Updated on Dec 31, 2024 10:44 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtContent Writer

The sector of Design is a dynamic field that covers numerous aspects of Fashion, Textiles, Graphics, Apparel, Web, Games, UI/UX, Jewellery, and so on. Candidates having a creative mindset and skills required to produce beautiful and visually appealing designs are a perfect match for this design industry. 

Designing courses are offered at various levels such as UG, PG, Diploma, Certification, and Doctorate. Subjects present in the Design curriculum cover a wide range of specialized domains including Web Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, UI/UX Design, Textile Design, and so on.

Admission to design courses is based on both entrance exams and merit procedures. Some popular Design entrance exams candidates prepare for include CUET, UCEED, GATE, NIFT Entrance Exam, CUET-PG, and a lot more. The eligibility criteria for Designing courses vary depending on the college, course level and type. However, the basic requirement every candidate has to fulfil is to pass Class 12 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50%.

Some popular Design colleges in India include NIFT, Amity University, Pearl Academy, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design And Technology, World University of Design, and MIT Institute of Design. The average course fee for Design courses ranges between INR 480 to INR 53.63 Lakh

Design course graduates can seek employment opportunities in fields like Fashion, Gaming, Animation, Fabric & Textile, Interior Designing, etc. Some popular job profiles in the design domain include Fashion Designers, Interior Designers, Graphic Designers, UI/UX Designers, Textile Designers, Jewellery Designers, Web Designers, and more. The average salary of a Fashion Designer is INR 4.3 LPA in India.

Interested candidates can continue reading the article further to learn more about Design course details.

Latest Updates About Designing Courses: 

Table of Contents
  1. Design Course Details: Highlights
  2. Design Course Eligibility Criteria
  3. Design Admission Process 2025
  4. Popular Design Entrance Exams 2025
  5. Design Syllabus
    • 5.1 Design Syllabus for UG Courses
    • 5.2 Design Syllabus for PG Courses
    • 5.3 Popular Designing Course Branches and Specialisations
  6. Design Course Levels
  7. Best Design Colleges in India
    • 7.1 Best Government Design Colleges in India
    • 7.2 Best Private Design Colleges in India
  8. Design Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
    • 8.1 Design Job Profiles
    • 8.2 Designing Courses Top Recruiters
  9. Online Design Courses
  10. Design Course FAQs

Design Course Details: Highlights

Design is a highly evolved area that is always in need of qualified people. Design courses aim to create a pool of research professionals with design experience. Students can enter interesting job fields after finishing this course. Also, they need to pick a course as per their eligibility and interest. Interested candidates can check the key highlights related to the Design courses in the table below.

Parameters

Course Details

Design Course Level

UG, PG, Diploma, Certification, and Doctorate

Design Course Duration

UG: 3 to 4 Years

PG: 2 Years

Diploma/Certification: 1 Month to 1 Year

Design Course Admission Process

Both merit-based and entrance exam-based

Design Course Eligibility Criteria

UG: Class 12 from a recognized board.

PG/PGDM: A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.

Doctorate: A master's degree in a relevant discipline.

Diploma/Certification: Class 10 or 12 from a recognized board.

Design Course Entrance Exams

CUET, UCEED, GATE, NIFT Entrance Exam, CUET-PG, etc.

Design Course Fee

INR 500 - INR 50.63 Lakh

Top Design Colleges in India

NIFT, Amity University, Pearl Academy, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design And Technology, World University of Design, and MIT Institute of Design.

Design Job Positions

Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, Fashion Designer, Interior Decorator, Brand Manager

Design Average Salary

INR 4.5 LPA

Design Top Recruiters

Raymonds, Arvind Garments, Levis, Madura Garments, Omega Designs, Pantaloon, Shahi Exports, Spykar, Uni Style India

Note: This information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Quick Links About Designing Course:

List of NIFTs in India: 2024 Ranks, Admissions, Courses and Fees

Top NIFT Colleges in India 2024

Q:   What are Design courses?

A:

Design is basically a plan or a specification that is used to construct an object or an activity that leads to making a prototype, product, or even a process flow. In other words, design is anything that is used to ensure that an idea becomes more presentable and understandable to the consumers. Design courses can be pursued in a number of specialisations. They expand the growth prospects of the candidate and enable them to increase their pay scale. These courses are offered at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctorate levels. In addition to this, there are numerous Diploma courses and online certificates in India to train students in specific skills they need. Moreover, due to the evergrowing demand of this industry, multiple specialisations are offered across various colleges. Candidates can pursue short-term or long-term courses in this field and establish career in Designing. Read Design Specialisations.

Q:   Which design course is best in India?

A:

Candidates can pursue design courses at the UG as well as PG level in India. The most popular design course at the UG level is Bachelor of Design (BDes) and the most popular PG level course in this stream is Master of Design (MDes). The BDes degree programme is a full-time, four-year programme with specialisations in fashion design, interior design, accessory design, textile design, and many other areas.

The BDes degree has changed over time, and it is now available with a variety of design specialisations, including graphic design, multimedia design, visual effects design, visual communication, and game design. The Master of Design (MDes) degree is one of the qualifications that aids in specialisation and skill development for a career in the design industry. Only those with a bachelor's degree in a related field may pursue a master's degree in design.

