- The Royal College of Art ranks number one worldwide for art and design for the 12th consecutive year in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with University of the Arts London in second place
- In India, the National Institute of Design conducts the Design Aptitude Test and NIFT runs its own entrance test for design admissions.
What Is a Designing Course?
A designing course trains students to become professional designers across fields such as fashion, interior, graphic, web, textile, jewellery, industrial and product design. Offered as diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and certificate programmes, these job-oriented courses accept students from any academic stream, provided they have the relevant creativity, skills and aptitude for design.
Designing is a career or stream that a student can pursue in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to become a designer. These are job-oriented courses that help students build employable skills, and they are available at diploma, graduate, postgraduate and certificate levels.
Design is an extremely popular field among students today. A student from any educational background can pursue a career in design, as there is no special subject requirement. Candidates only need the relevant skills and aptitude, so students from any stream can choose a course in designing.
There are many designing courses a candidate can choose during graduation, post-graduation or a doctorate, with a wide range of specialisations such as fashion design, interior design, graphic design, web design, textile design, apparel design, jewellery design, industrial design, product design and furniture design.
Best Courses After 12thRead →What Are the UG Design Courses?
Students who have completed Class 10+2 from a recognised board and meet the minimum eligibility criteria can apply for undergraduate design courses. The stream studied in school does not matter, so candidates from arts, science or commerce backgrounds can pursue a Bachelor of Design in any specialisation they choose after clearing the relevant entrance test.
Undergraduate design programmes typically run for three to four years and combine studio practice with design theory. Because there is no compulsory subject requirement at the 10+2 level, admission depends mainly on eligibility and performance in a design aptitude entrance test rather than on a particular academic background.
Study in the UKRead →What Are the PG Design Courses?
To join a postgraduate design course, students must have completed a bachelor's degree from a recognised institute or college and satisfy the programme's minimum qualifying criteria. Many colleges prefer applicants who studied design at undergraduate level, though a Master of Design usually welcomes graduates from related creative and technical disciplines as well.
Postgraduate design courses allow students to specialise deeply in a chosen area and often include research, industry projects and a portfolio component. A recognised bachelor's degree and a qualifying entrance score are the usual requirements, with some institutes giving preference to candidates who already hold a design qualification.
Study in the USARead →Which Entrance Exams Are Needed for Design Courses?
Three entrance exams dominate design admissions in India. The National Institute of Design conducts the Design Aptitude Test (NID-DAT), the Arch College runs the All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED), and the National Institute of Fashion Technology holds its own NIFT entrance test for its design and technology programmes.
National Institute of Design - Design Aptitude Test (NID-DAT)
The National Institute of Design conducts the Design Aptitude Test for admission to its Bachelor of Design and Master of Design programmes across NID campuses. The test screens candidates through a prelims and mains stage, covering specialisations such as animation film design, apparel design, digital game design, furniture design, interior design and transportation design.
All India Entrance Examination for Design (AIEED)
The All India Entrance Examination for Design is an online test conducted by the Arch College of Design and Business, which is affiliated to the University of Rajasthan. It admits students to programmes including the Bachelor of Design in fashion, interior and jewellery design, and the Bachelor of Visual Arts and applied arts courses offered by participating colleges.
NIFT Entrance Test
The NIFT entrance test is held by the National Institute of Fashion Technology to grant admission to its design and technology colleges across India. It admits students to Bachelor of Design programmes in fashion, leather and accessory design, as well as the Bachelor of Fashion Technology, alongside postgraduate Master of Design and management courses.
Which Are the Top Universities for Designing?
Globally respected design schools include the Royal College of Art, ranked number one worldwide for art and design in QS 2026, and University of the Arts London in second place. Parsons School of Design in New York, Rhode Island School of Design and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology also rank among the very best.
Royal College of Art
Founded in 1837, the Royal College of Art is the world's oldest art and design university and is heading towards its 200th anniversary in 2037. It has been ranked the number one university for art and design for the 12th consecutive year in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with a score of 98.5.
University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London ranks second in the world for art and design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, behind only the Royal College of Art. Home to around 22,000 students across six specialist colleges, UAL adopted its current name in 2004 and is renowned for arts, design, fashion, communication and media education.
Parsons School of Design at The New School
Parsons School of Design, part of The New School in New York City, helps students build the skills and knowledge to succeed in a rapidly changing society. Students collaborate with peers, industry partners and communities worldwide in one of the great global centres of art, design and business, developing strong critical thinking skills.
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Founded in 1877, the Rhode Island School of Design is one of the oldest art and design colleges in the United States and enrols roughly 2,577 students from around the world. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, between the cultural centres of Boston and New York, RISD was established alongside the RISD Museum of Art.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, United States, is one of the world's leading private universities and ranks among the top institutions for art and design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Its Media Lab and design-focused programmes attract students interested in technology-driven and interdisciplinary design.