MAHE Manipal M.A Visual Communication Design: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

UDUPI, ManipalDeemed to be UniversityEstd 1953NAAC Grade A++ 3.6
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The Master of Arts (MA) in Visual Communication at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (a constituent unit of MAHE) is a specialized 2-year full-time postgraduate program designed to generate communication that is rooted in local traditions while maintaining social and cultural relevance. This interdisciplinary program combines design thinking, visual literacy, and contextual inquiry to create meaningful communication solutions. The curriculum emphasizes the six key domains of communication design: aesthetic, functional, historical, symbolic, perceptual, and cultural. Students develop expertise in branding, advertising, graphic design, publication design, and digital media. The total course fee is 10.04 lakhs for Indian students. This full-time on-campus program is ideal for students passionate about visual communication, design research, and creating impactful creative solutions.

Admissions for 2026-27 are currently ongoing. The application deadline for MA Visual Communication is March 14, 2026 (Round 1). Eligible candidates must appear for the Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test (SMEAT). Class commencement is scheduled for July 2026. Students must complete their admission process and fee payment by the specified dates to secure their seats.

Key Points

  • Inquiry-based learning combining theory and practice in visual communication
  • Focus on creating contextually relevant and culturally rooted design solutions
  • Training in branding, advertising, graphic design, and publication design
  • Integration of visual literacy, visual thinking, and visual perception
  • Practical project-based learning with industry collaborations
  • Access to state-of-the-art design studios and digital labs
  • Career opportunities in advertising, branding, publishing, and digital media

MAHE Manipal Latest Updates and News

20 Jun, 2026 MAHE Manipal Fee Structure 2026-27 is out for M.A Visual Communication Design programs. The total academic fee is ₹ 9.58 Lakhs.

MAHE MA Visual Communication Design Fees

The MA Visual Communication program at Srishti Manipal is structured with transparent fee components covering tuition, course materials, and access to campus facilities. The total program fee of 10.04 lakhs is divided across the two years of study. This includes all academic resources, studio access, design software, and campus facilities. Students should note that hostel fees, if opted, are charged separately and are not mandatory.

Fee Structure

Fee ComponentAmount (INR)
Tuition Fee (Year 1)5,02,000
Tuition Fee (Year 2)5,02,000
Total Fees10,04,000
  • Fees are refundable as per MAHE's refund policy 2026.
  • Students can avail education loans from partner banks.
  • EMI options are available through financial institutions.
  • Payment can be made in installments as per the payment schedule provided by the institute.

MAHE MA Visual Communication Design Admission 2026

The MA Visual Communication program at Srishti Manipal follows a merit-based admission process with SMEAT (Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test) as the entrance examination. The admission process is conducted in multiple rounds. Eligible candidates must appear for SMEAT and secure a position in the merit list to proceed to interviews and counselling.

Important Dates

EventDate
Application Deadline (Round 1)March 14, 2026
SMEAT Exam DateApril 14, 2026 (Tentative)
Result DeclarationApril 2026 (Tentative)
InterviewsMay 2026 (Tentative)
Class CommencementJuly 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university
  • Minimum 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent grade) in graduation
  • Candidates appearing in final year examinations can also apply (provisional admission subject to final results)
  • Portfolio submission required showcasing original works related to visual communication
  • No specific subject requirements; the program welcomes graduates from diverse academic backgrounds

Admission Process

  • Register online on the Srishti Manipal admissions portal
  • Fill the application form with required details and upload supporting documents
  • Submit portfolio of original works related to visual communication
  • Appear for the SMEAT (Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test) on the scheduled date
  • Participate in portfolio review and interviews (if shortlisted)
  • Check merit list on the official website
  • Complete fee payment and document verification
  • Receive admission confirmation and orientation details

MAHE MA Visual Communication Design Scholarships 2026

Srishti Manipal offers merit-based scholarships for deserving postgraduate students. The scholarship scheme aims to recognize academic excellence and support talented students in pursuing higher education. Scholarships are awarded based on merit rank in the entrance examination and academic performance.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship TypeEligibilityAmount
Merit ScholarshipTop merit rankersUp to 50% fee waiver
Excellence ScholarshipExceptional meritUp to 75% fee waiver
Talent ScholarshipMerit-basedUp to 25% fee waiver
  • Scholarship amounts are subject to merit rank and availability of funds.
  • Application for scholarships is automatic for all admitted students based on their entrance exam performance.
  • Additional scholarships may be available through government schemes and external funding organizations.

MAHE MA Visual Communication Design FAQs

Ques. What is the focus of MA Visual Communication at Srishti Manipal?

Ans. The program focuses on creating meaningful visual communication rooted in local traditions and cultural relevance. It emphasizes visual literacy, visual thinking, and the integration of six key domains: aesthetic, functional, historical, symbolic, perceptual, and cultural. Students develop expertise in branding, advertising, graphic design, and digital media.

Ques. Can I join this program without a design background?

