Fee Structure of Leading Design Colleges in India
- desizn circle International
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
A Comprehensive Guide to Courses, Campuses & Entrance Process
Choosing a design college in India involves more than creative inclination—it requires clarity on fees, courses offered, campus location, and the entrance process. Below is a consolidated overview of some of India’s most sought-after design institutions, helping aspirants plan their education journey strategically.
1. National Institute of Design (NID)
Location:Campuses across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Assam & Madhya Pradesh.
Courses Offered:
BDes (Bachelor of Design)
MDes (Master of Design)Specialisations include Industrial Design, Communication Design, Textile & Apparel Design, Animation Film Design, and more.
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹5.5 lakh per year (including hostel)
Entrance Process:
NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test)
DAT Prelims
DAT Mains (Studio Test + Interview)
Profile:India’s premier government design institute, known for academic rigour, research focus, and strong industry recognition.
2. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Location:Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gandhinagar, Kolkata, and other major cities.
Courses Offered:
BDes (Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design, Knitwear Design)
BFTech
MDes, MFTech, MFM
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹3.5 lakh per year(NRI quota approx. ₹10.5 lakh/year)
Entrance Process:
NIFT Entrance Examination
CAT (Creative Ability Test)
GAT (General Ability Test)
Situation Test / Interview
Profile:Best suited for fashion, textile, and management-oriented design careers.
3. Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD)
Location:New Delhi (Delhi NCR)
Courses Offered:
BDes (Fashion Design, Interior Architecture & Design, Communication Design)
MDes
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹5.8 lakh per year (Gurgaon campus)
Entrance Process:
IIAD Design Aptitude Test (iDAT)
Studio Interaction & Interview
Profile:Known for global academic collaborations and studio-based learning.
4. Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID)
Location:Gandhinagar & Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Courses Offered:
BDes (Product, Interior, Fashion, Communication, Animation)
MDes
Global Design Programs
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹6.5 lakh per year(Global programs approx. ₹10.5 lakh/year)
Entrance Process:
UID DAT
Portfolio Review & Interview
Profile:Offers strong exposure to international design practices and interdisciplinary learning.
5. ISDI – Atlas SkillTech University
Location:Mumbai
Courses Offered:
BDes (Fashion Design, Communication Design, Product Design, Interior Design)
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹7.05 lakh per year
Entrance Process:
ISDI Challenge
Portfolio Review & Personal Interview
Profile:Industry-linked curriculum with strong emphasis on fashion and communication design.
6. Pearl Academy
Location:Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Chennai
Courses Offered:
BDes (Fashion, Communication, Interior, Product)
MDes
Diploma & Professional Programs
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹4.5 – ₹7.5 lakh per year(varies by course and campus)
Entrance Process:
Pearl Academy Entrance Test
Portfolio Review & Interview
Profile:A popular private design institute with wide course offerings and multiple campuses.
7. UPES – School of Design
Location:Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Courses Offered:
BDes (Transportation, Product, UX/UI, Animation, Fashion)
MDes
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹5.6 lakh per year(hostel charges separate)
Entrance Process:
UPES Design Aptitude Test (UPESDAT)
Portfolio & Interview
Profile:Known for niche specialisations like transportation and UX design.
8. FLAME University
Location:Pune, Maharashtra
Courses Offered:
BDes under Liberal Arts framework
Interdisciplinary design majors
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹8.75 lakh per year(hostel not included)
Entrance Process:
FLAME Entrance Aptitude Test
Essay, Interview & Portfolio
Profile:Ideal for students seeking a blend of design, humanities, and liberal education.
9. The Design Village (TDV)
Location:Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Courses Offered:
BDes
MDes
Trans-disciplinary design programs
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹6 lakh per year
Entrance Process:
TDV Entrance Test
Studio Exercise & Interview
Profile:Known for experimental pedagogy and non-traditional design thinking.
10. BITS Design School (BITS DES)
Location:Mumbai
Courses Offered:
BDes (Technology-driven design disciplines)
Fee Structure:Approx. ₹11 lakh per year(includes hostel)
Entrance Process:
Design Aptitude Assessment
Interview
Profile:Backed by BITS Pilani legacy, focusing on design + technology integration.
Design education is a long-term investment—financially, creatively, and professionally. While fees vary significantly across institutions, students should evaluate colleges based on curriculum quality, faculty, exposure, campus culture, and career outcomes, not just cost.
For personalised guidance, portfolio preparation, and entrance exam planning, structured mentoring makes all the difference.
College | Campus Location | Courses Offered | Approx. Fees (Per Year) | Hostel | Entrance Process |
NID | Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, AP, Haryana, Assam | BDes, MDes | ₹5.5 Lakh | Included | NID DAT (Prelims + Mains) |
NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) | Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata & more | BDes, BFTech, MDes, MFM | ₹3.5 Lakh (₹10.5 Lakh NRI) | Separate | CAT + GAT + Situation Test |
IIAD | New Delhi (Delhi NCR) | BDes, MDes | ₹5.8 Lakh | Separate | iDAT + Interview |
UID | Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad | BDes, MDes, Global Programs | ₹6.5 Lakh (₹10.5 Lakh Global) | Separate | UID DAT + Interview |
ISDI (ATLAS University) | Mumbai | BDes | ₹7.05 Lakh | Separate | ISDI Challenge + Interview |
Pearl Academy | Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru | BDes, MDes | ₹4.5 – ₹7.5 Lakh | Separate | Pearl Test + Interview |
UPES School of Design | Dehradun | BDes, MDes | ₹5.6 Lakh | Separate | UPESDAT + Interview |
FLAME University | Pune | BDes (Liberal Arts) | ₹8.75 Lakh | Separate | Aptitude Test + Essay + Interview |
The Design Village (TDV) | Noida | BDes, MDes | ₹6 Lakh | Separate | TDV Test + Studio Round |
BITS Design School | Mumbai | BDes | ₹11 Lakh | Included | Design Assessment + Interview |
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