Cinematography Courses After 12th: Syllabus, Eligibility, Admissions, Fees, Colleges 2026

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Ishika Ray

Updated 3+ months ago

Cinematography courses are offered in different levels such as UG, PG, Diploma, Certificate, Doctorate courses. In demand Cinematography Courses After 12 are the certification, diploma, and the bachelor degree program which are available in India. 

The duration of the cinematography courses ranges from a few hours to 4 years which depends on the course level. The fee for cinematography courses can go up to INR 4 lakhs annually. It all depends on the course level and institute from where the candidate is pursuing the course. 

After cinematography courses, candidates can apply for jobs as Cinematographer, Videographer, Cameraman, Video Editor, and Director of Photography, with an average salary of INR 2 LPA to 18 LPA depending on the course the candidate has pursued. 

Cinematography courses after 12th like Diploma in Cinematography are offered for 6 months to 2 years depending upon the nature of the course.

Courses like BA Cinematography, BFA Cinematography, BA (Hons.) Direction & Cinematography, BSc Cinematography are offered. Pursued by those who are interested in the movie industry. The duration of the courses varies from 3 - 4 years based on the domain. The average salary package ranges from about INR 1,00,000 to 9,00,000 per annum for the degrees after 12 depending upon the job profile and skill the candidate possesses.

Certificate Cinematography Courses

The certification courses serve as an additional qualification for graduates with bachelor's or master’s degrees. Certification courses are offered both online modes as well as offline through colleges and training institutions.

  • The duration varies for each course, depending upon the institution or the online website providing the course.
  • The duration varies from a few hours to a few months, and can even extend up to a year in some rare cases.
  • Admissions for the certificate courses are done directly on a merit basis and no entrance exams are required.

Online Cinematography Certificate Courses

Online Cinematography certificate courses are offered across various online websites. The online course provider websites are listed in the following table along with the certificate name, duration of the course, and fees of the courses.

Certificate Name Provider Duration Fees
Unreal Engine Interactive 3D: Sequencer-Cinematography, Interfaces, Visual Effects, Pipelines, and Production edX (in collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology) 6 weeks INR 14,525
Hollywood: History, Industry, Art edX (in collaboration with The University of Pennsylvania) 4 weeks INR 12,335
Cinematography Course: Shoot Better Video with Any Camera Udemy 3 hours (approx.) INR 420
VIDEO CINEMATOGRAPHY techniques loved by pro filmmakers Udemy 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) INR 420
Video Production Masterclass: Complete Video Camera Course Udemy 27 hours (approx.) INR 420
Cameras, Exposure, and Photography Coursera (in collaboration with Michigan State University) 18 hours (approx.) Free
Scandinavian Film and Television Coursera (in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen) 15 hours (approx.) Free

Offline Cinematography Certificate Courses

There are many offline certificate courses available in Cinematography and other topics related to Cinematography. Some of the offline certificate courses are listed here in the following table along with the course name, colleges offering the courses, and the annual fees of the courses.

Course Name Top Colleges Annual Fees
Certificate Course in Cinematography Mumbai Film Academy, Mumbai
Mumbai Digital Films Academy
INR 1,00,000 to 2,50,000

Certificate Programs of Cinematography Courses Admissions

The admission process is very easy for the certification programs since there is no need for appearing for the entrance exams as admission is done directly through the merit-based process.

  • The basic eligibility requirement is the completion of class 10th or 12 in school.
  • Candidates can straightaway fill in their personal details with educational qualifications on the website that provides the online course.
  • In the case of offline certificate cinematography courses, candidates can directly take the documents for the verification process.

Diploma Cinematography Courses

Diploma programs in Cinematography are considered to be a strong foundation for a professional cinematography course. The course concentrates on providing some basic and detailed concepts related to cinematography.

  • The duration of the diploma program takes only 6 months - 2 years as it is a very specialized course.
  • The fees for the course and the salary package offered to the candidates also vary depending upon the factors like domain, college, and program type.
  • The basic eligibility for the program is to be passed in Class 12 by a recognized board of education.

Top Diploma Cinematography Courses

Top Diploma Cinematography courses are listed in the table below along with the colleges offering the courses, the duration of the courses, and the average fees for each course.

