Top Design Colleges Besides NIFT and NID

Top Design Colleges Besides NIFT and NID

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Apr 15, 2025 03:56 PM IST | #B.Des

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and National Institute of Design (NID) are dream destinations for many design aspirants. 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. Best Design Colleges apart from NID & NIFT include IITs, Pearl Academy, SMIT, CEPT Ahmedabad, and DTU Delhi. Through this article, candidates can check the list of top design colleges in India apart from NIFT and NID.

Top Design Colleges Besides NIFT and NID
Top Design Colleges Besides NIFT and NID

Top Design Colleges Besides NIFT and NID

NIFT and NID are the top destinations for many design aspirants. While they offer exceptionally good design courses, with beautiful infrastructure, experienced faculty, and good 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.

Sanskaram University M.design Admissions 2025

100+ Industry collaborations | 10+ Years of legacy

Apeejay Stya University M.Design Admissions 2025

NAAC A Grade | Trans-Disciplinary Approach | Global Diversity

Indian Institute of Technology

Every year, thousands of students apply for the design entrance exam for admission to IITs design courses. The several branches of IIT such as Bombay Guwahati Delhi offer exceptional education along with strong infrastructure and renowned faculty who can build the career of designers. To join IIT the candidates have to appear in the entrance exam named UCEED at bachelors level and CEED at masters level. IIT is renowned as a central government institution which makes it affordable and it provides standard quality of education regulated by the government.

Also Read:

Vidyashilp University B.Des Admissions 2025

Application Deadline - 30th June 2025 | Avail upto 100% Scholarships

Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences B.Des Admissions 2025

NAAC A+ & NBA Accredited | QS I-Gauge Gold rated University | Scholarships available for Meritorious students | Admissions Closing Soon!

Sristi Manipal Institute of Art Design and Technology, Bangalore

The candidates who want to have a thriving design career can opt for the Srishti Manipal Institute of art design and Technology which 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 level of design courses across multiple fields and specialisations making it one of the good design colleges besides NID & NIFT. Additionally there are also Masters level courses which the students can opt for high studies. To join this institution the students must qualify the SMEAT entrance exam conducted by the institution itself.

Also Read:

BITS Design School

BITS Pilani has started BITS design admission 2025 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:

CEPT University Ahmedabad

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 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:

Pearl Academy

One of the popular fashion design colleges apart from NIFT is Pearl Academy. One of the finest colleges in the field of design and business Pearl Academy has stood equivalent to NIFT and NID. In fact the list of good design colleges besides NID & NIFT in India often features Pearl Academy. Candidates interested in joining design courses which proves to be beneficial for their career can opt for Pearl Academy which has a noticeable placement record. Along with excellent placements the faculty of The Pearl Academy are experienced and qualified. Aspirants have to qualify Pearl Academy entrance exam to get admission to this institute.

Also Read:

UID Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad has many design colleges one of the best amongst them is 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:

Symbiosis Institute of Design

Located in Pune and providing high quality education over past 5 digits the Symbiosis University is a well recognised University in terms of design education. Candidates must know that the Symbiosis institute of Design offers both undergraduate and post graduate courses across multiple disciplines. Interested students can apply through the various entrance exams conducted by the institution, SEED.

Also Read:

World Institute of Design, Sonipat

This state private university has courses across multiple disciplines which the candidates join to fulfill their aspirations. The World University of Design is located at Sonipat which offers undergraduate, post graduate, PhD courses in full time and part time mode. Candidates interested in joining this private university can appear for design entrance exams such as NID DAT, NIFT, UCEED etc. it must be noted that the fees of undergraduate courses is about Rs. 12.80 lakhs and that of the post graduate courses is Rs. 7 lakhs.

Also Check:

MIT Institute of Design Pune

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 undergraduate and post graduate level. The interested candidates can join the courses after qualifying the MIT Design Aptitude Test conducted by the Institution. The fees for undergraduate courses is expected to be Rs 14.94 lakhs.

Also Read:

MIT DAT Exam Date

MIT Pune Design Course Fees

MIT Entrance Exam 2025

FLAME University Pune

Another option for design aspirants looking into colleges in Pune can join the FLAME University. Offering courses at undergraduate postgraduate and doctor level across multiple streams the flame University is best known for its BDes course. Candidates who want to get into Flame University BDes admission can do so through their UCEED marks.

Footwear Design and Development Institute

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 skillful workers in the Indian handicraft industry. The graduates from FDDI find high quality training in the professional field of designing through the experienced faculty. FDDI offers undergraduate and post graduate programs across multiple campuses located across India.

Also Check:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which institution is best for design apart from NIFT and NID?

