National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and National Institute of Design (NID) are dream destinations for many design aspirants. They are among the top design colleges in India. However, with limited seats, it is not possible for every applicant to get into it. Therefore, aspirants should know top design colleges besides NIFT and NID. Some of the best design colleges apart from NID & NIFT include IITs, Pearl Academy, SMIT, CEPT Ahmedabad, and DTU Delhi. Candidates appearing for NIFT 2026 or NID DAT 2026 can also look at colleges that accept scores in the NIFT entrance exam and NID entrance exam, respectively. Through this article, candidates can check the list of top design colleges in India apart from NIFT and NID.
NIFT and NID are the top destinations for many design aspirants. While they offer good infrastructure, experienced faculty, and attractive placements, getting into them can be quite tough. The candidates who want to opt for other best design colleges besides NID and NIFT can check the list below.
Every year, thousands of students apply for admission to IITs design courses. To join IIT the candidates have to appear in the entrance exam named UCEED for design courses at bachelor's level and CEED for design courses at master's level. IIT is renowned as a central government institution, known not only for providing engineering education also design and management education. IIT Bombay conducts the UCEED and CEED exams. IITs that are part of these design entrance exam include IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, and IITD Jabalpur.
Also Read:
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art Design, and Technology is a privately owned college. Located at the prime location of Bangalore Sristi Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology offers the required exposure to have a successful career in the design industry. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate design courses under different specialisations. To join this institution, the students must qualify the SMEAT entrance exam conducted by the institution.
Also Read:
BITS Pilani conducts the BITS design admission for B Des (Hons) programme. BITS design school offers 5 specialisations to prepare a student for tomorrow’s design landscape. Aspirants with a valid score in NID DAT Prelims/ UCEED/ BITSDAT can apply for admission.
Also Check:
The Centre for Environment Planning and Technology University has been successfully imparting education in the past five decades. It offers design education across multiple fields at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, making it convenient for all categories of students. It is one of the good design colleges apart from NID & NIFT. This is a privately owned institution which is a dream college for many design aspirants. CEPT design admission is done based on the candidate’s performance in the UCEED entrance exam.
Also Read:
One of the popular fashion design colleges apart from NIFT is Pearl Academy. Aspirants have to qualify Pearl Academy entrance exam to get admission to this institute. The institute conducts the entrance exam in multiple cycles. The courses at Pearl Academy include B.Des and M.Des programmes under different specialisations such as fashion design, product design, interior design, and communication design.
Also Read:
Ahmedabad has many design colleges one of the best amongst them is the Unitedworld Institute of Design. This recently established Institute offers design courses at undergraduate and post graduate levels which have time and again proven to be one of the best making it rank among the best design colleges apart from NID & NIFT. Candidates who want to build their design career in this private institution must apply for the UID entrance exam. From fashion designing to visual communication and animation there are courses for all types of students.
Also Read:
Located in Pune, the Symbiosis Institute of Design is a well-recognised university in terms of design education. Candidates must know that the Symbiosis institute of Design offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses across multiple disciplines. Candidates interetes in B.Des admissions must appear for SEED. The institute conducts a separate entrance exam for its PG admissions.
Also Read
The World University of Design is a private institute located at Sonipat, which offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD courses in full-time and part-time modes. Candidates interested in joining WID Sonipat must have a valid score in design entrance exams such as NID DAT, NIFT, UCEED, etc.
Also Check:
Offering various technical educational courses along with creative training, the MIT Institute located at Pune is one of the top choices among design aspirants. The MIT Institute of Design is one of the finest design colleges offering education at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The interested candidates can join the courses after qualifying the MIT Design Entrance Test conducted by the Institution.
Also Read:
Another Central government institute is the Footwear Design and Development Institute which offers some of the best courses in designing. The government has established this university to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in the Indian handicraft industry. Candidates have to appear for FDDI AIST entrance exam for admission into this institute. The graduates from FDDI find high-quality training in the professional field of designing through the experienced faculty. FDDI offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple campuses located across India.
Also Check:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The National Institute of Fashion Technology is usually the top choice for fashion design aspirants.
Pearl Academy is one of the top private design colleges in India.
The NIFT entrance exam, NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, FDDI AIST, SMEAT, SEED, and MIT DAT are some of the top design entrance exams one can appear in.
The top choices of Institutions in the design field besides NIFT and NID include IITs, DTU, Pearl Academy, CEPT University and more.
On Question asked by student community
Here are top BDes (Fashion Design) colleges in Bangalore:
National Institute of Fashion Technology , Bangalore – Top choice
JD Institute of Fashion Technology
Vogue Institute of Art and Design
IIFA Multimedia
Army Institute of Fashion and Design
Taking a second drop is not an issue if you clear the required entrance exams or meet the eligibility criteria.
FLAME University Pune is a good option for B.Des if you’re looking for a creative and interdisciplinary learning environment . The university offers a well-structured design program combined with liberal arts, allowing students to explore multiple interests It has a beautiful and modern campus with strong academic support and personalized attention due to smaller batch sizes. However, it is more know liberal arts and business programs, so if you want a purely design-focused education, you might also consider institutes like MIT-WPU or Shiv Nadar University. Overall, FLAME is suitable for students who want a broad, flexible design education and can afford the higher fees.
CUET qualifies BDes Fashion Designing students.
The basis for admission is the CUET score.
Hello,
No, for B.Des Fashion Designing , CUET is not always needed.
Some colleges take admission through CUET, but many top fashion institutes like NIFT have their own entrance exam. So, it depends on the college you are applying to. Always check the admission process of that particular college.
Hope it helps !
yes, Indeed, CUET qualifies BDes Fashion Designing students.
Admission CUET score is very important.
NAAC A+ Grade | Among top 100 universities of India (NIRF 2024) | 40 crore+ scholarships distributed
Ranked amongst top 3% universities globally (QS Rankings)
Tie-ups with over 100 international Universities in USA, UK, France and Australia. Wide Range of scholarships available.
North India's Largest Educational Group | NIRF Ranked 86 | NAAC A+ Grade | Highest Package 1.6 Cr | Admissions Closing on 15th Sep'25
India's youngest NAAC A++ accredited University | NIRF rank band 151-200 | 2200 Recruiters | 45.98 Lakhs Highest Package
100+ Industry collaborations | 10+ Years of legacy