Design Course Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for Design courses may differ depending on the course level, course type, and the college providing the program. However, here's a general overview of the minimum eligibility requirements every candidate must fulfil to get admission to a Design course in India:

Course Level

Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate/UG Diploma

  • Class 12 from any stream (Arts, Commerce, or Science) depending on the chosen specialization.
  • With a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognized board.

Postgraduate/PG Diploma/PGDM

  • A bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
  • With a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognized university.

Doctorate

  • A master's degree in a relevant discipline.
  • With a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognized university.

After 10th Diploma/Certification

  • Class 10 score or equivalent with base subjects (many institutes require English as a mandatory subject).

Note: The Design courses eligibility criteria mentioned above may vary depending on the college policies.

Links useful for Design Course:

UCEED vs NID - Which is Better?

Q:   Can I pursue a design course after completing my graduation with B.Com (Commerce stream)? Which design courses can I pursue?

A:

Yes you can pursue a Design course after completing B.Com. Since, you are a graduate, you can apply for postgraduate level Desoign courses such as MDes, MFM and MA and MSc with Design specialisations.You can give entrance for NIFT and choose the field you are most interested in. 

Q:   Can I pursue product design course after completing B.Tech in mechanical engineering?

A:
Yes, mechanical engineering graduates are eligible to pursue M.Des in product design. Some of the best institutes, where you should seek for admission are: 1. Industrial Design Center (IDC). 2. IIT – Bombay. 3. IDDC. 4. IIT-Delhi. 5. MIT Institute of Design. 6. NID – Ahmedabad. 7. Symbiosis. 8. UPES School of Design Studies and 9. NIT - Rourkela. All are good and provide good exposure, faculty and placements.

Design Admission Process 2025

Admission Procedures to a Design course differ depending on course level, type, and the college providing the program. However, here's a general overview of the steps every candidate have to follow for a seamless Design admission procedure:

Check eligibility such as minimum educational qualifications required, age limit etc. for different institutes.

  • Candidates should make sure that they meet the eligibility criteria.
  • Visit the entrance exam’s official website and go through the examination's official notification.
  • The notification will include the necessary details related to form filling.
  • Start the registration process by filling in the necessary details.
  • Make fee payment and complete the registration
  • Download the admit card once it is released.
  • Appear for the entrance exam.
  • Once the entrance exam results are released check the Design Colleges cut-off.
  • Attend the Documents Verification Session and go ahead with the admission.

Links related to Design courses:

Design Admission Process

Importance of Portfolio for admission to Design School

Q:   Which documents are required during Design course admission?

A:

Here are some important documents you should carry during a Design course admission to ensure a seamless process:

  • Class 10 and 12 marksheets.
  • A bachelor's or master's degree (if applicable).
  • A valid ID proof (Adhaar, Passport, PAN Card, etc.)
  • Passport size photographs.

Q:   How can I get admission to a design course?

A:

Most popular design colleges offer admission to aspirants in courses offered by them on the basis of their performance in an entrance exam. Some popular design entrance exams are NIFT Entrance Exam, Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED), NID Entrance Exam (NID DAT), and Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED). Besides this, some instiutes offer direct admission to candidates.

The applicants can directly visit the institute and fill up the admission form and apply for a particular course.Some of the popular institutes include the following:

Popular Design Entrance Exams 2025

Admission to most of the top Design colleges in India is offered through an entrance exam. Some colleges also grant admission to students based on merit. Certification courses in Design can be done through a direct entry. The colleges that allow admissions based on entrance exams shortlist aspirants for admission in the courses offered by them based on the candidate's performance in the Design Aptitude Test, Studio Test/Group Discussion (GD) Round and Personal Interview (PI)/Portfolio Round.

Given below are Popular Design entrance exams through which candidates can secure admission to Design courses:

Entrance Exams

Exam Dates

Exam Schedule

NIFT Entrance Exam

9 Feb '25 (Tentative)

NIFT Exam Schedule

UCEED

19 Jan '25 

UCEED Exam Schedule

CUET

May-Jun '25

CUET Schedule

CUET-PG

March 13 - 31, 2025

CUET-PG Schedule

GATE

Feb 1 - 16, 2025

GATE Schedule

Note: The Design entrance exam dates and schedules mentioned above may vary depending on the latest updates.

Click here to learn every detail related to the NIFT Entrance Exam:

 

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Counselling Start

TENTATIVE

Jun '24

CT SET 2024 Result

TENTATIVE

21 Feb ' 25

SAT Registration Deadline for March Test

25 Feb ' 25

SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a...

17 Feb ' 25

NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) - Results for M.Des

17 Feb ' 25 - 18 Feb ' 25

NID DAT 2025 (Prelims) - Results Recheck for M.Des

Important Exam Dates

DatesUpcoming Exam Dates

10 Jan '25 -

05 Feb '25

LPU NEST 2025 UG Design Date of Exam

ONGOING

Nov '24 - Feb '25

JDIFT GAT 2025 Application START Date

TENTATIVE

15 Dec '24 -

15 Mar '25

SMEAT 2025 Application Form Date (Round 1)

ONGOING

29 Jan '25

UCEED 2025 Release of FINAL Answer Key

09 Feb '25

NIFT 2025 (Written Exam)

09 Feb '25

NIFT 2025 (Written Exam)

09 Feb '25

NIFT 2025 (Written Exam)

DatesPast Exam Dates

10 Jan '25 -

12 Jan '25

NIFT 2025 application form Edit Window

10 Jan '25 -

12 Jan '25

NIFT 2025 application form Edit Window

10 Jan '25 -

12 Jan '25

NIFT 2025 application form Edit Window

Q:   What is the difference between UCEED and CEED?

