BA vs BFA vs MFA vs MA

Degree abbreviations look like a code, but they are only names. What matters is the exact title of the award, who grants it, how long it takes and what you can do with it afterward. This guide explains the letters in common use, shows how other countries name their awards, and explains why we do not say that any one is "equal" to another.

The abbreviations

BA (Bachelor of Arts). A bachelor's degree in an arts or humanities field. In the United States, a BA with an acting emphasis and a BFA can be very different degrees, so read the curriculum. In the UK, an acting degree is commonly titled BA (Hons), where "Hons" indicates an honours degree.

BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). A bachelor's degree in an arts discipline, common in the United States and in some other countries such as Canada and Australia. Which share of a BFA is studio training varies, so read the curriculum and the credit breakdown rather than the label.

MFA (Master of Fine Arts). A graduate degree in fine arts. Randolph College's MFA in Theatre is a low-residency program requiring at least 60 credit hours, with a bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA as entry requirements. MFA programs differ widely in length, format and entry requirements, so the abbreviation alone tells you little.

MA (Master of Arts). A master's degree, often with a research or academic emphasis, although some MA programs are practical. Titles such as "MA Screen Acting" exist in the UK. Read the content, not the letters.

Other names for similar things

Not every country uses these abbreviations, and a similar-sounding title may be a different kind of award.

• United Kingdom. The Quality Assurance Agency publishes the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and a separate framework for Scotland. Acting degrees there are mostly titled BA (Hons) Acting or a close variant. In our records, UK degree titles include "BA (Hons) Acting", "BA (Hons) Acting for Screen", "BA Acting" and "MA Screen Acting".
• Ireland. TU Dublin's drama (performance) degree is a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at NFQ Level 8, worth 180 ECTS credits, over three years, with an in-person audition.
• New Zealand. Toi Whakaari's acting programme is a Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) endorsed in Acting, three years and 240 credits, with accreditation at NZQA Level 7. This is a different degree name from BFA or BA.
• Australia. Programs are titled variously, for example Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Arts (Acting) or Bachelor of Performing Arts. Our records list Australian titles that include BFA, BA, BPA and BCA, and one program states an AQF Level 7 for its bachelor's.
• Europe. The European Higher Education Area's qualifications framework describes first-cycle, second-cycle and third-cycle qualifications. It states that first-cycle programmes are typically 180 to 240 ECTS credits and second-cycle typically 90 to 120. Many European conservatories and national drama schools award diplomas or national titles that do not map neatly to BA or MFA.
• Elsewhere. Brazil, India, South Africa, Korea, Japan and others have their own national titles. Our records list them as published.

Frameworks describe level, not equivalence

National qualification frameworks, such as the FHEQ, NFQ, AQF, NZQA or the European frameworks, describe a level and the learning outcomes expected. They do not say that a Level 7 award in one country equals a Level 7 or a master's elsewhere. The EHEA page itself says its framework serves as outer limits within which national frameworks sit, allowing diversity among them.

For that reason:

• We record a national level only when a source gives it, and only 4 of the 317 programs in our records do.
• We never use a level to rename an award.
• We never say a foreign qualification is equal to a BA, BFA or MFA.

If you need to know how a foreign award will be treated by a university, employer or immigration office, ask them directly. See Studying Acting Abroad.

What our records show

As of 16 October 2026, in 317 programs across 18 countries, the degree abbreviations recorded are BFA (57 programs), BA (35), MFA (24), MA (3), BPA (2), AOS (2) and BCA (1). The United States accounts for most BFA and MFA entries; the UK accounts for most BA (Hons) entries. Of the 143 programs we classify as degrees, 118 state that admission requires an audition and 11 vary by pathway. Browse bachelor's programs, master's programs, BFA acting and MFA acting.

How to choose

1. Ask what the degree is for. A BFA or a BA (Hons) in acting is for early-career training. An MFA is a graduate degree, so it builds on a first degree. Check entry requirements; Randolph's MFA, for instance, asks for a bachelor's degree and a minimum GPA.
2. Read the structure, not just the letters: years, credits, share of studio time, productions per year, and any placements.
3. Check the awarding body and whether the award is academic or provider-issued. See Acting Degrees vs Diplomas.
4. Compare audition requirements, which can differ sharply between BA, BFA and MFA entry. See Monologue and Self-Tape Requirements.
5. Compare total costs on the same basis. A three-year UK course and a four-year US course are different commitments.

No degree guarantees professional work, and no abbreviation is better than another for every person.