Top Design Colleges in Mumbai: Ranking, Courses & Admissions 2026
Mumbai, the creative capital of India, continues to be one of the most preferred destinations for students aspiring to build a career in design. With its strong presence in fashion, film, advertising, media, product innovation, and digital design, Mumbai offers unmatched exposure and industry interaction. In 2026, design education in Mumbai has evolved further, with colleges focusing on interdisciplinary learning, industry-led curriculum, live projects, and global collaborations.
Top Design colleges in Mumbai 2026: Highlights
| Parameters | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Course Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Diploma & Certificate |
| Popular Design Courses | Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Product Design, Animation, UI/UX Design |
| Top Design Colleges in Mumbai | NIFT Mumbai, IDC School of Design (IIT Bombay), Pearl Academy Mumbai, Raffles Design International |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam, Merit-based, Portfolio Review |
| Major Entrance Exams | NIFT Entrance Exam, UCEED, NID DAT |
| Average Course Fees | INR 1.5 Lakh to INR 5 Lakh per year |
| Top Recruiters | Amazon, Myntra, TCS, Infosys, Adidas, Raymond, Tata Group |
| Average Placement Package | INR 4 LPA to INR 10 LPA |
| Top Specialisations | Fashion Communication, Visual Design, Interaction Design, Textile Design |
| Study Mode | Full-time, Part-time |
| Academic Session | 2026 |
| Location Advantage | Industry exposure, internships, design studios, startup ecosystem |
Top Design colleges in Mumbai 2026
From government-funded institutes to reputed private universities, Mumbai hosts some of the finest design colleges in India offering courses in fashion design, communication design, interior design, product design, animation, UI UX, and more. These institutes not only provide academic excellence but also open doors to internships, live studio projects, and placements with top brands.
| College Name | Type | Affiliation / Approval | Popular Design Courses | Approx. Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Mumbai | Government | Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India | Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design | INR 3.0 – 3.5 Lakhs |
| IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay | Government | IIT Bombay | Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Mobility Design | INR 2.5 – 3.0 Lakhs |
| University of Mumbai – Department of Design | Government | University of Mumbai | Bachelor of Design, Communication Design | INR 50,000 – 1.2 Lakhs |
| Pearl Academy, Mumbai | Private | Pearson & International Affiliations | Fashion Design, Interior Design, Communication Design | INR 6 – 7 Lakhs |
| NMIMS School of Design | Private | NMIMS Deemed University | Product Design, UX Design, Interior Design | INR 4 – 5 Lakhs |
| Raffles Design International, Mumbai | Private | International Accreditation | Fashion Design, Visual Communication | INR 6 – 8 Lakhs |
| L. S. Raheja School of Art | Private | Government of Maharashtra | Fine Art, Applied Art | INR 1.5 – 2.5 Lakhs |
Admission Process for Design Colleges in Mumbai 2026
Admission to top design colleges in Mumbai is primarily based on entrance exams and portfolio evaluations.
Common entrance exams include:
• UCEED for IIT Bombay
• NIFT Entrance Exam
• NATA for Interior Design
• Institute-level design aptitude tests
• Portfolio and personal interview rounds
Students are advised to prepare well in advance, focusing on creativity, problem-solving skills, and design fundamentals.
Career Scope After Studying Design in Mumbai
Graduates from top design colleges in Mumbai have excellent career prospects across industries such as fashion, media, advertising, technology, and entertainment.
Popular job roles include:
• Fashion Designer
• Graphic Designer
• UI UX Designer
• Product Designer
• Interior Designer
• Animation Artist
• Creative Director
With Mumbai’s strong industry presence, many students also opt for freelancing, startups, or higher studies abroad.
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Design Colleges in Mumbai 2026
For aspirants planning admission in 2026, understanding which entrance exams are accepted by top design colleges in Mumbai is crucial. These exams assess creativity, visual aptitude, problem-solving ability, design thinking, and sometimes general awareness and communication skills.
