Prospectus | BIU IIP Academy

2026

Technical
Prospectus

Faculty of Fine Arts · All Programmes

IIP Academy × Bareilly International University · CBCS / NEP 2020

Programme 01

Diploma in Fine Arts Photography

2 Years · 4 Semesters · 80 Credits

Programme 02

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Photography

4 Years · 8 Semesters · 160 Credits

Programme 03

Master of Fine Arts - Photography

2 Years · 4 Semesters

IIP Foundation · Reg. No. 853 · BoS Approved: 16 March 2026
+91-9015422322 · www.iipacademy.edu.in

ADMISSION CLOSES
15 MAY 2026

Technical Prospectus 2026

Contents

IIP Academy × BIU · Faculty of Fine Arts · All Programmes

Part A - Programme Overview

1

Programme comparison at a glance

3

2

Eligibility & entry requirements - all programmes

4

Part B - Diploma in Fine Arts Photography

3

Diploma - semester structure & syllabus

5

Part C - Bachelor of Fine Arts Photography

4

BFA - semester structure & credit distribution

6

5

BFA - CBCS syllabus

7

Part D - Master of Fine Arts Photography

6

MFA - semester structure & syllabus

8

Part E - Assessment, Calendar & Policies

7

Assessment & grading system

9

8

Academic calendar 2026–27

10

9

Programme outcomes & NEP 2020 initiatives

11

10

Rules, attendance & academic policies

12

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 01

Programme Comparison at a Glance

Feature	Diploma in Fine Arts	BFA Photography	MFA Photography
Duration	2 Years	4 Years	2 Years
Semesters	4	8	4
Credits	80	160	As per BIU
Framework	NEP 2020 / CBCS	NEP 2020 / CBCS	NEP 2020 / CBCS
Eligibility	10th Pass	10+2 (any stream)	Graduation + photography
Mode	Full-time	Full-time	Full-time Regular
Timing	Mon–Fri 10:30–4:30	Mon–Fri 10:30–4:30	Mon–Fri 10:30–4:30
Industry exposure	4-week immersion (Sem 4)	6-month internship (Sem 8)	Professional engagement each sem
Final output	Portfolio + Industry immersion	Major project + Exhibition + Dissertation (optional)	Dissertation + Exhibition + Viva
Commences	13 July 2026	13 July 2026	17 August 2026
Campus	Bareilly (BIU) + Noida (advanced & industry training)	Bareilly (BIU) + Noida (advanced & industry training)	Bareilly (BIU) + Noida (advanced & industry training)
Placement record	100%	100%	100%
Progression	Can continue to BFA (12th pass required)	Can continue to MFA	PhD / research pathway

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 02

Eligibility & Entry Requirements

All three programmes

Diploma in Fine Arts Photography

Criteria	Details
Minimum qualification	10th Pass from a recognised board
Admission process	Entrance test + Interview with Academic Board
Duration / Credits	2 Years · 4 Semesters · 80 Credits
Timing	Monday to Friday · 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Campus	Bareilly (BIU) · Noida - advanced and industry training
Progression to BFA	12th class pass required to continue from Diploma into BFA programme
Commences	13 July 2026

Bachelor of Fine Arts - Photography

Criteria	Details
Minimum qualification	10+2 (any stream) from a recognised board or equivalent as per BIU norms
Admission process	Entrance test + Interview with Academic Board
Duration / Credits	4 Years · 8 Semesters · 160 Credits
Timing	Monday to Friday · 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
Campus	Bareilly (BIU) · Noida - advanced and industry training
Commences	13 July 2026

Master of Fine Arts - Photography

Criteria	Details
Minimum qualification	BFA Fine Arts (4-yr) · BA Fine Arts (3-yr) · B.Design (4-yr) · B.Architecture (4-yr) · Bachelor's degree in any stream with demonstrated knowledge of photography
Admission process	Entrance test + Interview with Academic Board
Mode	Full-time Regular · Monday to Friday · 10:30 am onwards
Campus	Bareilly (BIU) · Noida - advanced and industry training
Commences	17 August 2026

Reservation policy and foreign students' seats as per BIU / State / UGC norms. Migration / transfer candidates must provide migration certificate / NOC and proof of credits. Last date for admission as per Academic Council notification.

