Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The BA (Hons.) in History of Art at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 3-year full-time undergraduate programme offered under the Faculty of Arts. The course provides a comprehensive study of the history, theory, and criticism of art across different civilisations and periods, with a special focus on Indian art traditions. BHU, located in Varanasi - one of the world's oldest living cities and a major centre of Indian art and culture - provides an unparalleled environment for studying art history. With a seat intake of 14 seats, this is a selective programme. The total course fee is Rs. 6,900 for the entire 3-year duration, making it highly affordable. Admission is based on CUET UG scores. The programme is popular among students interested in art, archaeology, museum studies, cultural heritage, and art criticism.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are upcoming. The CUET UG 2026 registration window has already closed (January 3 - February 26, 2026). The CUET UG exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026 (tentative), with results expected in early July 2026. BHU counselling registration is expected to begin in the third week of July 2026, following CUET result declaration.

Key Points

One of the few dedicated BA (Hons.) History of Art programmes at a central university in India, with 14 seats available.
BHU's location in Varanasi provides direct access to one of the richest repositories of Indian art, architecture, and cultural heritage.
The curriculum covers Indian art history (from prehistoric to contemporary), world art history, iconography, aesthetics, and art criticism.
Graduates are well-positioned for careers in museums, art galleries, cultural heritage organisations, archaeology, and academia.
The programme provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Art History, Museum Studies, and Cultural Heritage Management.
Students have access to BHU's Bharat Kala Bhavan, one of India's premier art museums with an extensive collection of Indian art and artefacts.

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BHU Latest Updates and News

18 Apr, 2026 CUET UG 2026 subject selection edit window is open till April 19, 2026, @cuet.nta.nic.in. The Exam will be held from May 11 to 31, 2026.

BHU BA (Hons.) History of Art Fees

The BA (Hons.) History of Art programme at BHU is extremely affordable, with a total course fee of Rs. 6,900 for the entire 3-year duration. The annual tuition fee is Rs. 2,300 per year. Hostel accommodation is available separately and is not mandatory.

Course Fee Structure

Fee Component	Year 1 (INR)	Year 2 (INR)	Year 3 (INR)	Total (INR)
Tuition Fee	2,300	2,300	2,300	6,900
Other Charges	-	-	-	-
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	2,300	2,300	2,300	6,900

Hostel Fees (Optional)

Hostel Component	Per Year (INR)
Hostel Fee (Male)	~5,375
Mess Charges	~18,000 - 24,000 (approx.)

Hostel accommodation is not mandatory and is subject to availability.
Mess charges are separate and vary based on the hostel and meal plan chosen.
A caution/security deposit may be collected at the time of admission, which is refundable at the end of the course.
Students from Uttar Pradesh may be eligible for UP Government Scholarship, which can reimburse a significant portion of fees.
Paid seats (up to 15% of total seats) are available at a higher fee for students who narrowly miss the merit cutoff.

BHU BA (Hons.) History of Art Admission 2026

Admissions to BA (Hons.) History of Art at BHU are conducted through CUET UG scores, followed by BHU's own counselling process at bhucuet.samarth.edu.in. With 14 seats available, competition is significant. The 2025 General category CUET cutoff was 285 marks. For the 2026-27 session, students must first appear in CUET UG 2026 and then register for BHU counselling after results are declared.

Important Dates

Event	Tentative Date
CUET UG Registration Start	January 3, 2026 (Completed)
CUET UG Registration End	February 26, 2026 (Completed)
CUET UG Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Exam	May 11 - May 31, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
CUET UG Result Declaration	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU Counselling Registration Opens	Third week of July 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date for BHU Counselling Registration	First week of August 2026 (Tentative)
BHU UG First Seat Allotment	Second week of August 2026 (Tentative)
BHU UG Second/Third Allotment	Second-Third week of August 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	October/November 2026 (Tentative)

Event	Date
Registration Start	January 3, 2026
Registration End	February 26, 2026
Admit Card Release	May 5, 2026 (Tentative)
Exam Date	May 11 - May 31, 2026
Answer Key Release	June 17, 2026 (Tentative)
Result Declaration	July 4, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board.
Minimum 50% aggregate marks in 10+2 (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
Must have appeared in CUET UG 2026 with relevant subject(s) as per BHU's prescribed eligibility for the History of Art programme.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET UG 2026 at cuet.nta.nic.in.
After CUET result declaration, register for BHU UG counselling at bhucuet.samarth.edu.in.
Pay the BHU counselling registration fee (General/OBC/EWS: Rs. 500; SC/ST/PwD: Rs. 250).
Enter course and college preferences in the BHU counselling portal.
Seat allotment is done based on CUET normalised score and preference order.
Accept the allotment and pay the commitment fee (Rs. 2,500 for General; Rs. 500 for SC/ST) within the stipulated deadline.
Document verification is conducted online; ineligible candidates' offers are withdrawn.
Pay the balance admission fee and report to the Department of History of Art, Faculty of Arts, BHU on the specified date with original documents.

