India, Sept. 10 -- LUCKNOW In a noticeable shift in academic preferences, students pursuing performing arts at Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya are increasingly opting for full-fledged degree programmes over traditional short-term diplomas, even as the university grapples with a steady three-year decline in overall admissions.

The university's admission data accessed by HT testifies this trend. Educational programmes like the Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA) and Master of Performing Arts (MPA) are becoming a preferred choice among applicants instead of short-term diploma courses.

In 2025-26, 392 students chose degree courses: 274 in BPA and 118 in MPA. However, this year, 603 applications were received for the BPA and MPA courses, ...