Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts in History of Art at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Department of History of Art under the Faculty of Arts. The programme is structured across four semesters and covers Indian art history, iconography, architecture, sculpture, painting traditions, Buddhist and Jain art, Islamic art, and modern and contemporary art. BHU is uniquely positioned for this programme as it houses the Bharat Kala Bhavan, a museum of international importance with 13 galleries containing rare art objects, manuscripts, and artefacts, providing students with unparalleled access to primary art historical resources. The total tuition fee for the regular seat is just Rs. 6,000 for the entire 2-year course, and admission is based on CUET-PG scores. The programme has a seat intake of 54 students.

Admission for the 2026-27 session is currently in progress. CUET-PG 2026 was conducted between March 13 and April 1, 2026, and results are expected in May 2026. Based on the 2025 pattern, BHU typically opens its PG admission portal in May-June 2026, with multiple rounds of seat allotment between July and September 2026.

Key Points

BHU's Department of History of Art is one of the few dedicated departments in India offering a specialised MA in History of Art, making it a rare and prestigious programme.
The Bharat Kala Bhavan museum on campus, with its 13 galleries of rare art and artefacts, serves as a living laboratory for students of History of Art.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including Indian temple architecture, Mughal miniature painting, Buddhist art, tribal and folk art, and contemporary Indian art.
Students undertake field visits to important archaeological and heritage sites as part of the curriculum.
The programme is ideal for students aspiring to careers in museum curation, archaeology, art criticism, heritage conservation, and academia.
An Earn While Learn programme is available for financially needy students.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Cutoff
FAQs

BHU Latest Updates and News

08 Apr, 2026 CUET PG 2026 Exams have concluded successfully. The response sheet & answer key will be released soon @exams.nta.nic.in.

BHU MA History of Art Fees

The MA History of Art programme at BHU is among the most affordable postgraduate programmes in the country. For regular seats, the total tuition fee for the entire 2-year course is Rs. 6,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester). Students opting for paid seats pay Rs. 30,000 per year. Hostel accommodation is available at approximately Rs. 5,375 per year for male students, excluding mess charges.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Regular Seat (Per Semester)	Regular Seat (Total - 2 Years)	Paid Seat (Per Year)
Tuition Fee	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 6,000	Rs. 30,000
Other Academic Charges	Included in tuition	Included in tuition	Included
Total Fees (Academic)	Rs. 1,500	Rs. 6,000	Rs. 60,000
Hostel Fees (Optional)	-	Rs. 5,375/year (approx.)	Rs. 5,375/year (approx.)

Hostel fees are not mandatory and are charged separately.
The amount mentioned is for the cheapest available option and excludes mess charges.
A caution/security deposit may be collected at the time of admission, which is refundable at the end of the course.
Paid seats are supernumerary seats (up to 10-15% of total seats) available for candidates who narrowly miss the regular seat cutoff.
All government scholarships (UP Scholarship, NSP, etc.) are applicable for eligible students.

BHU MA History of Art Admission 2026

Admission to MA History of Art at BHU is entirely merit-based through CUET-PG scores. BHU does not conduct any separate entrance test for this programme. The 2026 admission cycle is currently in progress, with CUET-PG 2026 having been conducted between March 13 and April 1, 2026. Results are expected in May 2026, after which BHU will announce its admission schedule. Based on the previous year's pattern, counselling and seat allotment rounds are expected between June and September 2026.

BHU Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date (2026)
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU PG Admission Portal Opens	May - June 2026 (Tentative)
Round 1 Seat Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
Fee Payment - Round 1	July 2026 (Tentative)
Physical Reporting - Round 1	July - August 2026 (Tentative)
Round 2 / Round 3 Allotment	August 2026 (Tentative)
Mop-Up Round	September 2026 (Tentative)
Last Date of Fee Payment - Mop-Up Round	September 2026 (Tentative)
Physical Reporting - Mop-Up Round	September 2026 (Tentative)
Batch Commencement	October 2026 (Tentative)

CUET-PG Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Registration	December 14, 2025 - January 25, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Form Correction	January 28 - January 30, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Admit Card	March 9, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a Bachelor's degree (BA with History of Art / Fine Arts / History / Archaeology or related subject) under the 10+2+3 pattern from a recognised university.
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in graduation is generally required (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, subject to fulfilling the eligibility at the time of admission.

