M.Des Colleges Abroad: Eligibility, Fees, Exams & Jobs
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Master’s in Design abroad is a postgraduate level degree in the field of design with a strong focus on the application of artistic and computer-aided design skills to the interpretation of commercial and technical information for the public. The main task of a designer is to examine and reimagine a huge range of physical objects that are used in day-to-day life and make something beautiful out of them.
Individuals who are looking to pursue an illustrious career in the field of design are highly recommended to pursue a Master’s in Design as this would only further their career trajectory in both the technical and artistic aspects of design. Read on to learn about the benefits of pursuing design abroad, the top countries to pursue design abroad, eligibility guidelines, scholarships for studying design and so much more.
Why Study M.Des Abroad?
The study of design has come a long way. Today studying design is one of the most versatile fields that allow candidates to opt for a wide variety of professions. It is the job of budding designers to interpret cultural and societal needs and trends and develop the most suitable design to achieve the desired outcome. Individuals with a keen eye for detail and an artist’s sense of aesthetics are the most appropriate candidates for this profession.
A lot of times, students opt to study design without any previous knowledge of design. That is entirely possible, students who have a penchant towards the art, craft, and design can apply to pursue a Master’s in Design (MDes). They would however take a longer time to complete the course as they would have to opt for the mandatory one-year foundation course which would familiarize them with the basics of design and then continue pursuing their Master’s in Design.
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Top University & Colleges for M.Des Abroad
Candidates wanting to pursue a Master’s in Design (M.Des) abroad would want to know more about the top universities for design. Given below is a list of the top-ranked Design colleges abroad for 2024. Candidates can click on each college name to learn about the courses offered, the eligibility guidelines, the fee structure, and much more
| Universities Abroad for M.Des |
Location |
QS - World University Art & Design Subject Rankings 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Royal College of Art |
United Kingdom |
#1 |
| United Kingdom |
#2 |
|
| United States |
#3 |
|
| United States |
#4 |
|
| United States |
#5 |
|
| Aalto University |
Finland |
#6 |
| United States |
#7 |
|
| Italy |
#8 |
|
| Design Academy Eindhoven |
Netherlands |
#9 |
| United States |
#11 |
* Data sourced from QS Top Universities
M.Des Abroad Eligibility and Requirements
Let us take a look at the eligibility guidelines for pursuing M.Des abroad. Candidates should be well reminded that we are going to talk about pursuing design at an advanced level i.e. Masters in Design (MDes) eligibility guidelines.
Academic Requirements
Candidates looking to pursue a Master's in Design should ideally hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Design or an undergraduate degree in a subject related to design. Since the academic requirements are never set in stone, graduates belonging to any field with the required skills and passion for designing should check the academic requirements and apply accordingly.
Work Experience Requirements
Candidates looking to pursue an M.Des abroad could be required to submit a portfolio of their previous work. A budding designer would always allow his work to speak. Exact submission guidelines would be available to the candidate on the official website of the university. Candidates would be required to adhere to the same. It is important to show creative work that speaks about the skills and talent of the student for a better chance of acceptance.
Application Requirements
Since the application would be for pursuing a Master's in Design abroad, the requirements could vary depending on the school of design. We have provided general application requirements (but not limited to) for your M.Des application process.
- Relevant Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university
- Portfolio of past work experiences
- English Proficiency Test
- GRE Scores (subject to country)
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of Recommendation
- Resume (CV)
Application Process
All applications are online. Hence, the students would be required to read the admission guidelines before submitting their international student application form. Candidates would be required to pay the application fee and also attach all relevant documents to start their application process. Every university would have a deadline for application submission. Candidates looking to apply should adhere to this. Candidates seeking financial aid should apply early to start the scholarship process.
M.Des Abroad VS. M.Des in India
Studying design abroad would positively give students an edge as pursuing a Masters in Design (M.Des) abroad would enable the student access to state-of-the-art university campuses, world-class faculty, and above all a globally recognized working degree. Candidates studying abroad would also get an opportunity to practice their profession in a foreign country and have a chance to settle abroad if the individual so wishes. Studying abroad would come at a higher price than studying in India. Students can opt for scholarships and education loans to ease the financial burden. More information on financial aid and scholarships for designing schools can be found towards the end of the article.
Exams for M.Des Abroad
Candidates appearing for Masters in Design (M.Des) may be required to appear for their GRE exam. It may not be mandatory for your university but would greatly improve your chances of getting in. A lot of universities would also require candidates to appear for English proficiency exams such as TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. As mentioned earlier, rules are never set on stone. Candidates are always advised to shortlist popular M.Des colleges abroad check the eligibility criteria for each and apply accordingly.
M.Des Specializations Abroad
The study of design is as vast as it is diverse with endless possibilities of pursuing your specialization. Candidates should opt for an area of study that only enhances their designing skills to the next level amounting to a profuse knowledge of designing. Popular specializations in design include:
- Architecture and Urban Design
- Fashion Design
- Global Design
- Graphic Design
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Product Design
- Visual Design
- Web Design
Popular Destinations for M.Des Abroad
Candidates wanting to study design abroad would want to apply to the top countries teaching Master’s in Design (M.Des) to students. Let us take a look at the top countries for students wanting to pursue a Masters in Design (M.Des) abroad. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, the Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, and Sweden) and France are popular design destinations. These countries also have one of the largest numbers of design schools for candidates to choose from.
