NID Masters Courses 2027 offer a 2.5-year M.Des. programme across 19 specialised disciplines at the Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar campuses. Admissions are conducted through NID DAT.
The National Institute of Design (NID) offers a Master of Design (M.Des.) programme across multiple design disciplines. The M.Des. is a 2.5-year postgraduate programme offered at the Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar campuses. The programme covers areas such as Communication Design, Industrial Design, Interdisciplinary Design, IT Integrated Design, and Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle and Accessory Design.
For the NID Masters Courses 2027 admission cycle, candidates will be selected through the Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The NID M.Des. programme is designed to develop advanced design, research, technical, creative and problem-solving skills through specialised and interdisciplinary learning.
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- NID Masters Courses 2027: Highlights
- NID PG Courses List 2027
- NID M.Des Course Duration 2027
- NID Masters Eligibility 2027
- NID DAT 2027 Important Dates
- NID Masters Admission 2027
- NID Masters Fees 2027
NID Masters Courses 2027: Highlights
| Particular |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course |
Master of Design (M.Des.) |
| Course level |
Postgraduate |
| Duration |
2.5 years |
| Campuses |
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar |
| Number of disciplines |
19 |
| Admission process |
|
| Selection stages |
DAT Prelims and DAT Mains |
| Application mode |
Online |
| Official admission portal |
admissions.nid.edu |
NID PG Courses List 2027
NID's official M.Des. page lists 19 disciplines across three campuses. The programme is organised under five broad faculty areas: Communication Design, Industrial Design, Interdisciplinary Design, IT Integrated Design, and Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle & Accessory Design. Students can select a specialisation according to their academic background, interests and career plans.
NID M.Des Courses in Communication Design
NID offers four Communication Design specialisations:
| NID M.Des course |
Campus |
Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Film and Video Communication |
Ahmedabad |
19 |
| Ahmedabad |
19 |
|
| Animation Film Design |
Ahmedabad |
19 |
| Photography Design |
Gandhinagar |
19 |
NID M.Des Courses in Industrial Design
The Industrial Design faculty has six NID M.Des courses:
| NID M.Des course |
Campus |
Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad |
12 |
|
| Furniture and Interior Design |
Ahmedabad |
19 |
| Product Design |
Ahmedabad |
19 |
| Toy & Game Design |
Gandhinagar |
12 |
| Transportation & Automobile Design |
Gandhinagar |
19 |
| Universal Design |
Bengaluru |
19 |
Product Design courses focuses on designing products, services and experiences based on user needs. The programme also covers areas such as ergonomics, materials, manufacturing techniques and user-centred design.
Universal Design focuses on developing products and systems that can respond to the needs and abilities of different groups of users.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, all B.Des candidates who were shortlisted for NID DAT counselling have to submit their campus preferences within the allotted time. The preferences have to be entered in the order of priority.
The allotment of seats to the B.Des programme will be based on the campus option selected and merit rank of the candidate in NID DAT. So, one must exercise caution when entering their preferences.
The NIDs offer a full-time B.Des programme of 4-year duration, and a full-time M.Des programme of two-and-half years duration.
The institute, in addition, also offers a PhD program. The programme can be pursed full-time or part-time.
Admission to the design courses at the NID is conducted through a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The exam comprise DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
The final result or merit list is prepared by giving weightage to DAT Prelims and DAT Mains.
Yes, candidates can apply for M.Des programme through NID DAT.
- Diploma candidates need to meet the following conditions for admission:
- Done full-time Diploma of 4-year duration after 10+2
- Diploma in the following subjects is accepted - Design/ Fine Arts/ Applied Arts/ Architecture.
- The Diploma must be done from a university or institute recognised by law in India.
The admission to the NIDs is conducted through a Design Aptitude Test (DAT). The DAT is a two-stage exam.
The candidate has to first appear in DAT Prelims and then, if shortlisted, have to appear in DAT Mains. The final merit list for admission will be prepared by giving weightage to both DAT Prelims and DAT Mains. If a candidate appear in DAT Prelims, but doesn’t appear in DAT Mains, he or she will not be considered for admission.