BHU BA (Hons.) History of Art Scholarships 2026

BHU offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options for students, making higher education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. Given the very low fee structure of this programme, most students can also benefit from government scholarship schemes. Students from Uttar Pradesh are particularly well-placed to receive UP Government Scholarship, which can cover a significant portion of their educational expenses.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount/Benefit
UP Government Scholarship (Post-Matric)	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance (up to Rs. 30,000-60,000 per year)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)	Students from other states; merit-cum-means basis	Varies by category and course
BHU Merit Scholarship (Rank Holders)	1st rank holder in the department	One-time reward of Rs. 4,000
BHU Merit Scholarship (2nd Rank)	2nd rank holder in the department	One-time reward of Rs. 3,000
BHU Scholarship for Economically Weak Students	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annum; 75% attendance	Free meals (lunch and dinner) for 7 months; Rs. 2,000 annually for 100 students
BHU Scholarship for Physically Challenged Students	Physically handicapped students	Rs. 4,000 one-time per year (25 students)
S.N. Ranade Scholarship	Students with excellent academic record	Amount varies based on performance
INTACH Scholarships	Students pursuing heritage/art history studies; merit-based	Varies; check INTACH website

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU institutional scholarships.
UP Scholarship applications are typically submitted online through the UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) at the beginning of each academic year.
BHU scholarship application forms are available from the university administration office (no online form available).
Mandatory documents include income certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), previous marksheets, and attendance certificate.
Students must maintain at least 75% attendance to remain eligible for BHU scholarships.

BHU BA (Hons.) History of Art FAQs

Ques. What is the scope of BA (Hons.) History of Art from BHU?

Ans. The scope is excellent for students passionate about art, culture, and heritage. Graduates can work in museums (including national museums like the National Museum, New Delhi), art galleries, cultural heritage organisations (like ASI, INTACH), auction houses, art journalism, and academia. BHU's Bharat Kala Bhavan provides hands-on exposure to one of India's finest art collections. The programme also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Art History, Museum Studies, and Cultural Heritage Management.

Ques. What is the CUET score required for admission to BA (Hons.) History of Art at BHU?

Ans. In 2025, the General category CUET cutoff was 285 marks. The OBC-NCL cutoff was 271, EWS was 264, SC was 219-227, and ST was 202-242. The cutoffs can vary each year. Students are advised to aim for a score well above the previous year's cutoff to improve their chances.

Ques. Is there any specific subject requirement in Class 12 for admission to BA (Hons.) History of Art at BHU?

Ans. There is no specific stream requirement for BA (Hons.) History of Art. Students from Arts, Science, and Commerce streams can apply, provided they meet the minimum eligibility criteria (50% in 10+2) and have appeared in CUET UG with the relevant subjects as prescribed by BHU. Students with a background in Fine Arts, History, or Social Sciences may find the transition easier.

Ques. What is Bharat Kala Bhavan at BHU, and how does it benefit History of Art students?

Ans. Bharat Kala Bhavan is one of India's premier art museums, located on the BHU campus. It houses an extensive collection of Indian art, including sculptures, paintings, textiles, coins, and manuscripts from various periods and regions. For History of Art students, it provides invaluable hands-on exposure to original artworks and artefacts, supplementing classroom learning with direct engagement with India's artistic heritage. Students can study original works from the Gupta period, Mughal miniatures, Banaras brocades, and much more.

Ques. Can I pursue a career in art curation or museum management after BA (Hons.) History of Art from BHU?

Ans. Yes, BA (Hons.) History of Art is an excellent foundation for a career in art curation and museum management. After completing the BA, students can pursue MA in Art History or Museum Studies, followed by specialised training or internships at museums and galleries. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and National Museum also recruit art history graduates for curatorial and conservation roles. BHU's proximity to Varanasi's rich cultural heritage provides additional networking and internship opportunities.

Ques. What is the difference between BA (Hons.) History of Art and BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) at BHU?

Ans. BA (Hons.) History of Art is an academic programme focused on the study, analysis, and criticism of art from a historical and theoretical perspective. Students learn about art movements, styles, iconography, and the cultural context of artworks. BFA, on the other hand, is a practical programme focused on creating art - students learn painting, sculpture, printmaking, and other studio arts. History of Art graduates typically pursue careers in museums, galleries, academia, and art criticism, while BFA graduates pursue careers as practising artists, designers, or art educators.