List of Top 10 Design Colleges in India 2024: Features, Courses, Fees

List of Top 10 Design Colleges in India 2024: Be it fashion, interior, graphics, or product designing, design institutes in India have introduced a plethora of choices that fall under the umbrella of Design. To name a few, design schools like NID, NIFT, IIT, UID, Amity, Pearl Academy, Srishti Institute of Art and Design, etc. are some of the best design colleges in India. For design aspirants, this article will be the first step in moulding their careers as it discusses the top 10 design colleges in India, the courses offered, and the fee structure.

Design education is becoming steadily important these days! Those enrolled in the design program graduate with the aptitudes, skills, and knowledge needed to use their imaginative concepts to transform the way the world looks and works. There is no denying that humans are naturally good designers, and design education instructs pupils on how to approach challenges in innovative ways. Managers and designers in a range of disciplines, such as textile design, video game creation, film production, and fashion design, have been trained by the best design colleges in India.

The best design colleges in India have experienced professors with field-specific expertise who can guide students to channel their creative energy and talent into designing awe-inspiring pieces. This allows them to explore, experiment, and focus on their preferred areas of study. From basic to advanced, students can enrol in different types of courses at the undergraduate, graduate, or doctorate level in a range of specific fields. These study programmes are open to all who have an interest in Arts, a knack for creative thinking, and designing talent. The following is a discussion about the 10 top design colleges in India​​​​​​.

Also Read: 10 Best Design Courses in India 2024

List of Top 10 Design Colleges in India: Courses & Fees

Check out the 2024 rankings of best design colleges in India IIRF ranking 2024 below with its popular courses and average fees. 

Note: The approximate course fee for the above-mentioned 10 best design colleges in India is subject to change at the authority’s discretion.

Top Design Colleges in India: Branches and Specialisations Offered

The goal of design is to make the objects around you more appealing, and design is necessary in every area of life. It can therefore not be covered in a single academic program, and to address this, it is further broken down into several branches and areas of specialisation. The best design colleges in India provide a wide range of design specialities and branches, some of which are listed in the following table.

Best Design Institutes in India NIRF Ranking 2024

Education Post offers an open-minded technique for ranking institutes called the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) rankings. To guarantee an unbiased and precise assessment, the ranking is determined by seven distinct factors, including both internal and external validation. In general, the IIRF 2024 rankings of the best design colleges in India do not shift; that is, they are nearly comparable to those from the previous year. Once again, NID Ahmedabad is ranked highest, followed by NID Bengaluru, IIT Delhi, and so forth.

The foundation graduates need to further their studies and seek a lucrative profession in the intriguing field of design is provided by these top design colleges in India. These well-liked design courses educate aspirants on basic concepts and how their comprehension may be implemented in different businesses. Let us take a closer look at the best design colleges in India and what they have to offer prospective students below.  

#1 National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

Established in 1961, the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad is known as one of the top design colleges in India. Students need to qualify for the NID DAT entrance exam to get admission to the institute. The test is organised across the 12 exam centres in India. Any student who has qualified for the class 12th exam from CBSE or any other recognised board is eligible to apply for undergraduate courses. A candidate with a bachelor’s degree of three or four-year duration in any discipline or a full-time diploma for at least four years in Design/Fine Arts/Architecture/Applied Arts can apply for a postgraduate course.

The institute also has an active placement cell that arranges the interface between industry and the college every year. This arrangement leads to a great placement record every year, making NID Ahmedabad one of the top 10 design colleges in India. Furthermore, some popular companies like Adidas, Adobe, Microsoft, and Oracle visit the institution and hire deserving candidates.

Top Courses Offered by NID Ahmedabad

Here are some of the top design courses offered at one of the best design colleges in India, NID Ahmedabad:

#2 National Institute of Design (NID), Bengaluru

NID Bengaluru, also referred to as the National Institute of Design (NID) R&D campus, was founded in 2006 in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Ministry of Information Technology of the Government of India. Design for Digital Experience and Design for Retail Experience were the only two research-intensive master's degrees that NID Bengaluru initially offered. At present, it is one of the best design colleges in India that provides students with five post-graduate degrees.

The Knowledge Management Centre (KMC) at the National Institute of Design offers print, digital, and audio-visual resources. It offers the widest selection of international books, journals, and other non-book materials. Being one of the top design colleges in India, NID Bangalore has a large campus, a library, a cafeteria, classrooms, design studios, an auditorium, and more.

