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 Profile | Average Salary |
Fashion Designers | Rs 4.3 LPA |
Interior Designers | Rs 4.2 LPA |
Textile Designers | Rs 5 LPA |
UI/UX Designers | Rs 6.7 LPA |
Product Designers | Rs 12.5 LPA |
Graphic Designers | Rs 3.9 LPA |
Jewellery Designers | Rs 4.1 LPA |
Web Designers | Rs 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.
Specialization | Average Annual Salary |
Urban Planning | Rs 5 – 9 LPA |
Landscape Architecture | Rs 4.5 – 8 LPA |
Interior Architecture | Rs 4 – 7.5 LPA |
Sustainable Architecture | Rs 5.5 – 10 LPA |
Construction Management | Rs 6 – 12 LPA |
Residential Architecture | Rs 4 – 7 LPA |
Commercial Architecture | Rs 5.5 – 10 LPA |
Historic Preservation | Rs 4 – 7 LPA |
3D Modeling/Visualization | Rs 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 Role | Average Salary |
Graphic Designer | Rs 1.1 – 7.1 LPA |
Textile Designer | Rs 1.3 – 8 LPA |
Animator | Rs 1 – 8.5 LPA |
Cartoonist | Rs 1 – 12 LPA |
Sculptor-Artist | Rs 1 – 6.6 LPA |
Fine Artist | Rs 5.4 – 6.9 LPA |
Actor | Rs 1 – 20 LPA |
Multimedia Artist | Rs 2 – 8.7 LPA |
Art Director | Rs 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 Criteria | BDes (Bachelor of Design) | BArch (Bachelor of Architecture) | BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) |
Common Admission Requirements | 10+2 (any stream), minimum percentage required by the college | 10+2 with Mathematics as a subject, minimum percentage required | 10+2 (any stream), minimum percentage required by the college |
Duration | 3 – 4 years | 5 years | 3 – 4 years |
Common Entrance Exam | UCEED, NID Entrance, or College-specific | JEE Main (Paper 2) or College-specific | University-specific exams or merit-based |
Career Pathways | Product Designer, Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interior Designer | Architect, Urban Planner, Landscape Designer, Building Consultant | Visual Artist, Illustrator, Gallery Curator, Art Educator |
Job Prospects | High, especially with tech-related design and branding companies | High, especially with demand for infrastructure development | Moderate to high, depending on the niche and personal portfolio |
Postgraduate Options | MDes, Master’s in Design, or specialisations like UX/UI, Industrial Design | MArch, Master’s in Architecture or Planning | MFA (Master’s in Fine Arts), or specific art-focused postgraduate programs |