List of Art Courses You Can Study in the University 

Many art students aim for Law, but the reality is that gaining admission into the best states universities in Nigeria can be highly competitive. With its high cut-off marks and rigorous academic requirements, it’s no wonder many students look for alternative courses.

Whether you’re an art student reconsidering your options after not gaining admission into Law or preparing for your JAMB application and want to avoid the challenges of Law entirely, this guide is for you. Before exploring these lists, here is How to Prepare and Pass Jamb in 2025: 10 Hidden Secret 

List of Best Courses Under Art Department

Here are 20 art courses you can study in the university:

1. Fine Arts

2. Theatre Arts

3. Creative Writing

4. Graphic Design

5. Interior Design

6. Music

7. Fashion Design

8. Film and Media Studies

9. Animation and Visual Effects

10. Photography

11. Art History and Criticism

12. Painting

13. Sculpture

14. Textile Design

15. Industrial Design

16. Architecture

17. Dance Studies

18. Curatorial Studies

19. Ceramics

20. Art Education

Here’s a detailed list of art courses to study in Nigeria, including brief explanations to guide your choice. If you’ve ever wondered, “Which art course is the best?” this list provides insights to help you decide.

Fine Arts

This is a comprehensive course that covers drawing, painting, and other creative techniques. It’s ideal for those passionate about visual expressions and artistic creativity.

People who study fine art as a course work as a professional artist, illustrator, or art consultant, creating original artworks for galleries, exhibitions, and private collections.

Their Salary expectations is usually between ₦50,000 – ₦200,000+ monthly, depending on experience and projects.

Theatre Arts

This is one of the best art courses to choose from because it focuses on acting, directing, and stage production and it’s perfect if you love performing or storytelling.

The Salary expectations here is usually between ₦50,000 – ₦300,000+ per month for actors or directors, depending on production scale.

Creative Writing

This is a Course designed for those who loves to write. This course hones skills in poetry, prose, and scriptwriting. 

Those who study this course can create novels, scripts, blogs, or marketing copy. They can also work as an editor or content creator. Their Salary range is usually between ₦50,000 – ₦250,000+ monthly for freelance or employed writers.

If you have interest in writing, this course is best for you.

Graphic Design

This is a modern course that combines art and technology to create digital designs for branding, advertising, and communication. 

The Salary range is between ₦70,000–₦300,000+ monthly, depending on your skill level and client base. Freelancers can charge per project.

The course is best for Tech-savvy individuals who enjoy creating visual content.

Interior Design

Learn how to create functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces. A great choice for creative problem-solvers. And it’s best for those who love transforming spaces into functional and stylish environments.

Job Opportunities includes Residential or commercial space designer, project manager.

Salary is between ₦100,000–₦400,000+ monthly for experienced designers.

Music

This course trains you in composition, performance, and the business of music. The Job Opportunities includes Musician, music producer, composer, music teacher.

Salary is usually between ₦50,000–₦500,000+ monthly, depending on gigs and popularity. International opportunities can be lucrative.

Its best for People with a passion for sound, instruments, and performance and those who love music generally.

Fashion Design

This course combines creativity with technical skills to design clothing and accessories. If you love to combine cloth or have a good sense of fashion and jewelries.

Job Opportunities includes Fashion designer, stylist, fashion illustrator, boutique owner.

Salary is between ₦80,000–₦400,000+ monthly, especially with a strong client base.

The course is Best for Creative individuals with a flair for design and trends.

 Film and Media Studies

This is Ideal for those interested in directing, editing, or producing films, visual storytelling, Animation and technology and documentaries.

The Job Opportunities includes Director, producer, video editor, cinematographer.

Salary: ₦100,000–₦500,000+ monthly in Nollywood or media industries.

Visual Effects

This course focuses on creating animated content and digital effects for movies, games, and advertisements and best for tech-savvy creatives.

Job Opportunities: Animator, video game designer, special effects artist.

Salary is between ₦150,000–₦600,000+ monthly or per project.

Photography

The course is the art and technicalities of capturing moments through a lens, with applications in media and personal projects.

Job Opportunities here includes Event photographer, product photographer, photojournalist.

Salary is between ₦50,000–₦300,000+ per project. Established photographers earn more.

 Art History and Criticism

This course Explores the history and cultural impact of art, ideal for aspiring curators or critics and is best For History enthusiasts passionate about preserving and analyzing art.

Job Opportunities: Art critic, curator, lecturer, museum guide.

Salary is between ₦70,000–₦200,000 monthly.

Painting

It’s the best course for those interested in traditional and modern painting techniques especially those focused on creating visual masterpieces 

Job Opportunities: Professional painter, mural artist, gallery contributor.

Salary is between ₦50,000–₦300,000 per project or artwork.

Sculpture

Sculpture is a highly creative art course that focuses on the creation of three-dimensional artworks using various materials such as clay, wood, stone, and metal. 

This course allows students to explore traditional and contemporary techniques for crafting art that is both functional and expressive.