| Entrance Exam | Conducting Body | Colleges in Mumbai Accepting Exam | Popular Design Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIFT Entrance Exam | National Institute of Fashion Technology | NIFT Mumbai | Fashion Design, Textile Design, Accessory Design |
| UCEED | IIT Bombay | IDC IIT Bombay | BDes |
| CEED | IIT Bombay | IDC IIT Bombay | MDes |
| MIT DAT | MIT Institute of Design | MIT Design Institutes Mumbai | Product, UX, Industrial Design |
| College-Level Tests | Individual Colleges | Private Design Colleges Mumbai | Interior, Graphic, Animation |
Top Government vs Private Top Design Colleges in Mumbai 2026
| Parameter | Government Design Colleges | Private Design Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | Very low and affordable | High to moderate |
| Admission Process | Highly competitive CET based | Institute-level tests and interviews |
| Infrastructure | Basic but functional | Advanced studios and labs |
| Industry Exposure | Limited | Strong and frequent |
| Placements | Moderate | High placement support |
| Faculty | Academically experienced | Industry professionals |
| Global Exposure | Limited | International tie-ups |
Top Government Design Colleges in Mumbai 2026
Government design colleges are known for affordable fees, academic credibility, and competitive entrance exams. These institutes focus on strong conceptual foundations and design theory.
| College Name | Courses Offered | Entrance Exam | Approx. Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITM Institute of Design & Media, Andheri | Applied Art, Fine Art | MAH-AAC-CET | INR 10,000 – 25,000 |
| Whistling Woods International | Interior Design, Industrial Design | MAH-AAC-CET | INR 20,000 – 40,000 |
| Sir J.J. School of Art | Painting, Sculpture, Visual Art | MAH-AAC-CET | INR 8,000 – 20,000 |
| ISDI (School of Design & Innovation) | Fine Arts, Visual Design | State CET | INR 5,000 – 15,000 |
Top Private Design Colleges in Mumbai 2026
Private design colleges focus heavily on industry exposure, modern infrastructure, global collaborations, and placement support. They are ideal for students seeking practical learning and faster career entry.
| College Name | Courses Offered | Entrance Exam | Approx. Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl Academy Mumbai | Fashion, Interior, Communication Design | PAF Entrance Test | INR 5 – 7 Lakhs |
| Raffles Design International | Fashion, Product, Visual Design | Institute Level Test | INR 6 – 8 Lakhs |
| ISDI School of Design & Innovation | Product, Communication, Fashion Design | ISDI Challenge | INR 4 – 6 Lakhs |
| Ecole Intuit Lab Mumbai | Digital Design, UI/UX, Animation | Aptitude Test | INR 5 – 7 Lakhs |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology | Fashion, Interior Design | JD Entrance Exam | INR 3 – 5 Lakhs |
Top Design Courses in Mumbai 2026
Mumbai, often called the creative capital of India, is one of the most preferred destinations for students aspiring to build a career in design. With its strong presence in fashion, media, advertising, film, digital marketing, UI UX, and product innovation, the city offers unmatched exposure and industry connections. In 2026, design courses in Mumbai continue to evolve with a strong focus on practical learning, technology integration, and global design trends.
| Design Course | Duration | Level | Career Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Design (BDes) | 4 Years | Undergraduate | Fashion Designer, UX Designer, Product Designer |
| BSc in Interior Design | 3 Years | Undergraduate | Interior Designer, Space Planner, Consultant |
| BSc in Fashion Design | 3 Years | Undergraduate | Fashion Designer, Stylist, Merchandiser |
| Diploma in Graphic Design | 1–2 Years | Diploma | Graphic Designer, Brand Designer |
| Diploma in UI UX Design | 6–12 Months | Diploma | UX Designer, UI Designer, Product Designer |
| BFA in Applied Arts | 4 Years | Undergraduate | Visual Artist, Illustrator, Art Director |
| BA in Animation and VFX | 3 Years | Undergraduate | Animator, VFX Artist, Game Designer |
| Master of Design (MDes) | 2 Years | Postgraduate | Design Manager, Researcher, Specialist Designer |
| MSc in UX Design | 2 Years | Postgraduate | UX Researcher, Experience Designer |
FAQs
Popular design courses offered by Mumbai colleges include Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Animation, UX/UI Design, and Visual Communication.
Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board. For postgraduate design courses, a relevant bachelor’s degree is required. Some colleges may also ask for a portfolio and entrance exam score.
Most top design colleges in Mumbai provide placement support, with recruiters from fashion houses, design studios, advertising agencies, media firms, and tech companies.
Fresh design graduates can expect an average salary between INR 3 LPA to INR 8 LPA, depending on specialization, skills, portfolio, and hiring company.
Yes, students can apply for government scholarships, merit-based scholarships, need-based financial aid, and institute-specific scholarships offered by design colleges in Mumbai.
Design graduates can work as Fashion Designers, Graphic Designers, UX/UI Designers, Interior Designers, Product Designers, Animators, or start their own design studios and brands.
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