Course Name Top Colleges Annual Fees
Diploma in Cinematography Loyola College, Chennai INR 47,600
J.S. University, Shikohabad INR 13,500
IIFA Multimedia, Bangalore INR 65,000
Stargate School of Design & Animation, Hyderabad INR 1,75,000

Also check: Top Diploma in Cinematography Colleges 

Diploma Cinematography Courses Admission

Students applying for the diploma program should fulfill the basic eligibility criteria of passing their class 12.

  • Admissions to the diploma courses are mostly done based on merit.
  • A merit list of candidates will be prepared by the institution based on the marks scored by the candidates in class 12 in school.
  • Some institutions conduct an interview for the selected candidates before admission on their own.

Top Colleges for Diploma Cinematography Courses

The colleges offering cinematography courses at the diploma level are listed in the following table-

Bachelor Cinematography Courses

Bachelor’s programs in Cinematography courses are offered generally through two different programs BA, BFA, and BSc.

  • The duration of the bachelor’s program is 3 years for the BA and BSc programs whereas the duration is 4 years for the BFA program.
  • The fees for the course and the salary package offered to the candidates also vary depending upon the factors like domain, college, and program type.
  • The basic eligibility for the program is to be passed in Class 12 by a recognized board of education.

Top Bachelor Cinematography Courses

Top bachelor's Cinematography courses are listed in the table below along with the colleges offering the courses, the duration of the courses, and the average fees for each course.

Course Name Top Colleges Duration Annual Fees
BA Cinematography Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University 3 years INR 16,000
BFA Cinematography Mewar University, Chittorgarh 4 years INR 53,000
BA (Hons.) Direction & Cinematography Annapurna College of Film and Media, Hyderabad 3 years INR 5,34,000
BSc Cinematography Whistling Woods International, School of Filmmaking, Mumbai 3 years INR 9,00,000

Bachelor Cinematography Courses Admissions

Students applying for the bachelor’s program should fulfill the basic eligibility criteria of passing their class 12.

  • Admissions to Bachelor courses are mostly done through entrance exams in India.
  • BVP CET is an institution-level entrance exam that is conducted for admission into Bharati Vidyapeeth University respectively.

Bachelor Cinematography Courses Entrance Exams

The below table gives details of entrance exams that are discussed in the previous section. Admission for UG cinematography courses in India is done through the following exams.

Entrance Exam Exam Date
BVP CET Click BVP CET Exam Dates

See more:

Top Colleges for Bachelor Cinematography Courses

The colleges offering cinematography courses at the bachelor’s level are listed in the following table: 

College/ University Name Admission Process Course Fees
Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune Entrance-Based INR 16,000
Annapurna College of Film and Media, Hyderabad Merit-Based INR 5,34,000
Mewar University, Chittorgarh Merit-Based INR 53,000
State Institution of Film and Television, Rohtak Merit-Based INR 73,000
Whistling Woods International, School of Filmmaking, Mumbai Merit-Based INR 9,00,000

Top Job Options After Cinematography Courses

Some of the popularly known job options available after the completion of cinematography courses are listed here along with their skills, average salary, and job description.

Job Roles Job Description Salary
Cinematographer A cinematographer or director of photography is the chief of the camera and light crews working on a film, television production, or another live-action piece. The cinematographer is responsible for making artistic and technical decisions related to the video and image. INR 3,00,000 to 5,00,000

Video Editor

Video Editors play a major role in editing a full-length film having many scenes by editing and rearranging scenes in a sequential manner by arranging them frame by frame. Editors also mix the music sound and dialogues and engage the visual effects (VFX) with the edited scenes to give a final product. INR 3,00,000 to 5,00,000

Online Certificate Cinematography Courses Fees and Rating Comparison

Certificate Name Provider Fees
Unreal Engine Interactive 3D: Sequencer-Cinematography, Interfaces, Visual Effects, Pipelines, and Production edX (in collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology) INR 14,525
Hollywood: History, Industry, Art edX (in collaboration with The University of Pennsylvania) INR 12,335
Cinematography Course: Shoot Better Video with Any Camera Udemy INR 420
VIDEO CINEMATOGRAPHY techniques loved by pro filmmakers Udemy INR 420
Video Production Masterclass: Complete Video Camera Course Udemy INR 420
Cameras, Exposure, and Photography Coursera (in collaboration with Michigan State University) Free
Scandinavian Film and Television Coursera (in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen) Free

