MFA in Applied Arts: Admission 2025, Entrance Exams, Fee, Colleges, and Jobs

• Updated on  Jul 28, 2025, by Manisha Rao

The MFA in Applied Arts is a 2-year degree program that teaches students how to employ visual communication for creative and business reasons. Creative expression and useful skills in digital media, art, design, advertising, and more are all brought together in this course. Students learn the skills they need to work in areas that value good design and telling stories through pictures.

 

Candidates who want to get into an MFA Applied Arts program must have a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from a recognised university. Most colleges want at least 50% to 60% marks in the last UG degree. Entrance exams like CUET PG, NID Entrance, BHU UET/PET and other university-specific tests are often used to decide who gets in. Some colleges may also look at the applicant's resume, statement of purpose and meet them in person.

 

The course fee is different at each college, ranging from INR 30,000 to INR 2,50,000 for the whole course. Some government colleges, like Jamia Millia Islamia, BHU, MSU Baroda, JNAFAU Hyderabad and College of Art Delhi, are known for having good education that is also cheap. Private colleges, on the other hand, may charge more.

 

Students who finish this degree can work as an art director, visual designer, commercial artist, illustrator, creative director or media adviser. Advertising, animation, printing, marketing, UI/UX design, and digital media are all fields that hire MFA Applied Arts grads. For freshers, the salary range is about INR 4 to 6 LPA. More experienced workers in leadership positions in the creative field can make INR 10 to 18 LPA, especially in top companies, global design firms, or media houses.

 

Table of Contents

  1. MFA in Applied Arts Key Highlights
  2. What is a MFA in Applied Arts?
  3. Why Study MFA in Applied Arts?
  4. Who should study MFA in Applied Arts?
  5. MFA in Applied Arts Eligibility Criteria
  6. MFA in Applied Arts Entrance Exams 2025
  7. MFA in Applied Arts Best Colleges in India
  8. MFA in Applied Arts Admission Process 2025
  9. MFA in Applied Arts Syllabus
  10. MFA in Applied Arts Job Opportunities in India
  11. MFA in Applied Arts FAQs

 

MFA in Applied Arts Key Highlights

Below are the key highlights of the MFA in Applied Arts course in India:

Particulars

Details

Course Name

Master of Fine Arts in Applied Arts

Course Level

Post Graduation

Duration

2 years (4 semesters)

Course Type

Full-Time

Admission Process

Entrance-Based

Eligibility Criteria

The selection process for the programme is based on the Drawing Test, Personal Interaction & Portfolio Assessment.

Course Fees

INR 1,20,000-3,50,000

Top Colleges

MIT-WPU, MIT-ADT, Vidya University

Job Profiles

Graphic Designer, Animator, Art Director, Creative Director, 3D Artist/Designer

Top Recruiters

Volkswagen, Robosoft Technologies, DQ Entertainment, Times of India, Colors TV, Production Studios, Design Agencies

Average Salary in India

INR 4-6 LPA (Freshers)

 

What is a MFA in Applied Arts?

Master of Fine Arts in Applied Arts (MFA Applied Arts) is a postgraduate degree that takes two years to complete. It is for people who want to learn more about the artistic and practical parts of visual design. It is perfect for people who are interested in art, communication and how design can change how people think about things like advertising, branding and digital material in our media-driven world.

 

The course blends creative expression with training in how to be a skilled designer. Students learn about design, illustration, photography, animation, branding, advertising and computer tools for making media. They also work on real-life design briefs, lab jobs and projects that push them to think of new ways to solve problems and use images to get their point across. A big part of the program is learning how to use software like Adobe Creative Suite, CorelDRAW, Figma and motion graphics tools in real life.

 

Why Study MFA in Applied Arts?

