BPA / B.Music
Undergraduate performing arts degree
A degree in performance: vocal or instrumental music, a dance form such as Kathak or Bharatanatyam, or theatre. The Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) and Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) mix daily practice and performance with music or dance theory, history and appreciation. It leads to performing, teaching, music production and further study in the arts.
After BPA / B.Music, you can
How you get in
Class 12 in any stream. Universities admit through their own entrance or aptitude test, CUET-UG at central universities, or Class 12 merit. Many programmes add a practical test or audition in your chosen art form, and some expect prior training in it.
At a glance
- You usually pick one main area — vocal, an instrument, a dance form or theatre — and train in it for the whole course.
- Performance income is often irregular; many graduates combine performing with teaching or studio work.
- College teaching posts usually need a master's plus UGC-NET or a PhD.
- School music and dance posts exist, but eligibility rules differ between KVS, NVS and each state.
In numbers
AISHE counts responding institutions only; coverage varies by year, so part of any change may reflect reporting rather than real growth or decline. The jump in B.P.A. enrolment in 2023-24 is large and may partly reflect more institutions reporting.