College of Fine Arts Kerala-image
College of Fine Arts Kerala: Admission 2026, Courses, Fees, Ranking & Thiruvananthapuram Campus Life
location
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
author
Abhijeet Chatterjee
Updated on 11 January 2026

More About College of Fine Arts Kerala

College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram is widely recognized for its distinguished legacy in visual arts education in India. Established in 1881 and upgraded to a college in 1975, it stands as the oldest Fine Arts College in Kerala, administered by the Directorate of Technical Education, Government of Kerala, and affiliated with the University of Kerala. The institution's historical roots trace back to the "Dantha Āppis" (ivory carving school) and the "His Highness School of Arts" founded in 1888, housed in a heritage building within its eco-friendly green campus.

The college offers comprehensive academic programs, including a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with specializations in Painting, Sculpture, and Applied Art, and a two-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) with specializations in Painting and Sculpture. These programs are designed to provide in-depth practical and theoretical knowledge, encouraging self-learning and creative development. Admissions for BFA courses are conducted through a Common Entrance Test organized by DTE, while MFA admissions are merit-based. The college maintains a focused learning environment with a total of 206 enrolled students and a dedicated faculty of 18 members, reflecting an approximate student-faculty ratio of 11.4:1.

The institution boasts a well-equipped campus sprawling over approximately 3.6 acres. It provides students with essential facilities such as spacious art galleries, casting studios, a comprehensive library housing nearly six thousand books on art and culture, computer labs, and hostel accommodations for both male and female students. Although the college does not offer specific placement opportunities, its graduates are well-prepared for diverse professional careers in various art-related sectors, easily finding employment and contributing significantly to the art industry. The College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram continues to be a vibrant center for artistic exploration and academic excellence, nurturing generations of successful artists and designers.

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Campus Area

3.6

Total Seat

64

Faculty Student Ratio

1:11.4

Courses Offered at College of Fine Arts Kerala

Specializations

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied ArtsBachelor of Fine Arts in PaintingBachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture

Specializations

Master of Fine Arts in SculptureMaster of Fine Arts in Sculpture

Nearest Attractions at College of Fine Arts Kerala

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Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV)

6 km

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Thampanoor Bus Terminal

1 km

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General Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram

1.5 km

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Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station

1 km

Campus Facilities at College of Fine Arts Kerala

Academic Spaces

Auditorium

Classrooms

Seminar Halls

Studio Classrooms

Accommodation for Parents

Guest Room/Waiting Room

Basic Services

ATM Services

General Stores

Power & Backup

Disability Services

Accessibility Features for Disabled

Food Options

Canteen/Cafeteria

Mess

Hostel Facilities

Boys Hostel

IT Facilities

IT Infrastructure

Laboratories

Bronze Casting Studio

Ceramics & Pottery Studio

Computer Lab

Graphics Printmaking Studio

Photography/Process Studio

Welding & Metal work Studio

Library

College Library

Medical Facilities

Health Center

Recreational Areas

Art Galleries

Safety & Security

CCTV Surveillance

Sports & Fitness

Gymnasium

Sports Facilities

Student Help Desks

Counseling/Mentoring

Grievance Cell

Transport Services

Vehicle Parking

Student Reviews & Testimonials

Gowtham Krishna R

5

One of the three government fine arts colleges in kerala. Lot of art forms and works all over the place to see. Just a few yards from the Palayam bus stop, opposite to the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium. In the heart of Trivandrum,easy to access. A perfect for your kids who are so obsessed about art. Had visited a couple of times here. Great atmosphere. A nice garden in the courtyard. A college canteen also present.