Getting an MFA in Applied Arts can help you find creative and satisfying work in branding, media, advertising and visual communication. People choose this course for the following reasons:

  • More skilled visual artists and creative people are needed in the digital world today, especially in entertainment, social media, publishing, advertising and business branding. The course teaches students how to make a strong visual character and thought-provoking plans.
  • Grads can work as freelance artists and creative consultants or in design companies, ad agencies, media houses or marketing businesses. A lot of them also go on to work as animators, illustrators or photographers, or they teach, study or work as artists on their own.
  • Creative art and technology tools are used together in this course to teach graphic design, commercial art, digital illustration, motion graphics and user-centred design. Design and art students who want to make the world a more interesting place to look at and connect better should really check it out.

 

Who should study MFA in Applied Arts?

People who love visual design, creativity and using art to get their point across should definitely get an MFA in Applied Arts. It is perfect for artists who want to find ways to use their work in media, branding and communication. These types of people should think about taking this course:

  • Students who want to work successfully in the creative business and have backgrounds in fine arts, visual communication, graphic design or multimedia can take this course to improve their artistic and technical skills.
  • People who are creative and like to draw, design, animate or make visual content for ads, digital platforms, movies, or business branding efforts.
  • The people who want to fix design problems, build brand identities, or make visual experiences for businesses and groups that are easy for people to use.
  • People who want to work as designers, art directors, or illustrators for ad companies, publishing houses, or animation firms, or who want to start their own creative businesses as freelancers.

 

MFA in Applied Arts Eligibility Criteria

To enroll in MFA in Applied Arts in India, candidates have to meet some educational and admission requirements. Without fulfilling these criteria, it is not possible to enter the course. Mentioned below are the MFA in Applied Arts eligibility criteria:

  • Pass with 50-60% marks in BFA in Applied Arts from a recognised University.
  • The selection process for the programme is based on the Drawing Test, Personal Interaction & Portfolio Assessment.

Click to read more about the overall Master of Fine Arts (MFA) course

 

MFA in Applied Arts Entrance Exams 2025

For pursuing aMFA in Applied Arts in India, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Some of the top MFA in Applied Arts entrance examinations in India are given below:

Exam Name

Registration Date (Tentative)

Exam Date (Tentative)

Registration Fee

CUET PG

Jan–Feb 2026

Mar-April 2026

INR 1400 (Gen)

 

INR 1200 (OBC/EWS)

 

INR 1100 (SC/ST/TG)

 

MFA in Applied Arts Best Colleges in India

Various institutions in India are offering a MFA in Applied Arts course, each institute has got some entrance exam criteria for admitting students. Some of the best colleges in India for MFA in Applied Arts are given below:

College/University

Location

Course Fees (Approx.)

MIT-WPU

Pune

INR 3,00,000

MIT-ADT

Pune

INR 3,20,000

Vidya University

Uttar Pradesh

INR 2,00,000

 

MFA in Applied Arts Admission Process 2025

Admission process at MIT-WPU for the MFA in Applied Arts programs is as follows:

 

Step 1: To sign up for the Post Graduate Entrance Test in Design and Arts (PGETDA), go to the official MIT-WPU website and fill out your personal, academic and contact information. You can pay the registration fee online and upload scanned copies of your signature and a picture the size of a passport.

 

Step 2: Take the PGETDA entrance test on the date and time that were given. This test is required to get into the MFA in Applied Arts program at MIT-WPU and a number of other design-focused colleges.

 

Step 3: Use your login information to check your All India Rank (AIR) and score on the official website after the test.

 

Step 4: Sign up to go through therapy. When you register for guidance, you can pick the courses and specialisations you want, like MFA in Applied Arts and then submit your choices online.

 

Step 5: Your chosen seats will be assigned based on your AIR and choices. If you are offered a place, you must pay the seat acceptance fee through the payment method that was given to you.

 

Step 6: Go to the MIT-WPU site to verify your documents in person. Bring both the original and a copy of all the necessary identification and school papers with you for proof.

