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Future endeavours are always thrilling. They don’t just influence our decisions but also direct us. Circling down to a career option is one such decision that shapes our lives. As quoted by Alina Wheeler, “Design is intelligence made visible” and learning the intricacies of design in a college enables us to do so. However, appearing for professional entrance exams, receiving results and applying for interior design courses is a scene that gives us all an adrenaline rush. And more than often, narrowing down to a list of colleges is the most intriguing task of all. So, we thought of making it a little easy for you.

Having worked closely with the best interior design colleges and students across the country, we have insights on which ones are doing a good job at academics and extracurricular. So, here’s a list of the best colleges that offer the best interior design courses and all that you should know before filling out that form.

1. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

National Institute of Design is the finest in the country. With immense national and international exposure for the interior design course, you will get the opportunity to be involved in competitions, publications, live projects, workshops and attend lectures of some well known designers. The course allows students to create viable interior design for home and office.

A view of the NID entrance gate

Year of establishment: 1961
Course and duration: B.Design in Furniture & Interior Design (4 years)
Fee structure (for 2020): Rs. 1,51,000 – 1,55,000 per semester (exclusive of hostel, mess and deposit charges)
Batch strength: 19 seats
Eligibility criteria: Candidates who have passed or will appear for higher secondary examinations in any stream (Science, Arts, Commerce, Humanities, etc.) from any recognised board of education such as CBSE, IB, ICSE or their equivalent
Admission process: Online application > Registration fees payment > Selection confirmation > Interview > Merit list

2. CEPT University, Ahmedabad

Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology is one of the best interior designing colleges in India. The campus provides for practical learnings, hands-on workshops, thoughtful publication engagements and evolve their interior designing styles. CEPT is acknowledged all over for its teaching and evaluation techniques.

Year of establishment: 1991
Course and duration: Bachelor of Interior Design (5 years)
Fee structure (for 2019): Rs. 1,60,000 – 1,80,000 per semester
Batch strength: 40 seats
Eligibility criteria: You must have passed the higher secondary exam from Gujarat state board or any other equivalent board with Physics & Mathematics as compulsory subjects and Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Computer as optional subject (all at higher/advance level), securing a minimum aggregate score of 50% (45% for reserved category) for all subjects.
Admission process: Online application for CEPT Aptitude test >Registration fees payment> Basic Aptitude test > Advanced Aptitude test > Merit list

3. J. J. School of Arts, Mumbai

Sir JJ School of Arts is world renowned as a pioneering institute of fine art education in India. The school today stands as a heritage building in the south Mumbai region with departments of interior decoration, drawing and painting, sculpture and modelling, mural, portraiture, printmaking, arts and crafts including ceramics, metal work and textiles.

Year of establishment: 1878
Course offered and duration: BFA in Interior Decoration (4 years)
Fee structure (for 2019): Rs. 37,500 per semester
Batch strength: 15 seats
Eligibility criteria: All the candidates passed / appearing for higher secondary examination or its equivalent with English as a language subject and score minimum aggregate marks 45% (40% for reserved category) and having Indian Nationality are eligible for appearing for MAH-AAC-CET (qualifying exam)
Admission process (Mumbai University): Online application for MAH-AAC-CET> Registration fees payment > Competitive exam > Score declaration > Merit list

4. College of Architecture, Nashik

At Nashik’s College of Architecture, digital aid for presentations and discussions are used as a medium of learning. For the interior designing course, importance is given to site visits and timely interaction with professionals to understand the latest interior design trends, materials, construction techniques, technology and their application in design. Live sites are discussed and given as design programs to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Year of establishment: 1914
Course and duration: B. Design in Interior Design (4 years)
Eligibility criteria: Passed in Higher secondary in any stream or 10 + Diploma of B.T.E. & D.T.E. Approved Institute
Admission process: Orientation program > Portfolio and documents submission > Interview > Result declaration > Admission Confirmation

5. Pearl Academy; Delhi, Mumbai, Noida and Jaipur

Pearl academy enables students to sharpen their skills and learnings through international exposure, career mentoring by top industry experts and live design projects. Students will gain the knowledge to experiment, conceptualize, and detail functioning of the final interior design solutions.

Year of establishment: 1993
Course offered and duration: Bachelor of Interior Design (4 years)
Fee structure (for 2019): Rs. 2,70,000 – 3,10,000 per semester
Eligibility criteria: Higher secondary education, in any discipline, NATA scores also accepted
Admission process: Online application > General Proficiency Test > Design Aptitude Test > Media Aptitude Test > Interview (portfolio evaluation, material handling skill test)

6. Arch Academy of Design, Jaipur

At Arch Academy of Design, the interior design course enables students to learn about creating a balance between creativity and sensitivity, pragmatic design thinking. The teaching methodology equips students to be problem solvers and researchers who design interior and spatial environments where people thrive. Live projects and campus placements, and field trips provide opportunities for students to connect theoretical learning to practical execution.

Year of establishment: 2000
Course offered and duration: B. Design in Interior Design (4 years)
Fee structure (for 2019): Rs. 3.8 Lakhs per year
Batch strength: 25 seats
Eligibility criteria: Pass in Higher secondary exam (CBSE/ ICSE/ IB/ State Board/ NIOS/ equivalent in any stream) + AIEED (overall score should be 48% and above)
Admission process: Online application > General Aptitude Test > Creative Aptitude Test > Introduction to self through video and portfolio > Result declaration

7. Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore

At Vogue Institute, the interior design course seeks an interdisciplinary approach. It is integrated with the subjects of material science and design skills. Students are motivated to work as interns on live projects under leading architects and interior design firms to hone practical expertise.

Year of establishment: 2000
Course offered and duration: Bachelor degree in Interior Design and Decoration (3 years)
Eligibility criteria: 10 + 2 / PUC / Equivalent. in any stream) + AIEED (overall score should be 48% and above
Admission process: Online application and evaluation > Fees payment

8. L.S. Raheja School of Architecture

L.S. Raheja is an interior designing college in Mumbai which provides for a unique learning programme for Interior designing students. The Institution stands by the assets of practical teaching, research, creating entrepreneurs and services. The faculty educates the students for effective professional practices, by nurturing their personality and understanding of design as a broad humanistic and scientific discipline.

Year of establishment: 1953
Course offered and duration: B. Voc in Interior Design (3 years)
Batch strength: 60 seats
Eligibility criteria: All the candidates passed / appearing for higher secondary examination or its equivalent. The passing scores of HSC or equivalent examination board shall not be considered for the merit list only otherwise if there is a tie in scores of Merit list while granting admission for the only available seat. The merit list shall be based on the scores of Aptitude Test only.
Admission process: Online application for Aptitude test> Registration fees payment > Competitive exam > Score declaration > Merit list

These are the finest interior design colleges in the country to explore your design avenues. Also, remember that design is an interactive course, so the more you learn, the more you teach. Be open to new ideas, concepts and thoughts and allow them to flow down your creative channel. It’s only then that you can fully unleash your design college experience. It’s about time to fasten your belts and head on to the amazing design journey, cause the future holds immense possibilities for your ideas!

Do write to us in the comments if you find this list helpful!

TOP 8 INTERIOR DESIGN COURSES IN INDIA