Design encompasses various genres, such as fashion, graphics, textile, product, and service. When looking for a university to pursue a degree in the field, prospective students must understand what genre they want to focus on.
A degree in design is often best accompanied by some business knowledge and skills to help graduates secure a lucrative career. However, earning an art degree from a prestigious university is almost a ticket to some of the most reputable jobs in the industry.
While numerous schools are offering excellent degree programs in design, there are some that stand out among the rest with their track record of award-winning and globally renowned alumni. Let’s take a look at the best schools for design in the world!
Which is the Best Place to Study Design?
For design enthusiasts, finding the best place to study design can be daunting as you will find various design schools around the globe offering design degrees. From the best design schools in Europe and Asia to North America, you can kickstart your design career by getting a degree from any of the top design schools listed below.
Learn More About: The Best Art Schools in Europe
Top Design Schools in the World
1. Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art (RCA) in London is one of the leading research schools for art and design in the world. It opened in 1837 and was then known as the Government School of Design. It officially became a university in 1967.
The school offers Master’s and Ph.D. programs across various design fields, including fashion, textile, healthcare, engineering, and more. The programs help students pursue internationally relevant research, such as AI and medical technology.
The Master’s program lasts two to three years, whereas the Ph.D. program lasts four to five years. Graduates can pursue technical careers in design or take on teaching or in-depth research jobs in the field.
See Also: 5 Best Design Schools in the United Kingdom
2. University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London (UAL) is a global leader in arts and design. Many of its graduates have won prestigious awards and have secured excellent jobs at reputable companies. It currently consists of six colleges and hosts a diverse student body from over 100 countries.
The Bachelor of Arts in Design Management program at UAL’s London College of Education educates students about various aspects of creativity and business. The program allows students to study abroad at partner institutions in Hong Kong, France, or Portugal. Graduates possess the competencies required to secure promising careers in design or management.
Prospective students may also select from many undergraduate and postgraduate programs available at the university. Art and Design programs at UAL include Architecture, graphics, Fashion, Photography, and more.
3. Rhode Island School of Design
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) was established in 1877 as a women-led college and museum. It started awarding Bachelor’s degrees only in the 1930s. Today, the school enjoys global acclaim as one of the best institutions for art and design.
The school has a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. Students can benefit from the wide array of facilities and equipment available at the school. They can also do internships in their third or fourth year. Meanwhile, they have to submit a degree project to graduate.
The Master’s degree program lasts two to three years, depending on the applicant’s educational background. Those with relevant undergraduate degrees may finish the course in two years, whereas liberal arts, science, or fine arts majors may complete the degree in three years.
Discover more: 5 Best Design Schools in the United States
4. Aalto University
Aalto University in Finland is a young institution formed in 2010 from the merger of three older schools: Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki University of Technology, and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. It ranks high among other young universities globally and excels in its art, business, science, and technology programs.
The university’s School of Arts, Design, and Architecture delivers a world-class design program and offers a five-year Art and Design program, where students can earn a Bachelor’s Degree after the first three years and a Master’s Degree after the two succeeding years. Students can get 300 ECTS credits upon completion of the program.
Before proceeding to the Master’s Degree part of the program, students must choose an area of specialization: Collaborative & Industrial Design, Creative Sustainability, International Design Business Management, New Media, or Visual Communication Design.
5. Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is a prestigious art institution in Scotland and Europe, and among the best schools for design in the world. It went by the name Glasgow Government School of Design when it was founded in 1845. The University of Glasgow validates all degrees conferred by GSA.
Undergraduate degree programs at GSA typically last four years. Design programs include Communication Design, Design for Health and Wellbeing, Fashion Design, Interaction Design, Interior Design, Product Design, and Textile Design.
Interested students may choose from numerous graduate programs for design available at GSA. The wide array of choices helps ensure that students find the specific area they want to focus on, such as Environmental Design, Interaction Design, Future Heritage, Transformation Design, and more.
6. Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a leading art and design school across the globe that is founded in New York in 1887. Today, it has three branches: Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Utica. The institute takes pride in its diverse student community that helps shape its creative learning environment.
The School of Design at Pratt Institute offers undergraduate programs in Communications Design, Fashion, Foundation, Industrial Design, and Interior Design. Meanwhile, students interested in pursuing a graduate degree program may choose among Graduate Communications Design, Industrial Design, or Graduate Interior Design.
The school provides interactive and collaborative learning and working environment where students can build lifelong personal and professional relationships with their peers.
Additionally, there are various scholarship opportunities in the United States to help complete your studies with ease. Be sure to research the one that fits your needs and take advantage of the opportunity.
7. ArtCenter College of Design
The ArtCenter College of Design is an excellent school for design in the world that opened in 1930 and now has two campuses in Pasadena, California. It has a small population of roughly 2,000 students, but it exhibits diversity by representing over 40 countries.
ArtCenter has numerous undergraduate and graduate design programs across various fields, such as entertainment, graphic, illustration, product, and even transportation. Over the years, it has produced famous alumni who made significant contributions to automotive design, product design, ad making, and filmmaking.
The undergraduate programs typically last eight terms that students can complete in four years. Meanwhile, graduate programs can be completed in five terms by students with relevant undergraduate qualifications. Students who don’t have such will need two more terms for the necessary design skills.
Finding the best Design school in the world is the beginning of an illustrious career in the design field. The above design schools have reputable and quality degrees to help you achieve your career goals and stand out in your field. However, you do not have to break the bank to complete your dream design degree. Check out our list of fully-funded scholarships to support your studies at any of the above listed schools.
We hope that this article on Best Design Schools in the World was helpful. If you are interested in more topics like this, check out the Design Programs for International Students!
