CSJMU MFA Applied Arts: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Kanpur, Uttar PradeshState UniversityEstd 1966NAAC Grade A++
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Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Applied Arts at Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur is a 2-year, 4-semester full-time postgraduate programme offered under the School of Creative and Performing Arts. The programme is designed to develop highly skilled professionals in commercial design, visual communication, advertising, UI/UX, packaging, and corporate branding. The total fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 84,000 (Rs. 42,200 in Year 1 and Rs. 41,800 in Year 2), making it an affordable option at a NAAC A++ accredited university. The MFA (Applied Arts) is part of a combined intake of 70 seats across all MFA specialisations (Painting, Applied Arts, Sculpture) and is offered in offline (on-campus) mode. The programme is popular among BFA graduates seeking to deepen their expertise in applied and commercial art and build careers in the creative industry.

Admission to MFA (Applied Arts) for 2026-27 is upcoming. Based on the 2026-27 cycle, applications typically open in April with a deadline in April-May. For 2026-27, the CSJMU admission portal (csjmu.ac.in/admissions2627/) is live and the last date for application was April 17, 2026. Admission is merit-based (direct), based on marks in the qualifying BFA examination. Candidates are advised to monitor the official website for counselling and batch start dates.

Key Points

  • The MFA (Applied Arts) curriculum blends traditional techniques with contemporary commercial design practices, including advertising, UI/UX, packaging, and corporate branding.
  • The programme offers hands-on studio work, live projects, industry collaborations, and participation in national and international art exhibitions.
  • CSJMU's Fine Arts Department has state-of-the-art studios and regularly organises workshops, seminars, and artist talks with renowned professionals.
  • Graduates are equipped to work as art directors, visual designers, commercial artists, illustrators, creative directors, and media advisers.
  • The department also offers BFA and Certificate courses in Fine Arts, creating a strong vertical academic pathway.
  • CSJMU is a NAAC A++ accredited, UGC Category-I university, and the MFA degree is widely recognised across India.

CSJMU MFA Fees

Fees

Fee ComponentYear 1Year 2Total (2 Years)
Tuition FeeRs. 42,200Rs. 41,800Rs. 84,000
Total Fees (excluding hostel)Rs. 42,200Rs. 41,800Rs. 84,000

Hostel Fees (Optional - Not Mandatory)

HostelRoom TypeAnnual Hostel Charge (Room Rent + Health Insurance + Management Fee)
Shivaji Boys HostelSharedRs. 28,180
Swarn Jayanti Boys HostelSharedRs. 36,370
Ganga Girls Hostel (EWS)SharedRs. 20,620
Kaveri Girls HostelAttachedRs. 30,700
Kaveri Girls HostelNon-AttachedRs. 28,180
Triveni Girls HostelAttachedRs. 30,700
Triveni Girls HostelNon-AttachedRs. 28,180
Saraswati Girls HostelAttached/Non-AttachedRs. 28,180 - Rs. 30,700
  • The official fee as per the 2026-27 brochure is Rs. 42,200 for Year 1 and Rs. 41,800 for Year 2.
  • Total tuition fee for the 2-year programme is Rs. 84,000.
  • Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory.
  • Hostel fees above are for 2026-27 as per the official hostel fee order dated July 7, 2026.
  • Hostel fees include room rent, health insurance (Rs. 1,500), and management fee (Rs. 3,000) per year.
  • Mess/food charges are separate and approximately Rs. 48,000 per year.
  • No EMI facility is officially mentioned.
  • Fees are typically paid at the time of admission/semester commencement.

CSJMU MFA Admission 2026

CSJMU MFA (Applied Arts) Admission Dates

Event2025-26 Dates2026-27 Dates
Application Form StartApril 11, 2025April 2026 (portal live)
Application Form Last DateApril-May 2025April 17, 2026
Merit List / CounsellingMay-June 2025To be announced
Batch CommencementJuly 2025Expected July 2026

Entrance Exam Details

AspectDetails
Admission ModeDirect / Merit-based (no entrance exam)
Basis of MeritMarks in qualifying BFA examination
Conducting BodyCSJMU Admission Portal
External Exam AcceptedNone; no entrance exam required
  • MFA (Applied Arts) admission at CSJMU is purely merit-based on qualifying examination marks.
  • No entrance exam is conducted for this programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Applied Arts or a relevant specialisation from a recognised university.
  • Minimum marks requirement is as per university rules (generally 40-50% in the qualifying BFA examination).
  • Candidates who have appeared in the qualifying examination are also eligible to apply provisionally.

Admission Process:

  • Register and apply online at the CSJMU Admission Portal (admission.csjmu.ac.in) within the notified dates.
  • Pay the application fee and upload required documents including BFA marksheets and certificates.
  • Merit list is prepared based on marks in the qualifying BFA examination.
  • Shortlisted candidates must attend counselling at the Department of Fine Arts, CSJMU campus on notified dates.
  • Complete document verification and pay the admission fee to confirm the seat.
  • Reservation for SC/ST/OBC/PWD/EWS categories is as per UP Government rules.

