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BFA Syllabus — Tribhuvan University (TU)
Bachelor of Fine Arts at Lalit Kala Campus, Tribhuvan University — four-year structure, specializations in Music, Painting, Sculpture, and Graphic Communication.
BFA at Tribhuvan University (TU)
Part of BFA Syllabus in Nepal · See also BFA at Kathmandu University (KU)
The TU Bachelor of Fine Arts runs under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FoHSS). It is a four-year program built on a foundation in drawing and visual language, followed by a chosen specialization, and is offered at two colleges in Kathmandu — Lalit Kala Campus and Sirjana College of Fine Arts. Both follow the same TU BFA curriculum, so the structure and course contents below apply to either.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Colleges | Lalit Kala Campus; Sirjana College of Fine Arts |
| Affiliation | Tribhuvan University — FoHSS |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Specializations | Music, Painting, Sculpture, Graphic Communication |
| Medium | Nepali and English |
Colleges offering the BFA under TU
| College | Type | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lalit Kala Campus | Constituent campus | Bhotahity, Kathmandu | TU's own fine-arts campus; ~100 seats per intake |
| Sirjana College of Fine Arts (SCoFA) | Private, TU-affiliated | Uttar Dhoka Sadak, Lazimpat, Kathmandu | Founded 2001 — the first private fine-arts college in Nepal; also offers Traditional Nepali Art (Painting and Sculpture) |
Specializations
Students normally choose one core area after completing the foundation requirements:
- Painting — including Traditional Nepali Painting
- Sculpture — including Traditional Nepali Sculpture
- Graphic Communication
- Music — Classical Tabla, Vocal / Instrumental Music, Classical Dance
Program structure
The BFA runs over four years. The first year is a common foundation taken by all visual-art students (Painting, Sculpture, and Graphic Communication share the same first-year course); specialization begins in the second year. Music students follow their own discipline (Tabla, Vocal/Instrumental, or Dance) from the start, with shared theory.
Every year combines three strands:
- Studio / practical — hands-on work in drawing and the chosen major.
- Art history & theory — history of art and aesthetics across Nepali, Asian, and Western traditions.
- Compulsory subjects — Compulsory English in the first year and Compulsory Nepali in the second year.
The year-wise breakdown below is an indicative structure drawn from TU's published program components — exact paper titles, credit weights, and sequencing are set by TU/FoHSS and revised between intakes. Where an official subject curriculum is available it is linked and transcribed in full — such as Compulsory English (first year, C.Eng.401) and Compulsory Nepali (second year, code 402).
Course contents by year
First year — Foundation (common to all visual-art students)
| Subject strand | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Drawing & Sketching | Observational drawing, line, proportion, perspective, light and shade, still life and figure studies |
| Basic Design | Elements and principles of design — form, colour theory, composition, 2D/3D fundamentals |
| Introduction to History of Art | Origins of art, prehistoric to early civilizations, introduction to Eastern and Western art, basic art appreciation |
| Compulsory English | Reading & Writing in English (code C.Eng.401, full marks 100) — patterns of writing and critical reading. See the full unit-wise syllabus. |
Second year — Specialization begins
| Subject strand | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Studio practice (major) | Painting, Sculpture, or Graphic Communication — intermediate techniques and media in the chosen specialization |
| Drawing | Continued advanced drawing and study from life |
| History of Art | History of Eastern / Asian art and of Nepali art — Licchavi and Malla period sculpture, paubha and traditional Nepali painting, Newar art, temple and stupa architecture |
| Aesthetics | Introduction to aesthetics — Eastern (rasa and Indian aesthetics) and Western ideas of beauty and form |
| Compulsory Nepali | अनिवार्य नेपाली (code 402, full marks 100) — language, composition, comprehension, and prescribed literary texts. See the full unit-wise syllabus. |
Third year — Advanced specialization
| Subject strand | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Studio practice (major) | Advanced work in the specialization, developing personal technique and themes |
| History of Art | History of Western art — Classical, Renaissance, and the rise of modern movements; South Asian art in context |
| Aesthetics & art appreciation | Theories of art, criticism, and visual analysis |
| Applied / elective work | Specialization-related applied projects (e.g., printmaking, mural, design applications) |
Fourth year — Professional practice & final project
| Subject strand | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Independent studio practice | Self-directed body of work in the specialization |
| History of Art | Modern and contemporary art, including modern Nepali art and current practice |
| Aesthetics & criticism | Advanced art theory, criticism, and contextual writing |
| Final project & portfolio | Graduating exhibition / portfolio with viva-voce |
Eligibility
- Grade 12 / +2 or equivalent from a recognized board (any stream)
- Pass the BFA entrance examination administered by Tribhuvan University
- Meet the minimum academic criteria set by TU for the BFA
Assessment
- Internal evaluation (assignments, studio work)
- Final TU examinations
- Project work, portfolios, practical exams, and viva-voce
References
For the current syllabus, exam routines, and admission notices, confirm with these Tribhuvan University offices:
- Lalit Kala Campus, Bhotahity, Kathmandu — campus notices and exam routines
- Sirjana College of Fine Arts, Lazimpat, Kathmandu — admissions and college notices
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FoHSS) — faculty syllabus
- Central Department of Fine Arts — department programs and academic references