics | Image Creative Education | 0-1 year | INR 2.4-3 LPA |
Art Expert | Art Beat | 0-1 year | INR 3-3.6 LPA |
Visual Arts Teacher | Redbricks Education Foundation | 1-2 years | INR 4.8-5.4 LPA |
Jewellery Designer | Lalit Gems | 2-4 years | INR 5.4-7.2 LPA |
Graphic Designer | Janrise Advertising | 3-5 years | INR 6-8 LPA |
Master of Fine Arts FAQs
What is the difference between a Master of Arts and Fine Arts?
Although both are master's degrees, the Master of Arts focuses on subjects related to the humanities and social sciences. On the other hand, the Master of Fine Arts program is a practice-based program that focuses on one artistic specialisation and is more about hands-on experience.
What is the next level of study after completing a Master of Fine Arts?
Generally, a Master of Fine Arts is considered a terminal degree, the highest degree in this discipline. However, one can take specialised certification courses or any other skill-development course to enhance one's knowledge and expertise in particular fields of art.
Can I start my own business after a Master of Fine Arts degree?
Yes, it is possible, and it is one of the common paths for MFA graduates to take to start their businesses. They can begin to create and sell their art or paintings, provide freelance artistic services, open photography studios, start an art supply business, and open event design and decoration centres.
Can an MFA graduate get a job in the government?
Yes, an MFA graduate can get government jobs in public-funded cultural institutions, art galleries or museums, and various government organisations for roles related to developing public policy, communication, or cultural initiatives.
