MFA Stands for Master of Fine Arts in Painting, which is a full-time postgraduate level programme. Candidates who have a strong knowledge of design like- Graphics and Paintings can pursue this course as a career option. Master in paintings is one of the most required career paths among the courses list in terms of personal growth and career growth opportunities.
MFA course is of 2-year duration and divided into four semesters. There are several colleges/institutes/universities available in India that offer the MFA course with various specializations. The following specializations are – Painting, Acting, Drawing and Illustrations, Ceramics, Photography, Creative Writing, Computer Animation, Sculpture, Graphic Design etc. The MFA course focuses on providing in-depth knowledge of theoretical subjects and practical academic activities that includes research projects, viva-voice and workshops. The theoretical subjects of MFA covered the core subjects Such as – History of European Art, History of Indian Architecture, Sociology, History of Oriental Arts, Mechanism of Artistic Perception and History of Indian Arts. Passionate aspirants who are passionate about this course can try their art in various domains. They can find several job opportunities in various sector including academic institutions, Art Studios, theatres, Animation, Visual Designing, Music companies and more.
MFA Course Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or any other relevant degree from an authorized university/institute.
- He/ She must obtain at least 50% to 60% of marks in graduation.
- Candidates who have a bachelor degree in Humanities are also eligible to apply for admission.
Entrance Exam for Admission to MFA Course
Candidates who are willing to pursue an MFA course will have to appear for the relevant exam first. However, various Indian universities conduct entrance exams for MFA admissions. Thus, it varies according to the respective universities/ colleges/ institutions. Some of the popular entrance exams include BHU PET, JNUEE etc.
- BHU PET – Banaras Hindu University conducts the BHU PET or Banaras Hindu University Post Graduation Entrance Test. Candidates aspiring to pursue a career in fields of Music, Science, fashion, Arts and various other courses must appear for this exam.
- JNUEE –Tripura University conducts the JUNEE exam for admission to various UG and PG programs in the field of Science, Engineering, Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Law and Education. It is an offline exam (pen-paper based test) conducts across 12 test centres including Tripura Campus.
How to Prepare for MFA Entrance Exam?
Before appearing for the MFA entrance exam, candidates must prepare well to secure seats in the entrance examination. Here are certain points that consider should consider when applying for the entrance exam.
- Students should prepare a list of targeted universities where they want to study. After that, they should well know about the relevant admission tests.
- Candidates must know about the relevant entrance examination and their respective topics and paper patterns. This will help you to understand how to prepare for it.
- Candidates are advised to go through important concepts related to fine arts.
- For preparing well, you can attempt mock tests and previous year question papers.
- Aspirants must have a clear idea of the syllabus and concepts of the relevant entrance exam.
- Before appearing for an entrance test, you must read the rules and regulations of the respective exam.
- Easy topics should cover first then go for difficult topics.
- Revise the entire syllabus before appearing for the entrance exam.
- Study material should be accurate and have been published by a popular publisher.
Skill Set for MFA Course
Those who have a keen interest in learning new techniques or have a creative mind can easily pursue an MFA course. Besides this, aspirants should possess some other skills, which are below-mentioned:
- Realistic and Constructive Drawing
- Creativity
- Colour Techniques
- Organisation Skills
- Composition skills
- Interpretive skills
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Decision Making Skill
- Drawing Skills, etc.
What are the top colleges for MFA Courses in India?
MFA Course is being offered by many private and public universities/ colleges in India. Here is the complete list of top-notch colleges with their annual fees that you can check for taking admission into the MFA course.
- Amity University, Noida - 56,000 Average Annual Fees
- University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad – 12,130 Average Annual Fees
- Jamila Malia Islamia, New Delhi – 10,550 Average Annual Fees
- VBU, Birbhum – 8,160 Average Annual Fees
- Mumbai University, Mumbai – 34,405 Average Annual Fees
- University of Kalyani, Kalyani – 16,810 Average Annual Fees
- BAMU, Aurangabad – 28,536 Average Annual Fees
- Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi – 10,800 Average Annual Fees
- Annamalai University, Annamalai – 5,900 Average Annual Fees
The course fees for admission in the MFA course vary as per colleges/ universities. Generally, the annual courses vary from institute to institute. The average fee of MFA is between INR 10,000 and 3, 00,000.
Syllabus of MFA Course
Usually, master courses take 2 years to complete. Thus, an MFA course is divided into four semesters. However, the MFA curriculum involves both theoretical and practical subjects. Let's have a look at the general syllabus of the MFA course.
Semester – I
- History of Modern Western Art
- Aesthetic and Art Prediction
- Creative Painting / Portrait
- The exhibition, Viva-Voice and Seminar
Semester – II
- History of Modern Western Art
- Aesthetic and Art Appreciation
- Creative Painting and Portrait
- The exhibition, Viva-Voice and Seminar
Semester – III
- History of Modern Indian Art
- Dissertation and Viva Voice
- Creative Painting and Portrait
Semester – IV
- History of Modern Indian Art
- Dissertation and Viva Voice
- Creative Painting and Portrait
The syllabus may vary from institute to institute. But mostly every Indian institute follows above mentioned exam pattern and topics.
Job Position
On successful completion of the MFA Course, candidates can work in the following post:
Designer, Gallery Artist, Art Instructor, Museum Curator, Art Critic, Fine Artist, Printmaker, Multimedia Programmer, Museum officer, Arts Therapist, Museum Officer, etc.
Job Opportunities after doing MFA
Students who complete the MFA course will seek jobs in both the private and public sectors. Students can works in areas like Publication homes, Art Galleries, News and Magazines houses, Craft Shops, News etc. Apart from this, an MFA graduate can work individually as a professional. Some of the popular jobs offered to MFA degree holders after completing the course. Let’s quickly have a look:
- Art Therapist – An art therapist motivate people to consider and reflect on their artist skills, helps in art group activities and encourage their clients to work on their positive attitude entitled to the therapeutic process.
- Fine Artist – These professionals are trained to works across several modes like clay, metal, wood etc.
- Art Gallery Manager – After doing MFA, professionals can work for art galleries. They can set schedules for their gallery requirements. The major roles of such professionals are to create a direct link between artists and their audience.
- Museum Warden – They are hiring to organize new collections in the museum and maintain records and cataloguing acquisitions.
- Art Critic –The primary work of an art critic is to speaking with gallery managers, private owners, travelling to galleries, give opinions on fine arts and so on.
Salary Packages
Candidates who have completed the MFA course have been offered a good salary. The salary for each position can vary. Here is the average annual salary for the different post:
- Art Therapist – INR 2,31,000
- Art Critic – INR 5,00,000
- Museum Warden – INR 3,58,000
- Fine Arts – INR 3,00,000
- Art Gallery Manager – INR 4,85,000
Future Scope after MFA Course
After completing the MFA course, students can go with the job option or opt. for advanced/ research education and job opportunities. Students either become join B. Ed or PhD course in their respective specialisation. Thus, the course offers massive scope for additional employment with lucrative salary packages.
