Best Design Colleges Apart From NIFT & NID: Fee, Admission Process, Placements

Some of the best design colleges apart from NIFT & NID comprise Pearl Academy of Fashion, Symbiosis Institute of Design, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, etc. The NIFT 2026 was held on Feb 8, 2026, while the NID DAT 2026 Exam was held on Dec 21, 2025. Candidates taking the design exams are advised to go through the list of best colleges apart from NID DAT and NIFT exams for their reference.

A possibility can be that the student misses out on the NIFT and NID entrance exams. In that case, he or she will wait for a year or will look out for other top design colleges.  Several design colleges apart from NIFT & NID produce excellent designers. Check out the list of best designer colleges apart from NIFT and NID.

Best Design Colleges Apart From NIFT NID in India 2026

The presence of outstanding institutions such as ISDI, Pearl, MIT, Srishti, IIAD, and IED proves our significant progress in this direction. Below are some of the best design colleges apart from NIFT and NID:

1. JD Institute of Fashion Technology (JD IFT), New Delhi

JD IFT has for 30 years nurtured hundreds of individuals determined to make their dreams come true. The academy is committed to preparing each candidate for success through its latest programs, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and facilities.

Also Read: Top Interior Design Courses After 10th

2. Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF), New Delhi

PAF is an Indian higher education institution. Since 2019, the institution has been a member of the for-profit education group Global University Systems. Students of the institute can participate in summer programs, arts and design workshops, student exchange programs, etc.

They are exposed to global trends and practices. The Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Professional Diploma are validated by Laureate Education Inc. and Domas Academy, Milan.

3. Apeejay Institute for Design (AID), New Delhi

AID is one of the best design colleges in Delhi and offers a wide range of programs. AID is one of the best design colleges in Delhi with 100% job search assistance. Our students work for major Indian and international brands as designers, fashion stylists, design consultants, and more.

Also Read: Career as a Fashion Designer

4. Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), Noida

FDDI, established in 1986, spans ​​10 acres with many topographic features created from the imagination with picturesque landscapes. With clean and spacious streets, the campus offers a harmonious spectacle of architecture and natural beauty with world-class facilities for educating students.

The program includes innovative workshops, theoretical courses, case studies, and meetings with experts, thus introducing students to the specifics of a career relevant to the times.

5. Industrial Design Centre - IIT Bombay (IDC IITB), Mumbai

IDC IITB, formerly the Industrial Design Center, is one of the oldest design schools in India, established by the Indian government in 1969 on the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay.

6. MAEER's MIT Institute of Design (MMID), Pune

Creativity and innovation coexist and thrive at MMID University of Pune. The private university was established under the Law of Government and Universities, and it offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in art, design, and technology through industry-oriented programs.

Located on the Rajbaug campus in Loni Kalbhor, the award-winning campus spans over 100 acres of greenery and inspiration.

7. Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune

SID is a "home away from home" for international students. Symbiosis International (Deemed University) is a multidisciplinary university that offers its students and professors a dynamic learning ecosystem designed around its innovative and cross-cultural philosophy, created in 1971 by GS.

This organization is based on the principles of Vedic thought of "the world as a family."

8. Fashion Technology School (FTS), Pune

FTS, Pune, was established in 1998 under the patronage of the former Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha (MKSSS). It was one of the first schools to offer education in fashion and is located in Pune.

The school it is associated with has been ranked 12th and 13th in fashion design by The Week 2020 and Outlook 2019.

9. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design And Technology

Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, was founded in 1996 and is based in Bangalore, Karnataka. The institute offers full-time courses and is accredited by AICTE. Students can choose from various PG and UG courses offered by the institute, including B.Des, B.Voc, BFA, M.A., M.Des, M.Plan, MFA, and PG Diploma.

Also Read: Design Courses After 12th