Country-wise average fees for M.Des Abroad
Tuition and living costs are one of the most important determinants of studying abroad. While state-of-the-art international campuses, global exposure, world-renowned faculty, a variety of courses to choose from push students to study abroad, high tuition fees and living costs do the opposite. Hence, we are providing readers with the cost of living and tuition fees of select universities. Candidates can visit our website for a list of universities, courses on offer, eligibility guidelines, and know about the fee structure for pursuing a Master’s in Design (M.Des) abroad.
United Kingdom
Candidates wanting to study in the UK would be shelling out 7.84 Lakhs a year as living costs.
| Best MDes Colleges in the UK | ||
|---|---|---|
| University |
Program |
Fee Structure (First Year) |
| MA Industrial Design 2 Years |
₹22.16 L |
|
| (multiple courses) |
Building and Urban Design in Development MSc 1 Year |
₹34.69 L |
| Interior Design MA 1 Year |
₹12.7 L |
|
United States of America
Candidates wanting to study in the USA would be required to spend 10.49 Lakhs a year as living expenses.
| Top Universities for MDes in the USA | ||
|---|---|---|
| University |
Program |
Fee Structure (First Year) |
| Master of Design 2 Years |
₹38.66 L |
|
| The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) (multiple courses) |
MDes in Industrial Design 2 Years |
₹25.95 L |
| Master of Design Research 1 Years |
₹27.8 L |
|
Sweden
Candidates wanting to study in Sweden would be paying 1.97 Lakhs a year as living expenses.
| Best MDes Colleges in Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|
| University |
Program |
Fee Structure (First Year) |
| Master’s Program in Innovation and Design 2 Years |
₹10.52 L |
|
| Master of Science with a major in Product Development, specialization in Industrial Design 2 Years |
₹11.69 L |
|
| Master of Science in Integrated Product Design 2 Years |
₹13.32 L |
|
Italy
Candidates looking to study in Italy would be spending 5.24 Lakhs a year as living expenses.
| Best MDes Colleges in Italy | ||
|---|---|---|
| University |
Program |
Fee Structure (First Year) |
| MA in Fashion Design and Innovation 9 Months |
₹19.58 L |
|
| Master in Interaction Design 1 Years |
₹24.59 L |
|
| Masters in Industrial design (15 Months) Masters in Web and Digital Design (15 Months) Masters in Industrial Design (15 Months) |
₹14.48 L |
|
*the tabular data has been collected from Shiksha Study Abroad
Learn more about MDes abroad:
Top Design Companies for Internation Students
Candidates studying for their Master of Design would be eager to know about the top firms. Getting into a popular design label is every graduate’s dream come true. Here is a list of popular Designer brands/ studios along with a sneak peek into some of their most notable associations.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, other designer houses include,
- Pearlfisher:
- Notable Works: Cadbury, Starbucks, Jim Beam
- Charlie Smith Design:
- Notable Works: Royal Academy of Arts, University of the Arts London, UNICEF
- Mucho:
- Notable Works: Apple, BMW, University of California
M.Des Jobs and Career Opportunities Abroad
Upon the successful completion of your Master’s in Design abroad, the next thing to look forward to is to land yourself a dream job. It goes without saying that a student pursuing a Master in Design (M.Des) would primarily be a designer. However, candidates should never limit themselves to one particular role. Graduates should always aim for roles that require their individuals to push themselves, hone their skills, and redefine boundaries. Job prospects of Masters in Design (M.Des) abroad include
- Architect
- Apparel Manufacturer
- Fashion Designer
- Fashion Stylist
- Graphic Designer
- Interior Designer
- Product Designer
- Quality Control
- Structural Designing
- Textile Production
- Web Designer
Scholarships to Study M.Des Abroad
One of the drawbacks of studying abroad is the high cost of tuition fees and living costs incurred by the student because of a number of factors. The poor strength of the Indian rupee against the foreign currency being prime. However, candidates who have a passion for studying abroad would make their dreams come true. Candidates who would prefer to obtain an education loan or financial aid could check out a list of available scholarships to apply from.
Also Read
- Skills required to be a Successful Fashion Designer
- Top Interior Design Schools in the World
- Colleges offering Interior design courses in Canada
Still confused about pursuing a Master of Design (MDes) abroad? You can check out our Master of Design Frequently Asked Questions section (MDes FAQs) for more.
M.Des Abroad for International Students FAQs
Q. Why study design abroad?
A. There are a lot of factors that can influence a student from studying design abroad. Experiencing state-of-the-art universities clubbed with unmatched amenities, world-class faculty, international exposure, and a globally recognized degree are major reasons why candidates opt to study abroad. Candidates studying abroad would also have an opportunity to work and eventually settle down in a foreign country if he so wishes.
