Top Design Universities Worldwide: Programs and Opportunities
Top Design Universities Worldwide
Design plays a pivotal role in shaping our world, from the products we use to the spaces we inhabit. Pursuing a degree in design from a top university can open up a world of opportunities for creative minds. Here, we highlight some of the leading design universities worldwide along with their undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Selection Criterion & Admission Procedure
1. Parsons School of Design, The New School (USA)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Communication Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design, and more.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design and Technology, Fashion Design and Society, Interior Design, etc.
2. Royal College of Art (UK)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Architecture, Fashion, and more.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Arts (MA) in Design Products, Global Innovation Design, Vehicle Design, etc.
3. Rhode Island School of Design (USA)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Textiles, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Digital + Media, Furniture Design, Jewelry + Metalsmithing, etc.
4. Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UK)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Product Design, Graphic Communication Design, Jewellery Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Arts (MA) in Industrial Design, Material Futures, Narrative Environments, etc.
5. School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Advertising Design, Environment and Interior Design, Product Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Design (MDes) in Design Strategies, Interaction Design, Urban Environments Design, etc.
Eligibility Criteria and Fees
Eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in design typically include a portfolio showcasing the applicant's creative abilities, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and sometimes standardized test scores like the SAT or GRE.
Fees for design programs vary widely depending on factors such as location, program duration, and whether the university is public or private. Generally, tuition fees for international students tend to be higher than those for domestic students. It's essential to check the official university websites for the most accurate fee information.
6. Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Design and Engineering, Interior Design, Communication Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Science (MSc) in Product Service System Design, Visual and Multimedia Design, Urban Planning and Policy Design, etc.
7. École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts (ENSBA) (France)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fine Arts, Multimedia Design, Graphic Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Experimental Design, Art and Public Space, Design for Cultural Projects, etc.
8. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (USA)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Animation, Industrial Design, Visual Effects, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Illustration, Motion Media Design, Themed Entertainment Design, etc.
9. University of the Arts, London (UK)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Spatial Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Arts (MA) in Design Management, Fashion Communication, Illustration, etc.
10. Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture (Finland)
Undergraduate Programs:
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Fashion, Visual Communication Design, Product and Spatial Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
Master of Arts (MA) in Collaborative and Industrial Design, Creative Sustainability, Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art, etc.
Eligibility Criteria and Fees
Eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in design typically include a portfolio showcasing the applicant's creative abilities, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and sometimes standardized test scores like the SAT or GRE.
Fees for design programs vary widely depending on factors such as location, program duration, and whether the university is public or private. Generally, tuition fees for international students tend to be higher than those for domestic students. It's essential to check the official university websites for the most accurate fee information.
11. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (USA)***
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Animation, Industrial Design, Visual Effects, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Illustration, Motion Media Design, Themed Entertainment Design, etc.
12. California College of the Arts (CCA) (USA)
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design, Visual and Critical Studies, etc.
13. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (USA)
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Design, Illustration, Toy Design, etc.
14. University of Cincinnati - College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) (USA)
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Communication Design, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design, Fine Arts, etc.
15. ArtCenter College of Design (USA)
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Advertising, Environmental Design, Film, etc.
Postgraduate Programs:
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Media Design Practices, Industrial Design, etc.
**Eligibility Criteria and Fees**
Eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in design typically include a portfolio showcasing the applicant's creative abilities, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and sometimes standardized test scores like the SAT or GRE.
Fees for design programs vary widely depending on factors such as location, program duration, and whether the university is public or private. Generally, tuition fees for international students tend to be higher than those for domestic students. It's essential to check the official university websites for the most accurate fee information.
Here's the IELTS requirement and average tuition fees for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs at the universities mentioned:
Parsons School of Design, The New School (USA)
IELTS Requirement: Generally, a minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - $25,000 to $50,000 per year, PG - $30,000 to $60,000 per year.
Royal College of Art (UK)
IELTS Requirement: Usually, a minimum overall band score of 6.5 to 7.0 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - £22,000 to £30,000 per year, PG - £28,000 to £38,000 per year.
Rhode Island School of Design (USA)
IELTS Requirement: Typically, a minimum overall band score of 6.5 to 7.0 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - $50,000 to $55,000 per year, PG - $55,000 to $60,000 per year.
Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London (UK)
IELTS Requirement: Generally, a minimum overall band score of 6.5 to 7.0 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - £22,000 to £30,000 per year, PG - £28,000 to £38,000 per year.
School of Design, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong)
IELTS Requirement: Usually, a minimum overall band score of 6.5 to 7.0 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - HK$120,000 to HK$180,000 per year, PG - HK$140,000 to HK$200,000 per year.
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (USA)
IELTS Requirement: Generally, a minimum overall band score of 6.0 to 6.5 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - $35,000 to $40,000 per year, PG - $40,000 to $45,000 per year.
California College of the Arts (CCA) (USA)
IELTS Requirement: Typically, a minimum overall band score of 6.0 to 6.5 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - $40,000 to $45,000 per year, PG - $45,000 to $50,000 per year.
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (USA)
IELTS Requirement: Generally, a minimum overall band score of 6.0 to 6.5 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - $15,000 to $20,000 per year (in-state), $30,000 to $35,000 per year (out-of-state or international), PG - $20,000 to $25,000 per year (in-state), $35,000 to $40,000 per year (out-of-state or international).
University of Cincinnati - College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) (USA)
IELTS Requirement: Typically, a minimum overall band score of 6.0 to 6.5 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - $30,000 to $35,000 per year (in-state), $40,000 to $45,000 per year (out-of-state or international), PG - $30,000 to $35,000 per year (in-state), $40,000 to $45,000 per year (out-of-state or international).
ArtCenter College of Design (USA)
IELTS Requirement: Generally, a minimum overall band score of 6.0 to 6.5 is required for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Average Tuition Fees: UG - $45,000 to $50,000 per year, PG - $50,000 to $55,000 per year.