Designing Courses After 12th: Fees, Eligibility, Admission Process, Career Options & Salary
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If you intend to do a design course after class 12th, you must know the design programmes, specializations, best colleges, admission process, career options, etc. Here we bring you all the information on a platter. So, read on!
Designing Courses After 12th
Design as an academic program has gained momentum in recent years. Just take a look at the top institutions, like the IITs, which have introduced design courses. This indicates that design is no longer a fringe course but is on track to become a mainstream course. If you are also interested, then the best time, of course, is after Class 12th to pursue a design course.
And speaking of design courses after 12th, B.Des is the most popular. But there are also other undergraduate courses like B.F.Tech that the candidate can consider. Admission to design courses offered by institutes like the NIFTs and NIDs is done through entrance exams like NIFT and NID DAT. Meanwhile, admission to the B.Des course offered by the IITs and a few other participating colleges is done based on UCEED. Here, we discuss in detail everything you need to know about designing courses after Class XII.
- Eligibility Criteria for Design Courses After 12th
- Design Entrance Exams for Admission to Design Courses after 12th
- Important points related to the B.Des Course
- Top Colleges to Study a Design Course after 10+2
- Design Exam IIRF Ranking
- Fashion Design Affiliated Colleges as per IIRF Ranking
- Design Diploma After 10+2
- Career Opportunities After Completing a Design Course After 10+2
- Career Prospects in Design Stream
- Books for Design Entrance Exam
- Skills Required to Pursue Design After Class 12
- Salary After Completing Fashion Design Courses
- Software for Design Courses
Eligibility Criteria for Design Courses After 12th
The eligibility criteria may differ from institute to institute. So, we intend to give the candidate only a general idea about the minimum requirements. Also, at the 10+2 level, B.Des and B.F.Tech is the most popular UG course. So, we discuss the eligibility criteria for these courses.
| Program |
Eligibility Criteria for admission to design courses after 12th |
|---|---|
| B.Des |
10+2 exam from any recognized institute. Age limit - There is also an age limit, which can differ for different colleges. |
| B.F.Tech |
10+2 exam from any recognized institute. Age limit - There is also an age limit, which can differ for different colleges. |
Commonly asked questions
Candidates from any academic stream are eligible to apply for UCEED exam. However, for admission to IIT Guwahati, it is mandatory for candidates to have passed Class 12 from Science stream. The candidate needs to carefully go through the eligibility criteria before they apply. This is because the candidate will not be considered for admission to the B. Des programme even if they get a rank in UCEED if they don't meet the prescribed eligibility criteria. Also, any candidate who is found to be using incorrect information about their eligibility stands to be disqualified if caught.
Yes, you need to qualify UCEED Part A to be included in the UCEED Merit List.
UCEED Part B question paper is not evaluated unless the candidate qualifies Part A. Further, only such candidates who have qualified Part A are shortlisted and are allocated a merit rank. In case of candidates who have failed to qualify Part A of UCEED, they are not issued any merit rank. Their scorecard merely includes Part A scores. In case of candidates who are shortlisted and are issued a merit rank, they can participate in UCEED and seat allotment.
The expected cutoff for NIFT 2027 for B.Des is:
| Category | Expected Cutoff for B.Des |
|---|---|
| Open | 30-80 |
| EWS | 26-29 |
| OBC | 26-29 |
| SC | 22 |
| ST | 19 |
The results of the DAT Prelims will include the qualifying status of the candidate. If the candidate fails to qualify in DAT Prelims, he or she will not be eligible to appear in DAT Mains.
Note that the Desing Aptitude Test (DAT) conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID) has two sub-exams: DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
Both the exams are mandatory.
Also, the final merit list is prepared by giving weighatage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. So, if a can candidate fails to qualify DAT Prelims or doesn’t appear in DAT Mains, the candidate will be disqualified from the admission process.