Q. Which country is the best to study design?
A. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, the Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, and Sweden) and France are popular design destinations.
Q. Can I study design abroad for free?
A. Design universities abroad have competitive pricing. Hence, candidates would be required to pay for tuition and also have enough funds while living in the foreign country. Deserving candidates can apply for scholarships to lessen the financial burden.
Q. What are the best universities to study design abroad?
A. Royal College of Art - United Kingdom, University of The Arts London - United Kingdom and The New School - United States of America are the top three universities for Design for 2020. For the entire list of top universities for design abroad, candidates can visit our top colleges' section above.
Q. What is the duration of the entire course?
A. Designing is a booming industry that has many good years ahead of it. The study of design is not only versatile but also allows the designer to be eligible for a number of trades. Studying design abroad might be a relatively expensive affair but the gains outweigh the loss in the long run.
Q. Is work experience compulsory during the application process?
A. Since we are talking about pursuing a Masters in Design, candidates would be expected to show some significant body of work during the time of admission. However, candidates are advised to check the same with the university as every university would have its own unique admission eligibility criteria.
Q. Are there scholarships to study design abroad?
A. Yes. Candidates can check the section under MDes scholarships in the article for a comprehensive list of a variety of scholarships that students can apply to. Apart from the scholarships listed here, students will also find a number of scholarships listed on the official website of universities for deserving candidates.
Q. Is it better to study design in India or abroad?
A. This is again a very personal choice. Both studying design in India and abroad have their own unique pros and cons which the candidate must take into consideration before reaching a final decision. The article provides a critical evaluation of the same.
Q. Is design a good career?
A. Students who have a genuine passion for the profession should opt for designing. Being a designer is highly regarded and a sophisticated career to say the least.
Q. Is there money being a designer in today's time?
A. Yes. A designer is a very well paying job. Though it depends on a number of factors, such as your qualification, your country of work and your skills, but a good designer would be rewarded handsomely.
Q. Is studying design abroad worth it?
A. Designing is a booming industry that has many good years ahead of it. The study of design is not only versatile but also allows the designer to be eligible for a number of trades. Studying design abroad might be a relatively expensive affair but the gains outweigh the loss in the long run.
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international 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: 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: Is Hertfordshire University hard to get into?
With a 70% acceptance rate, the University of Hertfordshire is not hard to get into and follows easy selection criteria during admissions. This does not mean the university accepts all the students applying for different programs. The selection is based on academic performance, English language requirements, references, and many more. Some of the programs at Hertfordshire even demand an experience of 4-5 years. Students must fulfill the eligibility criteria to enroll in any programme at Hertfordshire University. In addition, students with average performance can showcase their relevant experience or extracurricular activities participation to increase their selection probability.
Q: How much IELTS score is required for Hertfordshire University?
International students coming from diverse backgrounds must prove their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of IELTS, PTE, and Duolingo at Hertfordshire University. The university demands an IELTS score of 6 from the students. Along with the IELTS scores, students can refer to the table below for all the required English proficiency score:
English language test | Minimum Score required UG | Minimum Score required PG |
|---|---|---|
6 or above | 6 or above | |
59 or above | 58 or above | |
105 or above | 120 or above |
Q: What is University of Wales, Trinity Saint famous for?
University of Wales, Trinity Saint (UWTSD) was founded in 2010, is a public institution for higher education and research at multiple locations. It was set up under the 1828 royal charter of Lampeter, the institution was the result of the merger between Trinity University College and the University of Wales. The institution merged with the Swansea Metropolitan University in 2013.
- Top Ranked University: The UWTSD is not ranked by any major ranking body, however as per the university ranking given on the official website of the university, it is ranked among:
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Film Production and Photography
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Fashion and Textiles
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Graphic Design
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 5 Education
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Sports Science
- #1st in Wales and UK Top 20 Mechanical Engineering
- #1st in Wales for Fine Arts
- Variety of Courses: UWTSD offers more than 300 programs at various levels including undergraduate, postgraduate degrees as well as multiple online courses.
- Highly distinguished and learned faculties: the faculty at UWTSD is highly learned and distinguished which enables students to be the best in their field of study.
- High Placements: According to Graduate Outcome data 2019-2020 quoted by the UWTSD, more than 95% of its graduates were found to be employed within 15 Months of graduation. The average salary of a graduate is not explicitly released by UWTSD, however, as per some unofficial sources the average salary of the graduates of UWTSD is approximately INR 30-35L. with the highest salary being reported as high as INR 66.5L for jobs in Financial Services.
Q: What is the ranking of NTU UK in terms of employability?
According to Uni Compare rankings 2024, NTU has been placed at #1 in the UK for employability. In addition to this, as per the details available on the web, some of the top companies where NTU UK alumni work are Deloitte, Microsoft, Tesco, Turner & Townsend, The Access Group, etc. Some of the industries where the alumni work are Operations, Business Development, Arts and Design, Sales, Marketing, IT, Engineering, Finance, Media & Communication, etc.
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The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.