Good Design Colleges Besides NID & NIFT: Admission 2027, Courses & More Updates
Let us thoughtfully plan our course of action if you are not selected for admission to NID or NIFT. Some equally good design colleges of repute in the industry are as follows:
- Design Admission 2027 for Top Entrance Exams
- Eligibility Criteria for B.Des Course
- B.Des Admission Process 2027
- List of Private B.Des Colleges
- Top Design Courses after 12th
- List of Specialisation for B.Des
Design Admission 2027 for Top Entrance Exams
The entrance exam for Design in the top design colleges is:
| Institute |
Location |
Programmes |
Forms |
Exam date |
| National Institute Of Design (NID) |
NID Institutes |
B.Des MDes |
September 10, 2026 to November 30, 2026 |
NID Entrance Exam - December 20, 2026 NID DAT Mains for B.Des: April 2027
|
| National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) |
20 NIFTs |
B.Des, B.F.Tech, M.Des, M.F.M, M.F.Tech |
October 16, 2026 to November 16, 2026 |
NIFT Exam Stage 1: January 10, 2027 NIFT Exam Stage 2: April, 2027
|
| IIT Bombay and other participating IITs |
B.Des |
October 01, 2026 to October 31, 2026 |
January 17, 2027 |
|
| IIT Bombay and other participating IITs |
M.Des |
October 01, 2026 to October 31, 2026 |
January 17, 2027 |
|
| Pearl Academy Of Fashion (PAF) |
Delhi, Noida, Jaipur, Mumbai |
B.Des
|
Open | January 19, 2027 |
| Footwear Design Development Institute (FDDI) |
Noida, Raibareli, Chennai, Kolkata, Jodhpur, Rohtak, Chindwara, Guna
|
B.Des and M.Des
|
Open |
April 2027 |
| Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT)
|
Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar |
B.Des |
Open |
First week of June |
| MIT Institute of Design (MITID) |
Pune |
B.Des | Open
|
April, 2027 |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID)
|
Pune |
B.Des and M.Des |
Open |
January 2027 |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology |
Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Guwahati |
B.Des in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion Business Management |
Open |
- |
| MAH CET B.Design |
Colleges in Maharashtra |
B.Des |
To be out |
April 2027 |
| School of Fashion Technology (SOFT) |
Pune |
B.Des and M.Des
|
Open |
- |
All the above-mentioned colleges follow an entrance process similar to NIFT entrance exam. Therefore, if you have prepared for NIFT and NID, you will be well-equipped to attempt these entrance exams with continued practice. I would also like to emphasize that, regardless of the NIFT/NID written results, you should begin preparing for the second stages, such as the Situation Test and Personal Interview, as these skills are essential for other entrance processes as well.
Also Read:
Commonly asked questions
Candidates will be shortlisted for NIFT Situation Test on the basis of their performance in NIFTEE exams. Situation Test will test material handling and innovative ability of the candidate. Some of factors that will be checked include Space Visualization, Innovative and creative use of given material, the composition of elements, color scheme, construction skill, the finesse of the model and overall presentation.
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 |
After completing NIFT 3D model in Situation Test, candidates are required to write a brief explanation of model. This is known as Write Up. It should be clear, concise and structured. It should explain process, inspiration, theme and materials.
NIFT exam is among the most competitive and the toughest. So, it is recommended that candidate start their exam preparation in advance, around 1 year before.
Eligibility Criteria for B.Des Course
The eligibility criteria for the Bachelor of Design course are decided by the institutions offering it. It can also vary by specialization. Given below are the eligibility criteria that must be fulfilled by candidates who wish to pursue a B. Des course.
|
Particulars
|
Details
|
|---|---|
|
B.Des Academic Qualifications
|
|
|
B.Des Marks Criteria
|
Should have secured at least
50% aggregate marks in Class 12 or an equivalent qualification.
|
|
B.Des Appearing or Passed Criteria
|
Those students appearing for Class 12 board exams and those who have already passed Class 12 are eligible.
|
|
B.Des Age Limit
|
Those who are
not more than 24 years of age on 1st August of the year of B.Des admission.
|
B.Des Admission Process 2027
The admission process for the B.Design can be different for colleges, courses, specialisation, etc. The admission process given below is generic and is mostly followed by all.
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Criteria | Check out the eligibility criteria for the desired college and make sure you meet the same. |
| Application Form | Fill the college application forms before the last date. |
| Appear for Entrance Exam | Give entrance exams and get qualified. |
| Result | Wait for the college to release the entrance results. For merit admissions, the college will send a confirmation email to the selected candidates. |
| Portfolio | A majority of the top colleges ask for a solid portfolio showcasing individual skills and work. |
| Counselling and Seat Allotment and Fee Payment | Appear for the counselling session and pay the B.Des admission fees to confirm admission. |
Commonly asked questions
No, there is no negative marking in NIFT Situation Test. Negative marking is only there in NIFT GAT part in stage 1.
Topics for NIFTEE GAT paper are given below.
| Quantitative Ability | Addition, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Percentage, Rate of Interest, Work and Task, Ratio and Proportion, and Distance. |
| Communication Ability and English | Comprehension, synonyms, antonyms, words with corresponding meanings, singular, plural, one-word substitutes, idioms and phrases, correct spellings, comprehend a situation from a given passage, etc. |
| Analytical Ability and Logical Ability | Concepts and practices of creative and lateral thinking |
| GK | General knowledge and Current Affairs |
NIFT 2027 Situation Test will be tentatively conducted on April 26, 2027.
