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B.Arch vs B.Des: What is the Difference Between Them?

B.Arch vs B.Des: What is the Difference Between Them?

Ongoing Event

NID DAT Application Date:11 Sep' 25 - 01 Dec' 25

#NID DAT
Rajyalaxmi VenkatapuramUpdated on 28 Apr 2025, 05:44 PM IST

Aspirants all over the country who want to pursue design courses are baffled between BDes Vs BArch courses. For a newbie, it is often perplexing to choose the right course between BDes and BArch. Sometimes Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is considered co-equal to a Bachelor of Design (B.Des). This is because interior design is the common specialization in both BDes and BArch. Know more about the differences in B.Des vs B.Arch from this article.

This Story also Contains

  1. Difference between B.Arch and B.Design
  2. B.Arch vs B.Design: Syllabus
  3. B.Arch vs B.Design: Quick Fact
  4. Top B.Des Colleges in India
  5. Top B.Arch Colleges in India
  6. Difference between B.Des and BArch
B.Arch vs B.Des: What is the Difference Between Them?
B.Des vs B.Arch

Difference between B.Arch and B.Design

  • Architecture is technical and involves the designing and construction of a building. Bachelor of Architecture is a 5-years undergraduate course designed to produce professional architecture.
  • Bachelor of Design in Architecture popularly known as BDes Architecture is a four-year design programme offering multiple specialisations programmes such as fashion design, product design, and graphic design.

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B.Arch vs B.Design: Syllabus

The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is a 5-year professional programme that covers subjects like Architecture Design, Types of Structures, Building Construction, and Architectural Appreciation. The course curriculum is divided into two stages: Stage I (Years 1, 2 and 3) and Stage II (Years 4 and 5). Stage I includes foundation and exploration subjects, while Stage II includes practical training, in-depth synthesis, and ideation studies. The syllabus for a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programme can vary from one university to other B.Arch equivalent courses, but here's a general overview of the topics typically covered in a B.Arch curriculum:

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Semester 1:

  • Architectural Design - Basic Design Principles
  • Building Materials and Construction - Introduction
  • Architectural Drawing - Freehand and Drafting
  • History of Architecture - Ancient and Classical Architecture
  • Architectural Communication - Visual and Verbal Communication

Semester 2:

  • Architectural Design - Concept Development
  • Building Materials and Construction - Properties of Materials
  • Architectural Drawing - Orthographic and Perspective Drawings
  • History of Architecture - Medieval and Renaissance Architecture
  • Architectural Communication - Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

Semester 3:

  • Architectural Design - Spatial Design
  • Building Materials and Construction - Construction Techniques
  • Building Science - Environmental Science and Services
  • Structures - Introduction to Structural Design
  • Surveying - Basics of Land Surveying

Semester 4:

  • Architectural Design - Urban Design Concepts
  • Building Materials and Construction - Advanced Construction Techniques
  • Structures - Structural Analysis
  • Architectural Acoustics - Basics of Sound and Acoustics
  • Architectural History - Modern Architecture

Semester 5:

  • Architectural Design - Design Development
  • Structures - Reinforced Concrete Design
  • Building Services - Electrical and Plumbing Systems
  • Architectural Conservation - Heritage Preservation
  • Professional Practice - Codes and Ethics in Architecture

Semester 6:

  • Architectural Design - Comprehensive Design Project
  • Structures - Steel Design
  • Building Services - HVAC Systems
  • Landscape Architecture - Principles of Landscape Design
  • Urban Planning - Introduction to Urban Planning

Semester 7:

  • Architectural Design - Urban Regeneration
  • Interior Design - Principles of Interior Design
  • Construction Management - Project Management
  • Architectural Theory - Contemporary Architectural Theories

Semester 8:

  • Architectural Design - Sustainable Design
  • Urban Design - Advanced Urban Design Principles
  • Professional Practice - Contracts and Legal Aspects
  • Elective Courses - Specializations or Research Projects