Design Entrance Exams for Admission to Design Courses after 12th
If the candidate is seeking admission to a B.Des or B.F.Tech program at any of the top institutes, say the NIFTs, then they will have to appear in an entrance exam. Some of the popular entrance exams for B.Des admission include NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, and SEED.
NIFT exam includes the written exams - NIFT CAT and NIFT GAT - followed by a NIFT Situation Test. The final merit list will be prepared by giving weightage to GAT, CAT, and the Situation Test. Meanwhile, the NID DAT exam includes DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. The DAT Mains will comprise a NIFT Studio Test.
Important points related to the B.Des Course
If you are planning to go for a design course after 10+2, you must definitely consider the B.Des course. Here are a few points you need to know about the course.
- The B.Des is the go-to course for candidates planning to pursue a course in fashion design.
- The B.Des course is offered by almost all the top design institutes, including the NIFTs, NIDs, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, Symbiosis Institute of Design, etc.
- Since B.Des is a degree course, typically of 4-year duration, it is more comprehensive and deals with the subject matter in greater detail.
- Along with theoretical aspects, the B.Des course will also have practical sessions to drive home the key concepts related to the program.
- Research and critical thinking are key to the program.
- During the course, the student will learn about global fashion trends and their relationship with ecology, environment, ethics, technology, aesthetics, and much more.
Also Read:
Explore colleges based on UCEED
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Top Colleges to Study a Design Course after 10+2
The NIDs and NIFTs are often the first choice of candidates to pursue a design course after 10+2. Here are some of the top design colleges in India
| Name of the College |
Design courses offered after 10+2 |
|---|---|
| B.Des, B.F.Tech |
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| B.Des, B.F.Tech |
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| B.Des, B.F.Tech |
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| B.Des, B.F.Tech |
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| B.Des, B.F.Tech |
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| B.Des, B.F.Tech |
|
| B.Des, B.F.Tech |
|
| B.Des |
|
| B.Des |
|
| B.Des |
|
| B.Des |
|
| B.Des |
|
| B.Des |
|
| B.Des |
Design Exam IIRF Ranking
Check out the IIRF Ranking.
| AIR | Name of Institutes | State | State Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NID Ahmedabad - National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 1 |
| 2 | NID Madhya Pradesh - National Institute of Design, Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 1 |
| 3 | IIT Bombay - Indian Institute of Technology, IDC School of Design, Mumbai | Maharashtra | 1 |
| 4 | IIT Delhi - Indian Institute of Technology, Department of Design, Delhi | Delhi | 1 |
| 5 | NID Andhra Pradesh - National Institute of Design, Guntur | Andhra Pradesh | 1 |
| 6 | NID Haryana - National Institute of Design, Kurukshetra | Haryana | 1 |
| 7 | IIT Kanpur - Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur | Uttar Pradesh | 1 |
| 8 | IIT Roorkee - Indian Institute of Technology, Department of Design, Roorkee | Uttarakhand | 1 |
| 9 | IIT Guwahati - Indian Institute of Technology, Department of Design, Guwahati | Assam | 1 |
| 10 | NID Assam - National Institute of Design, Jorhat | Assam | 2 |
Fashion Design Affiliated Colleges as per IIRF Ranking
Check out the list of IIRF college rankings for Affiliated colleges.
| AIR | Name of Institute | City | State | State Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TDV Noida - The Design Village | Noida | Uttar Pradesh | 1 |
| 2 | Pearl Academy | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 1 |
| 3 | BMS College of Architecture, Design & Planning | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 1 |
| 4 | School of Design, Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Architecture | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 2 |
| 5 | Apeejay Institute of Design | New Delhi | Delhi | 1 |
| 6 | Pearl Academy West Campus | New Delhi | Delhi | 2 |
| 7 | Pearl Academy | Bengaluru | Karnataka | 2 |
| 8 | IIFD Chandigarh - Indian Institute of Fashion and Design | Chandigarh | Punjab | 1 |
| 9 | ISDI School of Design and Innovation | Mumbai | Maharashtra | 3 |
| 10 | JIET Institute of Design and Technology n |
Jodhpur | Rajasthan | 1 |
Design Diploma After 10+2
We need to treat the diploma courses in design a bit differently. This is because diploma courses tend to be of shorter duration and may offer admission directly based on 10th class scores. 10+2 is typically not required for Diploma admission unless the candidate is pursuing, say, an advanced Diploma. This means you may not need to appear in any entrance exams.
