Best Design Colleges Apart from NID & NIFT: Courses, Fees, Entrance Exams
The list of best design colleges apart from NID & NIFT consists of famous institutes like Pearl Academy of Fashion, Symbiosis Institute of Design, and JD Institute of Fashion Technology. Check out the complete list in this article to kickstart your design career in India!
Are there any best design colleges apart from NID and NIFT? Absolutely yes! For those who get an opportunity to appear in the NID or NIFT entrance exams and/or miss them, options are not only to wait for another year. They have several other well-established design colleges in India from which they can apply. Accessing these colleges will provide a good base and train students in one of the world's competitive and demanding design industries. While the NID and NIFT institutes are well-known for producing some of the best design minds, it is also worth noting that both have limited numbers of campuses. This often leads students to overlook other reputable design institutions across India. However, many of these lesser-known design colleges consistently produce exceptional designers in India. In this article, let's explore some of the best design colleges apart from NID and NIFT.
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Why Consider Design Colleges Apart from NID & NIFT?
If you are an aspiring designer, there are a plethora of other best design colleges apart from NID & NIFT in India. These design colleges must be well-considered by design aspirants because of the following factors:
- Increasing Demand for Designers: Businesses these days are depending on designers more than ever as they design unique experiences for clients, hence there is a significant rise in the demand for skilled designers.
- Few Seats Available in Top Institutions: NID and NIFT cannot accommodate the rising number of students who wish to get into the design field, despite their names.
- Need for More Design Schools: Establishing new, reputed design schools is the need of the hour so that the market is constantly supplied with well-trained designers.
- Other Notable Design Schools: Other institutes that have emerged as leaders in the design education segment include MIT, IIAD, Pearl, ISDI, Srishti, and IED.
Although the number of applicants remains very high, government-supported colleges like NID and NIFT do not seem to have included substantial changes in their admission procedures to cope with such demands. For example, NID gets more than a lakh applications for only 100 seats every year, and many deserving candidates are in serious trouble finding a place in these highly sought-after programs.
List of Best Design Colleges Apart from NID & NIFT in India
Here is the list of best design colleges besides NID and NIFT for design admissions in India tabulated below:
Institute Name | Offered Course/s | Expected Entrance Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| June | |
| April | |
| April | |
Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) |
| June |
| Phase 1 (usually held in January) | |
School of Fashion Technology (SOFT) |
| June |
Symbiosis Institute of Design (SEED exam) |
| January |
Popular Design Colleges Apart From NID and NIFT
The good colleges besides NID and NIFT for design admissions have an active placement cell which welcomes leading companies for placement. Also, these other design colleges offer limitless practical exposure along with training and individual attention to the students, making it different from the top colleges.
You can check out some of the good colleges besides NID and NIFT for design admissions in India and take your pick!
College Name | Courses Offered | Annual Course Fee (in INR) | Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53,000 to 3,65,000 | Merit or Entrance Exam-based | |
| 90,000 to 1,24,000 | Merit or Entrance Exam-based | |
1,50,000 | Merit-based & Personal Interview | ||
| 2,60,00 to 4,00,000 | Jain Entrance Test- Design | |
| 1,80,000 | ||
| 4,00,000 to 4,50,000 | ||
| 4,30,000 to 4,68,000 | ||
| 75,000 to 3,95,000 | ||
| 60,000 to 7,64,000 | Design Aptitude Test, Studio Test & Personal Interview | |
| 1.66,000 to 9,99,000 | Merit-based or Personal Interview | |
| 1.28,000 to 1,72,000 | Merit or Entrance Exam-based | |
| 50,000 | Merit-based | |
| 1,36,000 to 2,72,000 | Merit or Entrance Exam-based | |
| 4,00,000 | ||
| 60,000 to 90,000 | Institute-level Entrance Exam | |
| 50,000 to 2,50,000 | Design Aptitude Test | |
| 1,20,000 to 2,40,000 | ||
International Institute of Fashion Design, West Delhi (INIFD) |
| 1,60,000 to 1,95,000 | Merit-based |
| 1,17,000 to 1,68,000 | Merit or Entrance Exam-based | |
| 90,000 to 2,33,000 | Institute-level Entrance Exam | |
| 1,90,000 to 2,50,000 | Institute-level Entrance Exam | |
| 40,000 to 1,16,000 | Institute-level Entrance Exam & Personal Interview |
Note: The fee mentioned in the table above is an estimate which may change from one year to another at the discretion of the respective authority.
Perks of Choosing the Best Design Colleges Apart from NID & NIFT
Even if a design institution is not NID or NIFT, there could still be significant benefits to attending. Indeed, the primary benefit of attending a private college or institute is that admissions are typically smoother. The competitiveness is not as fierce as it is for NID and NIFT, even though many of them run their own entrance exams. However, this is not predictive of the calibre of education they offer but the reason for this is that every major city has a large number of private institutions. Add a couple more reputable universities to your list as you start preparing for the NID or NIFT. Think about prominent regional and private design-based educational institutions. Apply to as many universities and other colleges as you can while keeping track of their entrance examinations, important deadlines and admissions processes.
