Design Courses at IITs: B.Des, M.Des, PhD Programmes, Eligibility

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are widely known for engineering and technology, but they also offer world-class design programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. With institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Delhi leading in design education, aspirants can pursue B.Des, M.Des, and PhD programmes through national-level exams like UCEED and CEED.

The upcoming UCEED and CEED 2026 exams will be conducted by IIT Bombay on January 18, 2026, with applications expected to begin in the first week of October 2025.

Undergraduate Design Courses at IITs

IITs offer Bachelor of Design (B.Des) programmes across various campuses. Admissions are through UCEED.

• Eligibility:
  • Science stream (PCM) candidates are eligible for all IITs
  • Other streams (Commerce, Arts, Humanities) are eligible for IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Indore
  • Must qualify for UCEED with a valid rank
• Duration: 4 years
• Fees: INR 1.2–1.5 lakh per semester

Postgraduate Design Courses at IITs

M.Des admissions are through CEED. Some IITs also offer research-based master’s options.

• Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years after 10+2) or equivalent diploma; CEED qualification required
• Duration: 2 years
• Fees: INR 1.3–1.5 lakh per semester

Doctoral Programmes in Design at IITs

Several IITs offer PhD in Design, enabling advanced research.

• Eligibility: Master’s in Design + CEED/GATE/UGC NET qualification (as per institute)
• Fees: INR 60,000–90,000 per year

Design Specialisations at IITs

IITs offer multiple design domains:

• Industrial & Product Design
• Interaction & UX/UI Design
• Visual Communication & Graphic Design
• Mobility & Vehicle Design
• Animation & Film Design
• Ergonomics & Human Factors
• Design for Sustainability
• Human-Computer Interaction

Placements After Design Courses at IITs

Graduates from IIT Design programmes secure top placements in India and abroad.

• Top Recruiters: Microsoft, Google, Infosys, Samsung, Adobe, Amazon, Ola Electric, Whirlpool, Tata Motors
• Average Packages:
  • B.Des: INR 9–12 LPA
  • M.Des: INR 12–16 LPA
  • Top Offers: Above INR 25 LPA (in select cases)

Domains: UX/UI, Industrial Design, Communication Design, Animation, Automotive Design, Research, Academia