Top Courses Offered by NID Bengaluru

Being on the list of the 10 best design colleges in India, the NID campus in Bangalore provides two-year research and development programs in various fields. Here are the programs available:

• Design for Retail Experience 

• Digital Game Design 

• Information Design 

• Interaction Design 

• Universal Design

#3 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi

Originally called the College of Engineering in Delhi when it was founded in 1961, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (also known as IIT Delhi) was renamed when it was designated as an "Institution of National Importance". After this, it ranked among the best design colleges in India and hence was bestowed with the Deemed University status. The NIRF Rankings 2024 place IIT Delhi in the second and third places, respectively, for the engineering and overall categories, making it one of the 10 top design colleges in India. Internationally, IIT Delhi is ranked 197th by the QS World Rankings 2024 in the Global University category.

Of the 19 Centres of Excellence that make up IITD, four were established by IIT Delhi, eight are sponsored by the industry, and seven are financed by sponsored projects. As per the latest update, IIT Delhi is expanding its reach by establishing two extension campuses: one in Sonepat and the other scheduled to open in Haryana, Jhajjar, shortly.

Top Courses Offered by IIT New Delhi

At the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), you can dive into the world of design through various programs offered by the Department of Design. Check out the options available:

• Bachelor of Design (BDes): Explore the realms of design in this four-year immersive program. This course offers a holistic design education, covering a wide array of design disciplines like product design, interaction design, and communication design.

• Master of Design (MDes): Delve deeper into your passion for design with this two-year program. Tailored for those aiming to specialise, the M.Des program offers diverse specializations including Industrial Design, Visual Communication, and Interaction Design.

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Embark on a research journey with this program for those inclined towards in-depth exploration in a specific design field. Conduct groundbreaking research and contribute to the advancement of design knowledge.

#4 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai

The first public institution to be founded with support from UNESCO is the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, usually referred to as IIT Bombay or IIT Mumbai, which is one of the best design colleges in India. Established in the year 1958, it was then Designated as one of the institutes of national importance by the Indian Parliament in 1961. It has also been granted autonomy and been Designated as a 'Deemed University'.

Being one of the top design colleges in India with a sixty-year history, the IITB campus now houses 15 academic departments, 34 centres, 17 departments, and three schools. At the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, it offers more than 60 courses in the science, engineering, and management streams.

Top Courses Offered by IIT Mumbai

Among the 10 best design colleges in India, IIT Bombay's Industrial Design Centre (IDC) presents a range of design courses. These programs are detailed below, as found on their official website:

• Bachelor of Design (BDes): This four-year undergraduate program introduces students to design thinking fundamentals and enables specialisation in diverse design fields.

• Master of Design (MDes): A two-year postgraduate program offered in five specializations: 

  • Industrial Design

  • Visual Communication

  • Animation Design

  • Interaction Design

  • Mobility and Vehicle Design.

• PhD in Design: This research program emphasises both theoretical and applied design research.

#5 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati

Located in Guwahati, the sixth Indian Institute of Technology, or IIT, was founded in 1994 by the Indian government. North East India's first research park is situated at IIT Guwahati, Assam, on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. As with the other IITs, IIT Guwahati is an Institute of Importance and also one of the best design colleges in India.

Intending to foster staff and student exchange programmes, expanding possibilities for overseas internships, collaborating on conferences, and holding seminars, IIT Guwahati has inked Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with a wide range of national and international institutions. Additionally, there are five academic and five extramural centres at IIT Guwahati.

Top Courses Offered by IIT Guwahati

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate design courses. Here’s a list of the top design courses:

Also Read: How to Choose a Design Institute?

#6 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur

An extremely esteemed institution and one of the 10 top design colleges in India founded by the government is the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, which dates back to 1959. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate courses in five major domains.

IIT Kanpur collaborates or has partnerships with most of the top research and academic institutions in the world, including Deakin University, Imperial College of London, Melbourne School of Engineering, and so forth. Being one of the best design colleges in India, scholarships are another benefit that IIT Kanpur provides to deserving students.

Top Courses Offered by IIT Kanpur

As one of the best design colleges in India, the IIT Kanpur offers an array of postgraduate design courses waiting for eager minds:

• Master of Design (MDes): This program is tailored to draw in students from various fields, especially those brimming with creativity and intellect.

• Dual Degree MDes: Here, bachelor's students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to delve into the area of design and nurture their expertise.

• PhD in Design: For graduates seeking to carve their paths in different research arenas within the design field, IIT Kanpur provides ample opportunities to flourish.

#7 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad

Founded in 2008 alongside seven other IITs, the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, or IITH, is a second-generation IIT that ranks among the top design colleges in India. IIT Hyderabad is a government institution that was founded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. It provides a range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programmes in subjects like science and liberal arts, engineering, Design and management.

To cooperate with businesses and academic institutions on both a national and international level, IITH has inked several MoUs. Additionally, ST/SC and merit-cum-means scholarships are the two categories of institutional scholarships that IITH grants. 