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 03

Section 03 · Diploma in Fine Arts Photography

Semester Structure & Syllabus

2 Years · 4 Semesters · 80 Credits · NEP 2020

Sem	Core / Studio Focus	Supporting Areas	Output
I	Camera craft · Exposure control · Composition · Visual awareness · Natural light mastery	Tonal control · Sharpness · Seeing and framing	Studio outputs + Critique
II	Artificial lighting fundamentals · Analog foundations · Film discipline · Darkroom process	Contact sheets · Craft sensitivity · Digital workflow basics	Portfolio-1 + Jury
III	Digital discipline · File hygiene · Editing control · Colour and tonality · Output standards	Narrative building · Photo essay development · Sequencing · Visual culture and aesthetics	Portfolio-2 + Jury
IV	Writing + articulation · Artist statement · Captions · Critical writing · Public presentation	Critique culture · Ethics · Consent · Copyright · Professional readiness	Final portfolio + 4-week Industry Immersion

What students learn across the programme

Camera craft · Exposure · Composition · Sharpness · Tonal control · Visual awareness · Natural light · Artificial lighting fundamentals · Analog film and darkroom · Contact sheets · Digital workflow · File hygiene · Editing · Colour grading · Output standards

Narrative building · Photo essay · Sequencing · Visual culture · Aesthetics · Writing · Captions · Artist statement · Critical writing · Public presentation · Critique culture · Ethics · Consent · Copyright · Professional readiness

Industry immersion - Semester 4 (mandatory)

Component	Details
Duration	Minimum 4 weeks in a professional environment
Evaluation	Supervisor assessment · Deliverables · Learning logbook · Case study portfolio · Viva / presentation
Outcome	Professional exposure, work culture discipline, evaluated industry experience

Graduation outcome

Portfolio-ready body of work · Strong technical foundations (light, camera, editing) · Analog + digital capability · Storytelling and sequencing ability · Evaluated industry immersion · Clarity to enter entry-level creative work or progress to BFA Semesters 5–8

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 04

Section 04 · Bachelor of Fine Arts Photography

Semester Structure & Credit Distribution

4 Years · 8 Semesters · 160 Credits · CBCS / NEP 2020

Sem	Core / Major	Minor	AEC / SEC / VAC	Project
I	Fundamentals of Photography, Visual Composition	Drawing Fundamentals	Communication Skills · Digital Workflow · Human Values	-
II	Lighting I, Digital Imaging I, Art & Aesthetics	History of Art I	Environmental Studies · Visual Storytelling · Professional Ethics	Portfolio-1
III	Studio Practice, Visual Culture, Photojournalism	History of Art II	MDC-2 · Research Methods · Production Management · IKS	Portfolio-2
IV	Lighting II, Genres: Portrait / Documentary	Design Basics	MDC-1 · IKS / Culture · Editing & Retouching	-
V	Advanced Studio, Commercial Photography	Minor Elective-1	Media Law & Ethics · Client Work & Pitching	Internship (4 Cr)
VI	Fashion / Product / Advertising Specialisation	Minor Elective-2	Entrepreneurship · Cinematic Still / BTS	Minor Project
VII	Contemporary Practices, Curatorial Methods	Minor Elective-3	Professional Practice · Innovation Lab	Pre-Capstone
VIII	Capstone: Portfolio + Exhibition + Viva	Minor Elective-4	-	Capstone (8 Cr) / Research (12 Cr)

Track A - Portfolio Capstone (41 courses)

Major / Core (Studio + Theory)88

Minor (5 courses)20

MDC + AEC + SEC + VAC40

Internship + Minor Project + Portfolio16

Major Capstone (Portfolio + Exhibition)8

Total160

Track B - Research Track (38 courses)

