BDes vs. BArch vs. BFA: Course Comparison, Career Scope, and Admission Process 2025

Published by Shikha Kumari on May 09, 2025

Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Architecture, and Bachelor of Fine Arts are some of the popular paths pursued by candidates aiming for careers in design. While these three options may seem quite similar, they differ in terms of usage, career pathways, job prospects, and postgraduate opportunities. A Bachelor of Design can open doors across multiple design fields, whereas a Bachelor of Architecture is in high demand due to the growing need for infrastructure development. Similarly, a Bachelor of Fine Arts prepares candidates for roles in visual arts, gallery curation, and related creative fields.

In this blog, we’re going to break down each of these paths and help you figure out which one can lead to the best career option for you.

Bachelor of Design (B Des) Course

The Bachelor of Design (BDes) course is ideal for candidates who want to pursue a general design degree or have a specific interest in fields like interior design, web design, and more.

B Des Admission Process 2025

To be eligible for a Bachelor of Design, candidates must have passed Class 12 in any stream. While there is generally no minimum percentage requirement, top institutions like NIFT Delhi may have specific cutoffs for the admission process. Some of the common entrance exams include UCEED, NID Entrance Exam, and college-specific entrance tests.

B Des Career Scope 2025

B.Des salary per month can depend on the multiple job offers that a Bachelor of Design career provides. It can range from Rs 3.3 LPA to Rs 12.5 LPA.

Job ProfileAverage Salary
Fashion DesignersRs 4.3 LPA
Interior DesignersRs 4.2 LPA
Textile DesignersRs 5 LPA
UI/UX DesignersRs 6.7 LPA
Product DesignersRs 12.5 LPA
Graphic DesignersRs 3.9 LPA
Jewellery DesignersRs 4.1 LPA
Web DesignersRs 3.3 LPA

Bachelor of Architecture (B Arch) Course

Bachelor of Architecture is preferred by students who wish to plan their careers in infrastructure, interior design, and apply some aspects of engineering. While a Bachelor of Architecture offers a lucrative career, it can be limited in terms of diversity.

B Arch Admission Process 2025

Only candidates who have completed their Class 12 in the science stream can apply for a Bachelor of Architecture. Since the Bachelor of Architecture is a complex, science-related subject, JEE Main is considered as an entrance exam. Likewise, many colleges also offer entrance exams such as NATA, AAT, and MHT CET.

B Arch Career Scope 2025

As a career in Bachelor of Architecture, candidates can take up roles such as landscape architecture, interior architecture, construction management, or commercial architecture, where their average salary can range from Rs 4 to Rs 12 LPA.

SpecializationAverage Annual Salary
Urban PlanningRs 5 – 9 LPA
Landscape ArchitectureRs 4.5 – 8 LPA
Interior ArchitectureRs 4 – 7.5 LPA
Sustainable ArchitectureRs 5.5 – 10 LPA
Construction ManagementRs 6 – 12 LPA
Residential ArchitectureRs 4 – 7 LPA
Commercial ArchitectureRs 5.5 – 10 LPA
Historic PreservationRs 4 – 7 LPA
3D Modeling/VisualizationRs 4.5 – 8 LPA

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Course

A Bachelor of Fine Arts is particularly pursued by candidates who wish to make a name in the arts. This is a highly focused program, and students can take on a diverse range of jobs such as digital arts, teaching, or even exhibitions.

BFA Admission Process 2025

The candidate must be a 12th pass from any stream with a minimum percentage requirement set by the university. BFA admission exams can vary from college to college. However, some of the common entrance exams include JMI Entrance Exam, JNUEE, CUET, SET, IPU CET, etc.

BFA Career Scope 2025

As a Bachelor of Fine Arts graduate, candidates can expect a salary of Rs 1.20 LPA in the job roles they are offered. Some of the job roles, including graphic designer and fine artist, are listed below:

Job RoleAverage Salary
Graphic DesignerRs 1.1 – 7.1 LPA
Textile DesignerRs 1.3 – 8 LPA
AnimatorRs 1 – 8.5 LPA
CartoonistRs 1 – 12 LPA
Sculptor-ArtistRs 1 – 6.6 LPA
Fine ArtistRs 5.4 – 6.9 LPA
ActorRs 1 – 20 LPA
Multimedia ArtistRs 2 – 8.7 LPA
Art DirectorRs 4 – 20 LPA

Difference between B Arch and B Design

BArch is more technical and oriented toward design’s construction and structural aspects, preparing students to become architects or related professionals. BDes focuses on the artistic and conceptual side of design, with students gaining skills in creativity, aesthetics, and user-centred design for roles like product design, graphic design, or UI/UX design.

Comparison between BDes vs. BArch vs. BFA

While BDes graduates can branch into various design fields, including tech and business, BArch graduates typically stay within architecture or related fields. On the other hand, a BFA offers high flexibility, with graduates able to pursue careers in digital arts, exhibitions, or teaching. To summarise everything from this blog, you can use the following table to compare the three courses:

Admission CriteriaBDes (Bachelor of Design)BArch (Bachelor of Architecture)BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
Common Admission Requirements10+2 (any stream), minimum percentage required by the college10+2 with Mathematics as a subject, minimum percentage required10+2 (any stream), minimum percentage required by the college
Duration3 – 4 years5 years3 – 4 years
Common Entrance ExamUCEED, NID Entrance, or College-specificJEE Main (Paper 2) or College-specificUniversity-specific exams or merit-based
Career PathwaysProduct Designer, Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interior DesignerArchitect, Urban Planner, Landscape Designer, Building ConsultantVisual Artist, Illustrator, Gallery Curator, Art Educator
Job ProspectsHigh, especially with tech-related design and branding companiesHigh, especially with demand for infrastructure developmentModerate to high, depending on the niche and personal portfolio
Postgraduate OptionsMDes, Master’s in Design, or specialisations like UX/UI, Industrial DesignMArch, Master’s in Architecture or PlanningMFA (Master’s in Fine Arts), or specific art-focused postgraduate programs
×
Kickstart your college journey with ImaginXP - let's connect and make it happen!
Share your contact Details and we will connect with you ASAP!