Which is Better BFA or BDes, Career Opportunities, Eligibility Criteria, and Salary Scope

Which is Better BFA or B.Des: With the growing pace of the design industry, students now explore design courses such as BFA and BDes in the pursuit of becoming designers and contributing to the field. Numerous lucrative job opportunities in the design field have also motivated candidates to choose design as their graduation subject, apart from engineering and medicine. The most common design courses are BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and BDes (Bachelor of Design). 

BFA and BDes are both undergraduate degree courses with a focus on creativity. While BDes is more inclined towards design and its application in various fields, BFA defines arts and sketching. BDes graduates can find work opportunities in UX/UI, product, and graphic design. For Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) graduates, art galleries and museums are sought-after career prospects. Depending on their interest and passion, candidates have to find out which is better, BFA or BDes?

Design Crash Course 2026 Batch

BFA or BDes Overview

BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and B.Des. (Bachelor of Design) are undergraduate degrees for students passionate about creative fields. Though there is a slight difference between BFA and BDes courses, analysing these can help students make up their minds to choose the appropriate course to pursue. The following table gives insights into these differences between BFA and BDes. 

What is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)?

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a UG course designed for students passionate about visual and performing arts. It offers specializations such as painting, sculpture, photography, applied arts, dance, and multimedia arts. The course typically lasts 3 to 4 years and covers subjects like art history, studio practice, aesthetics, and digital arts. 

Eligibility Criteria for BFA

Candidates have to meet the following eligibility criteria to get admission to BFA courses at various institutions. 

• Candidates must have completed 10+2 (Class 12) in any stream from a recognized board. 
• Most institutions require a minimum aggregate score, usually between 50% and 60% in Class 12 exams.
• There is no specific criteria for the subject in class 12th. 
• Aspirants have to clear the entrance exam and obtain more than or equal to the qualifying marks.

Admission Process for BFA

The admission process for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) involves submitting an online application with personal and academic details. Depending on the college, selection may be based on merit (Class 12 marks) or through entrance exams. Shortlisted candidates may also be required to attend a personal interview or submit a portfolio before receiving the final admission offer. 

Career Opportunities After BFA

A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) opens doors to creative careers in visual arts, performing arts, and applied arts. Graduates can pursue roles such as:

• Painter, Illustrator, Sculptor

• Graphic Designer or Visual Designer

• Art Teacher or Lecturer

• Animator or Multimedia Artist

• Curator or Art Gallery Manager

• Film or Theatre Artist

• Freelance Creative Professional
  
  

BFA graduates often work in art studios, media houses, educational institutions, advertising agencies, or start their own creative ventures.

Career Opportunities After BDes

A Bachelor of Design (BDes) prepares students for professional roles in applied design, product development, and creative industries. Popular career options include:

• Fashion Designer

• Product Designer

• Graphic Designer

• Interior Designer

• UX/UI Designer

• Animation & Multimedia Designer

• Industrial Designer

• Design Consultant

• Visual Communication Expert
  
  

BDes graduates find opportunities in design studios, e-commerce companies, fashion houses, tech startups, and government organizations, with the potential to grow into senior roles or entrepreneurship.

Salary Scope BFA vs BDes

Choosing between BFA and BDes often comes down to career goals and earning potential. While both degrees offer creative and rewarding career paths, the salary scope differs based on industry demand, specialization, and experience. BFA focuses more on artistic and fine arts skills, whereas BDes emphasizes applied design and professional design solutions, often leading to higher starting salaries and faster growth in corporate or commercial sectors.

BFA Colleges in India

Several prestigious colleges are offering Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs across India, known for their quality education, experienced faculty, and strong placement records. Top institutions include Banasthali Vidyapith (Jaipur), Jain University (Bangalore), Amity University (Lucknow and Noida), and Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi), among others. Check out the list of colleges for the BFA course. 

What is a Bachelor of Design (BDes)?

