Best Interior Design Courses After 12th in India — Eligibility, Fees, Career Path (2026)
After 12th, many aspiring interior designers wonder: can a short diploma really land you client projects, or do you absolutely need a full-fledged
TL;DR — Who This Guide Is For
Students from all streams (Science, Commerce, Arts) with a creative bent and interest in space planning and aesthetics should read this.
- Streams needed: Any
- Shortest path: 1 year (diploma/PG diploma)
- Longest path: 5 years (UG + PG)
- Salary band: 1.1-15 LPA
Eligibility — Can You Apply?
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Streams allowed | Science, Commerce, Arts |
| Minimum 12th marks | 45-50% aggregate in 12th |
| Additional requirements | portfolio review and interview for top colleges |
Course Options at a Glance
Here are the routes you can take after 12th, ranked by how long they take and what they cost:
| Type | Duration | Fees Range | Entry Route | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term | 6 months – 1 year | ₹0-₹1,00,000 total | 12th marks or direct admission | students testing interest, low on budget, or seeking early professional entry |
| UG Degree | 3 years | ₹1,00,000-₹4,00,000 total | 12th marks, interview, or entrance exams | students planning a healthy career journey with comprehensive theoretical and practical learning |
| UG Degree | 5 years | ₹30,000-₹8,00,000 total | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and entrance exams | Science stream students seeking widest options and keeping both interior design and architecture career paths open |
Top 5 Specific Courses to Consider
Each course below has a distinct career outcome. Pick by the kind of job you want at the end, not by the name.
B.Sc. in Interior Design & Decoration
Bachelor
3 years
- Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream with 12th marks and interview performance
- Fees: ₹1,00,000-₹4,00,000 total
- Career focus: space planning, material selection, colour theory, technical drawing, client management
- Top institutes: IIFT Bangalore
Diploma in Interior Design
Diploma
- Eligibility: Passed Class 12
- Fees: ₹30,000-₹8,00,000 total
- Career focus: basics and fundamentals of designing, technical skills, client communication, project management
- Top institutes:
B.Arch. with Interior Specialisation
Bachelor
5 years
- Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
- Fees: ₹30,000-₹8,00,000 total
- Career focus: interior design and architecture career paths
- Top institutes:
B.Des Interior Design
Bachelor
- Eligibility: 10+2 with minimum 45-50% marks, may require entrance exam
- Fees: ₹30,000-₹8,00,000 total
- Career focus: design principles, color theory, space planning, lighting
- Top institutes:
Certificate in Interior Design
Certificate
6 months
- Eligibility: Passed Class 12
- Fees: ₹0-₹1,00,000 total
- Career focus: design basics, skill development, early professional journey
- Top institutes: IIFT Bangalore
Entrance Exams You Should Know
| Exam | Authority | Frequency | Next Window | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUET | 10+2 with minimum 45-50% marks | |||
| UCEED | 10+2 with minimum 45-50% marks | |||
| NID Entrance Exam (NID DAT) | February 2026 (M.Des), April 2026 (B.Des) | 10+2 with minimum 45-50% marks | ||
| NIFT Entrance Exam | 10+2 with minimum 45-50% marks | |||
| CEED | 10+2 with minimum 45-50% marks | |||
| AIEED | 10+2 with minimum 45-50% marks |
Top Interior Designing Colleges & Training Institutes in India — State-Wise List
Because Interior Designing is a specialised field, the strongest options in India are a mix of colleges, training academies, and professional institutes. Below are 27 institutes grouped by state — each entry shows the type of institute, specific program offered, complete duration + fees, and admission route:
📍 Delhi NCR (9 institutes)
| Institute | Program & Duration | Admission Process | Complete Fees | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl Academy Delhi · College |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
Entrance Exam | ₹5-6 Lakhs per year | Renowned for global exposure & strong portfolio training; High placement rate |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology New Delhi · Professional School |
B.Sc, Diploma in Interior Design 1-3 years (depending on course) |
JD Institute of Fashion Technology GAT | Not specified | Multiple cities; Strong placement records |
| NIFT Delhi Delhi · Government Institute |
B.Des in Interior & Fashion Spaces (Spatial Design electives) 4 years |
NIFT Entrance Exam | Not specified | Creativity-focused pedagogy |
| Aryabhatt DSEU, Ashok Vihar Campus New Delhi · Government Institute |
Diploma in Interior Design Not specified |
Delhi CET | Not specified | Public/Govt ownership |
| Delhi School of Architecture and Design New Delhi · Professional School |
P.G.D in Interior Design 1-2 years (for PGD) |
Not specified | ₹3.30 Lakhs (for P.G.D) | Private ownership |
| Edu Brain Academy New Delhi · Academy |
B.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years |
Not specified | ₹2 Lakhs (for B.Des) | Private ownership |
| Hamilton Academy of Design New Delhi · Academy |
Interior Design Course Not specified |
Not specified | ₹1.10 Lakhs | Private ownership |
| IIAD Delhi – Indian Institute of Art and Design New Delhi · Professional School |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
Not specified | ₹12.40 Lakhs (total for B.Des/M.Des) | Private ownership |
| International Institute of Fashion Technology, South Extension New Delhi · Professional School |
Interior Design Course Not specified |
