Asia is home to many well-known universities with strong programs in design, art, architecture, media, and related fields. These institutions offer design education through studios, research, interdisciplinary coursework, and industry or community-based projects.
The schools below are notable options for students interested in design in Asia. Their facilities, curricula, and areas of specialization vary, so prospective students should always confirm the latest admissions requirements, language requirements, tuition fees, and program availability on each university’s official website.
So, if you are looking to attend a design school in Asia, here are some universities to consider.
Top Design Schools in Asia
1. National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore is Singapore’s flagship university. Its College of Design and Engineering brings together design, architecture, engineering, and the built environment, making it a strong option for students interested in design-related study in Singapore.
The college lists bachelor’s programs such as Architecture, Industrial Design, Infrastructure and Project Management, and Landscape Architecture. Graduate options are offered separately by departments and divisions, so students should check the relevant program page before applying.
NUS lists annual international undergraduate tuition for relevant College of Design and Engineering programs from S$18,050 to S$40,450, depending on the program and whether the student receives the MOE Tuition Grant. Self-funded graduate program fees vary by program.
2. Nanyang Technological University
The School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) at the Nanyang Technological University is a design, art, and media school in Singapore. It offers creative programs that combine studio practice, media, technology, and research, preparing students for fields such as animation, art, media, and design.
ADM offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, Design and Media. Graduate options include the MA in Museum Studies and Curatorial Practices, the MA by Research in Art, Design and Media, and the PhD in Art, Design and Media. NTU also lists newer graduate offerings such as the MSc in Game Design, Art and Technology.
Tuition varies by program and intake. For example, NTU lists the MA in Museum Studies and Curatorial Practices tuition fee at S$38,150, with fees subject to annual revision. Applicants should check the latest official fee page for their intake.
3. Tsinghua University
The Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University is an established art and design academy in Beijing. It was formerly the Central Academy of Arts & Design, merged with Tsinghua University in 1999, and traces its heritage to 1956.
The Academy lists undergraduate arts-division programs such as Fashion Design, Fashion Design (Textile Design), Ceramic Design, Visual Communication Design, Environment Design, Product Design, Product Design (Transportation Design), Art and Technology (Information Design), Digital Media Art, Craft Art, Painting, Sculpture, and Art History. The Academy also has graduate programs in art, fine arts and calligraphy, and design.
For international undergraduate applicants, Tsinghua lists Arts tuition at RMB 40,000 per year. For international graduate students in the Academy of Arts & Design, annual tuition is listed at RMB 45,000 to RMB 75,000, depending on the degree level and discipline.
4. National Taipei University of Technology
The College of Design at the National Taipei University of Technology, also known as Taipei Tech, is located in Taipei, Taiwan. Taipei Tech traces its roots to 1912 and became National Taipei University of Technology in 1997, when Design was one of its colleges.
The College of Design lists design-related academic units and programs in Architecture, Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Creative Design, and a Doctoral Program in Design. Its official site emphasizes hands-on education, design theory and practice, project work, competitions, internships, and research areas such as smart cities, architecture, urban planning, human-machine interfaces, virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive art.
Tuition is charged by semester. For foreign students, Taipei Tech lists College of Design tuition at about NTD 54,837 per semester for bachelor’s programs, NTD 58,052 to NTD 63,002 per semester for listed master’s programs, and NTD 63,002 per semester for the Doctoral Program in Design, before insurance, housing, and other miscellaneous fees.
5. Kyoto University
The Design School at Kyoto University is a graduate-level design program centered on the Collaborative Graduate Program in Design. It brings together coursework and degree research and draws on five specialized fields: informatics, mechanical engineering, architecture, management, and psychology.
Students can study design through interdisciplinary coursework and research, including approaches such as problem-based learning and field-based learning. The program is intended for students who want to use design methods to identify, analyze, and solve complex problems in society.
Kyoto University’s standard graduate tuition is much lower than the amount previously stated here. The university lists graduate tuition at ¥535,800 per year, with a ¥282,000 admission fee and a ¥30,000 entrance examination fee.
These are some notable design schools in Asia that accept international applicants in selected programs. They offer design-related curricula in different academic settings and can help students develop creative, technical, and research skills.
Hopefully, this article on design schools in Asia was helpful. If you are interested, visit the available courses for international students and the Asia Scholarships Page!
