Art Schools Worldwide
Compare0

Subject · 292 verified programs

Painting degrees

Degrees focused on making work with paint and related surfaces, combining technique, visual research and contemporary critical discussion.

Also called: Painting and Drawing, Fine Art Painting, Painting and Printmaking, Pittura, Peinture.

119 BFA · 60 MFA · 47 Other bachelor’s award · 29 Other master’s award · 27 BA / BA (Hons) · 7 MA · 3 Other research doctorate · 167 official concentration, 28 named major, 96 dedicated degree, 1 documented pathway

292 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

About painting study

Painting is the practice of applying pigment to a surface, and in degree study it spans traditional approaches such as oil, acrylic, watercolor and tempera as well as expanded forms that mix paint with other materials, photography or digital imagery. Programs usually treat painting as both a technical craft and a way of thinking about image, surface, space, color and meaning.

Study often combines studio time, regular critiques and independent projects. Students learn about materials, preparation of supports, composition and observation, while also considering how painting relates to history and to current debates in art. Many programs encourage work from direct observation as well as from imagination, photographs and other source material.

Painting is a medium-based specialization within the broader field of fine arts. It differs from drawing in its emphasis on color, mass and surface, and from illustration, which is organized around communicating a brief or story for an audience. Some programs treat painting as a stand-alone major, while others offer it as an area within a general fine arts degree.

What study typically involves

  • Painting techniques and materials, including grounds, pigments and media
  • Color theory and composition
  • Observational work such as figure, portrait, landscape or still life
  • Drawing and visual research that supports painting
  • Contemporary and historical painting practice
  • Critiques and development of an individual body of work
  • Presenting, documenting and exhibiting finished work

Award titles. Painting study is commonly recognized through awards such as the BFA or BA (Hons) and at postgraduate level the MFA or MA. Where research degrees exist, a practice-based PhD may involve painting alongside a written component. Names and structure vary by country, so the official program page governs.

Painting frequently appears as an area of emphasis within a fine arts degree or as an MFA concentration. This directory lists a program under this subject only with a verified dedicated degree, major, official concentration or documented pathway.

Portfolio and admissions guidance

Requirements differ for every program. Always check the official admissions page; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Programs in painting commonly ask for a portfolio showing a range of recent work, often including observational drawing as well as paintings. Applicants may be asked to photograph work carefully and to label media and dimensions. Some programs also ask for sketchbook pages that show the thinking behind finished pieces.

Requirements vary considerably between countries and institutions. Some ask for a fixed number of images, others for a short video or an in-person submission, and some hold an interview or practical test. Postgraduate programs generally look for a coherent body of work and a clear statement of interests.

Applicants should consult each program’s official admissions page for formats, deadlines and language requirements. Nothing here guarantees admission, and no single template applies everywhere.

See also the guide to preparing an art portfolio.

Funding and costs

At MFA and PhD level, funding in some programs may involve teaching or studio assistantships, tuition remission, fellowships or competitive scholarships. Roles can include assisting in foundation courses or supporting studio facilities.

Terms depend on the institution, the country and the year, and many students receive partial support or none. Verify details with each program and funding body directly.

Costs beyond tuition. Painting students usually buy paints, canvases, panels and brushes, and may pay for studio space, framing, transport and photography of finished work.