NID M.Des Courses in Interdisciplinary Design
There are two NID postgraduate programmes under Interdisciplinary Design:
| NID M.Des course |
Campus |
Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Design for Retail Experience |
Bengaluru |
19 |
| Strategic Design Management |
Gandhinagar |
19 |
Strategic Design Management combines design thinking with management, innovation and strategy. The programme includes areas such as design research, entrepreneurship, experience design, service and systems design, strategic leadership and business processes.
NID M.Des Courses in IT Integrated Design
The IT Integrated Design faculty offers four courses:
| NID M.Des course |
Campus |
Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Game Design |
Bengaluru |
19 |
| Bengaluru |
19 |
|
| Bengaluru |
19 |
|
| New Media Design |
Gandhinagar |
19 |
Information Design, for example, combines visual design, design research, data science and technology to help students present complex information in a clear and user-friendly format.
NID M.Des Courses in Textile, Apparel, Lifestyle & Accessory Design
NID offers three postgraduate programmes in this faculty:
| NID M.Des course |
Campus |
Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Gandhinagar |
19 |
|
| Gandhinagar |
19 |
|
| Ahmedabad |
19 |
These courses allow students to develop specialised skills related to apparel, textiles, accessories and lifestyle products.
NID M.Des Course Duration 2027
The NID M.Des course duration is 2.5 years. The programme is offered across the Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar campuses.
The programme combines classroom learning with design projects, experiential learning, technical skills, research and real-world exposure. NID states that its postgraduate curriculum is designed to provide focused specialisation while also encouraging interdisciplinary and progressive knowledge of design.
Also Read: NID DAT Preparation
NID Masters Eligibility 2027
Candidates applying for the NID Masters programme must meet the educational and age requirements specified in the official NID Admissions Handbook for 2027-28.
For the M.Des. programme, eligibility is based on the candidate's educational qualification and age. Candidates should check the discipline-specific requirements in the latest admissions handbook before submitting the application because satisfying the general qualification does not automatically guarantee eligibility for every discipline. NID also states on its 2027 registration portal that submitting an application does not guarantee that the candidate meets the eligibility requirements.
Candidates who are working professionals must also provide an NOC from their employer as required by NID during the admission process.
NID DAT 2027 Important Dates
For the NID 2027 admission cycle, the official admissions portal has announced the last date to submit the NID application for M.Des. at Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru is November 30, 2026, by 11:59 PM IST.
| Event |
NID 2027-28 |
|---|---|
| Application process |
Online |
| Last date to apply |
November 30, 2026 |
| M.Des. campuses |
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Gandhinagar |
| Admission test |
DAT |
| DAT stages |
Prelims and Mains |
Candidates should check the official NID admissions portal regularly for the complete NID Exam dates, admit card dates, results and Mains schedule. NID may also issue amendments to the admission schedule or programme details.
NID Masters Admission 2027
The NID Masters admission process is based on the candidate's performance in the Design Aptitude Test (DAT). NID conducts the admission process in two stages:
- DAT Prelims
- DAT Mains
NID states that the DAT is designed to assess candidates' knowledge, skills and behavioural qualities. Candidates seeking admission to the M.Des. programme must participate in the prescribed DAT selection process.
Step 1: Register for NID DAT
Candidates must register online through the official NID admissions portal. For the 2027-28 cycle, NID has specified that applications for M.Des. at Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru are submitted through the official admissions website.
Step 2: Fill the NID Application Form
Candidates need to enter their personal, academic and category details and select the applicable programme and discipline.
Step 3: Upload Documents
Applicants must upload the documents and other details required by NID while completing the application process.
Step 4: Appear for DAT Prelims
Eligible candidates appear for the first stage of the Design Aptitude Test.
Step 5: Appear for DAT Mains
Candidates shortlisted after DAT Prelims proceed to the DAT Mains stage as per the NID admission schedule.
Step 6: Final Selection
The final selection is based on performance in the prescribed admission stages. Candidates who are selected must complete the subsequent admission and fee-payment formalities.
NID Masters Fees 2027
The NID Masters fees depend on the campus, programme and applicable fee structure. Candidates should refer to the official NID Admissions Handbook 2027-28 and fee structure before making payment because fees can be revised for a new admission cycle.
For the 2027-28 admission process, NID's official admissions website provides separate fee-structure information for the M.Des. programme at Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bengaluru.
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UCEED and NID DAT test different skills. Students should compare the exam patterns with their own strengths.
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