What is MVA: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2026, Colleges, Syllabus, Salary & Scope

Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
MVA full form is Master of Visual Arts. It is a 2-year PG degree program covering various aspects of the visual arts field. The course has different visual art-related subjects, including photography, sculpture making, painting, dance, and theatre. Apart from the course curriculum, you'll also learn about various theories related to art programming, organizational management, and curatorship.
Eligibility for MVA courses needs one to complete graduation in BVA or a related field from a recognised college/university with an aggregate of 50% or more. Admission to Master of Visual Arts is based on merit and entrance exams. Some of the commonly accepted entrance exams are CUET, PUBDET, and JMI Entrance Exam. MVA courses have the flexibility to be pursued as a regular full-time course, or a distance course.
The course can be pursued from many reputed colleges/universities. Some popular universities offering the MVA course include MSU, Bangalore University, and Aligarh Muslim University. The average MVA fees ranges from INR 50,000 to 3 lakh depending on the college/university. With the rapidly increasing opportunities in the field of visual arts and design, the importance of MVA courses is increasing.
MVA Graduates can choose to become professional artists or museum curators in f amous exhibitions and art galleries. Some of the top recruiting companies f or MVA graduates include Balaji Telefilms, YRF Studios, and Iris Media.
Students who are interested in pursuing Master of Visual Arts can read the article further.
Master of Visual Arts (MVA) Course Details: Highlights
You see the below table to learn the key highlights of MVA course.
| Highlights |
Details |
|---|---|
| Level |
Postgraduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Admission Process |
Merit/Direct Admission |
| Exam Type |
Semester-wise |
| Fee |
INR 50000-INR 3 LPA |
| Exams |
PUBDET, MAAH AAC CET, CUET, NSD Entrance Exam |
| Top Institutes |
MSU, Amity University, Parul University, Bangalore University, Pearl Academy |
| Avg. Salary |
INR 3 LPA-INR 10 LPA |
| Jobs |
Actor, Drama Artist, Choreographer, Musician, Therapist, Theatre Director, Cinematographer, Community Arts Worker, Theatre Teacher |
| Top Recruiters |
Film and Television Institute of India, Balaji Telefilms, YRF Studios, Universal Arts, Iris Media |
| Popular Courses |
Production Design, Textile Design, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Acting, Cinematography, Editing |
Note: This information is taken from the official website and may differ.
MVA topics you might be interested in:
What are the different types of Visual Arts Courses in India
Studying an MVA gives you with advanced training in visual arts. The programme covers many different disciplines like painting, sculpture, photography, and digital media.
It fuses theoretical and practical elements, helping the students to learn critical thinking and hands-on studio work. Specialization options allow a deeper focus on specific mediums or themes.
Check more -
- Master of Visual Arts Course Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2026
- MVA Course Entrance Exams 2026
- MVA Course Syllabus
- Master of Visual Arts Best Colleges in India
- Popular Private MVA (Master of Visual Arts) Colleges in India
- Master of Visual Arts (MVA) Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salaries and Top Recruiters
- Master of Visual Arts (MVA) Course FAQs
- Popular MVA (Master of Visual Arts) Specializations
Master of Visual Arts Course Eligibility Criteria and Admission 2026
Candidates are eligible to apply for an MVA course if they have done their graduation degree with passing marks from a recognized university or institute. Most of the times, the colleges need candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in the specialization they opt for in their MVA course, and are preferred for admission. To fulfill the eligibility criteria for MVA, candidates should have fulfilled the following points -
- Possess a Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) or any other equivalent degree from a recognized institute or university
- Obtain the minimum aggregate percentage (usually 50% - 60%) as stipulated by an institution in which a candidate is applying for admission
- The eligibility criteria mentioned above might vary depending on the policies of the university/ college in which a candidate is seeking admission.
Note: This information is taken from the official website and may vary.