Top Courses Offered by IIT Hyderabad

IITH is among the top 10 design colleges in India and offers the following design courses:

• Bachelor of Design (BDes): This is a full-time undergraduate program aimed at giving students a solid grounding in design thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. 

• Master of Design (MDes): This is a two-year full-time postgraduate program that offers students a more focused education in design. The M.Des program allows students to specialise in three areas: Visual Design, Product Design, and Interaction Design.

#8 National Institute of Design (NID), Kurukshetra

Known by another name, NID Kurukshetra, NID Haryana was founded in 2016 by the Indian government's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Information Technology, and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Offering three specialisations: Communication Design, Industrial Design, and Textile and Apparel Design, NID Haryana, an autonomous institute, offers a Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD). Being one of the 10 best design colleges in India, NID Haryana uses an industrial and field-based learning approach to its GDPD course teaching process.

The college collaborates both domestically and internationally with institutions and organisations such as the King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT Thailand), the MSME Technology Centre in Rohtak, IIT Roorkee, the National Backward Classes Finance Development Corporation, and Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem.

Top Courses Offered by NID Kurukshetra

The Design Graduate Diploma Program (GDPD) delivers a robust Foundation Program spanning two semesters. This is then followed by six semesters dedicated to specialised studies in one of three faculties:

• Industrial Design 

• Communication Design Textile 

• Apparel Design 

#9 National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi

Established in the year 1986, NIFT Delhi originally began with just one fashion Design course. With time the institute gained popularity and became one of the best design colleges in India. The institute is associated with the Ministry of Textiles and the Government of India. It was also ranked number 17 among the top fashion institutes in the world. 

The institute offers BDes and MDes courses which are hugely popular amongst students. NIFT Delhi has an amazing placement record and is also one of the major reasons why it is one of the top design colleges in India.

Top Courses Offered by NIFT New Delhi

Here is a list of all the design courses offered at NIFT, New Delhi as per their official website:

• Bachelor of Design (B.Des) in:

  • Fashion Design

  • Leather Design

  • Accessory Design

  • Textile Design

  • Knitwear Design

  • Fashion Communication

• Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.F.Tech) in Apparel Production

• Master of Design (M.Des) with 14 different specializations

#10 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Jabalpur

Established in 2005, IIITDM Jabalpur is the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, which presently stands as one of the best design colleges in India. Under the IIIT Act, IIITDM Jabalpur was Designated as an Institute of National Importance. Within India's engineering institutions, this institute was placed 75th by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Furthermore, one of the BTech specialisations offered by IIITDM Jabalpur is Smart Manufacturing.

Engineering and architecture, animation and Design, and sciences are among the various disciplines in which the courses are provided by the institution. These include BDes, MDes, PhD, ME/MTech, and BE/BTech. Being one of the top design colleges in India, it provides placement opportunities and other necessary amenities to students depending upon their needs while on campus.

Top Courses Offered by IIIT Jabalpur

The BDes program spans four years, offering a comprehensive approach to design education. Its goal is to nurture well-rounded designers equipped with a strong foundation, prepared to explore various design domains, such as:

• Product Design

• Communication Design

• Space Design

• Interaction Design

• Service Design

List of Best Design Colleges in India 2024: Top 10 Private Institutions

Now that we have discussed the government-run best top design colleges in India, let us check out some top-ranking private design colleges as per the IIRF ranking 2024. Here is a list of the 10 private best design colleges in India that guarantee quality education and exposure:

List of Semi-Government Best Design Colleges in India

The following table outlines some of the top design colleges in India along with their admission eligibility requirements and estimated total tuition fees:

List of Best Design Colleges in India 2024: Region-wise

Design is a creative field which requires students to have a knack for it. So, selecting a college out of the many best becomes significant for candidates who are about to start their academic journey in the design field. Clarity in selecting colleges and getting into the best design colleges in India will help candidates have a foot in the door in this already competitive field. So take the first step today to flourish with your artistic approach and creative talent!

Candidates applying for multiple top design colleges in the country often get confused about different colleges across the regions. So we have a region-wise list of best design colleges in India that you can check out as per your preference of location or region below:

Selecting a college for design studies can be a tricky task for students, especially those who have yet to begin their academic journey in the design field. This article is to help out these students and guide them in this journey. Undoubtedly, these best design colleges in India can give a great kick-start in your career in Design. So start preparing for the design entrance exams for either of these best design colleges in India and fulfil your dream of entering the design world. The field is open to exploration for designing aspirants with an artistic outlook and creative minds.

To get guidance for admission to any of the top design colleges in India, feel free to dial our toll-free number 1800-572-9877 or fill out the Common Application Form of CollegeDekho. An admission counsellor would be assigned to you to make the process hassle-free. In case of any concerns or queries, write to us in the QnA zone.