Bachelor of Fine Arts [BFA]

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University (CSMU), Panvel, Navi Mumbai is a full-time, on-campus undergraduate programme offered under the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Communication (School of Design and Arts). The course is 4 years in duration (with an exit option after 3 years with a B.Sc. Design degree as per NEP 2020), covering fine arts disciplines including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, applied arts, and art history. The annual fee is Rs. 1,50,000, making the total course fee Rs. 6,00,000 for the 4-year programme. Admission is based on merit in the qualifying examination or CUET-UG scores, and the programme is popular among students seeking careers in visual arts, animation, illustration, art direction, teaching, and creative industries.

Admission for the 2026-27 academic session is upcoming. CSMU accepts CUET-UG 2026 scores for admission to this programme. The CUET-UG 2026 exam is scheduled from May 11 to May 31, 2026, with results expected in early July 2026. After the CUET-UG result, CSMU will open its admission portal and publish merit lists. Students who have not appeared in CUET-UG may also apply directly through the CSMU admission portal (admissions.csmu.ac.in) and will be considered on the basis of their 10+2 marks.

Key Points

• The BFA programme at CSMU is a 4-year full-time programme under NEP 2020; students may exit after 3 years with a B.Sc. (Design) degree.
• The School of Design and Arts at CSMU is a dedicated creative hub with experienced faculty from the industry and academia.
• Students are required to undergo mandatory internships in relevant industries as part of the BFA curriculum.
• The programme covers both theoretical and practical aspects of fine arts, including studio practice, art history, and contemporary art movements.
• CSMU's location in Navi Mumbai provides proximity to Mumbai's thriving art, design, and media industry, offering students access to galleries, studios, and creative agencies.
• CSMU is a UGC-recognised private university established in 2018, offering a lush green campus with dedicated art studios, smart classrooms, and hostel facilities.

CSMU BFA Fees

Course Fees

Hostel Fees (Optional - not mandatory) for 2026-27

• Mess/food charges are NOT included in the hostel fee and are charged separately at actuals.
• Registration fee of Rs. 15,000 is non-refundable and is paid once at the time of admission.
• Application fee of Rs. 1,500 is non-refundable.
• Examination fee is Rs. 1,000 per exam, charged separately.
• Students in the Graphics/Design stream must have their own laptops with prescribed specifications.
• BFA students are required to undergo mandatory internships in relevant industries.
• Fee refund on withdrawal follows UGC guidelines: 100% refund if withdrawal is 15 or more days before the last date of admission (processing charge of up to Rs. 1,000 deducted); 90% if less than 15 days before last date; 80% if within 15 days after last date; 50% if 16-30 days after last date; 0% if more than 30 days after last date.
• At least 50% of the annual fee must be paid at the time of admission confirmation.

CSMU BFA Admission 2026

CSMU Admission Dates

• CSMU also accepts direct applications (without CUET) on merit basis.
• Students may apply at admissions.csmu.ac.in at any time.
• Exact dates will be notified on the official CSMU website (csmu.ac.in).

CUET-UG 2026 Exam Dates

Source: https://cuet.nta.nic.in/

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have passed the 10+2 (or equivalent) examination from a recognised board in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts).
• A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination is required (relaxation of 5% for reserved category candidates as per CSMU norms).
• There is no specific subject requirement at the 10+2 level; students from all streams are eligible to apply for BFA.

Admission Process

• Register on the CSMU online admission portal at admissions.csmu.ac.in and pay the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 1,500.
• If applying through CUET-UG, select Yes for CUET-UG in the application form and enter your CUET-UG application number and normalised score.
• If not applying through CUET-UG, admission is considered on the basis of 10+2 marks or through the CSMU Common Entrance Test (CSMUCET).
• CSMU will publish a merit list on its website; shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email for counselling.
• Complete document verification by submitting marksheets, Transfer Certificate/Migration Certificate, and other required documents.
• Pay the registration fee of Rs. 15,000 and at least 50% of the annual fee to confirm admission.
• Log in to the Camu ERP portal (mycamu.co.in) to access timetable, course material, and other academic resources after enrolment.