Master of Visual Arts Admission 2026
Students need to follow the below-mentioned step-by-step MVA Admission Process 2026:
- First of all, you need to check out the eligibility criteria and see whether you have a relevant Bachelor's degree, that is BVA or equivalent with the required minimum marks and decide which college you want to study in.
- Then you will have to apply online for admission on the university's portal and also submit the forms and documents that are required.
- Prepare and sit for the university-specific exams or national exams like CUET PG, etc.
- After that, you will have to submit a portfolio that showcases your best creative work, which is crucial for most programs.
- The students who have been shortlisted are often asked for a practical test or a personal interview with the faculty.
- After that, a merit score which is often a combination of exam and practical scores is published on the official site of the college & determines selection for counselling and final admission.
- If you are selected, then you need to go to the college and verify your documents and pay the fees for the course and get admission into the college.
Note: The information has been taken from external sites and may vary.
To complete the MVA course with flying colors, the student must have the skill set that are mentioned below for your reference -
- The student need to be creative
- Must be well-known about color theory and colors
- Have a good presentation skills
- Must be well-versed with basic IT skills considering online media is such an important part of the profession these days.
- Be an excellent communicator and have refined interpersonal skills
- An eye for detail
- Last but not the least, the candidate must have an aptitude for drawing.
Read more about -
Yes, You can pursue a Master of Visual Arts (MVA) degree after getting a UG degree in any suitable field like Fine Arts or Visual Arts.
To pursue MVA, you need to fulfil the critaeria for admission to the particular MVA programme you are interested in, which may include turning in recommendation letters, academic transcripts, and a portfolio of your creative work.
Check out -
MVA Course Entrance Exams 2026
Students who wish to study the Master of Visual Arts and meet the set eligibility criteria need to appear in the below-mentioned entrance exams to get admission. Students can see the below table to learn about important registration and exam schedules -
| Exams | Dates | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| CUET 2026 | 11 May ' 26 - 31 May ' 26 (Tentative) | CUET Exam Date 2026 |
| WUDAT 2026 | 04 Jan ' 26 (Conducted) | WUDAT Exam Date 2026 |
| CAT 2026 | 29 Dec ' 26 (Tentative) | CAT Exam Date 2026 |
| URAT PG 2026 | Jul '25 (Tentative) | URATPG Exam Date 2026 |
Note: This information is taken from the official website of the exam and may differ.
Relevant Link for MVA:
List Of Documents Required For CUET Application Form 2026
CUET 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit, Qualification, Course-Wise Admission Criteria
Important Exam Dates
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 28 Jan ' 26 | OJEE 2026 registrations |
| Feb ' 26 - Apr ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Application Form Availability TENTATIVE |
| Feb ' 26 - Apr ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Application Form Availability TENTATIVE |
| Mar ' 26 | PUBDET 2026 Applications TENTATIVE |
| Apr ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Release of Admit Card TENTATIVE |
| Apr ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Release of Admit Card TENTATIVE |
| Apr ' 26 | IPU CET 2026 Exam Date for BTech (Bio-Technology) - Code 130 TENTATIVE |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| 31 Jul ' 25 | SAIU CAT 2025 Application Round 4: Sem 1 Fee Payment |
| 28 Jul ' 25 | SAIU CAT 2025 Application Round 4: Admission Committee Decision |
| 08 Jul ' 25 | OJEE Counselling Registration 2025 Last Date (MBA/MCA/MArch/MPLan/MSc/MTech) |
Yes, there is age limit to apply for WUD Entrance exam. The upper age limit for applying to Bachelor programmes is restricted to 20 years, relaxable up to 3 years on proving genuine evidence of discontinuity in education profile. However, for postgraduate programmes there is no age limit.
MVA Course Syllabus
The syllabus for the MVA program may differ depending on the specialization the candidate selects. The semester-wise syllabus for MVA Painting (offered by the Department of Fine Arts, Aligarh Muslim University) is below for reference.