Major / Core80

Minor (5 courses)20

MDC + AEC + SEC + VAC40

Internship + Minor Project8

Major Research (Dissertation + Exhibition)12

Total160

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 05

Section 05 · BFA Photography

CBCS-Based Syllabus

Course Category	Subjects / Areas Covered
Core / Major	Fundamentals · Camera systems · Lighting I & II · Digital Imaging · Art & Aesthetics · Visual Culture · Photojournalism · Studio Practice · Portrait & Documentary · Commercial & Advertising · Fashion & Product · Contemporary Practices · Curatorial Methods · Capstone
Minor	Drawing Fundamentals · History of Art I & II · Design Basics · Minor Electives 1–4 (student choice from approved list)
MDC	Two cross-domain multidisciplinary courses - MDC-1 (Sem IV) and MDC-2 (Sem III)
AEC	Communication Skills · Environmental Studies · IKS / Culture Studies · Media Law & Ethics · Professional Practice
SEC	Digital Workflow · Visual Storytelling · Production Management · Editing & Retouching · Client Work & Pitching · Cinematic Still / BTS · Innovation Lab
VAC	Human Values · Professional Ethics · IKS Elective
Internship	Semester V - 4 credits · Min 4–6 weeks · Evaluated: report + portfolio + viva
Minor Project	Semester VI - Theme-based creative output + documentation + viva
Major Capstone	Sem VIII Track A: Portfolio + Exhibition + Viva (8 Cr) · Track B: Dissertation + Exhibition + Viva (12 Cr)

Programme Outcomes (POs) - BFA Photography

PO1

Professional photographic competence - studio and field

PO2

Visual literacy, aesthetics, and art practice grounding

PO3

Technical mastery - lighting, post-production, workflow

PO4

Research-informed creative practice and critical thinking

PO5

Ethical, legal, and cultural responsibility in image-making

PO6

Portfolio readiness and employability / entrepreneurship

PO7

Collaboration, communication, and project management

PO8

Capacity for higher studies, teaching, and creative leadership

PO9

Archiving and curation competence

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 06

Section 06 · Master of Fine Arts Photography

Semester Structure & Syllabus

2 Years · 4 Semesters · Full-time Regular · Commences 17 August 2026

Sem	Subjects	Focus	Output
I	Historical Philosophy in Photography · Technical Philosophy · Visual Studies · Practical Projects	Foundations of photographic thought · Camera arrived in India · Political and social transitions · Masters from Cameron to Cartier-Bresson to Dayanita Singh · Cultural Imperialism	3 Practical projects
II	Historical Reading & Theoretical Approaches · Photography & Documentation · Documentary & Photojournalism	Photography as memory · Visual collection · Photo archive · Re-photography · Photo book · Handmade art · Zine · Historiography	Practical submission + Viva voce
III	Documentary & Photojournalism II · Photography Discourse · Practical Project	Dissertation writing · Research methods · Publication approaches · Artistic statements · Funding frameworks · Portfolio and vision	Practical project + Research writing
IV	Dissertation · Viva Voce · Final Project · Public Exhibition	Complete curated body of work · Written dissertation · Public presentation	Dissertation + Final project + Exhibition

Studio practice (all semesters)

Ongoing assignments · Group critiques · One-on-one faculty meetings · Personal creative practice development · Graduate exhibition of original work required for graduation

Critical study (all semesters)

Theoretical and historical seminars · Research writing · Curatorial engagement · Written thesis - culmination of two years of critical coursework - required for graduation

Career pathways after MFA

Fine art photographer and independent artist · Documentary photographer and visual essayist · Photography educator and academic · Curatorial and archiving roles · Cultural research and documentation · Editorial and long-form visual journalism · Higher studies and PhD research pathways

Who this programme is for

Photographers who want to move from competence to authorship - who want the research depth, intellectual framework, and written fluency to build a lasting creative identity and career.

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 07

Assessment & Grading System

Applicable to all programmes - as per BIU examination ordinance

Marks distribution (default pattern)

30

Internal Assessment

70

End Semester Exam

Theory paper format (70 marks)

Section	Type	Marks
A	Objective / Short answers	20
B	Short notes / Applied	20
C	Long answer / Visual analysis	30

Practical / Studio rubric (100 marks)

Concept & Research

20

Technical Execution

25

Aesthetics & Visual Language

25

Post-production / Finish

15

Presentation + Viva

15

Credit-based grading (CBCS / SGPA / CGPA)

Grade

Points

Performance

O

10

Outstanding

A+

9

Excellent

A

8

Very Good

B+

7

Good

B

6

Above Average

C

5

Average

P

4

Pass

F

0

Fail / Re-appear

Passing criteria

Minimum pass marks as per BIU examination ordinance in each course · Student must pass separately in theory and practical where specified · Supplementary / backlog as per BIU rules · Minimum two internal evaluations per semester

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 08

Academic Calendar 2026–27

BFA Photography · Session 2026–27 · Approved by Board of Studies

#

Activity

Period

1

Orientation Programme (Semester I)

Last week of July 2026

2

Commencement of Classes (Odd Semester)

First week of August 2026

3

First Internal Evaluation (Odd Sem)