A:

CEED is an entrance exam for postgraduate Design courses such as M.Des and UCEED entrance exam is for undergraduate Design courses such as B. Des. UCEED is open to all nationals (Indian/Foreign). Many reputed colleges such as Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB), Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG), Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) and Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing Jabalpur (IIITDMJ) aceept UCEED scores. You should have qualified for CEED exam if you wish to seek admission to Master of Design M.Des programmes at IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIITDM Jabalpur, and IIT Kanpur, and to Ph.D. programmes in Design at IISc Bangalore, IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Kanpur.

Q:   How to crack for NIFT entrance exam?

A:
Following are the tips and tricks to crack NIFT or any of the design college entrance exams: 1. It hardly matters, if your sketching skills are average, the questions are framed to judge a candidate's creativity, imagination, visualization skills, general awareness, etc. So, developing these skills are equally important. 2. Focus over your creativity during your exam preparations. 3. With the creativity, speed equally matters. If you are creative, but unable to cope up with the time limit, you will miss the questions. So, it is better to practice keeping in mind the speed and accuracy. 4. You can go through previous years entrance exam question papers. This will help you to get an idea about the types of questions asked in the exam. All the best.

Design Syllabus

Since Design is a broad and varied field of study, students have the opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects within it. A few of the various specialisations that students can study under design are jewellery design courses, game design courses, product design courses, textile design courses, and system design courses.

The design curriculum for courses offered at many levels including UG, PG, Doctorate, Diploma, and Certification varies as per the specialisation and college selected by the candidates. Given below is the syllabus that is usually taught in popular UG and PG courses offered at Design colleges across India:

Know More about BDes Syllabus

Design Syllabus for UG Courses

The syllabus for various undergraduate courses such as BFTech, BDes and BA in Designing are as follows:

Courses for Designing Subjects
BDes (Fashion Design)
  • Fashion Illustration and Design
  • Fashion Studies
  • Elements of Textiles
  • Surface Development Techniques and History of Costumes
BDes (Leather Design)
  • Fashion Illustration
  • Pattern Making and Construction
  • Leather Processing
  • Surface Techniques
BDes (Accessory Design)
  • Elements of Design
  • Geometry, Visualisation and Representation techniques
  • Overview of Fashion
  • Material Studies
BDes (Textile Design)
  • Dyeing
  • Printing & Finishing
BDes (Knitwear Design)
  • Fashion Art & Illustration
  • Basic Weaving & Hand Knitting
  • Textile Science
  • Processing & Knitting Technology
BDes (Fashion Communication)
  • Fashion Studies
  • History and Philosophy of Design
  • Communication Concepts & Processes
  • Consumer Behavior in Fashion
BFTech (Apparel Production)
  • History of costumes
  • Fundamentals of Fashion Design
  • Principles and Elements of Design
  • Fashion Communication
Diploma in Fashion Designing
  • Illustration & Textile Knowledge
  • Drafting & Pattern Construction
  • Garment Manufacturing
  • Quality Control
Diploma in Apparel Merchandising
  • Introduction to Textiles
  • Apparel Manufacturing
  • Garment Merchandising & Quality Control
  • Costing, documentation & Shipping Procedures
BSc in Fashion Design
  • Basics of Design and Illustration
  • Traditional Textiles
  • Garment Construction
  • Textile Science
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
  • Basics of Drawing Skills
  • Perspective/Technical Skills
  • Understanding Design Elements and Principles
  • History of Art and Design
BA (Hons) Product Design
  • Lighting and luminary design
  • Interior accessories & objects d’art
  • Kitchenware
BA (Hons) Jewellery Design
  • Fundamentals of Jewellery design and Gemology
  • History of Jewellery
  • Indian & International Jewellery markets
  • Diamond grading & sorting
BA (Hons) Communication Design
  • History of Art and Design
  • Relevance of Design in Contemporary Situations
  • Design for interaction
  • Advertising Marketing and Band Management
BA (Hons) Fashion Styling & Image Design
  • Material Exploration
  • Fundamentals of Styling
  • Research Tools and Techniques
  • Makeup and Hair Styling
Bachelor in Textile Design
  • Elements of Design
  • Visualisation Representation
  • Overview of Fashion
  • Material Studies

Note: The information is sourced from external sites and may vary.

Links useful for top Designing courses:

CUET Fashion Design Syllabus 2025: Important Topics, Exam Pattern and Books to Prepare

Design Syllabus for PG Courses

The detailed syllabus for various PG courses under Design and Designing courses such as M.Des, MA and MFTech are as follows:

Course Subjects
MDes
  • Basic of Design
  • Visual Design- Principles & Applications
  • Ergonomics
  • Design Methods
  • Form Studies
  • Graphic Design
MA Fashion Design
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
  • Knitwear Design Technology
MA Fashion Merchandising
  • Introduction to Fashion Merchandising
  • Retail Management
  • Fashion Analysis and Forecasting
  • Marketing and Promotion Strategies
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Economics
MA Fashion Retail
  • Introduction to the Fashion Industry
  • Fabric Knowledge for Merchandisers
  • Retail Management
  • Principles of Fashion Marketing & Merchandising
  • Computer Applications in Fashion & retail Industry
MFTech
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Construction of Women’s Wear
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
MSc Costume Design and Fashion
  • Research Methodology and Statistics
  • Costumes and Textiles of the World
  • Indian Textile Industry
  • Fashion Illustrations
  • Draping for Fashion Design
  • Fashion Merchandising
  • Apparel Quality Standard and Implementation
  • Designs with Prints
  • CAD in Fashion Designing
  • Advanced Garment Construction
MSc Fabric and Apparel Designing
  • Statistics
  • Research Methods and Computer Applications
  • Advanced Fabric Science
  • Historic Costume
  • World Textiles: Techniques and Masterpieces
  • Fashion Marketing
  • Apparel Production
  • Pattern Making
  • Fashion Illustration
MSc Fashion Designing
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Construction of Women’s Wear
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
  • Retail Marketing and Merchandising
Master of Fashion Management (MFM)
  • Basic Product and Manufacturing related subjects like design, fabric, patterns and the likes
  • Principles of Fashion Marketing, Merchandising and Management
  • Economic Analysis and Statistics
  • Information Technology
  • Marketing Research and Consumer Behaviour
  • Global Textiles and Apparel Product Market Characteristics
MSc Fashion Technology
  • Apparel Manufacturing Technology
  • Fashion Communication
  • Advanced Pattern Making
  • Construction of Women’s Wear
  • Design Illustration
  • Computer Designing
  • Retail Marketing and Merchandising

Note: This information is taken from external sources and may vary.

Candidates can click here to view the detailed Design Syllabus. 

BDes Fashion Design Syllabus

BSc Fashion Design Syllabus

MDes Fashion Design Syllabus

MDes Fashion Design Management Syllabus

Popular Designing Course Branches and Specialisations

There are types of Designing courses or specialisations that can be opted for by candidates based on their career preferences. The learning included in the curriculum will vary according to the selected specialisation. One of the most sought-after design specialisations among students is fashion design. Every year, thousands of applicants enrol themselves in several fashion design programmes at universities all around the nation with the hope of one day becoming successful fashion designers.

Some of the popular design specialisations offered at colleges in India are:

Popular Design Branches/ Specialisations

Fashion Design

Interior Design

Graphic Design

Web Design

Product Design

User Experience Design

Textile Design

Knitwear Design

Fashion Technology

Fashion Communication

Jewellery Design

Accessory Design

Note: This information is taken from external sources and may vary.
Links related to the Design courses list:

Popular Specializations

Q:   What are the main subjects taught in a design course?

A:

A design course includes subjects/topics that are taught to students in order to introduce them to the fundamentals of design. Some design courses focus on teaching students the history of design and architectural trends whereas others, emphasize photography, drawing, and modelling. Designing skills, writing skills, Graphic history and computer applications. The syllabus of design courses might vary according to the specialisation selected. The learning of this course, will help students in enhancing the valuable skills needed in the real working while being in any design profession.

Q:   What is fashion design?

A:
Fashion design is the art of playing not just with styles but fabrics, colors and trends to create apparel that reflects the times. A fashion designer is someone who has an inclination to study various types of fabrics, designs, and materials to come up with clothes that are innovative as well as unique. Fashion design is not just limited to the designing of clothes. It includes the related area of accessories as well.

Design Course Levels

Courses for designing are offered at a variety of levels and types. Design is a vast domain that covers everything from Fashion, Interior, and Textile, to Graphics, Animation, Gaming, UI/UX, and so on. Numerous Design courses after 12th, 10th, UG, and PG are available to choose from.

 There is a long Design courses list, hard to mention in a single column. However, for candidates' reference, here are some top Design courses tagged in the table below:

Course Level Types of Designing Courses
Certification
  • Certificate in UI/UX Design
  • Certificate in Vastu Shastra
  • Certificate in Interior Designing
  • Certificate in Graphics Designing
  • Diploma in Fashion Styling
  • Certificate in Boutique Management
  • Certificate in Fashion Designing
  • Certificate in Animation Design
  • Certificate in Textile Designing
  • Certificate in Jewellery Designing
Diploma (After 10th, UG Diploma, PG Diploma, PGDM)
  • Diploma in Fashion Design and Technology
  • Diploma in Interior and Furniture Design
  • Diploma in Product Design
  • Diploma in Interior Design
  • Diploma in Landscape Design
  • Diploma in Advertising Communication Design (Graphic and Visual)
  • PG Diploma (Finish) in Experience Design
  • PG Diploma (Bridge) in Design Computation
  • PGDM in Fashion Retail Management
Undergraduate
  • B.Sc. in Interior Design 
  • B.Sc. in Costume Design and Fashion
  • B.Des. in Fashion Design
  • B.Des. in User Experience Design
  • B.Voc. in Graphic Arts and Design Practices
  • B.Voc. in Interior Design and Build
  • B.A. in Game Design & Development
  • BA in Design
Postgraduate
  • M.Sc. in Costume Design and Fashion
  • M.Sc. in Apparel Fashion Designing
  • M.Sc. in Multimedia Design
  • M.Des. in Fashion and Textiles
  • M.Des. in Human-Centered Design
  • M.A. in Game Design & Development
  • M.A. in Fashion and Textile Merchandising
  • MBA in Design Strategy and Management
Doctorate (PhD)
  • Ph.D. in Architecture and Planning
  • Ph.D. in Fashion Design
  • Integrated PhD in Critical Design Discourse
  • Ph.D. in Interior Design
  • Ph.D. in Visual Communication
  • PhD in Automobile Design

Note: The information is taken from the official/counselling body and may vary.

