Central Academy of Fine Arts

Beijing, China Founded 1918

Updated May 2026

Overview

English Name: Central Academy of Fine Arts
Acronyms: CAFA
Founded: 1918
Institution Type: Academy
Control Type: Public
Religious Affiliation: None
Daily life at Central Academy of Fine Arts
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Central Academy of Fine Arts, a public institution founded in 1918, is based in Beijing, China. The institution operates as a higher-education provider and contributes to higher-education provision in China.

The institution offers programmes across bachelor's through doctoral programmes. Central Academy of Fine Arts's academic structure spans multiple faculties, supporting a catalogue of active programmes.

Central Academy of Fine Arts's student body of 4,700 students engages with academic programmes across faculties. Academic staff support teaching and research activities, with institutional life situated in its campus environment.

Location & Contact

Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for Central Academy of Fine Arts are gathered below for quick reference. Most enquiries route through the admissions team unless noted otherwise.

Address: No.8 Hua Jia Di Nan St Chaoyang District
Postal Code: 100015
Map:

Academic Details

Key statistics on Central Academy of Fine Arts's student population, faculty size, and external recognition. International vs domestic student split is often missing from these figures but matters for campus culture.

Accrediting Agency: Ministry of Education
Total Students: 4,700

Degrees

Also postdoctoral programs

Bachelor's 6 programs

Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.

  • Architecture
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Design
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Museum Management
Master's 6 programs

Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.

  • Architecture
  • Design
  • Fine Arts
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Rural Planning
  • Town Planning
Doctoral 11 programs

Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.

  • Aesthetics
  • Architectural and Environmental Design
  • Art Criticism
  • Art History
  • Communication Arts
  • Design
  • Engraving
  • Fashion Design
  • Fine Arts
  • Painting and Drawing
  • Sculpture

Faculties & Divisions

Each faculty at Central Academy of Fine Arts covers specific subject clusters. Cross-faculty supervision arrangements at the postgraduate level are sometimes available for students whose research spans disciplines.

Modeling (College) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Fine Arts
Chinese Painting (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Painting and Drawing
Experimental Art (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Fine Arts
Urban Design (Institute) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Town Planning

Common Career Paths

  • Designer
  • Creative Director
  • UX Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Architecture (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture

Common Career Paths

  • Architect
  • Urban Planner
  • Interior Designer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Art Management and Education (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Arts and Humanities

Common Career Paths

  • Operations Manager
  • Project Manager
  • HR Manager

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Design (School) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Design

Common Career Paths

  • Designer
  • Creative Director
  • UX Researcher

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Humanities (School) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Art Education
  • Art History
  • Heritage Preservation
  • Restoration of Works of Art

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Editor
  • Cultural Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

The programme finder below covers every degree Central Academy of Fine Arts currently offers. Programme codes here often map to international classification systems used for credential recognition abroad.

9 programmes on record. Compare these on the programs page All programs in China

Bachelor's Degree 9 programmes

Bachelor's Degree in Art Education
Education & Teaching

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Art History and Theory
Art History

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Art History and Theory (Sino-French Cooperative Education)
Art History

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Art Management
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Art Management (Sino-French Cooperative Education)
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Industry Management
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design
Applied Design

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection
Archaeology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Urban Design
Applied Design

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

How to apply to Central Academy of Fine Arts

Five steps that capture how most applications to Central Academy of Fine Arts flow, from research through submission to follow-up correspondence.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Central Academy of Fine Arts's catalogue includes 9 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Central Academy of Fine Arts's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Submit via the institution

    Submit your completed application through Central Academy of Fine Arts's official website at www.cafa.edu.cn. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Academy of Fine Arts

Frequently asked questions about Central Academy of Fine Arts, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.

When was Central Academy of Fine Arts founded?

Central Academy of Fine Arts was established in 1918 (approximately 108 years ago).

What city is Central Academy of Fine Arts in?

Central Academy of Fine Arts operates from Beijing, China.

Is Central Academy of Fine Arts public or private?

Central Academy of Fine Arts is a public institution.

How big is Central Academy of Fine Arts's student body?

Central Academy of Fine Arts serves approximately 4,700 students.

What qualification levels does Central Academy of Fine Arts offer?

Central Academy of Fine Arts offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.

Is Central Academy of Fine Arts accredited?

Yes, Central Academy of Fine Arts is recognised by Ministry of Education.

How do I find Central Academy of Fine Arts online?

Central Academy of Fine Arts's official website is www.cafa.edu.cn.

Top-Ranked Universities in China

Looking for the strongest names in China? These are the highest-ranked institutions nationally — useful context for benchmarking Central Academy of Fine Arts against the country's most established universities. National benchmarks also signal the upper bound of academic prestige in China.

Faculties at nearby universities

Within easy reach of Central Academy of Fine Arts, these institutions host comparable faculties and admissions structures — useful for regional shortlisting. Regional universities often coordinate on credit transfer and joint programme delivery.

Where Else to Study Business & Management

Beyond Central Academy of Fine Arts, several other universities in China deliver focused Business & Management programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.

Universities Compared with Central Academy of Fine Arts

Cross-institutional admissions sharing exists in some networks — peers of Central Academy of Fine Arts sometimes accept shared application materials or recognise admissions decisions. Worth checking when batching applications.

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