Admission Process

Register and appear for CUET-PG 2026 conducted by NTA, selecting the relevant History of Art paper.
After results are declared, register on BHU's admission portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) and fill in course preferences.
Seat allotment is done in multiple rounds based on CUET-PG score, category, and seat availability.
Candidates allotted seats must pay the admission fee online within the stipulated deadline.
Physical reporting at the Department of History of Art, BHU with original documents is mandatory to confirm admission.

BHU MA History of Art Scholarships 2026

BHU MA History of Art students can avail a range of scholarships from both the university and government sources. Given the very low fee structure, government scholarships like UP Scholarship and NSP can effectively cover the entire cost of education and provide additional maintenance support. Students pursuing research after the programme can also benefit from UGC fellowships.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount	Offered By
UP Post-Matric Scholarship	UP domicile students; family income below Rs. 2 lakh (General/OBC) or Rs. 2.5 lakh (SC/ST)	Covers tuition fee + maintenance allowance (up to Rs. 60,000/year for hostellers)	UP Government
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) - Post-Matric	Students from SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EBC categories; family income criteria apply	Varies by category; covers tuition + maintenance	Central Government
BHU Merit Scholarship	Rank 1 holder in semester exams	Rs. 4,000 (one-time)	BHU
BHU Merit Scholarship (2nd Rank)	Rank 2 holder in semester exams	Rs. 3,000 (one-time)	BHU
BHU Economically Weak Students Scholarship	Family income below Rs. 1 lakh/year	Free meals (lunch + dinner) for 7 months + Rs. 2,000/year for 100 students	BHU
UGC JRF (post-programme)	Qualify UGC NET with JRF in relevant subject	Rs. 37,000/month (Junior); Rs. 42,000/month (Senior)	UGC
Earn While Learn Programme	Students with financial need	Stipend for part-time work on campus	BHU

Students already receiving any other scholarship are not eligible for BHU's internal scholarships.
UP Scholarship applications are typically open between July and October each year.
NSP applications open annually; students must register on scholarships.gov.in.
SC/ST students may also be eligible for full tuition fee waiver under state government schemes.

BHU MA History of Art FAQs

Ques. What makes BHU's MA History of Art programme unique compared to other universities?

Ans. BHU's MA History of Art is one of the few dedicated programmes of its kind in India. The biggest advantage is the Bharat Kala Bhavan museum on campus, which houses 13 galleries with rare art objects, manuscripts, coins, and artefacts. Students get direct access to primary art historical material, which is invaluable for research and study. The department also organises regular field visits to archaeological sites, temples, and heritage monuments in and around Varanasi.

Ques. What is the CUET-PG score required for MA History of Art at BHU?

Ans. Based on the 2025 admission cycle, the Round 1 cutoff for General category was 105 marks, which came down to 67 in the final Mop-Up round. For OBC, it ranged from 17 to 50. SC category cutoff was 80 in Round 1. These scores indicate that the programme is relatively accessible, though competition can vary year to year.

Ques. What career options are available after MA History of Art from BHU?

Ans. MA History of Art from BHU opens up careers in museum curation and management (ASI, state museums, private galleries), archaeology (Archaeological Survey of India), heritage conservation and documentation, art criticism and journalism, teaching and research (UGC NET/JRF), cultural tourism, and roles in auction houses and art galleries. The programme also prepares students for civil services where History of Art can be an optional subject.

Ques. Is there a PhD programme in History of Art at BHU?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers PhD in History of Art through its Department of History of Art. Admission is based on UGC NET/JRF scores or BHU's Research Entrance Test (RET). The department has active research in areas such as Indian temple iconography, Buddhist art, Mughal painting, and contemporary Indian art. Students with UGC JRF receive a monthly fellowship during their PhD tenure.

Ques. Are there field visits and practical components in the MA History of Art programme?

Ans. Yes, field visits are an integral part of the MA History of Art curriculum at BHU. Students visit important archaeological sites, temples, museums, and heritage monuments as part of their coursework. Varanasi itself, with its rich cultural and architectural heritage, serves as an extended classroom. The Bharat Kala Bhavan museum on campus also provides hands-on exposure to original art objects.

Ques. Can students from non-art backgrounds apply for MA History of Art at BHU?

Ans. Yes, students from any graduation background can apply for MA History of Art at BHU, as the minimum eligibility is a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. However, students with a background in History, Fine Arts, Archaeology, or related subjects will have an advantage in the CUET-PG examination, as the paper tests knowledge of art history and related subjects.