Not specified | ₹2.40 Lakhs | Private ownership |
📍 Maharashtra (6 institutes)
| Institute | Program & Duration | Admission Process | Complete Fees | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl Academy Mumbai · College |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
Entrance Exam | ₹5-6 Lakhs per year | Strong placement records |
| MIT Institute of Design Pune · College |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
Entrance Exam (implied for B.Des/M.Des) | Not specified | Cutting-edge curriculum, modern studios, international collaborations, strong placements |
| IIT Bombay (IDC) Mumbai · University |
M.Des with electives in spatial design 2 years |
CEED | Not specified | Placements in R&D and consultancy |
| NIF Global Mumbai Borivali Mumbai · Professional School |
Interior Designing Certification Courses, Degree Programs Short-term (Cert), 3 years (Degree) |
First-come, first-serve; No entrance exam; 10+2 or 10+3 vocational/polytechnic pass | Not specified | Associated with London School of Trends & British Accreditation Council; 100% placement assistance |
| NIF Global South Mumbai Mumbai · Professional School |
Interior Designing Certification Courses, Degree Programs Short-term (Cert), 3 years (Degree) |
First-come, first-serve; No entrance exam; 10+2 or 10+3 vocational/polytechnic pass | Not specified | Associated with London School of Trends & British Accreditation Council; 100% placement assistance |
| NIF Global Pune Kothrud Pune · Professional School |
Interior Design Certification Courses Not specified (likely short-term) |
Not specified (likely first-come, first-serve, no entrance exam) | Not specified | 100% Placement |
📍 Karnataka (5 institutes)
| Institute | Program & Duration | Admission Process | Complete Fees | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl Academy Bangalore · College |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
Entrance Exam | ₹5-6 Lakhs per year | Strong placement records |
| Vogue Institute of Art & Design Bangalore · College |
B.Sc in Interior Design 3 years |
Not specified | Not specified | Cutting-edge curriculum, modern studios, international collaborations, strong placements |
| IIFT Bangalore Bangalore · Professional School |
Degree, Diploma, Certificate in Interior Design Few months to 4 years |
Request fee structure from admissions (implies direct application) | ₹37,999 – ₹16 Lakhs total (depending on course type and duration) | Offers diverse course pathways (degree, diploma, certificate, online) |
| Strate School of Design Bengaluru · College |
BDes in Interior and Space Design 4 years |
Entrance exam, interview or portfolio review | ₹26 Lakhs per annum (total for 4 years would be ₹104 Lakhs) | Average placement package INR 10 LPA |
| Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology Bengaluru · Deemed University |
BDes in Interior Design and Build 4 years |
SMEAT – Srishti Manipal Entrance and Aptitude Test | ₹17.22 Lakhs total for 4 years | Average placement package INR 3-5 LPA |
📍 Uttar Pradesh (2 institutes)
| Institute | Program & Duration | Admission Process | Complete Fees | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amity School of Design Noida · Private University |
B.Des Interior Design 3-4 years |
Not specified (likely university entrance/merit) | Not specified | Modern infrastructure and placement tie-ups |
| AAFT Noida Noida · Professional School |
B.Des in Interior Design, Diploma in Interior Design 1-4 years (depending on course) |
Not specified (likely direct admission/merit) | ₹2-10 Lakhs total (depending on course) | Industry-based curriculum, practical training, strong placement connections |
📍 Gujarat (2 institutes)
| Institute | Program & Duration | Admission Process | Complete Fees | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad · Government Institute |
B.Des in Furniture & Interior Design 4 years |
DAT Prelims + Mains | ₹3.0-3.5 Lakhs per annum | Highly reputed, elite design house placements, research-oriented teaching |
| CEPT University Ahmedabad · University |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Architecture 4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
CEPT Entrance + Interview | ₹3.5-4.0 Lakhs annually | Known for architecture firm placements, focus on space planning, materials, lighting |
📍 Rajasthan (2 institutes)
| Institute | Program & Duration | Admission Process | Complete Fees | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl Academy Jaipur · College |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
Entrance Exam | ₹5-6 Lakhs per year | Strong placement records |
| ARCH College of Design & Business Jaipur · College |
B.Des, M.Des in Interior Design 3-4 years (B.Des), 2 years (M.Des) |
Entrance Exam (implied for B.Des/M.Des) | Not specified | Cutting-edge curriculum, modern studios, international collaborations, strong placements |
📍 Other Cities Across India (1 institutes)
| Institute | Program & Duration | Admission Process | Complete Fees | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAFT Raipur Raipur · Professional School |
B.Des in Interior Design, Diploma in Interior Design 1-4 years (depending on course) |
Not specified (likely direct admission/merit) | ₹1.5-10.6 Lakhs total (depending on course) | Creative thinking & practical training, good design studios, placement assistance |
Career Progression — Where You’ll Be in 10 Years
This is the realistic trajectory for graduates who stay in the field. Salary bands reflect Indian market data; relocate to a Tier-1 metro and the upper band moves up 20-40%.