ARAVIND

5

College of Fine Arts Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, is an educational institution of Government of Kerala (Department of Higher Education) and administered under the Directorate of Technical Education (D.T.E.), Thiruvananthapuram. It is an institution exclusively for visual art programmes and is the oldest Fine Arts College in Kerala. It is affiliated to the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram and the courses are designed and structured by the University. The Degree Certificates are awarded by the University. College of Fine Arts Kerala is well located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city. It is situated in Palayam along the Mahatma Gandhi Road, next to the State Central Library and close to St. Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral, and diagonally opposite to the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium. It is only 100 meters away from the Kerala State Legislative Assembly building compound. Our campus is an eco-friendly green campus, with aesthetically designed heritage buildings. The new building complex with spacious art galleries, a few other studio buildings and the Boys Hostel are relatively newer additions.

Anwar Shaik

5

Finest art school of Kerala, An amazing place to be around, Great art installations, This college breathes different, Great people and faculty,

SREENATH S NAIR

4

premier institution for visual arts in India our college has a history of more than 130 years ever since its establishment, initially as a school to train artisans, in the year 1888. Currently our college is a major centre that offers both undergraduate and post graduate professional programmes in Fine Arts, namely in Painting, Sculpture and Applied Art. Several students who trained and got mentored here in our college are currently big names in the field of art and design in India. Aspirant students approach our institution to learn the nuances of art making and also the applications of design in life and society. The college offers and extends a learning environment to enrich them in the knowledge of techniques, concept and language and in the methods of execution of art and design works. Students often pass out to pursue successful professional life as an artist, designer, art historian, art curator, art critic, art educator etc. in both public and private sectors and also as freelancers. This website is designed as a curtain raiser for those who desire to study in this institution, as an online platform for the students to broaden knowledge and information, as a new pedagogical device to share and impart art education, and as an extension of the campus experience to art lovers and the public in general. Welcome, once again.

Frequently Asked Questions

    College of Fine Arts is known for its comprehensive B.F.A. and M.F.A. programs and ranked 3rd in the NIRF rankings for arts colleges in Kerala 2025. The college offers full-time undergraduate and postgraduate courses with a total of 63 seats available across its programs. Established in 1985, it provides extensive training and development in the arts.
    College of Fine Arts is ranked 12th in NIRF 2025 and 15th in QS World University Rankings for arts education.
    College of Fine Arts is not specifically known for engineering, with no dedicated engineering courses offered. The college focuses on arts and provides placements in related fields with an average placement percentage of around 75% and an average package of Rs 2.5 LPA. Given its specialization in arts, it does not have a strong emphasis on engineering placements or specialties.
    Students at College of Fine Arts rate it 4/5 for placements, highlighting the college's strong industry connections leading to a 90% placement rate for B.F.A. graduates. Pros include the college's experienced faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, while cons noted are the limited course seats to 20, which can make admission competitive.
    The admission process at College of Fine Arts requires the GATE exam followed by counseling and document verification. The MFA program offers 20 seats and is a 2-year postgraduate course. The application process will be open soon, with the CBSE supplementary date sheet for Class 12 expected in early 2025.
    The campus life at College of Fine Arts offers hostels and a mess facility with a boys' hostel located within the campus, providing accommodation for around 100 students. The college also features a computer room with an editing bay for film and video workshops, along with a large conference hall for various activities and events. The environment is rich in artistic heritage, with over 140 years of tradition in arts education, fostering a vibrant and creative atmosphere.
    The eligibility for admission to the MFA program at College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram requires a minimum of 55% in relevant subjects and a score of 60% in the entrance exam.
    The entrance exams accepted at College of Fine Arts are JEE Main and JEE Advanced with cutoff ranks of 35000 and 10000 respectively. Additionally, candidates can apply based on their CBSE Class 12th supplementary exam results with a minimum aggregate percentile of 60%.
    The placement at College of Fine Arts shows 100% students placed with an average package of Rs 60 LPA and a highest CTC of Rs 400 LPA.
    The placement at College of Fine Arts shows 100% students placed with an average package of Rs 60 LPA and a highest CTC of Rs 60 LPA.
    The important admission dates for College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram MFA are: application starts on January 15, 2025, exam is conducted on February 20, 2025, and results are announced on March 1, 2025.
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