Dr Y. S. R. Architecture & Fine Arts University

Dr Y. S. R. Architecture & Fine Arts University

A Look at the University

YSRAFAU, or Dr. Y. S. R. Architecture & Fine Arts University, is a state-run university in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. YSRAFAU was created in 2020 by changing the JNTU School of Planning & Architecture act to include the name of former Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. This was done through Andhra Pradesh Legislature Act No. 15 of 2020. 

The university was founded after Andhra Pradesh split in two, with the goal of making a school that focuses only on architecture, planning, design, and the fine arts. 

The Governor of Andhra Pradesh (Syed Abdul Nazeer) is the Chancellor, and the Vice-Chancellor is in charge of day-to-day operations with the help of an executive council. 

Our Mission and Vision

• YSRAFAU has a modern vision: to become the best school for sustainable architecture and fine arts, encouraging cross-disciplinary innovation, urban planning technologies, cultural awareness, and global involvement. 
• The organization's mission is to combine rigorous academics, hands-on experience, and interaction with professionals in the field to encourage creativity and all-around professional growth in new fields of architecture and art. 

Academic Departments and Programs

There are two main academic groups at the university:

Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) from the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA)

• Length: 5 years (10 semesters, which includes a required six-month internship)
• Intake: about 80 seats
• You must have a 10+2 with math or a 10+3 diploma with math to be eligible.
• You can get in by taking NATA or JEE Paper II. 

B.Tech degrees in areas like game design technologies, urban and regional planning, digital techniques in design and planning, facilities and services planning, and construction management and technology

• Time: 4 years
• Entrance: AP-EAMCET (counseling through APSCHE) 

B.Plan is a four-year program that you can get into through AP-EAMCET. It has about 55 seats. 

College of Fine Arts (CFA) offers

• A Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in applied art, painting, sculpture, photography, and animation.
• Length: 4 years; Enrollment: about 56
• Entrance: The Andhra Pradesh Art and Design Common Entrance Test (AP ADCET) 
• B.Des, or Bachelor of Design, is a degree in design.
• Length: 4 years; Entry through AP ADCET 

Programs for Graduate Students

• M.Arch – 2 years of advanced study in urban and landscape architecture, as well as sustainable design
• M.F.A. in fine arts takes two years.
• M.Design takes two years and focuses on design thinking, product design, and interior design.
• Eligibility: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 50% marks; admission through a university-level entrance test and interview 

Degrees in Research

• M.Phil in Architecture: 1 year
• Ph.D. in Architecture or Fine Arts: length varies; a Master's degree is required; admission is based on a written test and an interview; research proposals are encouraged in areas like digital art and design, heritage conservation, and sustainable built environments. 

Fee Structure (2025)

According to admission portals:

• ₹1,90,000 a year for B.Arch
• B.F.A.: ₹1,40,000–₹1,50,000 a year
• B.Des: ₹1,50,000 a year
• B.Tech (Design & Planning streams): ₹1,50,000 a year 

(Fees may be different depending on the category, such as domestic, state quota, etc., and may include hostel/mess charges separately.)

Buildings and Services

The YSRAFAU campus in the Satellite City area of Kadapa is designed to inspire creativity in a peaceful setting for learning. 

Important parts of the infrastructure are:

• Design and Architecture Studios: Set up for making models, modeling cities, and working on architectural design projects
• Workshops and labs: There are labs for climatology, surveying, acoustics, wood and metal work, sculpture and clay, and more. 
• Library: A wide range of books, journals, and digital resources on architecture, art, and design
• Computer Labs: Help with advanced software for CAD, 3D modeling, animation, and graphic design
• Art Gallery and Exhibition Space: Regularly shows off works by students and invited artists
• Auditorium and seminar rooms are for lectures, juries, and cultural events.
• Hostels: separate living spaces for men and women
• Sports and recreation: facilities inside and outside for different student activities 

How to Get In

YSRAFAU has a clear and organized way for students to apply:

• For B.Arch, you need to pass the NATA (or JEE Paper‑II) test; for B.Tech/B.Plan, you need to pass the AP-EAMCET test; and for BFA/B.Des, you need to pass the AP ADCET test. APSCHE handles counseling and verifying certificates. Merit lists finalize offerings, and if there are still spots open, second-round admissions are held. 
• Admissions for Postgraduate and Research: Conducted through university-level entrance tests and interviews; candidates who make the cut must send in documents and proposals as needed. 

Career, research, and new ideas

Through its interdisciplinary centers, YSRAFAU encourages research and new ideas in architecture, planning, design, and the fine arts.

• Some of the centers are the Sustainable Architecture Center, the Heritage Conservation & Preservation Center, and the Art & Design Innovation Lab.
• Some of the things they work on are green building technology, urban-rural planning solutions, artistic expression through both traditional and digital media, and protecting cultural heritage. 

Career outcomes: Graduates are ready for jobs in:

• Studios for architectural and urban design
• Government urban bodies and planning authorities
• Companies that design interiors and products
• Art galleries, cultural centers, and media/animation studios
• Academia and research, as well as cultural heritage groups

Recognition and Governance

• Chancellor: The head of Andhra Pradesh
• The Vice-Chancellor and Executive Council are in charge of making academic and strategic decisions. 
• Accreditation: The state university is recognized by the UGC, and its programs meet the standards set by the Council of Architecture. The NAAC accreditation status has not yet been made public, which is common for newly established institutions. Because the institution is so new, it's a good idea to check that the program is recognized before you sign up. 

Summary of Important Points

• Founded in 2020 in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh
• Motive: to get a specialized education and do research in architecture, planning, design, and the fine arts
• Undergraduate (B.Arch., B.Tech Planning/Design, BFA, B.Des) and graduate (M.Arch, M.F.A, M.Design) levels are available.
• NATA / JEE Paper II, AP EAMCET, and AP ADCET are all entrance exams.
• Intake (about): B.Arch 80, B.F.A 56, B.Plan ~55
• Fees: ₹1.4–1.9 L/year, depending on the program
• Studios, workshops, labs, a library, galleries, hostels, and sports are all available.
• Research Areas: sustainability, city planning, preserving cultural heritage, and new ideas in the fine arts
• Placement Pathways: architecture firms, planning organizations, creative industries, and schools

Last Thoughts

Dr. Y. S. R. Architecture & Fine Arts University is a focused effort by Andhra Pradesh to create a separate place for design, creativity, and built environment education, separate from other engineering schools. It has programs for students who are interested in the fields of architecture, planning, arts, and design, and it has a promising curriculum backed by investments in infrastructure and a focus on sustainability and cultural relevance.

Since YSRAFAU is a new school (it opened in 2020), it's important for students who want to go there to check:

• Recognition or affiliation status, especially for professional courses like B.Arch (with COA approval)
• Placement help and networking with alumni, since these things often take time to grow
• NAAC or another outside accreditation, which usually happens after a university has been open for a few years