- Entry (0-2 yrs) — 1.1-4.5 LPA · Roles: Fresher Interior Designer, Junior Interior Designer. executing others’ designs, learning design principles and software
- Mid (3-7 yrs) — 4.5-6.6 LPA · Roles: Interior Designer. owning projects independently, managing client relationships and project delivery
- Senior (8+ yrs) — 10-15 LPA · Roles: Senior Interior Designer, Consultant, Production Designer. extensive portfolios, industry reputation, strategic project oversight
Skills to Build (and How to Build Them)
A degree gets you to the interview; these skills get you the offer. Start in your first semester:
- Space Planning — structured academic programmes (certificate, diploma, degree)
- Material Selection — structured academic programmes (certificate, diploma, degree)
- Colour Theory — structured academic programmes (certificate, diploma, degree)
- Technical Drawing — structured academic programmes (certificate, diploma, degree)
- Client Management — structured academic programmes (certificate, diploma, degree)
- Revit Proficiency — specialised courses, practical experience
- AutoCAD Proficiency — specialised courses, practical experience
- Project Management — documented delivery of projects on time and within budget, practical experience
Higher Studies — Where You Can Go After UG
If you want to specialize further or move into research, these are the PG routes that pay off:
| PG Course | Duration | Entry Exam | Career Uplift |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Des Interior Design | NID DAT | specialize in a particular area and demonstrate expertise | |
| MA/M.Sc. Interior Design | specialize in a particular area and demonstrate expertise | ||
| Postgraduate Diploma in Interior Design | specialize in a particular area and demonstrate expertise |
Common Mistakes Students Make
These are the decision-level errors that cost a year (or a career switch):
- ❌ Mistake: Choosing distance-mode degrees over regular (on-campus) diplomas/degrees
✅ Do this instead: Opt for regular (on-campus) diplomas or degrees from decent colleges for better hiring preference. - ❌ Mistake: Not building a strong portfolio early
✅ Do this instead: Start building a strong portfolio with your best projects to showcase skills to potential employers. - ❌ Mistake: Ignoring industry networking opportunities
✅ Do this instead: Connect with industry professionals, attend design exhibitions, workshops, and seminars. - ❌ Mistake: Not acquiring proficiency in design software like Revit and AutoCAD
✅ Do this instead: Prioritize learning and gaining proficiency in industry-standard software for higher salary premiums. - ❌ Mistake: Not understanding the salary landscape before choosing a career path
✅ Do this instead: Research salary data specific to experience, city, and specialization to make informed career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility criteria for interior design courses after 12th?
Students from any stream (Science, Commerce, Arts) who have completed Class 12 from a recognized board are eligible. A minimum of 45-50% aggregate marks in 12th is generally required. Some top colleges may also require a portfolio review and interview.
What types of interior design courses are available after 12th?
After 12th, students can pursue Short-term courses (e.g., 6 months – 1 year) like Certificates and Diplomas, or Undergraduate degrees like B.Sc. in Interior Design (3 years). There are also B.Arch. programs with interior specialisation (5 years) for PCM students.
What is the average fee for interior design courses in India?
Course fees generally range from ₹30,000 to ₹8,00,000 in India, depending on the course and college. A 6-month certificate course can be under ₹1 lakh, while a 3-year B.Sc. can range from ₹1 lakh to ₹4 lakh total.
Which entrance exams are required for interior design courses?
Admission can be merit-based or through entrance exams like CUET, UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT Entrance Exam, CEED, and AIEED. Top colleges often require a portfolio review and interview.
What is the salary of an interior designer in India?
Entry-level interior designers can expect to earn ₹1.1-4.5 LPA. Mid-level professionals typically earn ₹4.5-6.6 LPA. Senior designers and consultants with extensive experience can earn ₹10-15 LPA or more.
Are interior design courses open to all streams?
Yes, interior design courses are open to students from all streams including Science, Commerce, and Arts. However, B.Arch. programs specifically require Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in 12th grade.
What skills are important for an interior designer?
Key skills include space planning, material selection, colour theory, technical drawing, and client management. Proficiency in software like Revit and AutoCAD, along with strong project management capabilities, significantly enhances career prospects.
Is a diploma or a degree better for interior design?
For a healthy career journey, full-fledged degree courses are recommended as they offer comprehensive theoretical and practical learning. Short-term diplomas and certificates are good for testing interest or early entry into the profession.
What to Do Next
Now that you’ve mapped the Interior Design landscape, your next 2 steps are concrete:
- Shortlist 5 colleges using the Top Colleges table above — apply to a mix of govt and private to hedge fees.
- Register for the relevant entrance exam(s) from the Exams table — most close registration 2-3 months before the test date.
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