Links relevant to the Designing course in India:

10 tips to crack interviews for design courses at NID, NIFT & IIT

Planning to study Design in India? Find useful insights on student preferences for Design colleges, locations and more.

Download All India Design Guide 2024

Q:   What are the different types of design courses?

A:

Design courses are offered in the undergraduate, postgraduate or Diploma courses. They are also offered through certificate courses. Candidates can pursue BDes, BFTech (Apparel Production), Diploma in Fashion Designing, Diploma in Apparel Merchandising,  BSc in Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Product Design, BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, BA (Hons) Communication Design, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling & Image Design, Bachelors in Textile Design etc. These courses can be pursued in specialisations listed below:

  • Fashion Design
  • Graphic Design
  • Interior Design
  • Web Design
  • User Experience Design
  • Knitwear Design 

Q:   What makes BDes a popular course?

A:

The Bachelor of Design (BDes) programme is popular for various reasons. For starters, it gives a solid foundation in a variety of design disciplines, such as graphic design, industrial design, fashion design and others It allows you to explore and specialise in the areas of your interest. The practical and hands-on character of BDes programmes allows students like you to build demonstrable skills and a strong portfolio, both of which are required for entry into the competitive design business. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary approach encourages creativity and problem-solving, preparing graduates for a variety of employment choices. The growing demand for design experts in areas ranging from technology to marketing contributes to the appeal of BDes as a versatile and dynamic education that allows students to shape the visual and functional aspects of the environment around them. Check Popular Colleges for BDes.

Best Design Colleges in India

around 328 are government entities. These colleges offer a variety of courses for the Designing field, along with great placement opportunities. Candidates can see the tables below for top Design colleges in India:

Know more about Colleges Accepting NIFT Scores 2025

Best Government Design Colleges in India

NIFTs, PSG College of Arts and Science, National Institute of Design, Delhi Technological University, MSU Baroda, IIT Delhi, etc., are some of the top Design Colleges in India under the government. Check out the table below for more details and similar options:

Best Government Colleges

Tuition Fee

National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi

INR 70,800 - INR 12.34 Lakh

PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore

INR 1.4 - 2.7 Lakh

NID Ahmedabad

INR 12.22 - 16.84 Lakh

Delhi Technological University

INR 3.02 - 6.87 Lakh

MSU Baroda

INR 18,180 - INR 5.56 Lakh

IIT Delhi

INR 3 - 8 Lakh

College of Engineering, Pune

INR 1.44 Lakh

Delhi University

INR 480

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi

INR 1.4 - 3.7 Lakh

Gujarat University

INR 1.1 - 7.2 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

Design Courses related topics you might be interested in:

Rankings of Top Design Colleges in India 2025

Best Private Design Colleges in India

Amity University, Pearl Academy, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design And Technology, World University of Design, MIT-ADT University, etc., are some of the top Design Colleges in India under private entities. Check out the table below for more details and similar options:

Best Private Colleges

Tuition Fee

Amity University, Noida

INR 2.88 - 12.54 Lakh

Indian Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore

INR 95,000 - INR 6.6 Lakh

Institute Of Design & Media, Mumbai

INR 16.8 Lakh

JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi

INR 35,400 - INR 5.4 Lakh

J.D Birla Institute, Kolkata

INR 1.51 - 4.13 Lakh

MIT Institute of Design

INR 4.95 - 17 Lakh

Pearl Academy, Mumbai

INR 1.4 - 3.2 Lakh

Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Bangalore)

INR 1.35 - 5.6 Lakh

World University of Design

INR 1.2 - 14 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

Design Courses Recommended Topics:

Pearl Academy Fee Structure

70.8 K - 12.34 L
4.5

Top 20 in India

60 K - 12.34 L
3.6

Top 20 in India

1.64 L - 12.34 L
3.1

Top 20 in India

5.86 L - 12.34 L
3.8

Top 20 in India

1.89 L - 11.12 L
6.2 - 7.2 LPA

Top 10 in Maharashtra

Q:   Is NIFT a private or a government college?

A:

NIFT is a government college that was established in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Further, the official website informs, “NIFT Act 2006 published in the Gazette of India on 14th July 2006 confers Statutory Status on the Institute. The Act came into effect on 1st April 2007. The President of India is the 'Visitor' of the Institute under the Act”.

NIFT is one of the most popular group of colleges offering various designing courses in undergraduate and postgraduate level. They conduct their own entrance examination called as NIFT Entrance Exam to admit the brightest minds for pursuing Fashion Technology and Designing courses. Check NIFT Participating Institutes.

Q:   Is NIFT better than Pearl Academy?

A:

National Institute of Fashion Technology or NIFT is a government college whereas Pearl Academy is a private design college. Both the design schools offer in-depth course curriculum and industry exposure to candidates who want to make a career in the field of design. Both colleges offer design courses in various specialisations.

