Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Fine Arts [MFA] at Banaras Hindu University is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Visual Arts, one of the most prestigious fine arts faculties in India. BHU offers MFA in five specialisations: Painting, Applied Arts, Plastic Arts (Sculpture), Pottery and Ceramics, and Textile Design. The programme provides advanced studio-based training combined with art history, theory, and research, preparing students for careers as professional artists, designers, art educators, and researchers. The total seat intake across all MFA specialisations is approximately 100-120 seats. The fee for regular category students is Rs. 3,000 per semester (Rs. 6,000 total for the 2-year programme), making it one of the most affordable MFA programmes in India. Admission is based on CUET PG scores. The Faculty of Visual Arts at BHU is renowned for its distinguished alumni, world-class faculty, and state-of-the-art studios, making it a top destination for aspiring fine arts professionals.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic session are currently in progress via CUET PG 2026, which is ongoing (March 13 - April 1, 2026). The CUET PG 2026 result is expected on May 6, 2026 (tentative), following which BHU will open its Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) for seat allocation, tentatively in June 2026. Based on the 2025 cycle, CAP-PG registration opened in early June and the first allotment round was announced in mid-July 2025.

Key Points

BHU's Faculty of Visual Arts offers MFA in five specialisations: Painting, Applied Arts, Plastic Arts (Sculpture), Pottery and Ceramics, and Textile Design - one of the widest ranges of fine arts specialisations at any Indian university.
The programme combines intensive studio practice with art history, aesthetics, and research methodology, enabling students to develop a strong professional and academic portfolio.
BHU's Faculty of Visual Arts has produced some of India's most celebrated artists and designers, with alumni holding prominent positions in national and international art institutions.
Students have access to well-equipped studios, kilns, printing facilities, sculpture workshops, and a rich art library within the campus.
The MFA from BHU is recognised for UGC NET eligibility in Visual Arts, enabling graduates to pursue academic careers as Assistant Professors.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

BHU Latest Updates and News

15 Apr, 2026 CUET PG 2026 Results are expected to be released by First week of May @exams.nta.nic.in. To know more, click here.

BHU MFA Fees

The MFA at BHU is offered at an extremely affordable fee for regular category students, with a semester fee of Rs. 3,000, making the total tuition fee for the 2-year programme just Rs. 6,000. Paid fee seats are also available at a higher fee. The total fees including other charges (examination, library, etc.) amount to approximately Rs. 15,750 for the full course. Hostel accommodation is available on campus at approximately Rs. 5,375 per year for male students, with mess charges billed separately.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Regular Category (per semester)	Paid Fee Category (per semester)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 3,000	Rs. 45,000 (approx.)
Total Tuition Fee (4 Semesters)	Rs. 6,000	Rs. 1,80,000 (approx.)
Other Charges (exam, library, etc.)	Rs. 9,750 (total, approx.)	Rs. 9,750 (total, approx.)
Total Fees (without hostel)	Rs. 15,750 (approx.)	Rs. 1,89,750 (approx.)
Hostel Fee (per year, optional)	Rs. 5,375	Rs. 5,375
Mess Charges (approx., per month)	Rs. 3,500 - Rs. 4,000	Rs. 3,500 - Rs. 4,000

Fees may vary slightly across specialisations; candidates should verify the exact fee for their chosen specialisation from the official BHU PG Bulletin 2026.
Hostel accommodation is not mandatory; students may opt for private accommodation near the campus.
Mess charges are billed separately and are not included in the hostel fee.
A refundable security deposit may be applicable at the time of admission.
Education loans are available under the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme (collateral-free) for eligible students.

BHU MFA Admission 2026

Admissions to the MFA at BHU are conducted through CUET PG 2026, followed by BHU's Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026). The CUET PG 2026 examination is currently ongoing. Based on the 2025 admission cycle, BHU opened CAP-PG registration in early June 2025, with the first allotment round in mid-July 2025 and subsequent rounds through August-September 2025. For 2026, a similar timeline is expected.

BHU MFA Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026)
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	Early June 2026
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Closes	Mid-June 2026
Round 1 Seat Allotment	Mid-July 2026
Round 2 Seat Allotment	Late July 2026
Round 3 Seat Allotment	Late July / Early August 2026
Mop-Up Round (if applicable)	August - September 2026
Classes Begin	August / September 2026

CUET PG 2026 Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET PG 2026 Registration	December 14, 2025 - January 23, 2026
Form Correction Window	January 28 - January 30, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 9, 2026
CUET PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
Result Declaration	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

For NEP-based graduates: BFA (Honours) with the relevant specialisation as the major subject, with a minimum of 50% of total credits earned in the specialisation at the Bachelor's level, with an aggregate of at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
For Non-NEP graduates: BFA (Honours) in the relevant specialisation or studied the specialisation in all semesters/years of the BFA degree, with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
SC/ST candidates are exempt from the minimum percentage requirement but must have passed the qualifying examination.

