Photography and Videography Courses: Programs, Duration and Syllabus
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Photography courses after 12th include BFA, B.Sc, Diploma, and PG Diploma programs with course fees ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 7,00,000.
At least 235 colleges offer photography programs in India with tuition fees starting as low as INR 10,000. This complete guide details available degree options, eligibility requirements, course fee structures, top institute rankings, city-wise options, and step-by-step admission procedures.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Available Qualifications | Diploma, Certificate, BFA, B.Sc, MFA, M.Sc, PG Diploma |
| UG Eligibility Criteria | Class 12th pass with at least 50% marks from a recognized board |
| Course Fees Range | INR 10,000 to INR 7,00,000 |
| Entrance Exam | FADEE (for BFA) / Merit-Based Admissions |
| Starting Salary | INR 3 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 6 LPA (Monthly: INR 25,000 to INR 40,000) |
| Highest Salary Potential | INR 10 LPA |
List of Photography Courses
| Degree Level | Eligibility | Entrance Basis | Average Course Fee | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) | Class 12 (Min 50%) | FADEE | INR 30,000 – INR 3,00,000 | INR 3 – INR 6 LPA |
| B.Sc in Photography | Class 12 (Min 50%) | Merit-Based | INR 10,000 – INR 7,00,000 | INR 2 – INR 5 LPA |
| Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) | Bachelor of Fine Arts | Merit-Based | INR 20,000 – INR 2,00,000 | INR 3 – INR 9 LPA |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Photography | Bachelor’s Degree in Relevant Field | Merit-Based | INR 65,000 – INR 5,00,000 | INR 3 LPA |
Candidates need Class 12 with at least 50% aggregate marks for BFA or B.Sc courses. While BFA admissions require entrance exams like FADEE, B.Sc, MFA, and Post Graduate Diploma programs rely primarily on merit-based selection.
Fees for Photography Courses
Course fees for photography programs vary widely based on institution type and facility standards. At least 235 colleges offer Photography across India, including 11 government colleges and 37 private colleges. Private colleges have a median total course fee of ₹1.36 lakh, with the middle half ranging between ₹58,500 and ₹3.56 lakh based on 8 colleges with fee data.
State-wise college distribution shows Maharashtra with 57 colleges, Uttar Pradesh with 21, Telangana with 20, Karnataka with 19, Delhi NCR with 15, and Rajasthan with 13.
Across specific degrees, BFA course fees range from INR 30,000 to INR 3,00,000, B.Sc in Photography tuition ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 7,00,000, MFA fees span between INR 20,000 and INR 2,00,000, and PG Diploma fees range between INR 65,000 and INR 5,00,000.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marwari College Ranchi | Ranchi | Government | ₹14,550 |
| CSJM Kanpur University | Kanpur | Government | ₹24,200 |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹37,700 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology Daman | Daman | Government | ₹1.59 lakh |
Career Options and Salary
- Photojournalist: Earns an average annual salary of INR 6 LPA.
- Still Photographer: Earns an average annual salary of INR 5 LPA.
- Post-Graduate Professional: MFA graduates earn between INR 3 LPA and INR 9 LPA.
The starting salary of a photographer in India is INR 3 LPA, with an average annual salary of INR 6 LPA and maximum compensation reaching INR 10 LPA. Top recruiters include National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Conde Nast, The Times of India, Flipkart, and Amazon.
