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ABachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a standardundergraduatedegree for students pursuing a professional education in thevisual arts,Fine art, orperforming arts.[1][2] In some instances, it is also called a Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA).
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree differs from aBachelor of Arts (BA) degree in that the program is primarily composed of practical studio work, as opposed to lecture and discussion-based courses.
A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree often requires a specialization in an area such asacting,architecture,musical theatre,game design,animation,ceramics,computer animation,creative writing,dance,dramatic writing,drawing,fashion design,fiber,film production,graphic design,illustration,industrial design,interior design,metalworking,music,new media,painting,photography,printmaking,sculpture,stage management,technical arts,television production,visual arts, orvisual effects. Alternatively, some schools provide students with a broad education across many disciplines within the arts.[1][3][4]
Although a Bachelor of Fine Arts is traditionally considered a four-year degree,[2] a BFA program may take more or less time to complete depending on the studio coursework required. After completing this degree, graduates may pursue a postgraduate degree: aMaster of Fine Arts.
Australia and New Zealand tertiary institutions typically confer BFA degrees after three years of full-time study.[5][6]
A typical BFA program in the United States consists of two-thirds study in the arts, with one-third in more generalliberal arts studies. In contrast, a BA in Art may reverse this ratio.[2] TheNational Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), which accredits Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in visual art and design in the United States, states that "the professional degree (BFA) focuses on intensive work in the visual arts supported by a program of general studies," whereas "the liberal arts degree (BA) focuses on art and design in the context of a broad program of general studies."[7]
In theUnited Kingdom, a BA in Fine Arts is equivalent to a BFA. Some performing arts institutions inAustralia,New Zealand, the US, and much ofEurope use specific degrees such as the Bachelor of Dance or Bachelor of Drama.[8][9][10]
InIndia, a Fine Arts undergraduate degree may also be known as BVA (Bachelor of Visual Arts).[11] It is usually a four-year program, with the first year serving as a preparatory session. By the second year, learners specialize in areas such asPainting orPhotography. However, some institutions have a three-year curriculum where students have already chosen a specialization. Specializations such asActing,Dancing, andSinging fall under the Bachelor ofPerforming Arts (BPA).
At the Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities[12] of O.P. Jindal Global University, the four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) program follows this structure: a preparatory first year followed by specialization from the second year onward. For full details on specializations, curriculum, and admissions, see the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) – JSLH.[13]
In some countries, such a degree (BFA) is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA).[14][15]