Students can visit the websites of both colleges and select the college as per their suitability and specialisation. Admission to both the colleges depends on the marks score in their entrance tests. Check the rankings of these colleges below:

Name of the Institute

India Today 2023 Ranking

India Today 2024 Ranking

NIFT Delhi

1

1

NIFT Mumbai

2

2

Symbiosis Bangalore

3

3

NIFT Chennai

4

5

NIFT Gandhinagar

6

6

NIFT Patna

7

8

NIFT Hyderabad

5

4

NIFT Kolkota

8

7

Pearl Academy New Delhi

9

9

Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune

11

12

Popular Private Design Colleges in India

9 Courses
10.05 L - 21.92 L
4.6

Top 10 in Delhi

50 K - 3.25 L
4.0
2.1 L - 11 L
4.0

Top 10 in Gujarat

5.76 L - 8.24 L
3.6

Design Applications open. Apply Now

10 Courses
5 L - 22 L
3 - 4.2 LPA

Top 10 in Gujarat

4.05 L - 17.4 L
4.2

Design Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters

There are a variety of design careers available for candidates at UG and PG levels. However, career/ job opportunities for candidates depend on the design specialisation that they choose. After completing the course, students can join reputed brands and ensure themselves good compensation. The average annual salary of a designer at the start ranges from INR 3 to INR 6 lakh. However, the career growth of any beginner depends upon the personal skills and performance during the actual working in the industry.

Design Job Profiles

The existence of the Bollywood industry has made Mumbai and Delhi the two main prime locations for job opportunities in the design field, where a maximum number of companies, fashion brands and fashion outlets have established their offices. Some of the popular design careers available for candidates include:

Job Profiles

Job Description

Annual Average Salary (in INR)

Graphic Designer

Using computer software or by hand, graphic designers create visual concepts to communicate ideas that move, educate, and enthral consumers.

4 LPA

Interior Designer

Interior designers plan the layout of indoor spaces to maximise functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal. They also choose decorative and functional elements like colours, lighting, and materials.

4.6 LPA

Fashion Designer

A fashion designer makes clothes for customers, such as dresses, suits, slacks, and skirts, as well as footwear and handbags. He or she may focus on designing apparel, accessories, or jewellery, or they may do more than one of these things.

4.4 LPA

Architect Interior Decorator

An interior designer is similar to a personal stylist. They are employed to furnish the house in a manner consistent with the tastes of their clients.

5.9 LPA

Brand Manager

Brand management starts with an analysis of how a brand is currently perceived in the market, moves on to planning how the brand should be perceived to achieve its objectives, and then keeps checking to make sure the brand is perceived as intended and achieves its goals.

12.9 LPA

Note: This information is sourced from multiple sources on the web. Hence, is subject to vary. 

Designing Courses Top Recruiters

Design graduates have a plethora of career opportunities before them. After completing their course, aspirants can work with designers as well as corporates. Companies generally hire candidates from reputed colleges and offer them placements at packages they deserve.

They also look for soft skills in Design graduates like interpersonal, managerial and communication skills. Given below are some popular design companies that hire design graduates.

Top Recruiters for Designing Graduates

Raymonds

Benetton

Arvind Garments

ITC Ltd.

Levis

Lifestyle

Madura Garments

Modelama Exports

Omega Designs

Orient Craft

Note: This information is sourced from external sites and may vary. 

Online Design Courses

There are numerous online platforms offering design courses across various disciplines. To make sure the course fits your interests and tastes, it's a good idea to read reviews, evaluate the syllabus, and think about your learning goals before enrolling in any course.

Name of Online Design Courses

Course Provider

Free Courses

Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Design Software

Coursera

Free

Introduction to Design Thinking and People Centered Design - Revised

Alison

Free

Intro to Graphic Design with Photoshop

Great Learning

Free

Note: This information is sourced from external sites and may vary. 

Q:   What are the jobs available after studying design?

A:

Fashion Designer, Textile Designer, Accessory Designer, Interior Designer, Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Game Designer, and Furniture Designer are some of the job profiles available after studying design courses. Designer pay may vary depending on a number of factors, including cities or demand. Your degree's worth may differ between cities. There are more offices and enterprises in big cities, which increases your chances of finding work.

Graduates in design have a wide range of employment possibilities.

Job ProfilesAverage Salary (INR)

Fashion Designer

INR 3.5 LPA

Textile Designer

INR 4.2 LPA

Graphic Designer

INR 3.0 LPA

Interior Designer

INR 3.1 LPA

UI/UX Designer

INR 5.5 LPA

Q:   Which Design stream offers the best career options?

A:

The "better" design career is determined by the individual's interests and strengths. Graphic design opens doors to opportunities in advertising and marketing, web design is critical for a growing online presence, fashion design focuses on clothing and accessories, interior design focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces.
Similarly, Animation and multimedia design contribute to visual effects and content creation, UX/UI design improves digital interfaces, and architectural design entails designing buildings. The proper design stream is determined by personal passion as well as alignment with specific industry preferences and professional aspirations. Also Read:

Design Course FAQs

Candidates can refer to this section for Design Course FAQs.

Q:   What is the future scope of Design courses in India?

A:

Design is a constantly changing field, with new trends, technology, and methods appearing regularly. Individuals who study design can engage in continual learning and stay current with industry advances.

  • Design skills can be a great advantage for those interested in creating their enterprises or freelancing. Being able to design your own logo, marketing materials, and internet presence might provide you with a competitive advantage.
  • The highly developed field of design always needs qualified professionals. It is further subdivided into numerous specialisations and several subfields. There is always a demand for creative people who are also conversant with cutting-edge design techniques because design occupations are so broad.
  • Due to its growing popularity and the emergence of fresh aesthetic ideas, the design business now has a larger yearly turnover than any other sector of the economy. Also, design as a career offers varied job prospects and helps new entrants ensure a good pay scale.
  • The professionals also get a chance to change jobs with experience, owing to the great scope of the courses and the availability of multiple career choices. Also, they can think of commencing their fashion brand or outlet and becoming entrepreneurs. 

