MFA (Master of Fine Arts) – The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) programme is aimed to assist creatively-minded individuals in refining their creative talents in order to generate more significant, intriguing, and polished art forms.
As a result, the course strives to enhance the art form, which can be technologically demanding sectors such as graphic design and cinema sound mixing, or non-tech forms such as dance, drawing, and painting. M.F.A. programmes are now accessible in both the visual and performing arts.
Read Also: Bachelor of Performing Arts – Scope, Fees, Salary, Top Colleges
What is MFA (Master of Fine Arts)?
Master of Fine Arts is a demanded postgraduate programme designed for candidates interested in visual and performing arts. This two-year programme examines the significance and application of the arts, as well as its aesthetic ideals. It is a broad phrase that encompasses a variety of fields. The degree provides students with knowledge and abilities in the visual and performing arts, allowing them to pursue a beautiful career in the art and craft business and contribute further to the art industry.
The M.F.A. degree incorporates professional, challenging coursework as well as scientific knowledge of the art field. As a result, by the time the student completes the course, he or she has developed a critical eye. In addition, unlike MA programmes, which are primarily focused on critically analysing art theory, an MFA degree provides a more practical learning experience.
Why Choose MFA?
The following are the benefits to pursue a Master of Fine arts.
- Fine arts study has a broader range of performing options and prospects. Artists have the flexibility to do what they want based on their talents and enthusiasm.
- You can specialise in areas such as Applied Arts (graphic design, interior design, fashion design, etc.), Oil Painting, Water Colors, Modern Art History, Sculpture, Printmaking, Lithography, Digital Art Studies, Animation, and so on.
- There are several career options available. You can work for advertising agencies, marketing firms, museums, art colleges, and small non-profit groups or businesses. If you have the talents and the desire, you may even establish your own graphic design agency.
- You may work as a freelancer in digital art and commercial art to become your own boss. By attending classes or workshops, you may earn a good living by teaching others advanced talents such as sketching, drawing, illustrations, oil painting, and so on.
Read Also: Bachelor of Design – Scope, Fees, Salary, Top Colleges.
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Course Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for admission to a college, one should be aware of the M.F.A qualifying requirement. This will spare the candidate a lot of heartache later on if, for example, admission is denied owing to a discrepancy in qualifying requirements.
- Qualifications: The candidate must hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in the relevant specialisation from a recognised institute or college.
- Marks in the qualifying examination: Some colleges, such as the Amity School of Fine Arts, need a minimum of 50% in BFA, while others, such as Jamia Millia Islamia, require a minimum of 60% in graduation. To have a clear understanding, it is a good idea to refer to the college to which one is seeking admission.
- Age Limit: While the majority of universities do not have any age requirements, a few, such as AMU, do, requiring that the candidate be no older than 27 years old as of July 1 of the entrance year.
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Courses Admission Process
The MFA admission process begins with the student meeting the qualifying criteria and completing entrance tests administered by national bodies, institutes, or a consortium of institutes. After clearing these tests, applicants are invited to complete a written test, participate in group discussions, and have a personal interview. Though the admission process differs for each college, the following are the procedures that one should do in general to gain admission:
Candidates must first get the application form via the internet portal/offline network. It must then be filled. Because of covid, the only choice accessible right now is to shop online. After that, the aspirant must upload/attach the appropriate papers in accordance with the standards and requirements. Then, if required, ask for a loan and pay the charge if chosen.
The MFA qualifying requirements of the minimum scores in the specified tests are used to make the selection. After that, there may be an admission exam at colleges. The aspirant is chosen after passing those with a good score. The charge must then be paid, either with or without the loan, according to the rates stated by the institution.
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Entrance Exams
Some colleges, institutions, and even states may hold entrance exams for MFA admissions. The test covers subjects covered throughout the Bachelor’s degree, assisting students in understanding the course. The examinations are as follows:
| Name of Entrance Exam | Read More | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| BHU PET | Click Here | Click Here |
| AMU | Click Here | Click Here |
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Course Preparation Tips
MFA admission examinations consist of both aptitude and knowledge assessment questions. As a result, being well equipped with it would be beneficial. Furthermore, because the examinations themselves only cover a portion of the material, it would be more beneficial to conduct in-depth research. The following are some preparatory ideas developed by specialists for candidates interested in pursuing an MFA.
- Time Management: The applicant must be able to answer all of the questions in the allotted time. It would be lengthy because it requires ability and language.
- Reading Newspapers: Questions on general knowledge and current events are frequently posed in entrance tests, as well as in personal interviews and group discussion rounds.
- Skills: Attempting to focus more on general knowledge, aptitude, and so on, which are all included in the questions.
Read Also: Bachelor of Fine Arts – Salary, Scope, Fees, Top Colleges
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Course Fee structure
The MFA course prices may differ depending on the college. Because of its infrastructure and resources, government-based institute fees are less than those of private institutes. An MFA course in a private institute charges around INR 2K – 20 LPA on average.