Yes, you can check NIFT cutoff of previous year to get an idea of seat allotment and counselling. When checking cutoff table, you should check programme and respective category. After checking cut-off and analyzing trends, you need to prepare accordingly.
Explore colleges based on AIEED
Based on ,B.A.,AIEED
List of Private B.Des Colleges
Check out the table to find the list of colleges apart from NID and NIFT.
| Best Private Colleges | B.Des Course Fees (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Amity University, Kolkata | INR 3.88 Lakh - 5.72 Lakh |
| Amity University, Mumbai | INR 4.88 Lakh - 11.68 Lakh |
| Parul University | INR 5.4 Lakh - 14.16 Lakh |
| Amity University, Noida | INR 7.92 Lakh - 8.8 Lakh |
| Chandigarh University (CU) | INR 8.72 Lakh |
| DOT School of Design | INR 10 Lakh - 32 Lakh |
| Pearl Academy | INR 15.86 Lakh - 27.89 Lakh |
| MIT Institute of Design, MIT-ADT University | INR 17.8 Lakh |
| Unitedworld Institute of Design, Karnavati University | INR 24 Lakh - 40 Lakh |
| FLAME University | INR 37.5 Lakh |
Top Design Courses after 12th
The table shows the top Fashion Design courses after Class 12, with their top colleges.
| Fashion Design Courses after 12th | Fashion Design Colleges | Fashion Design Course Fees (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| BDes Fashion Design | NIFT Delhi | INR 12.96 Lakh |
| NIFT Bangalore | INR 12.96 Lakh | |
| Amity University Mumbai | INR 6.48 Lakh | |
| NIFT Mumbai | INR 12.96 Lakh | |
| Pearl Academy New Delhi | INR 22.77 Lakh | |
| MDes Fashion Design | Amity University Mumbai | INR 2.92 Lakh |
| Pearl Academy New Delhi | INR 11.38 Lakh | |
| Pearl Academy Mumbai | INR 11.38 Lakh | |
| World University of Design | INR 8.05 Lakh | |
| HITS | INR 2.17 Lakh | |
| Diploma in Fashion Design | NIFT Delhi | INR 2.83 Lakh - 3.54 Lakh |
| NIFT Mumbai | INR 2 Lakh | |
| IIFT Bangalore | INR 1.25 Lakh - 1.75 Lakh | |
| DOT School of Design | INR 1.4 Lakh - 1.75 Lakh | |
| HAMSTECH College of Creative Education | INR 3.6 Lakh | |
| Certificate in Fashion Design | NIFT Delhi | INR 94,400 - INR 1.65 Lakh |
| HAMSTECH College of Creative Education | INR 65,000 - INR 1.8 Lakh | |
| Pearl Academy New Delhi | INR 3.55 Lakh | |
| Manipal School of Architecture and Planning | INR 84,000 |
Commonly asked questions
NIFT Stage 2 will have Situation Test and Personal Interview.
| Programme | Stage 2 Components |
|---|---|
| B.Des (Bachelor of Design) | Situation Test – Model-making, material handling, creativity, innovation |
| B.Des (NLEA) | Studio Test + Personal Interview |
| B.Des (Artisans) | Artisan Skill Test + Personal Interview |
| B.F.Tech (NLEA) | Technical Ability Test (OMR-based) + Personal Interview |
| PG Programmes (M.Des, M.F.M., M.F.Tech) | Personal Interview |
Design Aptitude is a test that is a part of most of the Design entrance exams in India. Through this test, the Design institutes examines the designing and creative ability of candidates. It includes questions related to sketching, drawing and reasoning. This test usually is the first step of any design exam. Candidates must focus on its preparations.
NID DAT (Prelims) exam will be conducted as a paper-and-pencil/pen test. The question paper will be set in English only. DAT Mains will be held in offline mode.
NIFT Situation Test will be of 2 hours. In this time, candidates have to draw the given 3D model and write about it.
List of Specialisation for B.Des
The following table presents the top B.Des specialisations and the career opportunities they offer.
| B.Des Specialisation | Popular Career Options |
|---|---|
| Fashion Design | Fashion Designer, Stylist, Merchandiser, Illustrator, Trend Forecaster |
| Leather Design | Footwear Designer, Leather Goods Developer, Accessory Designer, QC Manager |
| Accessory Design | Jewelry Designer, Bag Designer, Watch Designer, Lifestyle Product Developer |
| Textile Design | Textile Designer, Fabric Developer, Print Designer, Surface Pattern Expert |
| Knitwear Design | Knitwear Designer, Apparel Developer, Sampling Coordinator, Pattern Maker |
| Fashion Communication | Fashion Stylist, Visual Merchandiser, Photographer, Brand Manager, PR Executive |
| Apparel Production (B.FTech) | Production Manager, Industrial Engineer, Supply Chain Executive, Quality Analyst |
| Film and Video Communication | Director, Editor, Scriptwriter, Content Creator, Cinematographer |
| Exhibition Design | Exhibition Designer, Museum Curator, Installation Artist, Event Designer |
| Animation Film Design | Animator (2D/3D), VFX Artist, Storyboard Artist, Motion Graphics Designer |
| Graphic Design | Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer, Illustrator, Art Director, Branding Consultant |
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8 years ago
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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