Best 5 Fine Arts Colleges In India 2025: Courses Offered, Fee Structure, Eligibility, Placement & Career

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Updated on Apr 8, 2025 18:30 IST

One of the most significant steps towards choosing a career is to choose the right course and college. The right steps towards choosing a college can help candidates work on their fundamental needs, build the necessary skills, and take the right direction in their careers by providing better opportunities. Read this Shiksha article to learn about the top fine arts colleges in India.

Choosing the right college for the preferred fine arts course is a crucial decision for anyone who is an art enthusiast and wishes to pursue a career in the Arts. For art enthusiasts, India is home to one of the best fine arts colleges and institutes that can help them improve their skills in painting, sculpture, design, and more. These art colleges in India help students to improve their artistic skills and creativity, self-expression, and new ideas for their future dreams and careers.

No matter what a student wants to be, a sculptor, painter, or graphic designer, selecting the right fine arts college can help shape your destiny. The best fine arts colleges in India consist of modern studios, experienced professors, and provide an environment where art students get to showcase their skills and talent. Art students can explore various opportunities through exhibitions, competitions, and collaborations with other senior and more skilled artists. Many popular fine arts colleges in India have been around for decades, making famous artists; some of them have gained a name worldwide. There are many options for arts students to pursue fine arts courses, from government institutions like the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai to private institutes with world-class facilities and courses in the Fine arts stream. Read this entire Shiksha article to go through the list of the best fine arts colleges in India, their courses, fee structure, and top recruiters for art students to find the ideal place to develop your artistic talent.

Table of content

Top 5 Fine Arts Colleges In India
Fine Arts College Admission Process
Fine Arts Colleges in India: Placement and Career Scope
Top Recruiters & Career Scope in Fine Arts (India)

Top 5 Fine Arts Colleges In India

Here is the list of the top 5 fine arts colleges in India that candidates must be aware of to seek admission if it is favourable to their course choices.

Institute Name	Courses Offered	Fee Structure (Approx.)
Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai	BFA, MFA, Diploma in Fine Arts	INR 30000 - INR 50000 per year	Tata Consultancy Services, Ad Agencies, Art Galleries
Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan	BFA, MFA in Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Arts	INR 25000 - INR 40000 per year	Art Studios, Museums, Creative Agencies
College of Art, Delhi University	BFA, MFA in Applied Art, Painting, Sculpture	INR 15000 - INR 35000 per year	Ogilvy, Times Group, Design Studios
M.S. University, Baroda (Faculty of Fine Arts)	BFA, MFA in Visual Arts, Printmaking, Art History	INR 20000 - INR 45000 per year	Art Galleries, Media Houses, Advertising Firms
Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Kerala	BFA, MFA in Painting, Sculpture, Mural Art	INR 10000 - INR 30000 per year	Art Museums, Film Industry, Publishing Houses

Fine Arts College Admission Process

Here is the list of all the top Fine Arts Colleges in India along with their admission process for those who wish to get admission to these Fine Arts institutes.

Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai: Admission Process

For BFA Admissions: Candidates who wish to take admission should know that there are two ways to get admission one is the centralised admission where admissions are done through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) by the Maharashtra CET Commissioner and the other is the Entrance Exam, where candidates must appear for the MAH AAC CET (Applied Arts & Crafts Common Entrance Test).

Eligibility Criteria:

BFA: Candidates must have passed their class 10 and 12 with English. The minimum marks needed vary by student's specialization.
MFA: Candidates must have a BFA or equivalent degree with reasonable academic scores and eligibility as per their preferred course.

Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan: Admission Process

For Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Admissions: Candidates who wish to take admission should know that the admission to this institute is based on portfolio and aptitude.

Admission Based on Portfolio & Aptitude: This admission process typically involves evaluating academic merit, a portfolio of the student's artwork, and their mental ability through an aptitude test conducted by the institute. The admission process is managed by Visva Bharati University’s admission authorities and may change a little each academic year.

Eligibility Criteria for UG Courses

Candidates must have passed their class 10 and 12 or equivalent from a recognized board.
Candidates must have secured a minimum percentage of 50 per cent, though relaxations may apply for reserved categories.
Also, students with a background or interest in Fine Arts or those students who studied subjects like drawing/Painting in school are given priority, however, this is not mandatory.
At the time of evaluation, candidates need to showcase their original art pieces like sketches, paintings, and compositions.

Eligibility for PG Courses

A minimum of 55 per cent marks or equivalent grade in a 4-year BFA or Diploma course.
Portfolio Submission: Candidates may need to submit a portfolio of their artwork as part of the selection process.
Unique Style: Known for its focus on indigenous and experimental art forms.

College of Art, Delhi University: Admission Process

For BFA Admissions

Eligibility:

Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 50 per cent marks.
There is 5 per cent relaxation for SC/ST categories and for those candidates who already come from an arts background by studying subjects such as Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, or Applied Art.
For entrance, candidates must appear for the national level entrance test CUET UG.
Also, candidates must clear CoAAT (College of Art Aptitude Test) which is an additional internal aptitude test conducted by the college.