Ans. Yes, you can. The program welcomes graduates from diverse academic backgrounds. However, you must possess talent, keen interest, and awareness for the arts and design. You will need to submit a portfolio of original works related to visual communication. Non-design background students may need to work extra hard in the first semester to master fundamental principles.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing MA Visual Communication?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as art directors, senior designers, design consultants, researchers, and educators. Opportunities exist in branding and advertising agencies, marketing and communication companies, graphic design firms, publishing houses, retail and exhibition companies, and digital media organizations. Many graduates also establish independent design practices.

Ques. What is the SMEAT entrance test like?

Ans. SMEAT consists of multiple tests assessing creativity, design thinking, problem-solving, and aptitude. The test includes both written components and practical design tasks. Candidates are required to bring basic stationery and art materials (dry media only, no wet media like paints or markers).

Ques. How much time should I dedicate to this program?

Ans. This is a full-time program requiring 5-6 days per week attendance. Students should dedicate 25-30 hours per week for homework and assignments. Contact time with teachers is 3-4 hours per day, with additional independent study required. Workshops and final exams require 6-8 hours daily.

Ques. Does Srishti Manipal provide placement assistance?

Ans. Srishti Manipal does not provide formal placement events. However, the graduation seminar "The Srishti Collective" becomes a platform where industry is invited to view graduating students' capstone seminars, which historically becomes a placement opportunity. Additionally, the institute publishes a graduate catalogue circulated among industry professionals.

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MAHE Manipal: 2 Answered Questions

Where should I pursue my Computer Science course, Thapar University or Manipal University?

Krishna ShrivastavMBA from Manipal University (2018)

My brother did his MBA from Manipal University and it has been one of the best decisions of his life. While both are prime universities, Manipal holds an edge due to the following reasons.

  • You will get the best-in-class faculties, infrastructure, and facilities that you won’t be able to get at Thapar.
  • In recent QS ranking 2020, Manipal University secured 17th rank all over India and 200th all over Asia, making it one of the top-ranked private universities in India.
  • Manipal University has also ranked way above the famous BHU (IIT BHU) in the World QS ranking 2021. Manipal university ranked #751-800 whereas BHU, and Thapar belonged to the same bracket of #801-1000.

Here are the 2020 placement trends in brief at Manipal.

Average CTC

7.2 LPA

Highest CTC

22.38 LPA

Total no of offers made

781

Major recruiters

E&Y, ITC, Microsoft, Dell, etc.

Overall, Manipal University is one of the top private institutions making it a great choice to pursue a computer science course.

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Which course is better: CSE in Manipal University, Manipal or ECE in VIT Velllore?

Akanksha Gupta
Sarita GuptaStudied at Manipal Institute Of Technology (2017)

For B.Tech courses VIT has been ranked #15-300 in India for the year 2020 by NIRF rankings. In Tamil Nadu, the university was ranked #4th for courses in B.Tech. On the other hand, Manipal University was ranked #8-200 for top universities in India by NIRF rankings in the year 2020.

Admissions

  • Manipal University, Manipal:

    • Completed his/ her 10+2 grade or equivalent from a recognized board With Physics, Mathematics, and English as the compulsory subjects with 50% marks.

    • The candidate taking admission should also qualify the Manipal Entrance Test (MET)- 2020.

    • 3.35 Lakhs is the total fee for the CSE course in the 1st year.

  • VIT Vellore:

    • The candidate must have completed 10+2 with PCM or PCB as the subjects.

    • Minimum 60% marks should be obtained by the aspirant in 10+2.

    • The selections are done on the basis of counseling and marks obtained in the entrance texts i.e., VITEEE.

    • The total course fee for ECE in VIT is 1.98 Lakhs.

Placements

  • Manipal University, Manipal:

    • 6.2 Lakhs was the median salary offered to CSE students in the University.

    • Top recruiting companies in Manipal are Forbes Marshall, Mercedes Benz, Hyundai, Cipla, Hero Moto Corp, Maruti Suzuki, INFOYSIS, Intel, etc.

  • VIT Vellore:

    • 713+ companies visited the campus with a total of 705 dream offers.

    • The highest package offered was 41.60 LPA and 6.05 LPA was the average salary offered.

    • Microsoft, Philips, HP, TCS, Wipro, Intel, Bank of America, Infosys, Deloitte, and Bosch among many others are top recruiters of the University.

Campus

  • Manipal University, Manipal:

    • The campus is about 313 acres in the area.

    • Hospital facilities, sports facilities, and innovative centers are available for students, Wi-Fi facility is available everywhere across the campus, restaurants, libraries, hostel, labs, etc. are some of the facilities available on-campus.

  • VIT Vellore:

    • The campus size is about 250 acres.

    • Clubs, library, sports facilities, hostel, health services, transport facilities, pollution friendly management projects such as liquid waste management, solid waste management, solar power, wind power, etc. are some of the facilities and activities going on in the campus.

If the subject is not the priority then VIT is a lot ahead of Manipal as it provides excellent placements and living environment to the students. But it all depends on the choice and interests of the aspirant seeking admissions.

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