B.Des Admission Pathways for Students with Arts Background

Jemima Sultana

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Find out how Arts stream students can pursue a Bachelor of Design (B.Des) with details on eligibility, entrance exams like NID, NIFT, and UCEED, admission steps, top colleges, and career options. Learn how your creative Arts background can help you build a career in design.
B.Des Admission Pathways for Students with Arts Background

A Bachelor of Design (B.Des) after an Arts stream can be one of the smartest career decisions for creative students. The course blends artistic skills with practical design learning, opening opportunities in fashion, product, communication, interior, and industrial design. Let’s explore how Arts students can get into top B.Des colleges, the entrance exams, eligibility, and admission process in this article.

B.Des Eligibility Criteria for Arts Students

Arts students are eligible for B.Des course admission as long as they meet the basic educational qualifications. Here are the requirements.

Criteria

Details

Qualification

Must have completed Class 12 from a recognized board (any stream - Arts, Commerce, or Science).

Minimum Marks

Generally, 50% aggregate in Class 12 (varies by college).

Accepted Streams

Arts stream students are fully eligible for all major design specializations.

Age Limit

Most institutes accept candidates up to 24 years

Top Colleges Offering B.Des for Arts Students

Below is a list of the top B.Des colleges for Arts students.

College/ Institute

Admission Through

Approx. Fees (per year)

National Institute of Design (NID)

NID DAT

3-4 lakh

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)

NIFT Entrance Exam

2-3 lakh

Pearl Academy

Pearl Entrance Test

5-6 lakh

MIT Institute of Design

MIT DAT

4-5 lakh

UID (Unitedworld Institute of Design)

UID DAT

3-4 lakh

Symbiosis Institute of Design

SEED

4 lakh

World University of Design

WUD Entrance

2-3 lakh

Also Read: Can Humanities Students Apply for B.Des in 2026?

Top B.Des Entrance Exams for Arts Students

Most popular design colleges in India accept entrance exam scores for admission. Here are the important ones.

Exam

Conducting Body

Courses Offered

NID DAT

National Institute of Design

B.Des & M.Des

NIFT Entrance Exam

National Institute of Fashion Technology

Fashion Design, Textile Design, etc.

UCEED

IIT Bombay

B.Des

AIEED

ARCH College of Design & Business

B.Des

Pearl Academy Entrance Test

Pearl Academy

B.Des (Various Specializations)

MIT DAT

MIT Institute of Design

B.Des

Also Read: B.Des Admission Pathways for Students with Commerce in Class 12

Admission Process for B.Des Courses

Here is the overall admission process for B.Des courses.

Step

Process

Details

1

Register for Entrance Exam

Apply online through the official website of NID, NIFT, UCEED, etc.

2

Prepare for the Exam

Focus on drawing, design aptitude, and general awareness.

3

Appear for the Written Test

Most exams test creativity, visualization, and logical thinking.

4

Portfolio & Interview

Shortlisted candidates appear for the studio test/interview round.

5

Counseling & Admission

Seats are allotted based on ranks and performance.

Also Read: Affordable BDes Colleges in India You Can’t Miss

Popular B.Des Specializations for Arts Students

Here are some of the most popular B.Des specializations for Arts students.

Specialization

Details

Career Options

Fashion Design

Apparel creation, styling, and textile study

Fashion Designer , Stylist

Communication Design

Visual design, branding, media

Graphic Designer , Brand Strategist

Interior Design

Space planning, aesthetics, and sustainability

Interior Designer , Consultant

Product Design

Industrial design, ergonomics

Product Designer , UX Researcher

Textile Design

Fabric innovation, print techniques

Textile Designer, Production Manager

UI/UX Design

User experience, digital interface

UX/UI Designer , Interaction Designer

Also Read: B.Des Entrance Exams You Shouldn't Miss in 2026

B.Des Career Opportunities for Arts Students

Here are the job options arts students can opt for after completing B.Des courses.

Job Role

Industry

Average Salary

Fashion Designer

Apparel, Lifestyle

4-7 LPA

Graphic Designer

Media, Branding

3-6 LPA

Product Designer

Manufacturing, Tech

5-9 LPA

UI/UX Designer

IT, Digital Media

6-10 LPA

Interior Designer

Architecture, Real Estate

4-8 LPA

Art Director

Advertising, Films

7-12 LPA

Also Read: Skills that May Boost Your B.Des Admission Chances in 2026
Arts students have a natural advantage when it comes to pursuing a B.Des degree; creativity, visualization, and storytelling are already their strengths. With entrance exams like NID, NIFT, and UCEED open to all streams, there is no limitation for Humanities students to enter the design world.

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