| Name of the course |
Admission Process |
Where to study |
Fees (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma, Advanced in Fashion Design |
Merit of Class 10 |
IIFD Chandigarh |
1 LPA onward |
| Diploma in Interior Design |
Merit of Class 10 |
IIFD Chandigarh |
1 LPA onward |
| Diploma in Textile Design |
Merit of Class 10 |
IIFD Chandigarh |
1 LPA onward |
| Diploma in Graphic Design |
Merit of Class 10 |
IIFD Chandigarh |
1 LPA onward |
| Diploma in:
Duration: 1 year. |
Direct admission based on merit of qualifying exam. Eligibility: 10+2 from a recognized institute |
JD Institute of Fashion Technology |
- |
| Diploma in Jewellery Design Duration: 1 year |
Direct admission based on merit of 10+2 exam. Eligibility: 12th Pass |
JD Institute of Fashion Technology |
- |
| Diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing and Production Duration: 1 year |
Direct admission based on merit of 10+2 exam. Eligibility: 12th Pass |
JD Institute of Fashion Technology |
- |
| Diploma in CAD Duration: 6 months |
Direct admission based on merit of 10+2 exam. Eligibility: 12th Pass |
JD Institute of Fashion Technology |
- |
Career Opportunities After Completing a Design Course After 10+2
The student, after completing their degree or diploma course in design, has a plethora of career opportunities in front of them. Most design schools also conduct placement sessions, wherein employers visit the campus and hire students directly.
Job roles after completing a design course after 12th
- Fashion Designers
- Entrepreneurs
- Fashion Merchandisers
- Design Curator
- Quality Control Managers
- Academician
- Sampling Coordinator Fashion Designer
- Apparel Production
- Fashion Business Analyst
- Retail Industry
- Design Curator Quality
- Control Managers Academician
- Apparel Production
- Fashion Business Analyst
- Fashion Columnist
- Vastu Consultant
- Retail Showroom Designer
- Landscape Designer
- Exhibition Designer
- Lighting Designer
Career Prospects in Design Stream
Some of the career prospects in design stream are given below.
| Career Prospects |
Roles |
|---|---|
| UI/UX & Product Design |
UI/UX Designer/ UI (User Interface) Designer, Product Designer, UX Researcher, Interaction Designer, Information Architect (UX Architect), UX Writer / Content Designer |
| Communication & Graphic Design |
Graphic Designer, Art Director, and Multimedia Artist |
| Fashion & Textile Design |
Fashion Designer, Fashion Stylist, and Merchandiser, Fashion Blogger, Influencer, entrepreneur, Textile Designer, Costume Designer, Accessory Designer, Leather Designer, Knitwear Designer, Sustainability Consultant, Fashion Illustrator, Textile Technologist, Colorist |
| Interior & Space Design |
Residential Interior Designer, Commercial Space Designer, Furniture Designer, Exhibition Designer |
| AI Experience Design |
AI Experience Designer, AR/VR & Metaverse Designer |
| Game Design |
Game Designer, Level Designer, Narrative Designer |
| Industrial & Product Design & Automotive Design |
Industrial Designer, Transportation Designer, CAD Designer |
| Animation, VFX & Game Design |
Animator, VFX Specialist, and Game Level Designer |
| Web Design |
Web Designer, Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer |
| Animation and Motion Design |
Animator, 3 D Artist, Motion Designer, Game Artist, VFX Designer |
Books for Design Entrance Exam
| Section | Recommended Books |
|---|---|
| Visualization & Spatial Ability | RS Aggarwal - Non-Verbal Reasoning; A Complete Reference Manual for UCEED/CEED/NID/NIFT (Pearson); Mental rotation & paper-folding puzzle books |
| Observation & Design Sensitivity | Design Aptitude Test - Prof. Bibhudutta Baral; Daily sketching/observation practice (no single book covers this fully) |