The top choices of Institutions in the design field besides NIFT and NID include IITs, DTU, Pearl Academy, CEPT University and more.

2. Which university is best for fashion designing?

The National Institute of Fashion Technology is the first choice for all fashion design aspirants.

3. Is Pearl Academy a good institution?

Pearl Academy is one of the finest private Institutions for design education.

4. What are the common design entrance exams one must appear?

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.

5. Which college has the best placements in designing?

Colleges such as NID IIT and NIFT have the best placements. 

Articles

Certifications By Top Providers

Certificate Program in Design Thinking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Machine Learning Zero to Hero
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Filmmaking Direction and Screenplay
Via School of Open Learning, University of Delhi, Delhi
Online BCA
Via Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham AHEAD Online
VLSI CAD Part 1 Logic
Via University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign
Post Graduate Program in User Experience Design
Via Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
Udemy
 1087 courses
Coursera
 505 courses
Edx
 330 courses
Vskills
 157 courses
Swayam
 136 courses

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
University College London, London
 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YL
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
 University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
 The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to B.Des

Have a question related to B.Des ?

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.

1. MIT Institute of Design, Pune

2. Pearl Academy (Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru)

3. Unitedworld Institute of Design, Gandhinagar

4. Srishti Manipal Institute, Bengaluru

5. ISDI School of Design, Mumbai

6. Lovely Professional University, Punjab

7. Chandigarh University

8. Arch College of Design and Business, Jaipur

9. Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida

10. RV University, Bengaluru

Currently, NSUT does not offer a B.Des. program. However, other institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIITDM Jabalpur offer B.Des. through UCEED.

Expected UCEED Cutoffs (General Category):

IIT Bombay: Around Rank 14

IIT Delhi: Around Rank 35

IIITDM Jabalpur: Around Rank 165

View All
Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

3 Jobs Available
Animator

An animator creates moving images to bring characters and stories to life in films, games, ads, and more. They use software like Maya or Blender, work with teams, and follow storyboards. Key skills include creativity, storytelling, and attention to detail. With relevant education, animators can grow from junior roles to specialised or leadership positions in the industry.

2 Jobs Available
Industrial Designer

The concepts for manufactured products such as cars, home appliances, electronics and toys are developed by industrial designers. They combine art, business and technology to produce daily goods that people need. Individuals who opt for a career as Industrial Designers operate in a number of industries. Ironically, manufacturers employ only 29 per cent of industrial designers directly. Students can pursue Visual Communication to become Industrial Designer.

2 Jobs Available
Visual Merchandiser

A visual merchandiser is a professional who makes it look astonishing by utilising his or her designing skills. Visual merchandising contributes to awareness and brand loyalty among consumers. An individual, in visual merchandising career outlook, plays a crucial role in fetching the attention of customers and bringing them to the store. 

2 Jobs Available
Merchandiser

A Merchandiser is a professional who is responsible for optimising the sales of the store or business. He or she ensures that the retail and online stores are stocked up and analyses the sales data to improve and promote sales strategies. A Merchandiser is required to work closely with the buyers, suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers to provide customer services. 

Merchandiser in this career is also expected to monitor the product appearance and arrange and maintain product displays, and product pricing. He or she must have excellent analytical skills and a service-oriented approach. A Merchandiser plays an important role in maximising profits by setting up the prices and managing the performance of the ranges, promotions planning and markdown.

2 Jobs Available
Designer

A designer is a person whose career entails creating or changing designs for construction projects or arranging for others to do so or giving them instructions to do so. Individuals in the highest-paying designing jobs in India are employed in a variety of industries, including fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. A career in design and technology comes in many different forms, including drawings, design details, specifications, bills of material, and design calculations.

2 Jobs Available
Fashion Designer

Fashion designers are creative professionals who transform ideas into stylish and wearable clothing and accessories. Using a combination of artistic flair and technical skills, they sketch designs, choose fabrics, and oversee the production process. Fashion designers stay aligned with trends, adapting their creations to suit the evolving tastes of the audience.

Fashion designers make trendy designer clothes, stay updated with the trends, using various modern elements into their designs. They are always coming up with new ideas and turning their creative visions into clothes people can wear. Their creations allow people to express themselves through what they wear, showing their unique style and identity.

2 Jobs Available
Interior Designer

An interior designer plans and manages interior spaces to be functional and visually appealing, considering human behaviour and safety regulations. They work on residential, commercial, and specialised projects, handling space planning, material selection, lighting, and project coordination. Key skills include creativity, technical knowledge, and communication. A degree in interior design, certifications, and internships help build a successful career in this dynamic, creative field.

2 Jobs Available
Back to top