Interior Design Courses in Kerala 2026: State Seats and Fees
- 10 May 2025iDAT Design Aptitude Test exam conducted for B.Des interior admissions
The IIAD Design Aptitude Test (iDAT) was scheduled for May 10, 2025, following the online application deadline of May 5, 2025. - 5 Jan 2025NID DAT Prelims exam held for undergraduate design programs
National Institute of Design conducted the DAT Prelims exam on January 5, 2025, for candidates seeking B.Des Furniture and Interior Design seats.
Interior design courses in Kerala range from 6-month specialized diplomas to 4-year undergraduate degree programs (B.Des/B.Sc), with course fees spanning between INR 14,900 and INR 3,60,000 depending on the college and qualification level. Graduates in Kerala can expect starting salaries between INR 3 LPA and INR 4.5 LPA, scaling up to INR 8.5 LPA or higher with industry experience.
Students can explore undergraduate degrees, professional diplomas, government-backed technical certifications, fee benchmarks, admission requirements, entrance test structures, and career outcomes across major hubs in Kerala.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Duration Range | 6 months (Diploma) to 4 years (B.Des) |
| Average Fee Range in Kerala | INR 14,900 to INR 3,60,000 (Total Course Fee) |
| Starting Salary in Kerala | INR 3 LPA to INR 4.5 LPA |
| Mid-Career Salary Range | INR 6 LPA to INR 8.5 LPA |
| UG Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 pass from any recognized board |
| Key Design Hub Cities | Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thrissur |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symbiosis Skills & Open University | Pune | — | ₹8.10 lakh | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Punjab Agricultural University | Ludhiana | — | ₹65,510 | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Manipal University Manipal | Manipal | — | ₹1.75 lakh | 3 (Overall, 2025) |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore | — | ₹14.00 lakh | 8 (Overall, 2025) |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh | — | ₹61,905 | 10 (Overall, 2025) |
| SRM Institute of Technology | Kanchipuram | Private | ₹6.10 lakh | 11 (Overall, 2025) |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bhubaneswar | — | ₹5.63 lakh | 17 (Overall, 2025) |
| Chandigarh University | Chandigarh | Private | ₹8.77 lakh | 19 (Overall, 2025) |
| Amity University Noida | Noida | — | ₹9.12 lakh | 22 (Overall, 2025) |
| Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar | Private | ₹3.00 lakh | 31 (Overall, 2025) |
IIIC Construction-Aligned Interior Design Pathways
| Feature | PGP IDC | AD ID |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 12 months | 6 months |
| Target Eligibility | B.Tech / BE Civil Engineering | Diploma or B.Tech Civil + 3 years experience |
| Total Fee | INR 1,75,800 | INR 75,600 |
| Career Level Focus | Managerial level | Supervisory level |
| Core Curriculum Focus | Design + Construction Management | On-site supervision + Design execution |
| Internship Exposure | 3 months structured internship | Included |
IIIC Kerala provides specialized interior design courses for civil engineering graduates and diploma holders focusing on construction management and site execution. The 12-month PGP IDC includes a 3-month structured internship with leading architectural and design firms.
How to Choose a Interior Designing College
Selecting an interior design program requires evaluating curriculum depth, software coverage, faculty experience, and internship connections. The Indian interior design sector is valued at USD 22.21 billion and is expanding at an 18% annual growth rate. Students should verify that institutions offer extensive practical instruction in key digital software including AutoCAD, 3D modelling tools, precision drafting, and computer-aided design (CAD).
Career Scope, Job Roles, and Salary Realities in Kerala
- Common Job Roles: Graduates can work as interior designers, space planners, furniture designers, 3D visualization artists, design project managers, interior decorators, and design consultants.
- Fresh Graduates: Starting salaries for fresh interior design graduates in Kerala range from INR 3 LPA to INR 4.5 LPA.
- Mid-Level Designers (3 to 5 Years): Interior designers in Kerala earn between INR 6 LPA and INR 8.5 LPA.
- Senior Designers: Senior interior designers working on high-value luxury residential or hospitality projects can earn upwards of INR 10 LPA.
- Key Technical Skills: Essential skills include AutoCAD, 3D modelling, computer-aided design (CAD), precision sketching, digital imaging, space planning, and understanding building codes.
Graduates can pursue roles such as space planner, furniture designer, and 3D visualization artist in Kerala’s design sector. Starting salaries range from INR 3 LPA to INR 4.5 LPA, with senior designers earning upwards of INR 10 LPA.
How to Apply for Interior Designing Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check eligibility criteria: Verify qualifying examination rules: 10+2 from any stream for B.Des/B.Sc, B.Tech/BE Civil for IIIC PGP IDC, or 10+2 Science with Maths + NATA for B.Arch routes.
- Register for entrance exam: Fill out application forms for design aptitude tests like iDAT (deadline 5 May 2025) or NID DAT (deadline Dec 2024).
- Submit direct college applications: Apply directly on institute portals (e.g., IIIC, Cindrebay, CAT Trivandrum) for merit or diploma-based entry.
- Complete document verification and fee payment: Present 10+2 mark sheets, degree certificates (for PG/PGP courses), and complete tuition fee submission to lock your seat.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | Interior Designing colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
FAQs
What is the salary of an interior designer per month in Kerala?
Starting salaries for fresh graduates range from INR 3 LPA to INR 4.5 LPA. Experienced designers with 3 to 5 years of practice earn between INR 6 LPA and INR 8.5 LPA.
What requirements are needed to study interior design?
For B.Des or B.Sc in Interior Design, you need a 10+2 pass from any stream. For technical PGP courses like IIIC’s PGP IDC, a B.Tech/BE in Civil Engineering is required.
What are the interior design course fees in Kerala?
Fees vary widely: diploma programs range from INR 14,900 to INR 1,50,000, while multi-year B.Des and B.Sc programs cost between INR 90,000 and INR 3,60,000 across private colleges.
Is B.Des in interior design a 4-year degree course?
Yes, standard B.Des (Bachelor of Design) programs, such as those under NID or IIAD frameworks, run over 4 years of undergraduate study.
Is studying interior design expensive in Kerala?
It depends on the path. Affordable short diploma options start at INR 14,900 to INR 35,000, whereas full 4-year B.Des programs reach up to INR 3,60,000 in specialized institutes.
What software skills should interior designers possess?
Designers should master 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software like AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3D modelling tools, precision sketching, digital imaging, and space planning tools.