Q:   What are the best colleges in Delhi that offer Design courses?

A:

There are more than 200 Design colleges in Delhi offering hundreds of courses on various levels. Here are some top options you can consider:

Design Colleges in DelhiTuition Fee
NIFT DelhiINR 70,800 - INR 12.34 Lakh
JD Institute of Fashion TechnologyINR 35,400 - INR 5.4 Lakh
Pearl Academy New DelhiINR 1.4 - 3.2 Lakh
Delhi Technological UniversityINR 3.02 - 6.87 Lakh
IIT DelhiINR 3 - 8 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

Q:   Which are the best Design colleges in Bangalore?

A:

Here are some top Design collge options in Bangalore, India:

  
NIFT BangaloreINR 60,000 - INR 12.34 Lakh
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and TechnologyINR 1.35 - 5.61 Lakh
Pearl Academy BengaluruINR 1.4 - 27 Lakh
Vogue Institute of Art and DesignINR 15,000 - INR 9.1 Lakh
RV UniversityINR 6 - 16 Lakh

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body and may vary.

Popular Design UG Courses

Following are the most popular Design UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

UG Courses

Popular Design PG Courses

Following are the most popular Design PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

PG Courses

Top Ranked Colleges by Location

Following are the top ranked colleges for Design based on rankings published by The Week, Business Today and National Institutional Ranking Framework (MHRD).
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Student Forum

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Write here...

Answered 20 hours ago

Dreamzone School of Creative Studies offers a Master's program in Interior Design. The tuition fee for this program is approximately 50,000 per year. Admissions for this course typically commence in the fall, around September or October. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on admission

...Read more

65301159
Amit Saini

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Unitedworld Institute of Design, NCR seat intake varies depending on the course selected by the students. The institute offers a multitude of BDes and MDes courses in full-time mode. Students can refer to the table below to know about the UID NCR seat intake:

CourseSeat Intake
BDes (Hons)180
BDes (Hons) GDP30
MDes40

Note: This information is taken from offi

...Read more

P

Pallavi Karan

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

Yes, Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID), NCR does provide a two-year MDes course. The institute offers this course across several specialisations, such as Fashion Design, Interior & Experience Design, Visual Experiential Design, and more. Admission to this course requires qualifying for the UID D

...Read more

S

Sanjana Srivastava

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

Unitedworld Institute of Design offers several BDes specialisations. The admission criteria for all of the offered specialisations is same. Students can check out the following list to know about some of the UID NCR BDes courses:

  • Fashion Design Technology
  • Fashion Communication & Styling
  • Apparel Design
  • V

...Read more

A

Aishwarya Malhotra

Contributor-Level 6

Answered Yesterday

Bachelor of Design,  a UG degree programme offered for specializations such as Fashion Design, Interior Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design, and much more. B Des course duration is generally 4 years, enabling students to work in dedicated studio spaces, gather design skills, and learn a wide sp

...Read more

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Liyansha Gaurav

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

For admission in a BDes programme at NIF Global Jaipur, it is crucial that the aspirant fulfills the course-specific eligibility criteria. Thus, only the asiprants who have passed Class 12 are eligible for admission. In addition, student should have passed the qualifying examination from a recognise

...Read more

R

Rashmi Kumar

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

Yes, BDes course is available at NIF Global Jaipur. The institute offers BDes courses at the UG level. Candidate must meet the eligibility criteria to enrol for BDes course admission set by the college. Aspirants must pass Class 12. NIF Global Jaipur admission process is merit-based.

78613036
Indrani Choudhury

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

To get into NIF Global Jaipur for a BDes course, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria set by the institute. NIF Global Jaipur offers full-time BDes courses of four years' duration. Students can get into this course based on merit. Apart from the selection criteria, students must pass Class

...Read more

S

Shikha Arora

Contributor-Level 8

Answered Yesterday

Completing an MDes from SPA Delhi makes students eligible to seek various employment opportunities in the field of Design. After completing the programme, students can apply to work in firms indulged in realty development, construction, architecture, interior design, etc. Listed below are some of th

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

To know which college to choose, students can compare the options based on significant factors such as fees and rating. To help,  presented below is a comparison between the MDes courses at SPA Delhi and Vishwakarma University, based on fees and median package:

Institute/University

Course Fee

Median Package

MDes at SPA Delhi

INR 1.80 lakh

INR 6.75 LPA

MDes at Vishwakarma University

INR 7.5 lakh

INR 4.8 LPA

Note: The above information is taken fr

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Both SPA Delhi and Vishwakarma University are good options to pursue MDes. However, in terms of affordability,  SPA Delhi is more affordable since the tuition fees to pursue MDes at SPA Delhi is INR 1.8 lakh,  and the tuition fee to pursue MDes at Vishwakarma University is INR 7.5 lakh.