The course curriculum of the Master of Visual Arts syllabus is inclusive of both theoretical as well as practical subjects. Interested students can check out the MVA Syllabus in the table below:
| MVA Syllabus - Semester I | ||
|---|---|---|
| Creative Painting | Contemporary Perspectives in Drawing & Painting | Modern Indian Art |
| MVA Subjects - Semester II | ||
| Art of China, Japan, and Southeast Asia | Tribal and folk art | Creative Painting |
| MVA Syllabus - Semester III | ||
| Graphics | Performance Art & Video Art | Internship |
| MVA Subjects - Semester IV | ||
| Final display | Critical Theory and Methodology | Dissertation and viva voce |
Note: This information is taken from the official website and may differ.
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Main subjects for visual arts depends the specialisation. The course may include subjects like Design and Layout, Photographic Seeing, Visual Culture, Visual Language, Art History, Typography, Sketch and Composition, Ideas and Stories etc. Main characteristics of Visual Arts are size, line, space, form, texture, shape, colour, tonal values, design, aesthetic organization, etc. in an object composition.
Students may also explore graphic design, multimedia arts, or other modern forms of visual expression, depending on the programme. These courses are included in Visual Arts degrees to promote a multidisciplinary skill set and a sophisticated comprehension of the creative process, as well as a holistic approach to artistic development.
There are many specializations one can pursue under MVA Coures also known as Master of Visual Arts which are as follows:
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Applied Arts
- Printmaking
- Photography & Digital Arts
- Ceramics & Pottery
- Textile Design
Master of Visual Arts Best Colleges in India
There are many top government and private Arts colleges in India which offer MVA courses along with various MVA specializations. This section covers the list of MVA Colleges in India.
Top Government Colleges for MVA
Some of the top government colleges for pursuing MA in Visual Arts include various central and state universities which offer courses at lower fees.The MVA government colleges in India are as follows:
| MA in Visual Arts Government Colleges | MVA College Fees |
|---|---|
| Utkal University of Culture | INR 1.2 K |
| Assam University, Silchar | INR 7.2 K |
| Bangalore University | INR 10 K |
| University of Hyderabad | INR 14.9 K |
| Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University | INR 24 K |
| MSU Baroda | INR 27.54 K |
| University of Rajasthan | INR 53.16 K |
| University of Lucknow | INR 75.32 K |
| Aligarh Muslim University | NA |
Note- The fees is taken from the other sources and can be different.
Best Private Colleges for MVA
Some of the private colleges include Deemed-to-be Universities as well as other autonomous dramatic and theatre institutes. They provide excellent infrastructure and experts in the fields of acting, theatre, and filmmaking, which makes these colleges popular for pursuing MVA courses. The popular MVA private colleges offering the Master of Visual Arts as follows:
| MA in Visual Arts Private Colleges | MVA College Fees |
|---|---|
| Sarala Birla University | INR 48 K |
| Mewar University | INR 50 K - 66 K |
| Poornima University | INR 71.25 K |
| NIMS School of Humanities and Social Sciences | INR 80 K |
| MJRPU Jaipur | INR 1 L |
| CVM College of Fine Arts | INR 1.2 L |
| Parul University | INR 1.8 L |
| JECRC University | INR 1.9 L |
| World University of Design | INR 2.29 L - 2.53 L |
| Amity School of Film and Drama | INR 4.6 L |
Note- The fees is taken from the other sources and can be different.
Helpful Links for Masters in Visual Arts Courses in India
Types of Visual Arts: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now
There are more than 2000 best Arts colleges in India. Out of these, 930+ are private and 400+ are government and the rest 180 are semi-government. Some of the popular colleges are Hindu College, Miranda House, Hansaraj College, Gargi College, Ramjas College.
Hope this helps!!!