| Environmental & Social Awareness / GK | Lucent's General Knowledge; Manorama Yearbook; Newspapers & design magazines |
| Analytical & Logical Reasoning | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning - RS Aggarwal; Analytical Reasoning - MK Pandey |
| Design Thinking & Problem Solving | Universal Principles of Design - Lidwell, Holden, Butler; The Design of Everyday Things - Don Norman |
| UCEED-Specific Guides | UCEED & CEED Sourcebook - Prof. Bibhudutta Baral; Self Study Guide UCEED - Pearson/Arihant; Official previous years' papers (uceed.iitb.ac.in) |
| Drawing & Sketching Practice | How to Draw - Scott Robertson; Daily sketchbook practice |
Skills Required to Pursue Design After Class 12
Some of the skills required to pursue designing course after class 12 th include creativity, strong imagination, technical skills, etc.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Creative Skills |
Sketching, drawing, color theory, composition, visual imagination |
| Technical Skills |
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (graphic design); AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino (product/interior); Figma, Adobe XD (UI/UX); CLO 3D (fashion) |
| Analytical Skills |
Logical & spatial reasoning, problem-solving mindset, design aptitude |
| Soft Skills |
Communication, time management, teamwork, openness to feedback |
| Awareness Skills |
General knowledge, current affairs, keen observation |
Salary After Completing Fashion Design Courses
Candidates who have completed a design course after 12th can take a multitude of job roles like fashion designer, interior designer, or graphic designer, Vastu consultant, or fashion columnist. And, depending on the job role, experience, academic merit, and skill set, the student will be compensated differently.
The various job roles and salaries after designing courses after 12th are given below.
| Job Roles |
Average Salary (per annum) in INR |
|---|---|
| Industrial Designer |
4.3 LPA |
| Interior Designer |
5 LPA |
| Fashion Designer |
5 to 8 LPA |
| Fashion Stylist |
5 to 7 LPA |
| Jewellery Design |
4 LPA |
| Makeup Artist |
5 to 6 LPA |
| Textile |
5 LPA |
| Animator |
4.6 to 10 LPA |
| UI/UX Designer |
5 to 10 LPA |
| Interior Designer |
4.1 LPA |
According to various reports, fashion design is rapidly emerging as one of the top career choices for candidates after completing their 10+2 education. This is directly related to the emergence of new job opportunities across various sectors.
Explore more Design exams with upcoming dates
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1 Jan '27
1 Oct '26 - 31 Dec '26
Software for Design Courses
Some of the common software and tools for Designers are given below. Check them.
| Designers | Software and Tools |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, CorelDRAW, Canva |
| UI/UX & Digital Product Designer | Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Flowstep, Uizard |
| Fashion Design | Adobe Illustrator, Style 3D, CLO 3D, TUKAcad, Gerber AccuMark |
| Interior and Spatial Design | Auto CAD, SketchUP, Autodesk Revit, 3ds Max / Blender |
| Makeup Artist and Designers | Perfect365 PRO, Face Chart - Makeup Guru |
Also Read:
- Top 5 Jewellery Design Colleges in India
- Accessory Designer Salary in India: Average Salary based on Experience, Location and Job Roles
Sayeba Naushad is a commerce postgraduate from Banaras Hindu University. She has over five years of experience in content writing and editing. She has a nose for current events in design field. At Shiksha.com, she s
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