Syllabus of B.Des: The Bachelor of Design (B.Des) is a 4-year undergraduate program that focuses on enhancing imaginative creativity and technical skills. The B Design in Architecture includes subjects like Design Sketching, Ergonomics, Creative Narration, Product Design, Technical Design Drawing, etc. along with specialized knowledge about Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Textile Design, and Fashion Communication. The syllabus for a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) program can vary significantly based on the university, specialization, and focus areas. However, here's a general overview of the topics typically covered in a B.Des curriculum:

Electrical and electronic studies in design

Introduction to design

Material studies in design

Elements of design

Design sketching

Communication studies in design

Technical design drawing

Rendering and illustration

Fundamentals of computing in design

Principles of design

Design project - 1

Physical ergonomics

Architectural Studies in Design-I

Applied mechanics for design

Communication Studies in Design-II

Model making and hand tools workshop

Surface Modelling in Computer-Aided Vision

Universal Human Values and Professional Ethics

Design documentation

Design management

Simple product design

Cyber security

Design Management-I

Consumer Psychology

Solid modelling in computer-aided design

English Language and Technical Writing

Environmental science

Design Project-II, Display and Control Design

Design project-III

Business communication

Creative narration-I

Quantitative research

Design research and methodology-I

Connectivity and mobility

Architectural studies-II

Software user interface design

Design workshop

Material and processes in Design-II

Professional practice in design

Design project - IV

Materials and Processes in Design-I

Unconventional manufacturing

Applied Statistics and Infographics

Control system in the design

Design Research and Methodology II

Product Branding and Identity

Design degree project

Production planning

Industrial training

Design documentation-II

Design project - V

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B.Arch vs B.Design: Quick Fact

The overview of B.Des and B.Arch courses is provided in the table below. Aspirants are required to understand how they both vary at every level to know the detailed difference between BDes and BArch.

Parameter

Details of B.Arch

Details of B.Des

Name of the Course

Bachelor of Architecture

Bachelor of Design

Level of the Course

Undergraduate

Undergraduate

Field

Architecture

Design

Duration

5 years

4 years

Eligibility Criteria

  • Candidates must pass the class 10+2 exam.
  • Mathematics must be a compulsory subject at the 10 + 2 level.
  • Candidates must at least secure a 50 per cent aggregate mark in the qualifying exam.
  • Candidates who have completed their education in the 10 + 3 with a Diploma in any stream that is recognized by the Central or State Government can also apply. They must secure a 50 per cent aggregate mark.
  • Candidates who have completed their International Baccalaureate Diploma after 10 years of schooling can apply for the BArch course, however, they must secure at least an aggregate of 50 per cent and with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.
  • Candidates must complete the class 10+2 exam.
  • Candidates must pass the 10+2 exam from a recognized Central or State board of education.
  • The aggregate marks scored by the student in class 10+ 2 exams should be at least 50 per cent.
  • Students from any stream and discipline can apply for admission to the BDes course.

Accepted Exam

  • NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture)
  • JEE Main (Joint Entrance Examination) Paper 2
  • UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design)
  • NID DAT (National Institute of Design Entrance Exam)
  • AIEED (All India Entrance Examination for Design)
  • SEED (Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design)
  • FDDI AIST (Footwear Design and Development Institute All India Selection Test)

Admission Process

  • Architecture Entrance Exams
  • Direct Admission
  • Aptitude test followed by interview round
  • Design Entrance Exams
  • Direct Admission
  • Aptitude test followed by interview round

Course Fee

Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 4,00,000 per annum

Rs. 1,00,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 per annum

Popular Specialisations

  • Architectural Design
  • Building Information Modeling
  • Art and Design
  • Building Technology
  • Community Design
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Environment/Sustainability

Career Prospects after B.Arch

Aspirants can also opt for higher studies after B.Arch in fields like M.Arch, Master of Urban Design (M.Des), Masters in Project Management or M.Planning. After completing a B.Arch degree, candidates can pursue a career as

Architect

Architectural Assistant

Project Assistant Manager

Architecture Designer

Architectural Historian/Journalist,

Architecture Engineer

Building Contractor

Interior Designer or Landscape Architect

Architectural Historian

Art Director

Urban Planner

Project Assistant

Construction contractor

Project manager

Landscape architect

Design Architect

Career Prospects after B.Des

After completing a B.Des degree, candidates can pursue a career as:

Fashion designerGraphic designer
Illustrator

Costume Designer or Textile Designer

Design bloggerArt/Set Director
MerchandiserFabric quality controller
Product designerGraphic designer
Entrepreneur or Design ManagerWeb designer

Browse Top Fashion Design Colleges by Location

Also check:

Recommended eBooks

Related eBooks & Sample Papers

Top B.Des Colleges in India

Aspirants can procure BDes courses from the top design institute in India. Some of the top B.Des colleges in India are as follows.

National Institute of Design, AhmedabadMIT Institute of Design, Pune
Indian Institute of Technology- Bombay, Kanpur, Guwahati, HyderabadIndian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Footwear Design and Development InstituteIndian Institute of Crafts and Design
Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, BangaloreSymbiosis Institute of Design
National Institute of Fashion TechnologyPearl Academy
Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Jabalpur

School of Design, University of Petroleum and Energies Studies, Dehradun

Top B.Arch Colleges in India

The following list of colleges is the top BArch colleges as per the NIRF ranking. Check the complete list of top BArch colleges in India from the table below.

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

National Institute of Technology Calicut

School of Planning and Architecture Delhi

Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur

School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal

National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli

School of Planning and Architecture Vijayawada

Difference between B.Des and BArch

Aspirants can check the key difference between BDes and BArch which is given below.

  • B.Arch is a technical course while B.Des is more into creative programmes.
  • In the BArch course, Mathematics is a compulsory subject. Students have to study a major portion of Mathematics as a subject. Whereas in B.Des Mathematics is not required. It is advisable for students to avoid pursuing a BArch course if they are weak in Mathematics.
  • B.Des course has multiple specialisation programmes. The range of BDes specialization programmes is vast.
  • The job roles after a degree in Bachelor of Design are usually office roles. However, B.Arch graduate students have to generally work at construction sites with the active involvement of engineers.
  • B.Arch course focuses on the study of the construction of buildings and large structures with environmentally friendly. Whereas BDes courses focus on designing parts. It can be designing a house, a clothing line, footwear, a product.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the accepted entrance exam for pursuing BArch course?
A:

Candidates can obtain admission in BArch course through NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) and JEE Main (Joint Entrance Examination) Paper 2.

Q: What is the minimum educational qualification required for BDes courses?
A:

Candidates must pass their 10+2 exam with at least 50 percent aggregate marks from a  recognised Central or State board of education.

Q: What is BDes?
A:

Bachelor of Design popularly known as BDes is a four year undergraduate design course offering multiple specializations programmes.

Q: What is BArch?
A:

Bachelor of Architecture is a 5-years undergraduate course designed to produce a professional architecture.

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Questions related to NID DAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to NID DAT ?
My son secured 563 Rank in NID DAT EXAM in 2025 but he could not have got Required Marks for NID College.Can he get addmission in good designing Colleges.Plz suggest colleges name

Hi daksh

As 563 rank in nid dat exam cannot guarantee admission in designing college but it could be a good chance to explore some campus as if you are not from general category as category role plays an important role . But now you can do one thing focus on your strengthening your protofile or preparing for the studio test (bdes) or interview (mdes).

Thanks.

Read Complete Answer
S
Sarishti bhagi
10 Apr'25
Do ipu accept nid DAT prelims score for bdes program

No, IPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) does not accept NID DAT Prelims score for admission to the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) program.

Instead, IPU conducts its own entrance test or may consider CUET (UG) scores for B.Des admissions, depending on the latest admission guidelines. Always refer to the university's official prospectus for the year you're applying to for the final admission criteria.

NIT DAT (https://www.shiksha.com/design/articles/nid-admissions-2025-colleges-accepting-nid-entrance-exam-scores-for-bdes-mdes-courses-blogId-13097)

Read Complete Answer
R
Rubina Naseer
4 Apr'25
is this possible that i will be able to prepare for the nid dat 2025 exam by my own. which is going to conducted on January 5th ? is there is any hope because time is very less.