It is a 4-year UG degree course across various design disciplines such as fashion, interior, product, communication, and graphic design. The curriculum blends foundational design principles, hands-on projects, and advanced industry-oriented learning, preparing students for dynamic careers in the design sector. Admission is based on entrance exams and Class 12 marks, with top colleges including NIFT, IITs, and Pearl Academy. 

Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor of Design (BDes)

The following eligibility criteria must be met before applying for BDes courses. 

• Aspirants must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board in any stream, such as Science, Arts, Commerce, or Humanities.
• As outlined by many institutions, the minimum age limit is 17 years and the maximum is 20 years for BDes admission. 
• Most institutes require a minimum aggregate score (often around 50%), and there are generally no stream restrictions at the 10+2 level.

BDes Colleges in India

India has over 2,400 design colleges offering Bachelor of Design (BDes) programs across various specializations, with both government and private institutions. Top BDes colleges include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, NID Ahmedabad, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Pearl Academy. Refer to the following table to know about such colleges. 

BDes vs BFA Syllabus

The BDes and BFA syllabi differ in focus and structure. BFA programs emphasize hands-on studio work and the development of artistic skills in fields like painting, sculpture, and photography, with most coursework centered around studio practice and art theory. In contrast, BDes programs are oriented toward design thinking, technical knowledge, and practical application in areas such as graphic, product, or fashion design, blending foundational design principles with industry-oriented projects and collaborative problem-solving. 

Both degrees include core foundation courses, but BFA is more art-focused, while BDes is tailored to applied design and innovation. 

BDes vs BFA Course Specializations

BDes (Bachelor of Design) and BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) offer a wide array of specializations tailored to different creative interests. BDes specializations include fields like Product Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, etc. In contrast, BFA specializations center on traditional and contemporary fine arts such as Painting, Sculpture, Applied Arts, etc. Depending on their interest and passion, candidates can choose any one of the specializations and pursue it. 

BFA Course Specialization

• Cartooning
• Drama & Theatre
• Painting
• Plastic Arts
• Digital Arts
• Pottery & Ceramics
• Photography
• Fashion & Design

BDes Course Specialization

• Accessory Design
• Knitwear Design
• Interior Design
• Fashion Design
• Product Design
• Animation and Film Design

BDes vs BFA Career Opportunities

Graduates of BDes and BFA programs have diverse career opportunities, but their paths often reflect the focus of their studies. BFA graduates pursue roles as fine artists, illustrators, photographers, art educators, gallery curators, or animators, often working in creative studios, galleries, or as freelancers.

BDes graduates are equipped for careers in fields like graphic design, product design, fashion design, interior design, and user experience (UX) design, with many working in design agencies, corporate design departments, or as independent consultants. 

Career Opportunities for BFA Graduates

Given below are some of the common careers that BFA graduates follow. 

• Career as an Artist
• Dancer
• Musician
• Sculptor
• Painter
• Animator Career
• Production Artist
• Actor Career
• Career as a Writer
• Career as a Teacher

Career Opportunities for BDes Graduates

BDes allows candidates to specialize in any stream of their choice and then pursue that as a career. Some of the prominent career choices for BDes graduates are as follows. 

• Fashion Designer Career
• Interior Designer Career
• Textile Designer
• Industrial Designer
• Graphic Designer Career
• Career as a Product Designer
• Art Director Career
• Career as a Fashion Director
• Apparel Designer Career
• Entrepreneur Career
• Brand Manager Career

Salary Structure for BDes vs BFA Graduates

BDes graduates in India earn around Rs 3 to Rs 7 lakh per annum, with an average salary is around Rs 6 lakh, depending on specialization and experience. BFA graduates usually start with lower salaries, often between Rs 2 to Rs 5 lakh per annum, as earnings depend heavily on the chosen field, portfolio strength, and whether one works independently or with organizations.

Design Crash Course 2026 Batch