Design Degree Courses: 3 Roads To A Design Career; Eligibility Criteria, Admission

Design starts at home. A room’s decoration, accessorising outfits are common instances that come to mind when thinking of design. However, the stream is vast and its imprint can be found in interiors of any structure, jewellery, communication, products and more. Even the digital world requires graphic designers and website designers. Design permeates every part of our daily lives.

Over the past few years, design training has also grown at a furious pace. Where once there was just a handful of institutions, now the number of institutions offering broad degrees and specialisations in various aspects of design has multiplied. Even venerable technical institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) have set up design schools.

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While a bachelor’s in design – BDes – is most often associated with design training, there are other degrees, and a dizzying array of specialisations, on offer. Give below are some of the popular design disciplines and the degree programmes they are taught through.

Undergraduate Design Degrees

Undergraduate Design Degrees: Eligibility Criteria

The following are the best-known degree programmes for design.

Bachelor of Design (BDes)

It is an undergraduate design degree programme of four years offered by many top design institutes of India. Students interested in studying the technical and practical aspects of design courses can apply. The specialisations offered in the BDes programmes include fashion design, product design, industrial design, graphic design, fashion communication, etc.

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The broad eligibility criteria for BDes are given below:

• Candidates must have passed Class 12 exam in any stream from a recognised educational board. They can either get direct admission or through entrance exams.
• Applicants holding diplomas in design can pursue a BDes degree if they earned their diploma through courses recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

This is a three-year undergraduate programme, a BA. Candidates who have graduated Class 12 in any stream can take admission in this. Specialisations on offer in the BA design degree programmes include interior design, communication design, jewellery and accessory design and fashion design.

The eligibility criteria for BA degree in design are given below:

• Students must have graduated Class 12 from a recognised board
• Some colleges and universities admit on the basis of board exam scores, others through entrance tests

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

The BSc degree programme lasts three years. The eligibility criteria typically applicable to BSc design programmes are given below:

• Applicants need to have graduated Class 12 in any stream
• Some institutions require candidates to have secured a minimum of 50% to 60% marks
• In most institutions offering the BSc course, there’s no age limit
• For applicants from the reserved categories, minimum marks percentage and age limit are relaxed

Bachelor of Vocation (BVoc)

This is a three-year programme which focuses on skill development and makes students industry-ready. There are more than 100 disciplines for which the BVoc degree courses are available today. Some of the most popular design courses include BVoc in web design, fashion design, and jewellery and accessory design.

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The eligibility criteria for BVoc degree in design are given below:

• Candidates must have completed Class 12 with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks
• Some universities also prescribe additional eligibility criteria

Admission To UG Design Degree Programmes

Admission is usually via two modes - direct admission or through entrance test. For direct admission to design courses, candidates only need to meet the eligibility criteria and appear for other rounds (if required). Given below is the typical admission process for an undergraduate design degree programme:

• Visit the institute’s official website
• Check eligibility criteria for BDes, BA, BSc or BVoc
• If you meet the criteria, fill the UG design degree application form
• Appear for entrance examination where required
• Appear for other processes and rounds of selection if any
• Check the final merit list of the institute
• Appear for document verification and pay the admission fee to confirm admission

List Of Postgraduate Design Degrees

Design can be studied at a postgraduate (PG) level as well.

Given below are the most popular postgraduate design degrees and the areas of specialisation.

List Of PG Design Degrees

Postgraduate Design Degrees: Eligibility Criteria

There are three tracks into a PG design degree. The typical eligibility criteria for each are given below but they vary with the institution.

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Master Of Design (MDes)

This is a two-year postgraduate design degree programme. This helps applicants specialise in disciplines like Craft, Textiles, Publications, Media, Lifestyle Products, Graphics and User Experience Design. Candidates from any stream can opt for MDes courses but they should have a basic understanding of the relevant design stream in which they want to pursue the design PG degree.

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Must have a bachelor’s degree or diploma in design with at least 50% aggregate marks
• Architecture or Engineering graduates can also apply

Master Of Arts (MA)

This is a two-year postgraduate programme. Candidates who have completed their bachelor’s degree can take admission in this PG degree course. Design specialisations offered in the MA programmes are Fashion Design, Product Design and Graphic Design.

The eligibility criteria for the MA degree course are given below:

• Graduation from a recognized institution or university
• Some colleges, universities take admission to MA design degree programmes through an entrance exam

Master Of Science (MSc)

The duration of this degree course is two years.

The eligibility criteria for the MSc degree programme in design are given below:

• Graduation from a recognised university or institution
• Minimum aggregate score ranging from 50% to 60%
• There is no age-limit

Master Of Vocation (MVoc)

This is a two-year postgraduate degree programme which focuses on specialised industry and work skill sets. The degree offers a variety of career opportunities in sectors including apparel, interior design and more.

The eligibility criteria are given below:

• Undergraduate degree from any recognised university
• Minimum aggregate score ranging from 50% to 60% in graduation
• Candidates of any age can apply

Admission To PG Design Degree Programmes

Applicants can get admission to postgraduate design degree programmes via direct admission or through entrance tests. For admission to PG design courses aspirants must first meet the eligibility criteria of the course.

Here’s how to find the eligibility criteria and admission process:

• Go to the university or college’s official website
• Check eligibility criteria for MDes, MA, MSc or MVoc
• If you meet the criteria, fill the application form
• Shortlisted candidates may have to appear for further rounds of selection or screening
• Check the final merit list released by university or college
• Appear for document verification and pay the PG design admission fees to confirm the seat

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Every company whether a startup or an MNC is looking for designers to cater to their needs. Career opportunities for design degree holders with relevant skills have expanded in every sector. Now students, after completing their UG or PG design degree, can become either a fashion designer, web designer, footwear designer or interior designer. The salary packages have also increased in recent years too.