Admission Process

Register for CUET PG 2026 on the NTA portal (exams.nta.nic.in/cuet-pg) and appear for the relevant Fine Arts paper.
After CUET PG result declaration, apply for BHU's CAP-PG 2026 on the official BHU admission portal (admission.bhu.ac.in), selecting the preferred MFA specialisation.
Seat allotment is based on CUET PG score, category, and institutional preference (BHU students get up to 25% preference in open category seats).
Accept the allotted seat online and pay the admission fee within the stipulated deadline.
Report physically to the Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU with original documents for verification and final admission.

BHU MFA Scholarships 2026

Students admitted to the MFA at BHU can avail a range of government and institutional scholarships. Given the very affordable fee structure, scholarships primarily help cover living, hostel, and material expenses. SC/ST and OBC students are well-supported through central government schemes.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Application Deadline
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Central Govt.)	SC students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance	October - November (annually)
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Central Govt.)	ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh/year	Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance	October - November (annually)
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students (Central Govt.)	OBC (non-creamy layer) students with family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance	October - November (annually)
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for SC Students (Top Class Education)	SC students admitted to notified top institutions	Full tuition fee coverage	April - May (annually)
Sitaram Jindal Scholarship	Students with family income below Rs. 2 lakh/year, merit-based	Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 2,000/month	April 20, 2026
PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme (Education Loan)	All students admitted to recognised institutions	Collateral-free loan up to Rs. 10 lakh	Rolling basis

Applications for most government scholarships are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Given the very low tuition fee, most scholarship benefits will primarily cover hostel, mess, art materials, and living expenses.
SC/ST students are exempt from minimum percentage requirements for admission but must meet scholarship-specific income criteria.
The PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme provides interest subsidy for students with family income up to Rs. 8 lakh per annum.

BHU MFA FAQs

Ques. Which MFA specialisation is most popular at BHU?

Ans. MFA in Applied Arts and MFA in Painting are the most sought-after specialisations at BHU, given the strong industry demand for graphic designers, illustrators, and fine artists. MFA in Plastic Arts (Sculpture) is also highly regarded for students interested in 3D art and installation work. The choice of specialisation should align with the student's BFA background and career goals.

Ques. What is the CUET PG cutoff for MFA at BHU?

Ans. Based on 2025 data, the CUET PG cutoff for MFA Applied Arts at BHU was approximately 491 marks (General category, Round 1) and 526 marks (Round 4). OBC category cutoff was around 399-420 marks, EWS around 344-381 marks, and SC around 218 marks. Cutoffs may vary by specialisation and year.

Ques. Can students from non-BFA backgrounds apply for MFA at BHU?

Ans. The eligibility for MFA at BHU requires a BFA (Honours) degree or equivalent with the relevant specialisation. Students from general BA or BSc backgrounds without a fine arts undergraduate degree are generally not eligible. However, candidates with equivalent qualifications recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) may be considered.

Ques. What career options are available after MFA from BHU?

Ans. MFA graduates from BHU can pursue careers as professional artists, graphic designers, illustrators, sculptors, ceramicists, textile designers, art directors, and art educators. With UGC NET qualification, they can become Assistant Professors in fine arts departments. Many BHU MFA alumni have gone on to exhibit nationally and internationally, work with leading design firms, and hold faculty positions at premier art institutions.

Ques. Is there a practical/portfolio test for MFA admission at BHU?

Ans. MFA admission at BHU is based solely on CUET PG scores, followed by the CAP-PG seat allotment process. There is no separate portfolio review or practical test for admission. However, students are expected to have a strong BFA background in their chosen specialisation.

Ques. How is the studio infrastructure at BHU's Faculty of Visual Arts?

Ans. BHU's Faculty of Visual Arts is equipped with dedicated studios for each specialisation, including painting studios, sculpture workshops, ceramic kilns, textile design labs, and printmaking facilities. The faculty also has a well-stocked art library and organises regular exhibitions, workshops, and artist residencies. The campus environment, with its heritage architecture and natural surroundings, provides an inspiring setting for artistic practice.