BFA vs BA in Art: What Is the Difference?

A BFA and a BA in art are both bachelor's degrees, but they are not the same degree and our directory never treats them as interchangeable. Each school defines its own version, so the labels tell you less than the curriculum does. This guide explains how schools describe the difference and what to look for in a catalog.

Two degrees, two designs

Florida Atlantic University gives a clear example of how a school frames the two. It describes the BFA as a professional degree for students who want to concentrate on one area of studio art, and the BA as broader and multidisciplinary. It says the BFA requires more credits in the art major, with more advanced courses, while the BA requires fewer art credits and leaves room for electives, a second major or a minor. The BFA includes a senior exhibition; the BA does not require one. Its page lists similar career paths for both, including graphic designer, professional artist and art educator.

That description is one university's. Another school may set different credit counts or exhibition rules. The pattern, though, is common enough to use as a starting hypothesis: a BFA is usually the more studio-heavy and specialised route, and a BA usually leaves more room outside art.

Entering the BFA: an example of a review step

Some universities admit students to the BFA only after they have done foundation coursework. Northern Kentucky University says students must complete 60 semester hours at the university, including 27 in art and named foundation courses, register for a portfolio review course, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be accepted into the BFA. If the review is unsuccessful, the student may reapply once after reaching a stated number of credits, and otherwise can continue toward the BA. A senior exhibition course appears separately and cannot be taken in the same term as the review.

That is one program's structure, and many schools differ. Some require a portfolio at the point of application, others after a first year. What matters is to read the school's own entry rules for the BFA specifically, not only for the university.

What differs in practice

The table describes tendencies we see in school descriptions, not rules. A BA at one school may be more demanding in studio than a BFA at another.

Titles beyond BFA and BA

Not every art and design school uses these two titles. RISD lists BFA degrees across most of its departments, plus a BArch for architecture. UAL's undergraduate courses are typically titled BA (Hons), as the examples on its subject page show, such as BA (Hons) Fine Art: Painting. In some countries the bachelor's in art is named differently again, and in some systems the equivalent level is described by a national framework. The UK's Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications, published by QAA, set out the levels and requirements for UK qualifications, and other countries publish their own. Never assume that a UK BA (Hons) in fine art, a US BFA and a degree from another system carry identical content just because they sit at a comparable level; compare curricula.

Which should you consider?

We do not recommend either. Questions that help you decide:

• Do you want to spend most of your time making work in one medium or discipline, or do you want to combine art with another subject?
• Is a senior exhibition or final project part of what you want from the degree?
• Do you intend to apply to a graduate program, such as an MFA, later? Check what that program asks for; some ask for a portfolio and a degree in any field. See MFA versus MA.
• Do you plan to teach? A bachelor's in art does not by itself confer teacher registration. See art education degrees and teaching requirements.

What to verify in a catalog

1. The total credits and the number in art or design.
2. Whether the BFA has separate entry or review steps.
3. How much of the degree is art history, theory or general education.
4. Whether a final exhibition or thesis is compulsory.
5. Whether accreditation or approval matters for your plans in the country concerned; confirm with the school and the relevant authority.

Browse programs on our BFA programs page, and read choosing an art school and preparing an art portfolio if you are applying. Program rules change; always confirm with the school.