Best Photography Colleges in India
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹37,700 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Symbiosis International University Pune | Pune | University | — | 24 (Overall, 2025) |
| Fergusson College | Pune | Private (aided) | — | 57 (Overall, 2025) |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University | Pune | — | ₹1.25 lakh | 59 (Overall, 2025) |
| St. Teresa’s College (Autonomous) | Ernakulam | Private (aided) | — | 60 (Overall, 2025) |
| Mar Ivanios College | Thiruvananthapuram | Private (aided) | — | 61 (Overall, 2025) |
| SS Jain Subodh PG College | Jaipur | Government | — | 81 (Overall, 2024) |
| Shri Shivaji Science College | Amravati | Private (aided) | — | 93 (Overall, 2025) |
| Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | Indore | — | ₹62,332 | 101 (Overall, 2023) |
| Parul University | Vadodara | — | ₹2.30 lakh | 151 (Overall, 2023) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISAA School of Design Bangalore | Bangalore | Private | ₹1.65 lakh |
| Minerva Institute of Management and Technology | Dehradun | Private | ₹56,500 |
| Annapurna International School of Film and Media | Hyderabad | Private | ₹12.32 lakh |
| St. Pauls College | Bangalore | Private | ₹1.53 lakh |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Arts and Science | Idukki | Private | ₹1.20 lakh |
| Artemesia College of Art and Design | Indore | Private | ₹52,500 |
| Sri Venkateshwara College of Fine Arts | Hyderabad | Private | ₹64,500 |
| Royal College of Management Studies | Bangalore | Private | ₹4.20 lakh |
| City | Colleges | Fee range | Well-known options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | 23 | ₹59,000 – ₹1.70 lakh | Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture, RA Podar College of Commerce and Economics |
| Hyderabad | 20 | ₹64,500 – ₹12.32 lakh | Annapurna International School of Film and Media, Dhruva Degree College |
| Bangalore | 18 | ₹45,000 – ₹13.28 lakh | LISAA School of Design Bangalore, St. Pauls College |
| Pune | 17 | ₹60,000 – ₹13.20 lakh | Fergusson College, MIT World Peace University |
| Delhi | 15 | ₹37,700 – ₹2.78 lakh | Jamia Millia Islamia University, JD Institute of Fashion Technology Hauz Khas |
| Kolkata | 10 | ₹67,000 – ₹1.14 lakh | Institute of Mass Communication Film and Television Studies, Rinpoche Academy of Management and Technology |
| Jaipur | 8 | ₹60,000 – ₹65,000 | NIMS University, Agrawal P.G. College |
| Noida | 8 | ₹1.27 lakh – ₹1.80 lakh | Satyam Fashion Institute, Gulshan Kumar Film & Television Institute of India |
Top institutes for photography diploma programs include Light and Life Academy Ooty, AAFT, World University of Design Sonepat, Institute of Photography Excellence Ahmedabad, and Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication New Delhi. Essential skills include creativity, teamwork, and technical proficiency.
How to Choose the Right Photography Program
- Creativity and artistic ability
- Technical photography skills and observation skills
- Networking, teamwork, organization, and adaptability
Both BFA and B.Sc in Photography require passing Class 12 with at least 50% aggregate marks to polish core skill sets. While BFA admissions require entrance exams like FADEE, B.Sc programs primarily follow merit-based admissions.
How to Apply for Photography Admission: Step by Step
- Check eligibility criteria: Candidates must pass Class 12 from a recognized board with at least 50% aggregate marks for BFA or B.Sc programs, while MFA or PGD courses require a relevant bachelor’s degree.
- Select entrance or merit-based path: Clear entrance exams like FADEE for BFA in Photography admissions, while B.Sc, MFA, and PGD courses follow merit-based entry when applying directly to colleges.
- Choose specialization and refine skills: Pick a target specialization area and develop essential photography skills including technical photography, artistic ability, observation skills, teamwork, and adaptability.
- Build a portfolio and approach employers: Compile a portfolio showing top work to present to recruiters such as National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Conde Nast, The Times of India, Flipkart, and Amazon.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Photography colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Candidates can pursue certificate, diploma, or full-time degree programs by applying directly to colleges or photography training institutes. Pursuing formal education helps students enhance their technical skills and build a strong professional portfolio.
FAQs
What is the qualification required for photography courses after 12th?
Candidates must pass Class 12 from a recognized board with at least 50% aggregate marks to enroll in BFA or B.Sc in Photography programs.
Which entrance exam is conducted for BFA photography courses?
FADEE is a primary entrance exam conducted for Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) photography admissions, whereas most B.Sc courses offer merit-based entry.
What is the average salary of a photographer in India?
The starting salary of a photographer in India is INR 3 LPA, with an average annual salary of INR 6 LPA and potential top earnings up to INR 10 LPA.
Which top companies recruit photography graduates in India?
Top recruiters for photographers include National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Conde Nast, The Times of India, Flipkart, and Amazon.
What is the difference between BFA Photography and B.Sc Photography?
BFA is a prestigious degree in the visual arts field, whereas B.Sc in Photography is also a recognized degree. Their curriculums may differ slightly, but both programs aim to polish the skillset needed to become a photographer.
Which top institutes offer photography diploma courses in India?
Top diploma colleges include Light and Life Academy Ooty, AAFT, World University of Design Sonepat, Institute of Photography Excellence Ahmedabad, and Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication New Delhi.