| College Name | Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| Sir JJ Institute of Applied Arts, Mumbai | INR 20K |
| Bhartiya Kala Mahavidhyalaya, Pune | INR 1.5L |
| Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU | INR 5.3K |
| Amity School of Fine Arts, Noida | INR 80K |
| Dept. of Fine Arts, Kurukshetra University, Thanesar | INR 72K |
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Specializations
Almost every creative discipline is represented by a variety of M.F.A Programmes. This specialist M.F.A programmes are designed to meet the demands of fiction writers, dramatists, choreographers, ballet dancers, painters, stage and film directors, and fashion designers. The following are some of the most common M.F.A Specialisations:
| S.No. | Specializations |
|---|---|
| 1. | Master of Fine Arts in Applied Arts |
| 2. | Master of Fine Arts in Painting |
| 3. | Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communication |
| 4. | Master of Fine Arts in Art History |
| 5. | Master of Fine Arts in Acting |
| 6. | Master of Fine Arts in Dance |
| 7. | Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing |
| 8. | Master of Fine Arts in Photography |
| 9. | Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking |
| 10. | Master of Fine Arts in Design |
| 11. | Master of Fine Arts in Textile Design |
| 12. | Master of Fine Arts in Pottery and Ceramics |
| 13. | Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture |
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Syllabus
MFA Syllabus is nearly identical at all universities, with the exception of electives like photography, illustration, and so on. The MFA curriculum at various leading colleges in India is as follows:
| Semester I | Semester II |
|---|---|
| History of European Art-I | History of European Art-II |
| Advertising Principles and Practices | Advertising Principles and Practices-II |
| Occidental Aesthetics-I | Occidental Aesthetics-II |
| Visualization/ Illustration/ Photography (Anyone) | Visualization/ Illustration/ Photography (Anyone) |
| Creative Painting/ Mural Design/ Portrait/ Landscape (Anyone) | Creative Painting/ Mural Design/ Portrait/ Landscape (Anyone) |
| Semester III | Semester IV |
| History of Modern Indian Art-I | History of Modern Indian Art-II |
| Advertising (Principles and practices)- III | Advertising (Principles and practices)- IV |
| Oriental Aesthetics-I | Oriental Aesthetics-II |
| Visualization-III Illustration-III Photography-III | Visualization-IV Illustration-IV Photography-IV |
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Higher Studies
An MFA degree provides Many professional opportunities. It is even feasible to continue your education after finishing the course. Doctorate degrees, which students can get in many specialities featured in the course module, are the most generally pursued path in this area. Among the courses are:
- M.Phil Fine Arts
- Ph.D. Fine Arts
- MFA in Painting
- MFA in Textile design
- MFA in Graphic design
Read Also: Bachelor of Visual Arts – Scope, Salary, Fees, Admission, Syllabus
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Scope
An MFA graduate’s initial income will be roughly INR 2 – 8 LPA [Source: PayScale]. As one’s talents and experience grow, so will one’s compensation. The wage varies based on whether the job is in the private or public sector, as well as the popularity of the company. While discussing remuneration, the aspirant’s employment function is also taken into account.
Following completion of an MFA study, the aspirant can work in both the public and private sectors, depending on the sort of employment they desire or the talents they possess. They also have the possibility of additional specialisation through courses such as a PhD or even a further extension through other full-time studies. However, due to the need and requirements, even an MFA degree has a broad career scope.
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Job Profiles
The following are the job profiles for MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Graduates.
| Job Position | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Artist | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Graphic Designer | INR 3 LPA |
| Art Teacher | INR 3.1 LPA |
| Art Historian | INR 4.8 LPA |
| Curator | INR 4.2 LPA |
| Animator | INR 3.7 LPA |
| Creative Director | INR 13.2 LPA |
| Photographer | INR 3.6 LPA |
| Art Restorer | INR 3.9 LPA |
| Art Critic | INR 4.5 LPA |
MFA Employment Areas
The following are the working sector for MFA Graduates.
- Museums
- Art galleries
- Dance academies
- Music studios
- Gaming industry
- TV channels
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Salary
An MFA graduate’s initial income will be roughly INR 2 – 8 LPA. As one’s talents and experience grow, so will one’s compensation. The wage varies based on whether the job is in the private or public sector, as well as the popularity of the company. While discussing remuneration, the aspirant’s employment function is also taken into account. The table below shows the salary structure for some of the most frequent employment roles.
| Job description | Salary |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | Rs. 352000 |
| Senior Graphic Designer | Rs. 686000 |
| 3d Artist | Rs. 409000 |
| Art Director | Rs. 648000 |
| Art Teacher | Rs. 322000 |
| Creative Director | Rs. 1000000 |
| User Interface Designer | Rs. 301000 |
| Strategy Analyst | Rs. 626000 |
| Fashion Designer | Rs. 609000 |
MFA (Master of Fine Arts) colleges
There are several colleges in India that offer MFA programmes. Because it is a type of speciality, it necessitates both practical and theoretical study, which allows them to get an in-depth understanding of the course. According to the updates provided in 2021, these are the top ten colleges in India. The following are the top & reputed colleges/institutes/universities to pursue MFA (Master of Fine Arts).
| S.No. | Name of the College |
|---|---|
| 1 | College of Arts, Delhi University |
| 2 | BHU, Varanasi |
| 3 | Jamia Millia Islamia University |
| 4 | Sir JJ Institute of Applied Arts |
| 5 | Kurukshetra University |
| 6 | Vishwa Bharti University |
| 7 | AMU, Aligarh |
| 8 | Bharatiya Kala Prasarini Sabhas College of Architecture |
| 9 | Amity School of Fine Arts |
| 10 | School of Communication, Manipal |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Aspirants must have a Bachelor of Arts degree from a recognised university. Students for the MFA Painting course must have at least a 55 per cent aggregate in their bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised board.
MFA programmes can take as little as a year to as many as four years to complete, though most take between two and three years. If you need to balance your job and family life while pursuing your MFA, explore schools that enable you to study part-time or online.
There are no national or state-level MFA tests administered for entrance to the programme. In reality, colleges such as AMU hold departmental tests for admission.
Some colleges, like IGNOU and Annamalai University, offer Master of Fine Arts degrees via distance study.
You can earn an average beginning income of INR 2-5 LPA. It may rise to INR 8 LPA after gaining a lot of expertise and skills. You might earn more as a freelancer if you have effectively built or discovered a customer base.