There are 35 colleges in India that provides Master of Visual Arts Cousre. The list of some colleges is mentioned below for your reference -
Popular Private MVA (Master of Visual Arts) Colleges in India
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now
Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Applications open. Apply Now
Master of Visual Arts (MVA) Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salaries and Top Recruiters
Candidates can see the list of the jobs that candidates can go for:
| Masters of Visual Arts Job Profiles | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Director | INR 5 - 7 LPA |
| Visual Artist | INR 4 - 6 LPA |
| Visual Designer | INR 6 - 8 LPA |
| Art Conservator | INR 5.5 - 7.5 LPA |
| Graphic Designer | INR 5 - 8 LPA |
| Painter | INR 3 - 7 LPA |
Note: The salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.
Master of Visual Arts (MVA) Top Recruiters
Some of the top recruiting companies for MVA are mentioned in the below table:
| Top Recruiters for MVA | |
|---|---|
|
Prime Focus |
Red Chillies |
|
Reliance Mediaworks |
HT Media |
|
Iris Mediaworks |
Balaji Telefilms Limited |
|
Cognizant |
AAPC |
|
Robosoft Technologies |
Saregama India Limited |
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Fine Arts and Applied Arts: Key Difference, Course, Colleges
Some of the job options for the student after completion of the MVA program are mentioned below for your reference -
- Visual arts teacher
- Studio Manager (Visual Arts)
- Visual Arts Instructor
- Art therapist
- 3-D Modeling
- Assistant Designer
- Assistant Art Director
- Fine Arts Professor
- Creative Designer
- Performing Arts Teacher
- Multimedia programmer
Candidates who complete the Master of Visual Arts courses are absorbed in a variety of sectors, some of the popular being listed here.
- Animation industry
- Sculpture industry
- The entertainment industry, including television, films, and animation.
- Advertising industry
- Art Studios
- Fashion Houses, etc.
Master of Visual Arts (MVA) Course FAQs
Masters of Visual Arts (MVA) Course FAQs
The difference between Fine Arts and Visual Arts is mentioned in the table given below for your reference -
Fine Arts | Visual Arts |
|---|---|
A form of art that is used for beautification and usually does not have a practical purpose. | A form of creative art describing human experience |
It is not a form of art that is decorative. | It can be used for decoration. |
It includes painting and printmaking. | It includes photography, filmmaking, fashion design |
Source - External site and may be different.
Hope this helps!!!
Drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, photography, digital media, and mixed media are just a few of the visual arts disciplines that are studied and practiced in an academic programme leading to a visual arts degree.
Degrees in the visual arts may be offered at many levels, such as:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): A four-year undergraduate degree programme called the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) offers a wide foundation in the visual arts, frequently emphasising studio practice and artistic development.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Visual Arts: The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Visual Arts is an alternative undergraduate degree programme that gives students the opportunity to study a wider range of academic subjects in addition to art by fusing studio practice with a liberal arts background.
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA): The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a specialised postgraduate programme. The course is of two-year duration (usually divided into four semesters) and most of the colleges or universities offer the course with a specialisation.
Hope this helps!!!
No, MVA is not mandatory but it provides technical expertise, industry exposure and better career opportunities in the visual arts field. If you think you have skills and a strong portfolio then you can easily be suscessful in this field. You can also pursue certificate Courses to become a professional artist.
For more information click here
Hope this helps!!!
Popular MVA (Master of Visual Arts) Specializations
Popular Specializations
- Printmaking
4 Colleges
- Graphic Design
1 College
- Screenplay Writing
1 College
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The Full form of MVA is Master of Visual Arts which is a 2-year PG programme that focuses on advanced artistic skills, techniques and research in visual arts. It includes painting, sculpture, applied arts, printmaking, digital arts, and photography, etc.
The course has both practical and theoretical subjects, such as portrait painting, mural design, aesthetics, and Indian contemporary art. After graduation, students can work as professional artists and participate in art shows and gallery exhibitions and earn upto INR 10 LPA or more that totally depends on their skills and experience.
Hope this helps!!!