Hello,

Yes, it's possible to prepare for the NID DAT 2025 exam on your own, even with limited time, by following these steps:

  1. Understand the Syllabus : Focus on key areas like design principles, creativity, visualization, and observation skills.
  2. Solve Previous Papers : Practice with past NID DAT papers to understand question types and patterns.
  3. Time Management : Dedicate daily hours to sketching, problem-solving, and revision.
  4. Strengthen Drawing Skills : Practice daily to improve speed and accuracy.
  5. Use Online Resources : Utilize free tutorials, sample papers, and design blogs.
  6. Mock Tests : Take regular mock exams to assess progress and manage time efficiently.

Hope it helps !

Read Complete Answer
P
Prachi Kumari
23 Oct'24
Free classes for nid dat, uceed and nift

Hello,

There are numerous websites which give free study material and classes to prepare for entrance exams NID DAT, UCEED, or NIFT. Here are a few popular ones:

YouTube: YouTube has many educators as well as institutes, which have been uploading free video lectures on important topics, on aptitude for design, and how to give these exams. Useful content can be found in the channels "Design Coach" and "NID Preparation".

You can download free courses offered on websites like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy on the topics of design principles, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Official Websites: Both NID and UCEED and also NIFT would usually release sample papers and previous question papers for self-preparation.

Study Groups: One can join online forums or social media groups which are dedicated to NID, UCEED, and NIFT preparation for peer-to-peer learning assistance.

The resource utilization would bring in good preparation for the exams and, therefore, increase in confidence.

Read Complete Answer
D
Deepti Singh
7 Oct'24
where should i start to prepare for nift

Hello,

Preparing for the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam involves focusing on several key areas. Here’s a structured approach to get you started:

1. Understand the Exam Structure

Familiarize yourself with the NIFT entrance exam format:

  • General Ability Test (GAT): Tests general knowledge, current affairs, and quantitative ability.
  • Creative Ability Test (CAT): Assesses your creative and visual ability through sketching and design-based questions.
  • Situation Test (for B.Des): Evaluates your ability to create a design from given materials.
  • Group Discussion and Personal Interview (for M.Des/MFM): Tests your communication skills, understanding of the fashion industry, and design knowledge.

2. Gather Study Materials

  • For GAT: Use general knowledge books, current affairs magazines, and quantitative aptitude guides.
  • For CAT: Practice sketching and drawing regularly. Books on design and creativity can be useful.
  • For Situation Test: Practice creating models from various materials and understanding design principles.
  • For GD/PI: Prepare by staying updated on fashion trends, industry news, and developing a strong portfolio.

3. Create a Study Plan

  • Daily Study: Allocate time for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Weekly Goals: Set goals for completing practice papers and revising key concepts.
  • Mock Tests: Regularly take mock tests to simulate the exam environment and improve time management.

4. Enroll in Coaching Classes (if needed)

Consider joining a coaching institute that specializes in NIFT preparation. They can provide structured guidance, practice tests, and expert feedback.

5. Work on Your Portfolio

If you’re applying for design courses, develop a strong portfolio showcasing your creative work. Include sketches, designs, and any relevant projects.

6. Refer to Previous Years’ Papers

Solving past years' question papers helps you understand the exam pattern and types of questions. It also aids in identifying important topics.

7. Stay Updated

  • Follow fashion industry news to stay informed about trends and innovations.
  • Read relevant books and articles about design and fashion.

8. Practice Creativity

Engage in activities that boost your creativity, such as drawing, painting, or crafting. Keep experimenting with new ideas and techniques.

By focusing on these areas, you'll build a solid foundation for the NIFT entrance exam. Good luck with your preparation!

You can also refer to the following articles to better understand the NIFT examination and its preperation strategy :-

1. https://design.careers360.com/articles/how-prepare-for-nift-entrance-exam

2. https://design.careers360.com/exams/nift-entrance-exam


Hope it helps !

Read Complete Answer
P
Prachi Kumari
11 Aug'24
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