Comparison of Online Platforms Offering Cinematography Courses

Parameters Udemy Coursera
Course Name Video Production Masterclass: Complete Video Camera Course Cameras, Exposure, and Photography
Fees INR 420 Free
Student Rating 4.6 4.7
Enrollment 48,640 2,02,420
Duration 27 hours (approx.) 18 hours (approx.)
Created by In house Michigan State University

Scope of Cinematography Courses 

Motion pictures are made possible by cinematographers. A cinematographer is involved in every film that you see on the big screen. The importance of cinematography in the film and media industries has resulted in high demand for successful students with a background in cinematography. With the rise of high technology in the film and media industries, this course teaches students how to manage and use high-tech tools such as drones, ultra-HD technology, high-tech cameras, 3D technology, and many more.

Cinematographers working on various projects and films can gain national and international recognition for their work and make a name for themselves. Most cinematographers begin their careers as assisting technicians and assistants to directors and producers. Only after they have gained knowledge and practice will they be given their own independent projects in which they will collaborate with directors, producers, light technicians, and set designers.

Course Subjects 

Film Dimension Cameras for Motion Picture Different Types of Film Cameras Aerial Photography
Film Packaging Different Types of Shooting Formats Transfer of Film to Video Tele-Cine
Processing and printing Shooting through Mirrors Digital Film Production Various Camera Tests
Films in Motion Pictures Shooting in Snow Underwater Shooting Cinema Projection
Screening of Films Rigging the Camera Audio and Video Editing Web Designing
Cinematography Analysis Film History and Theory Exponometry Colour Theory
Film and Digital Laboratory Workshops on Cinematography Digital Postproduction Sensitometry
Film and Digital Camera Techniques Colour Negative and Intermediate Film Various Section of Motion Picture Lab Batteries for Motion Picture Camera

Cinematography Courses After 12: FAQs

Ques. Can I learn cinematography courses Online?

Ans. Yes, many cinematography courses are available online ranging from free courses to costlier courses that are provided by numerous online websites.

Ques. Which website offers free online cinematography courses in India?

Ans. Coursera offers free online cinematography courses in collaboration with world-class and reputed universities. Other than this Udemy also offers courses with many reduced prices.

Ques. What is the duration of a cinematography course?

Ans. The duration of the course depends on the type of program the candidate chooses. For UG, the duration ranges from 3 - 4 years, at the Diploma level the duration is of 1 - 2 years, and for certification, the duration ranges from a few hours to weeks in the case of online certification courses and 6 months in the case of offline certification courses.

Ques. How much does it cost to do a cinematography course?

Ans. At the UG level, the average fees of the cinematography course vary from INR 50,000 to 5,00,000.

Ques. Is it worth pursuing a cinematography course?

Ans. Yes, it is definitely worth pursuing a cinematography course as there are plenty of opportunities available in the cine industry.

Ques. What is the average salary after completing a UG cinematography course?

Ans. The average salary offered to a candidate with a UG or bachelor’s degree ranges from INR 1,00,000 to 2,00,000. 

Ques. What are the job opportunities available after graduation in cinematography courses?

Ans. Job opportunities like Cinematographer, Videographer, Cameraman, Video Editor, Director of Photography, Camera Production Assistant, Motion Control Operator, Camera Operator, Freelancer, etc. are available to graduates who completed cinematography courses.

Ques. What are the essential skills of the cinematographer?

Ans. Skills like Strong technical knowledge of cameras and the film production process, Thorough understanding of lighting techniques, light color, shade, and manipulation, Communication skills, Team management skills, Listening ability, etc. are essential for the cinematographer.

Ques. Do I get a scholarship to pursue cinematography certifications online?

Ans. Yes, websites like Coursera provide scholarships and financial aid to students to pursue their favorite courses. Students need to send an application form for claiming financial aid.

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