 

Step 7: Pay the rest of the tuition fees according to the college payment plan to complete your acceptance. If the payment goes through, MIT-WPU will send an official admissions confirmation to the email address you used to register.

 

Required Documents:

  • 10th and 12th mark sheets
  • ID proofs
  • Transfer certificate
  • Character certificate
  • Medical certificate
  • Category Certificate (if applicable)

 

MFA in Applied Arts Syllabus

The syllabus for MFA in Applied Arts in India is more or less the same in the colleges offering the course. The syllabus may slightly differ depending on the curriculum followed by the institute. For reference, the syllabus for MFA in Applied Arts at MIT-WPU is given below:

Semester I

Semester II

Arts & Aesthetics: Foundation

Art and Culture - India

Advertising Theory & Practices

Visual Communication Theory I

Visualization Processes

Semiotic Studies

Print Production Techniques

Research Paper I

Program Elective I

Visual Communication Studio

Research Methodology for Applied Arts

Program Elective II

Scientific Studies of Mind, Matter, Spirit and Consciousness

Peace Building: Global Initiatives

Yoga

-

Semester III

Semester IV

Art and Culture - World

Art, Culture & Society

Visual Communication Theory II

Research Paper III

Research Paper II

Collaborative Design Project II

Collaborative Design Project I

Portfolio Building

Advanced Exploration of Visualisation

Program Elective IV

Seminar

-

Program Elective III

-

 

MFA in Applied Arts Job Opportunities in India

MFA in Applied Arts graduates can have job roles in multiple fields, including Graphic Designer, Animator, Art Director, Creative Director, 3D Artist/Designer and others. Some of the common job roles for MFA in Applied Arts graduates in India are given below:

Job Title

Recruiters

Experience Required (Years)

Average Salary

Graphic Designer

Volkswagen, Robosoft Technologies, Flipkart, Lowe Lintas, DQ Entertainment, Magazines, Studios

0-2

INR 3- 4 LPA

Animator

DQ Entertainment, Technicolor, Prime Focus, Animation Studios

0-2

INR 3- 7.4 LPA

Art Director

Advertising Agencies, Times of India, Colors TV, Lowe Lintas, Prime Focus

3-5

INR 6- 16 LPA

Creative Director

Advertising Firms, Films, Gaming Studios, Ad Agencies

4-8

INR 6- 12.5 LPA

3D Artist/Designer

SKETS Studio, Production Studios, Design Agencies

0-2

INR 3- 6 LPA

Students with arts background interested in drawing can check MA Drawing and Painting

 

MFA in Applied Arts FAQs

How do the people who get their MFA in Applied Arts' work look?

People who are getting their MFA in Applied Arts work on a lot of different design and visual communication projects. Advertising campaigns, creating a brand name, designing packaging, drawing pictures for books, animation, UI/UX design, and making images for exhibitions are some examples. A lot of projects try to use creative visual solutions made with both analogue and digital tools to solve real-world communication issues.

What kind of work do MFA students do for real businesses or clients?

Yes! A lot of colleges give real-life projects, internships, and ways to work together with media companies, NGOs, advertising agencies, and publishing houses. As a student, you might work on client tasks, branding solutions, campaign design, or communicating about social effects. Students can use their artistic skills in real-life situations and build strong resumes by interacting with professionals in the field.

The people who get an MFA in Applied Arts learn how to use what kinds of apps and tools?

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and After Effects), CorelDRAW, Blender, and Procreate are some of the tools that students learn how to use. They also draw, paint, take pictures, make prints, and do computer illustrations. Tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Premiere Pro are added for motion graphics and UI/UX.

What kinds of jobs can people with an MFA in Applied Arts get?

Visual designers, art directors, illustrators, creative planners, animators, design teachers and branding experts are all jobs that graduates can get. They are eagerly sought after by advertising, media, publishing, animation, UI/UX and marketing firms. Some also open their own workshops, work as freelancers, or go to college to study design, the fine arts, or communication at a higher level.

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