Many universities place a strong emphasis on the personal growth of each candidate, helping them hone their skills and discover the aesthetics of design. These universities give you more options for the courses you want to attend. For aspirants who have an inkling of which discipline they want to focus on, this is undoubtedly a good option. Numerous of these institutions provide more general courses that concentrate on other facets of design. Students can also choose the field they want to pursue by taking academic programmes that provide them with training and practical experience.
Region-wise List of Best Design Colleges Apart from NID and NIFT
Distributed below are a few good design colleges in India besides NID and NIFT, based on the region of the college. Choose the preferred location and click on the links below to explore the list of good colleges besides NID and NIFT for design admission.
These were some of the good colleges apart from NID and NIFT for design admissions. Candidates willing to be admitted to any of these institutes may check out the list of Private Design Colleges in India Offering Scholarships. It would help them in making a well-informed decision. They may also visit the Self-Study Guide for Design Entrance Exams to prepare well and get admission to the desired college.
Do you have more questions? Drop them in the QnA Zone and get them addressed by our experts! You can also dial 1800-572-9877 (toll-free) or fill out the Common Application Form to get personalized admission assistance from the admission counsellors. Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more information on Design Admissions!
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FAQs
Are there any design colleges that offer online or part-time programs?
Yes! There are a few design colleges in India that provide online or part-time programs. You can explore institutions like Amity University or JD Institute of Fashion Technology. However, the range of choices might be somewhat restricted compared to full-time programs.
Can I get into a good design college without NID DAT or NIFT exam scores?
Yes! A lot of design schools take more into account than just your scores on exams like NID DAT or NIFT. They also check out your portfolio, might have their own design tests, do personal interviews, and review your academic history.
What are the placement opportunities for graduates from design colleges apart from NID & NIFT?
Graduates who have graduated from the best design colleges apart from NID & NIFT, as mentioned in this article, have a variety of career paths awaiting them. They can explore opportunities in design studios, consultancies, advertising agencies, product design firms, UX/UI companies, animation studios, and fashion brands. Additionally, startups, e-commerce ventures, and in-house design departments within corporations actively seek out these graduates for their skills and creativity.
How do I shortlist design colleges based on my interests and budget?
- Discover Your Passion: Take time to figure out what type of design excites you the most, whether it's graphic design, product design, or something else.
- Research College Programs: Look into various colleges and their design programs. Make sure to choose ones that offer courses related to your interests.
- Evaluate Faculty and Facilities: Check out the qualifications and experience of the faculty members. Also, consider the facilities such as labs and studios available for students, ensuring they meet your needs and goals.
- Budget and Scholarships: Compare the tuition fees of different colleges and see if there are any scholarships available. This will help you find an affordable option that fits your financial situation.
What factors should I consider when choosing a design college?
- Programs available: Choose ones that match your design interests, whether it's graphic design, product design, or others.
- Faculty Experience: Seek out professors who have both teaching experience and connections in the industry.
- Curriculum: Find a program that strikes a good balance between teaching theory and hands-on skills, with a focus on building your portfolio.
- Job Placement: Look into the track record of graduates from the program and how successful they've been in finding design jobs.
- Cost and Financial Aid: Consider the tuition fees and explore scholarship and financial aid options that might be available to you.
- Location and Campus Environment: Think about where you want to study and what kind of campus culture you thrive in.
- Industry Connections: Check if the program offers internships and brings in guest speakers from the design industry to give you real-world insights.
Are there specific portfolio requirements for admissions to top design colleges other than NID and NIFT?
Aside from NID and NIFT, popular design universities frequently have portfolio requirements for admission. Since these criteria may differ, it is important to review the guidelines provided by each college. Portfolios often highlight a candidate's artistic abilities, originality, and design initiatives, and they play an important role in the admissions screening process.
What is the placement scenario for design graduates from colleges apart from NID and NIFT?
Other than NID and NIFT, the placement scenario for design graduates varies, affected by factors such as the institution's reputation, industry ties, and individual student portfolios. To learn more about the potential employment outcomes for design graduates, look into specific universities' placement histories, industry collaborations, and alumni success stories.
How are the faculty and infrastructure at these design colleges compared to NID and NIFT?
These design colleges' faculty and infrastructure are typically thought to be of excellent quality, equivalent to NID and NIFT. However, there may be some diversity in each college's specific strengths. Srishti School of Art, Design, and Technology, for example, is well-known for its emphasis on creativity and invention, whereas IIT Institute of Design is well-known for its rigorous academic programmes. Overall, these universities are excellent choices for those interested in pursuing a design profession.
Do these colleges apart from NID and NIFT offer scholarships for design students, and what are the criteria?
Yes, most reputable design institutes in India provide scholarships to students seeking design degrees. These scholarships are typically given based on merit, financial need, or a combination of the two. Scholarship criteria vary by every college, but they often include variables such as academic excellence, extracurricular activity, and financial need.
Which entrance exams are conducted for admission to a good design college besides NID & NIFT?
Apart from NID and NIFT, various design colleges conduct entrance exams for admission. Some notable ones include the Common Entrance Examination for Design (CEED), Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design (UCEED), MIT Institute of Design DAT, and National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exams.