Note: The fee

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

In order to determine which is a better choice, students must weigh both options based on important factors such as fees and median package. As per official sources, the tuition fees to pursue an MDes at SPA Delhi and The Design Village are INR 1.8 Lacs and INR 12.5 lakh, respectively. In terms of f

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Yes, students enrolled in the MDes programme are offered scholarships at SPA Delhi. Through these scholarships, the institute aims to break financial barriers and reward meritorious students. The MDes scholarships are distributed based on CEED scores filled out in the application form. Moreover, the

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

As per the SPA Delhi NIRF 2024 report, a total of 157 PG (2-year) students were placed during the placement drive held in 2023. Other than this, the report states that the median package offered to overall PG (2-year) students stood at INR 6.75 LPA. Moreover, some of the top recruiters who have part

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Candidates seeking admission to SPA Delhi MPlan courses must check the eligibility requirements before applying. The eligibility criteria differ for each MPlan course. Check out the below-mentioned details to know more:

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Dear Rachit,

The Bachelor of Design (BDes) curriculum at UID Delhi-NCR is distinguished by its comprehensive approach and diverse specializations. The four-year programme offers five specializations:

  • Visual Communication
  • Animation & Motion Graphics
  • Interior & Furniture Design
  • Product Design
  • Fashion Desig

...Read more

A

Ankit kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered Yesterday

Dear Piyush,

Placements for BDes at UID Delhi-NCR are quite promising. The institute has a dedicated Corporate Resource Centre (CRC) that works actively to connect students with top recruiters like Amazon, Flipkart, FILA, Oppo, and Capgemini. In recent years, students have received competitive packa

...Read more

A

Ankit kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered Yesterday

In order to get admission to BDes at UID Delhi-NCR, students are required to pass Class 12 or three year Diploma in any stream from any recognised higher secondary board/ institute. The selection is done based on the performance of candidates in the UID DAT exam and Situation Test & Portfolio evalua

...Read more

K

Krishnendu Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

The total tuition fee for BDes courses at UID Delhi-NCR Campus ranges from INR 24 Lacs to INR 40 lakh. After completing the application form, appearing and securing a good score in UID DAT followed by a Portfolio evaluation and personal interview. The candidates are required to submit a certain amou

...Read more

I

Indrani Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

 

Dear Abhishek,

Yes, the Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID) at GD Goenka University in Delhi NCR has a dedicated placement cell for BDes students. This cell actively facilitates internships and job opportunities, connecting students with over 200 recruiters, including renowned companies like Amaz

...Read more

A

Ankit kumar

Contributor-Level 9

Answered Yesterday

In 2022, UID Delhi NCR witnessed a diverse array of top recruiters, reflecting the institute's strong placement track record. Renowned companies such as House of Masaba, Amazon, IBM, KPMG, Tanishq, Fabindia, Accenture, TCS, Gini & Jony, Raymond, Marks & Spencer, Wrangler, CERA, Redtape, Flipkart, BC

...Read more

R

Rachit Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

The theory and lab subjects are included in the UID BDes (H) in Fashion Design & Styling course related to this field. Candidates undergo an industry internship in the final year that helps in gaining practical exposure. A graduation project also has to be submitted by the candidates. Mentioned belo

...Read more

A

Atul Pruthi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

Yes, UID Delhi NCR offers internships to BDes students. Additionally, well-planned exits for all BDes students from guidance on Higher Studies by Team United-world Wide (UWW), Internships & Placements guidance and support by Corporate Resource Centre (CRC) has been given by the institute. 

P

Piyush Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

UID Delhi-NCR Goenka University has a seat intake of 30 for the BDes (Hons) in Global Design programme. Students are admitted as per the sanctioned seat intake and selection criteria. The seat intake for this course varies for the Ahmedabad campus. Moreover, the aforementioned seat count is as per t

...Read more

K

Kartik Sharma

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

The institute offers a limited number of BDes seats across the specialisation and to get a seat candidates are required to complete the basic eligibility criteria first to complete the application form and then secure a valid score in UID DAT, followed by ST & PI. Mentioned below is UID Delhi-NCR, B

...Read more

I

Indrani Tyagi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

For the BDes programme at UID Delhi-NCR, the application fee for the General Category (including Indian and Foreign candidates) is INR 2,000, and applicants can choose to apply either online or offline modes. Additionally, candidates can pay the application fee in online mode via debit/credit cards,

...Read more

K

Krishnendu Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

The list of documents to be submitted at the time of application at UID Delhi-NCR is given below:

  • Class 10 & Class 12 marksheets and certificates
  • Character certificate
  • Migration certificate
  • Entrance exam scorecard
  • Recent passport-size photographs

V

Vishakha

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Currently, the admission process is going on. Moreover, the UID DAT for admission to the BDes course at UID Delhi-NCR is conducted in two phases. The candidate appears in the Tier 1 exam first. The exam is administered online and carries 100 marks. If the candidate is shortlisted, they will have to

...Read more

I

Indrani Kumar

Contributor-Level 7

Answered Yesterday

Yes, SPA Delhi does follow a reservation policy for MDes admissions. As per the policy, a total of 17 seats are reserved for the admission of candidates belonging to the reserved categories. Tabulated below is the complete breakdown of the SPA Delhi reservation policy for MDes program

CategoryNumber of seats reserved
General12
Scheduled Castes04
Scheduled Tribes02
Other Backward Classes08
Economically Weaker Sections03

Students must n

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

The total cost to pursue the MDes at SPA Delhi is calculated by adding all the fee components included in the fee structure. As per the structure, it is around INR 2.77 lakh. This amount comprises various fee elements, such as tuition fees and one-time fees, etc. This fee also comprises hostel costs

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

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