Admission Process:

After appearing for the CUET UG, students must register by visiting the DU CSAS portal for seat allocation.

Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Kerala: Admission Process

Candidates who wish to get admission to this fine arts college must know that there are undergraduate courses offered which are affiliated with Kerala University. The selection process is based on students' merit in Class 12 (CBSE or Kerala Board) or acceptable course-level entrance scores. For the application process, candidates must apply online by visiting the official website.

Eligibility for BFA

Candidates must have completed their class 12 with the needed qualifying marks.
The final selection of the applicants is based on academic performance.

M.S. University, Baroda (Faculty of Fine Arts): Admission Process

For BFA Admissions: The admission to this institute is entrance based, and to get admission to the BFA program, the evaluation will be based on performance in an entrance test conducted by the Faculty of Fine Arts, MSU Baroda. Candidates need to appear for both the written test and a practical exam (drawing, design, and creative tasks).

For MFA and PG Courses

Eligibility:

Candidates must have a BFA or equivalent degree in the relevant specialization from a recognized university.
Candidates must have scored a minimum qualifying percentage (usually around 50 per cent or as specified).

Selection Process:

Candidates must have their portfolio ready for review, written test, or interview session.
The final merit is calculated based on candidates' entrance performance and academic scores.

Eligibility Criteria:

BFA Course

Candidates must have completed their class 12 with the needed qualifying marks. Also, candidates with a background in visual arts are given more preference.
Selection is not completely based on merit; a candidate's artistic ability is evaluated through entrance and practical tests.

MFA Course

Candidates must hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.
Candidates must fulfil their department-specific eligibility and pass the entrance exam.

Fine Arts Colleges in India: Placement and Career Scope

Here is the list of all the top fine arts colleges and institutes in India that Fine Arts students must be aware of before deciding to pursue their preferred fine art course.

Colleges	Placement	Career Scope
Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai	Offers placement assistance through alumni networks and exhibitions; students also build strong freelance careers.	Illustrator, Art Director, Animator, Gallery Curator, Freelance Artist
Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati University	No formal placement cell; students often get recruited via art camps, exhibitions, or higher study recommendations.	Art Historian, Painter, Printmaker, Sculptor, Art Educator
College of Art, Delhi University	Limited campus placement; however, students get freelance projects and internships through exhibitions and cultural events.	Graphic Designer, Visualizer, Concept Artist, UI/UX Designer, Museum Curator
Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts	Placement is more student-driven through participation in regional and national-level exhibitions.	Mural Artist, Art Therapist, Art Restoration Expert, Freelancer
Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Baroda	Known for producing some of India’s finest contemporary artists. Placement opportunities through exhibitions and academic recommendations.	Illustrator, Art Professor, Concept Artist, Gallery Manager, Set Designer

Top Recruiters & Career Scope in Fine Arts (India)

Before choosing a career or a fine arts institute, candidates should also know about the top recruiter based on their career choice, to know whether their respective field will be relevant in future or not.

Top Recruiters	Career Scope in Fine Arts
National Gallery of Modern Art	Art Restoration, Curating Exhibitions
Lalit Kala Akademi	Sculpture, Installation Art, Printmaking
Tanishq, FabIndia, Titan (Design Departments)	Jewelry Design, Visual Merchandising
Animation and Gaming Studios (like Maya Digital, Toonz)	Character Design, Concept Art, 2D/3D Animation
Advertising Agencies (Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, Dentsu)	Graphic Designing, Storyboarding, Art Direction
Fashion and Lifestyle Brands (Raymond, Pantaloons)	Textile Design, Pattern Making
Museums and Heritage Sites (ASI, Private Galleries)	Heritage Management, Conservation, Museum Education
Freelance and Entrepreneurship	Starting own studio, NFT art, online galleries, art workshops, content creation for digital platforms

India’s fine arts colleges have always been a centre point for creativity, culture, and expression, nurturing the upcoming generations of artists who have contributed immensely to the global art stage. Institutions like the Sir J.J. School of Art, Kala Bhavana, MSU Baroda, and the College of Art, Delhi, are not only known for their rich historical contribution to the artistic world but also their innovation and adaptability to contemporary trends in visual and applied arts.

While formal placement support can differ across these rt institutions, the real power of these colleges is hidden in their rigorous training, mentorship from fine artists, and exposure through exhibitions, residencies, and workshops. Those art students graduate with diverse career pathways, from fine art practice, animation, and illustration to art curation, design, and education, and are going to further contribute to the world of fine arts and creativity to make this world a better place.

With India’s rising appreciation for art, design, and visual storytelling across different industries like advertising, fashion, gaming, and heritage conservation, the career opportunities for fine arts students are more dynamic than before. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right fine arts college, which can be a transformative decision and, if selected wisely, will pave the way for both personal and professional creative growth.