CSJMU MFA Scholarships 2026

Scholarships

ScholarshipEligibilityAmountMode
UP Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)SC/ST students with family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annumFull fee reimbursement + maintenance allowanceUP Government via scholarship.up.gov.in
UP Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC)OBC students with family income below Rs. 1 lakh per annumPartial fee reimbursement + maintenance allowanceUP Government via scholarship.up.gov.in
UP Post-Matric Scholarship (General/EWS)General/EWS students with family income below Rs. 2 lakh per annumPartial fee reimbursementUP Government via scholarship.up.gov.in
CSJMU Merit-cum-Means ScholarshipMeritorious students from low-income families on CSJMU campusAs per university normsCSJMU internal; apply through university
Central Sector Scholarship (MHRD)Students who cleared Class 12 above 80th percentile; family income below Rs. 8 lakhRs. 20,000 per annum at PG levelNational Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)
  • UP Post-Matric Scholarships are the primary scholarships available to MFA students at CSJMU.
  • Applications open annually, typically in July-October, on the UP Scholarship Portal (scholarship.up.gov.in).
  • Students must register on the UP Scholarship Portal and submit documents including income certificate, caste certificate, bank details, and fee receipts.
  • The CSJMU Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is available for students on the university campus; details are notified by the university each year.

Table of Contents

CSJMU MFA FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between MFA Painting, MFA Applied Arts, and MFA Sculpture at CSJMU? Which should I choose?

Ans. The three MFA specialisations at CSJMU cater to different career goals. MFA Painting focuses on fine art, canvas work, murals, and mixed media, suited for those pursuing a career as a fine artist, art educator, or gallery curator. MFA Applied Arts is industry-oriented, covering commercial design, advertising, UI/UX, packaging, and corporate branding, making it ideal for students targeting careers in advertising agencies, design studios, and media companies. MFA Sculpture focuses on three-dimensional art including clay modelling, metal casting, and installation art. Students should choose based on their BFA specialisation and career aspirations, as eligibility requires a BFA in the relevant specialisation.

Ques. Is the MFA (Applied Arts) degree from CSJMU recognised for teaching positions in colleges?

Ans. Yes, an MFA (Applied Arts) from CSJMU is recognised by UGC. Graduates can apply for UGC-NET in Visual Arts to qualify for the post of Assistant Professor in Fine Arts or Applied Arts departments in colleges and universities. CSJMU being a NAAC A++ and UGC Category-I university, its MFA degree is widely accepted for academic positions. However, for teaching in government colleges, candidates typically need to clear UGC-NET or SET (State Eligibility Test) in addition to holding the MFA degree.

Ques. Does CSJMU MFA (Applied Arts) have any industry tie-ups or internship opportunities?

Ans. The Department of Fine Arts at CSJMU emphasises industry collaboration as part of its curriculum. Students get opportunities to work on live projects with advertising agencies, galleries, and cultural organisations. The department regularly organises workshops with industry professionals, national and international exhibitions, and public art projects. While formal placement data exclusive to MFA Applied Arts is not publicly available, the programme's industry-oriented curriculum in advertising, UI/UX, and corporate branding prepares students for roles in the creative industry.

Ques. What is the total fee for MFA (Applied Arts) at CSJMU, and are there any hidden charges?

Ans. The total tuition fee for the 2-year MFA (Applied Arts) programme at CSJMU is Rs. 84,000 (Rs. 42,200 in Year 1 and Rs. 41,800 in Year 2), as per the official 2026-27 brochure. This is among the most affordable MFA programmes at a NAAC A++ university. There are no hidden charges mentioned in the official brochure. Hostel accommodation, if opted for, costs an additional Rs. 20,620 to Rs. 36,370 per year (excluding mess charges of approximately Rs. 48,000 per year). Students should confirm the exact fee structure at the time of admission as minor revisions may occur each year.

Ques. Can I apply for MFA (Applied Arts) at CSJMU if my BFA was in Painting or Sculpture?

Ans. As per the official brochure, eligibility for MFA requires a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the relevant specialisation. This means candidates with a BFA in Applied Arts are the primary eligible applicants for MFA (Applied Arts). Candidates with BFA in Painting or Sculpture would typically be eligible for MFA Painting or MFA Sculpture respectively. However, students are advised to confirm with the Department of Fine Arts at CSJMU directly, as the university may consider allied specialisations on a case-by-case basis.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after MFA (Applied Arts) from CSJMU?

Ans. MFA (Applied Arts) graduates from CSJMU can pursue diverse careers in the creative industry. Common job roles include Art Director, Visual Designer, Commercial Artist, Illustrator, Creative Director, UI/UX Designer, Packaging Designer, and Advertising Visualiser. Graduates can work with advertising agencies, design studios, media companies, publishing houses, and corporate branding teams. Additionally, they can pursue academic careers by clearing UGC-NET in Visual Arts to become assistant professors. Freelancing and entrepreneurship in design and art are also popular paths. The average starting salary for MFA Applied Arts graduates in India ranges from Rs. 3-6 LPA depending on the role and employer.

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