M.Des. in Interior Design 

at Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Manipal

The Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (MSAP) in Manipal, Karnataka, boasts a student body of 1,094, meticulously designed within a campus capacity of 1,200 individuals. The institution maintains a commendable faculty-to-student ratio of 1:10, fostering an environment conducive to personalized learning and academic excellence. Offering a diverse array of courses, MSAP provides educational pathways in B.Arch, M.Arch, B.Des, and M.Des in Interior Design.

The M.Des in Interior Design, a specialised program, necessitates candidates to have completed a B.Des (Interior Design), BArch, BE Civil, or BTech Civil from a recognised university. Additionally, meeting minimum aggregate marks is a prerequisite for eligibility, ensuring a foundation of academic proficiency among applicants. The institute's stellar academic performance and dedication to excellence are reflected in its 25th ranking among the top architecture institutes in India, according to the esteemed National Institutional Ranking Framework 2023. This recognition underscores MSAP's commitment to quality education, innovative pedagogy, and the holistic development of its students.

The ranking reaffirms its position as a leading institution shaping the future of architectural education in the country. With its comprehensive curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to nurturing creative minds, MSAP stands as a distinguished hub for aspiring architects and designers, poised to make significant contributions to the field of architecture and design in India and beyond.

I can help you compare the two institutes based on some criteria, such as ranking, accreditation, curriculum, facilities, and placement. However, the final decision depends on your personal preferences and goals. Here is some information that might be useful for you:

• Ranking: According to IIRF-2023, Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (MSAP) is ranked 2nd among all top architecture colleges in private, while NITTE Institute of Architecture (NIA) is not in the top 50 list. According to NIRF-2021, MSAP is ranked 18th among top architectural schools in the country, while NIA is not in the top 100 list.
• Accreditation: Both MSAP and NIA are approved by the Council of Architecture (CoA) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). MSAP is a constituent college of Nitte (Deemed to be University), which has been accredited with an ‘A+’ grade by the National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC). NIA is affiliated with VTU Belagavi and the Indian Institute of Architects, Mumbai.
• Curriculum: MSAP offers a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture programme and a 2-year Master of Design (Interior Design) program. The curriculum at MSAP is designed to incorporate hands-on practical training with theory-based education so that students learn by ‘doing’. They can explore design through materials such as clay and wood. Structures are taught using models and real-life scenarios and students work with design professionals and learn under their supervision. NIA offers a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture programme and a 2-year Master of Planning (Urban Design) program. The curriculum at NIA is focused on urban planning, conservation, interior design, arts and product design. It also emphasizes on experiential learning, research, and innovation.
• Facilities: MSAP has a world-class campus with state-of-the-art facilities such as studios, workshops, labs, library, auditorium, cafeteria, hostel, sports, and healthcare. It also has an institutional membership of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi. NIA has a modern campus with facilities such as studios, labs, library, auditorium, cafeteria, hostel, sports, and healthcare. It also has a partnership with Institute of Town Planners, India.
• Placement: MSAP has a dedicated placement cell that helps students find internships and jobs in reputed firms and organizations. The average salary package offered to MSAP graduates is around 6.5 LPA. Some of the top recruiters are Hafeez Contractor, CnT Architects, RSP Design Consultants, Gensler, and Arup. NIA does not have a placement cell, but it provides career guidance and mentorship to students. The average salary package offered to NIA graduates is around 4.5 LPA. Some of the top recruiters are Ar. B.V. Doshi, Ar. Charles Correa, Ar. Sanjay Mohe, Ar. Christopher Benninger, and Ar. Raj Rewal.

Hello Nishar Ahmed, Manipal School of Architecture and Planning has a great deal of history. It started in the year 1978 under Mysore University but within a few years came under Mangalore University in 1980. Since the year 2010 it has been part of Mahipal Academy of higher Education or MAHE in short. 

Yes you can definitely get admission for undergraduate courses, in this Institute with just about 70% marks in your 12th examination. However for getting admission in Bachelor of architecture, a student has to pass an examination conducted nationally called NATA. As per the data available, to get admission into Manipal a student has to score above 120 in this examination. For getting admission into design there is no entrance exam whatsoever. MSAP is ranked quite high amongst its peers across the country. In fact the NIRF ranking of this institute is #6. It also has NAAC grading of A+. Both these facts make students flock to this institute in large numbers and as a result even though there is no entrance examination a student need to score quite high in 12th examination. Of course 70% marks that you are quoting is also quite good and it may be but I have good enough to get you admission.

Best wishes to you.

Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (MSAP) offers two courses in M.Des: Sustainable Design and Interior Design. Both courses are of 2 years duration and have a fee of 3,26,000 per year. The eligibility criteria for both courses is to pass in B.Arch. / B.Tech. (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical) from a recognised University, with minimum 50 % aggregate marks or equivalent. The selection process involves a Home Based Test followed by a Personal Interview.

MSAP is ranked 2nd among all top architecture colleges in private by IIRF- 2023, 3rd among all colleges in private by Outlook- ICARE in 2022, is ranked 18th among top architectural schools in the country, in NIRF, 2021, is also ranked 2nd among all colleges in private by Outlook- ICARE, the weekly news magazine, and is also ranked 9th in top architectural colleges in India by India Today1. It is recognised by the Council of Architecture (CoA), New Delhi, India and is an Institutional Member, of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi.

MSAP has well-equipped design studios, library, CAD lab, sustainability and climatology lab, and seminar halls. It also has highly qualified and experienced faculty members in the domain of sustainable design and interior design. The courses cover high demand areas of building performance and simulation, sustainable and green building design, design computing, building automation, net-zero energy buildings, energy economics, etc. for sustainable design; and contemporary interior design environment, research, theory, design education and practice for interior design.

To be eligible for the M.Des (Interior Design) programme at Manipal School of Architecture and Planning (MSAP) in 2023, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in B.Des (Interior Design) / B.Arch / B.Tech (Civil / Electrical / Mechanical) from a recognised university, with minimum 50% aggregate marks or equivalent. You also need to submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV), a Statement of Purpose (SOP), and a Portfolio of Work (POW) as part of the admission process. The selection is based on merit and the quality of your CV, SOP, and POW. There is no entrance exam for this program.

MSAP batch-placed data is not released. However, as per the Manipal School of Architecture and Planning NIRF report 2024, the placement rate recorded during MArch placements over the past three years was 100%.

The course-wise number of students placed over the past three years during BArch and MArch placements are presented below:

The admissions timeline for the MSAP certificate courses has not been revealed by the institute. The official website for MSAP contains a widget that shows the application status of its certificate courses. WHen the application status is open, the widget shows the link to the admission forms. At this point, the admission status for certificate courses has been closed for the year 2025.

There is only 1 certificate course that is available at MSAP being Certificate in Fashion Designing. The Certificate in Fashion Designing at MSAP is a 1 year course that is only available in fulltime mode only. It spans over 2 semesters and its admissions are decided on merit basis, taking into account the scores obtained by the candidate in their last qualifying exam.

The admission fees for certificate courses at MSAP is currently unknown. Generally, the admission fees at MSAP includes the caution deposit, first instalment of tuition fees and first instalment of other fees. There is no caution deposit for certificate course admissions at MSAP. The first instalment of tuition fee at MSAP for certificate courses is INR 84,000 while the first instalment of other fees is 26,000.