CSMU BFA Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Details

• All scholarships are awarded under the Bharatratna Dr. Bhimrao (Babasaheb) Ambedkar Scholarship and Financial Assistance Schemes for Academic Session 2026-27.
• Scholarships do not cover add-on or industry-partner courses.
• Only one scholarship can be availed at a time; schemes cannot be combined.
• Scholarships are disbursed at the end of the academic year as a concession on the fee payable, after verification of documents.
• Students must maintain a minimum attendance of 75% to remain eligible for any scholarship.
• Students must be under 22 years of age (for UG programmes) and must not have any gap years between qualifying exam and CSMU admission.
• Applications must be submitted on the prescribed form with documentary proof by the date announced by the university each year.

CSMU BFA FAQs

Ques. Is BFA at CSMU a full-time, on-campus course, and what specialisations are available?

Ans. BFA at CSMU is a full-time, on-campus 4-year programme offered at the Panvel, Navi Mumbai campus. The programme is offered under the School of Design and Arts and covers fine arts disciplines. CSMU also offers related programmes such as B.Des. (Fashion, Interior, Graphics Design) and B.V.A. (Animation and VFX) under the same faculty. Students interested in specific design disciplines may consider B.Des. as an alternative to BFA. The BFA programme requires students to attend regular studio sessions, workshops, and practical classes.

Ques. What is the difference between BFA and B.Des. at CSMU, and which should I choose?

Ans. BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) focuses on traditional and contemporary fine arts including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and applied arts. B.Des. (Bachelor of Design) at CSMU is available in Fashion, Interior, and Graphics Design, and is more industry-oriented with a focus on design thinking and commercial applications. Students interested in pursuing a career in visual arts, art teaching, or fine arts research should opt for BFA. Those interested in design careers in fashion, interior design, or graphic design should opt for B.Des. Both are 4-year programmes with the same annual fee of Rs. 1,50,000.

Ques. Are there mandatory internships in the BFA programme at CSMU?

Ans. Yes, BFA students at CSMU are required to undergo mandatory internships in relevant industries as part of the curriculum. These internships provide students with real-world exposure to the creative industry and help them build a professional portfolio. CSMU's location in Navi Mumbai, close to Mumbai's art galleries, design studios, advertising agencies, and media companies, provides excellent internship opportunities. The university's Training and Placement Cell also assists students in finding internship placements.

Ques. What career options are available after completing BFA from CSMU?

Ans. After completing BFA from CSMU, students can pursue M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) at CSMU or other universities for higher academic and research careers. Career options include visual artist, illustrator, art director, art teacher or lecturer (after M.F.A./B.Ed.), animator, graphic designer, set designer, art curator, and roles in advertising, publishing, and media. The growing demand for visual content in digital media has significantly expanded career opportunities for fine arts graduates in India.

Ques. Is CUET-UG required for BFA admission at CSMU, and is there a portfolio or aptitude test?

Ans. CUET-UG is not mandatory for BFA admission at CSMU. Students who have appeared in CUET-UG can use their scores for admission. Students who have not appeared in CUET-UG can apply directly through the CSMU admission portal and will be considered on the basis of their 10+2 marks or through the CSMUCET. Students should check with CSMU directly regarding any portfolio submission or aptitude test requirements for BFA admission, as creative programmes sometimes have additional selection criteria beyond academic marks.

Ques. What is the total fee for BFA at CSMU, and are there any additional costs students should be aware of?

Ans. The total fee for the 4-year BFA programme at CSMU is Rs. 6,00,000 (excluding the one-time registration fee of Rs. 15,000). The annual fee is Rs. 1,50,000 per year. In addition to the tuition and other charges, students should budget for art materials, supplies, and equipment required for studio work, which are not included in the fee. Students in the Graphics stream are also required to have their own laptops with prescribed specifications. Hostel accommodation (if required) costs an additional Rs. 92,000 to Rs. 1,40,000 per year depending on the room type.