Best Art Schools in the World 2025-26
Talk to Expert
If any of painting, photography, sculpture-making, film-making, history, film-making, etc. is your niche then, you must be wondering about the top-ranked art schools in the world that provide the best-in-class education in these fields. Find out more about the best art schools in the world in the article below.
The best art schools in the world are determined based on several factors such as the school’s reputation for its teaching methods, course curriculum and employment rates. However, the other lesser-known factors that affect the ranking involve the accessibility of courses in terms of financial support and the acceptance rates of the universities.
Some of the best art courses in the world are offered at universities with very low acceptance rates, this is because of the large number of applications that these universities receive for the limited number of available seats. However, some best art universities in the world have a very high acceptance rate despite having ranked in the top 10 institutes in the world for arts and design courses. This is because of the faith that each student has the right to achieve quality education.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
The dedicated art schools provide various art specialisations and degree programs in the field. This may pose confusion in choosing the right art school especially if the student plans on studying abroad. In this article, we will list the top universities in the world, famous for their arts and design courses.
Best Arts Schools in the World 2024-25
The best art universities in the world 2024-25 ranked by the QS World University Rankings by Subject Arts and Design are given in the table below.
| Top 10 Art Schools in the World 2024 |
|
|---|---|
| Universities |
QS World University Ranking by Subject Arts and Design 2024 |
| Royal College of Art, London |
1 |
| University of the Arts London, London, UK |
2 |
| The New School, New York, USA |
3 |
| Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, USA |
4 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA |
5 |
| Pratt Institute, NYC, USA |
6 |
| Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy |
7 |
| Aalto University, Espoo, Finland |
8 |
| Design Academy Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands |
9 |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, USA |
10 |
Details on the Top 10 Art Colleges in the World
Read forth for the complete list of the top 10 art colleges in the world.
1. The Royal College of Art, London, UK
Rightfully deserved, the Royal College of London (RCA) tops our list. The Royal College of Art, London has been ranked in first position for consecutively 5 years. Established in 1837, the Royal College of Art is also the oldest art and design college in the world that is still in operation and known for its continued excellence and innovation. The average fee of the Royal College of Art ranges from up to INR 28.3 L.
2. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, USA
Established in 1877, the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, USA is also among the oldest arts and design schools in the world. The school is famous for its master’s program in fine arts which offers various specialisations such as photography, metals/jewellery design, glassware, graphic design, sculpture design and more. The school also provides various scholarships to support student’s higher education. The average fee of the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, USA is INR 47.8 L.
3. School of the Art Institute of Chicago
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is known for educating the world's most influential artists, photographers, designers and scholars. Consecutively ranked on the top in the top arts universities in the world, this school has a high acceptance rate of 79% which makes it pretties for arts and design lovers to receive quality education and create a good lifestyle and career. The average cost of studying at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago is INR 45.32 L.
4. Parsons School of Design at The New School, NYC, USA
The Parsons School of Design offers several rigorous interdisciplinary programs across the spectrum of arts and design courses. The university provides a broad specialisation range among programs such as from urban design to fashion and technology, digital media and architecture. Students get to choose from a great list of programs to study the program of their needs and aspirations. The average fee for Parsons School of Design at The New School is INR 37.9 L.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, USA
Known for its engineering and other innovative courses, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is also good for arts and design courses. The curriculum of arts courses is dedicated to experimentation, imaginative problem solving and risk-taking. A degree in arts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is highly regarded across the world and students get a good reputation as MIT alumni.
6. University of the Arts London, London, UK
The University of the Arts London, London, UK is a public institution established in 1986. The university has been ranked second in the world university ranking for the subject of arts and design for the 5th consecutive year. The university has a low acceptance rate of ~26% which makes it pretty selective when it comes to taking students for admissions. The average fee of the University of the Arts London is INR 7.8 L per annum.
7. Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
Aalto University is one of the best universities in Finland and is also a public university. With its several bachelor’s and master’s courses being offered in English, Aalto University is favoured among students. The university mostly provides free education. However, non-EU and EEA or non-Switzerland students are required to pay some tuition fees for the English-taught programs. The average fee of Aalto University, Espoo, Finland is INR 10.00 L.
8. Design Academy Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands
The Design Academy Eindhoven, Eindhoven, Netherlands is highly supportive of its students and often students’ work on global platforms like several exhibitions and events in NYC, USA. With an acceptance rate of 30-40%, the university is also very selective of its students. The school is known for its strong education system and cutting-edge master’s program. The average fee for the Design Academy Eindhoven ranges from INR 9.06 L to 14.3 L.
9. Pratt Institute, NYC, USA
Holding a good reputation among the top arts and design colleges in the world, the university is famous for its courses in liberal arts and sciences, architecture, information studies, and arts and design. The university offers over 50 bachelor’s and master’s courses in arts and design specialisations. Also, with its moderate acceptance rate, i.e. ~45%, the Pratt Institute is pretty selective of the students it takes. However, the large number of applications that the institute receives every year makes it pretty difficult for international students to get through the selection process. The average fee of the Pratt Institute ranges from INR 8.3 L to 66.5 L.
10. Tongji University, Shanghai, China (Mainland)
The arts and design discipline at Tongji University, Shanghai, China (Mainland) is also one of the first-class disciplines available at the university. With over 36 arts-majoring courses, the institute allows students to select electives based on their interests and expand their knowledge of some special fields outside of their main curriculums. The university can be applied to at the CUCAS portal and students can get all the relevant information about their preferred courses, curriculum, and fees there on the platform itself.
This was all about the top 10 arts colleges in the world. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: How can I get admission in the University of Manchester?
The application process at the University of Manchester may vary depending on the course and level of study. However, here is the application process for UG and PG courses:
The Undergraduate Application Process:
Step 1: You can apply through the UCAS common application portal.
Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.
Step 3: Ensure you meet the Entry requirements (Academic qualifications, English proficiency, etc.
Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit documents such as SOP, Transcripts and personal statements.
Check out: tips to improve your SOP.
Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
Step 6: Once the applicant submits the application to UCAS, it forwards to the University, and the admission teams carefully analyse the application document.
Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
Step 1: Select the postgraduate course you are interested in from the University of Manchester.\
Step 2: Ensure you meet the entry requirements for the chosen program, as they vary depending on the course.
Step 3: Complete the online application by providing your personal information.
Step 4: Upload the required documents, such as Academic transcripts and proof of English language proficiency ( TOEFL/ IELTS). experience in your fields and references (depending on the course). You also may require Two LORs depending on the course.
To make your admission better, check out the following: How Admission Officers Evaluate your application.
Step 5: If your application is successful, you will receive an offer from the University of Manchester.
Q: What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
Q: Does the University of Essex require IELTS?
International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
Q: Why do Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni - Italy?
Indian students choose to study at Istituto Marangoni in Italy for several reasons. With a broad choice of undergraduate and graduate executive programs in business, fashion, and design offered by Istituto Marangoni, students have the chance to collaborate on industry projects with renowned businesses and establish high-level connections with the fashion and luxury sectors. Students who wish to work in the fashion and design industries find the school's approach appealing as it combines the newest trends, industry advancements, and practical skills. The possibility to work on real-life industrial projects and the association with the prominent fashion company N21 are other factors that make Istituto Marangoni a desirable option for Indian students.
Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.