First week of October 2026

4

Second Internal Evaluation (Odd Sem)

First week of December 2026

5

End Semester Examination (Odd Sem)

Third week of December 2026

6

Winter Break / Semester Break

End of Dec – 7 Jan 2027

7

Commencement of Classes (Even Semester)

Fourth week of January 2027

8

First Internal Evaluation (Even Sem)

Second week of March 2027

9

Second Internal Evaluation (Even Sem)

Second week of May 2027

10

End Semester Examination (Even Sem)

Last week of May 2027

11

Summer Break / Internship Term

1 June – 15 July 2027

Assignments, studio assessments, presentations, shoots, exhibitions and other activities shall be held as per the approved course plan. MFA calendar to be announced separately.

Academic events (minimum each year)

Semester exhibitions and jury reviews · Masterclasses by national and international experts · Photo walks and field documentation labs

Industry interface - agencies, production houses, publications · Cultural documentation projects aligned with IKS / NEP

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 09

NEP 2020 Initiatives

IIP × BIU · Faculty of Fine Arts · All Programmes

1

Multiple Entry / Exit

With appropriate certification as per BIU norms - Diploma exit at Sem 4, Degree at Sem 8, with intermediate certificates where applicable

2

Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)

Credit integration and mobility - students can bank and transfer credits across institutions as per UGC ABC framework

3

Multidisciplinary Courses (MDC)

Two MDC courses in BFA enabling cross-domain learning beyond core photography discipline

4

Skill + Value-based Education

SEC and VAC courses embedded every year - developing professional skills and human values alongside technical craft

5

IKS Integration

Indian Knowledge Systems - art, culture, heritage, and civilisational history integrated into curriculum through dedicated courses and projects

6

Experiential Learning

Diploma: 4-week immersion · BFA: 6-month internship · MFA: professional engagement · All programmes: live briefs, projects, exhibitions

7

Outcome-Based Education (OBE)

All Programme Outcomes (POs) and Course Outcomes (COs) clearly mapped to assessment criteria - ensuring measurable, demonstrable learning at every stage of every programme

Progression pathway - NEP aligned

Diploma

Sem 1–4

80 Credits · 2 Years

→

BFA

Sem 5–8

Advanced 2 Years

→

MFA

Postgraduate

2 Years

→

PhD / Research

Higher Studies

Advanced pathway

Technical Prospectus 2026

Section 10

Rules, Attendance & Academic Policies

Attendance

Rule	Detail
Minimum	75% in all courses - eligibility for exams
Relaxation	Up to 5% by competent authority - genuine cases per BIU rules
Shortage	Ineligible for end-semester examination

Fee policy

Item	Policy
Pre-registration	₹2,000 - non-refundable · all programmes
Admission fee	As per fee structure at time of offer
Semester fee	As per selected course plan
Refund	As per BIU / UGC regulations on withdrawal

Scholarships

Available on academic credentials, creative merit, and category. SC / ST / OBC / EWS certificate holders may be eligible for state and central government schemes. Category certificate mandatory at registration. Details at counselling.

Academic progression

Must pass all courses to progress to the next semester · Supplementary exams as per BIU policy · NEP 2020 Multiple Entry / Exit provisions apply · Diploma students may progress to BFA Semesters 5–8 subject to academic and admission requirements

Studio & professional conduct

Professional conduct expected in studios, classrooms, and at all external engagements · Equipment must be booked in advance and returned in same condition · No equipment off-campus without written permission · Mobile phones not permitted during lectures and studio sessions · Critique sessions require active and respectful participation

Grievance & support

Academic grievances to HoD in first instance · Administrative grievances to Admissions Office · Zero tolerance on harassment of any kind · Campus safety policy on IIP Academy website

Medium of instruction

English / Hindi · Studio instruction may be bilingual for learning support

IIP Academy × Bareilly International University

Faculty of Fine Arts
All Programmes · 2026

Diploma

Fine Arts Photography

2 Yrs · 80 Cr · 13 Jul 2026

BFA

Fine Arts Photography

4 Yrs · 160 Cr · 13 Jul 2026

MFA

Fine Arts Photography

2 Yrs · Full-time Regular · 17 Aug 2026

Phone

+91-9015422322

Email

info@iipfoundationindia.org

Website

www.iipacademy.edu.in

Campus

Noida + Bareilly

ADMISSION CLOSES
15 MAY 2026