Job Opportunities: Sculptor, 3D artist, public monument designer, teaching and workshops.

Salary is in the range of ₦70,000–₦300,000+ per project, with significant opportunities for commissioned work.

Textile Design

Textile Design is a specialized art course focused on creating patterns and designs for fabrics used in fashion, interiors, and industrial products. This course blends creativity with technical expertise, teaching students how to craft unique designs for a wide range of applications.

Job Opportunities: Textile artist, fashion fabric designer, interior fabric creator.

Entry-Level: ₦60,000 – ₦150,000 monthly in textile companies or fashion houses.

Mid-Level: ₦200,000 – ₦400,000+ monthly with experience and expertise.

Entrepreneurs: Earnings depend on the scale of production and client base, with potential for significant income growth.

Industrial Design

Industrial Design is a creative yet functional art course that focuses on designing and developing everyday products that are both aesthetic and practical. This course blends creativity, engineering, and problem-solving to meet user needs while considering sustainability and market demands.

Job Opportunities: Product designer, furniture designer, or consumer goods innovator.

Salary: ₦100,000–₦400,000+ monthly, depending on the industry and product.

Architecture

This is a course that combines art, engineering, and technology to design and construct buildings, landscapes, and other structures. This field focuses on creating functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing spaces that serve societal needs.

Job opportunities include architect, urban planner, project manager, and 3D visualization specialist.

Salary: ₦150,000–₦700,000+ monthly, with significant growth opportunities in private and public projects.

Dance Studies

Dance Studies is a performing arts course that explores choreography, dance techniques, cultural history, and movement expression. This course is ideal for individuals passionate about storytelling through body movements, performance art, and teaching others through dance.

Job Opportunities: Choreographer, professional dancer, dance instructor, artistic director, dance therapists and cultural preservationists.

Salary: ₦50,000–₦250,000+ per month, with additional earnings for performances.

Curatorial Studies

This is a course that focuses on the management, preservation, and interpretation of art collections, cultural artifacts, and exhibitions. This course equips students with the knowledge to organize and curate displays in museums, galleries, and other cultural spaces.

Job Opportunities: Museum curator, exhibition manager, cultural event coordinator.

Salary: ₦80,000–₦250,000+ monthly, with higher opportunities in large galleries or international projects.

Ceramics

This is an art course focused on creating functional and decorative items from clay and other materials. This course covers techniques like molding, glazing, and firing to produce pottery, sculptures, tiles, and other ceramic objects. It blends creativity with craftsmanship and has applications in art, design, and industry.

Job Opportunities: Ceramic artist, pottery maker, industrial designer for ceramics, ceramic engineer and art teacher.

Salary: ₦50,000–₦200,000+ monthly, with higher earnings for unique and commissioned works.

Art Education

is a course that focuses on training individuals to teach art effectively. This program equips students with the knowledge of art history, creative techniques, and pedagogy to inspire and guide others in artistic expression. It is perfect for those passionate about both art and teaching.

Focuses on training teachers to inspire the next generation of artists.

Job Opportunities: Art teacher, workshop facilitator, curriculum developer.

Salary: ₦40,000–₦150,000+ monthly, with additional income from private classes.

Which Art Course is the Best?

The best course depends on your passion and career goals. If you love digital creativity, Graphic Design or Animation could be ideal. For performance lovers, Theatre Arts or Dance Studies might be perfect.

Free art courses list you need to explore

Here’s a list of platforms offering free art courses you can explore:

MoMA (The Museum of Modern Art):

Offers free courses on topics like “Seeing Through Photographs,” “Modern Art and Ideas,” and “Fashion as Design.” These courses provide insights into modern art and photography with the opportunity to learn directly from artists and curators through Coursera. They are self-paced and suitable for beginners and enthusiasts.

Coursera:

Here’s a simplified explanation of the free Coursera art courses:

These courses are free, self-paced, and suitable for beginners. You’ll get to hear from professionals and explore artworks in detail

Udemy:

Offers beginner-friendly courses such as:

These come with downloadable materials and certificates of completion

Skillshare: 

Features free trials that give access to courses like digital art, illustration, and drawing basics.

 KlineStudios: 

Offers free beginner drawing lessons, focusing on techniques like sketching, shading, and proportions

 LinkedIn Learning: 

Provides a one-month free trial with courses like “Drawing Foundations” and “21-Day Drawing Challenge” for beginners wanting to improve their skills systematically

These platforms cater to a variety of interests and skill levels, making them great for starting or expanding your art journey.

If you’re unsure, you can start with short-term courses or workshops in different fields to discover what resonates with you before committing to a long-term program. What aspect of art excites you the most?

Conclusion

While Law is a prestigious course, it’s not the only option for art students. This art courses list in Nigeria provides alternatives that are equally fulfilling and rewarding. Don’t limit yourself—explore these courses and choose one that aligns with your talents and career aspirations.

If you know other students searching for options, share this blog with them and help them make an informed decision about their future!