Design encompasses various fields, such as fashion, graphic, textile, product, and service design. When looking for a university to pursue a degree in the field, prospective students should first understand which area of design they want to focus on.
A design degree is often strengthened by business knowledge and skills, which can help graduates prepare for a wider range of career opportunities. Earning a design degree from a respected university can also help students build strong portfolios, industry connections, and research experience.
While numerous schools offer excellent degree programs in design, some stand out for their academic reputation, industry links, and alumni achievements. Let’s take a look at some of the best schools for design in the world!
Top Design Schools in the World
1. Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art (RCA) in London is one of the leading postgraduate schools for art and design in the world. It was founded in 1837 as the Government School of Design and received its Royal Charter and university status in 1967.
The school offers master’s, MPhil, and Ph.D. programs across a wide range of art and design fields. Its Design MPhil/Ph.D. supports internationally relevant research in areas connected to design, technology, society, health care, and emerging creative practices.
The Design MPhil takes two to three years full time or four to six years part time, while the Design Ph.D. takes three to four years full time or six to seven years part time. Graduates may pursue technical careers in design, teaching, or in-depth research roles in the field.
2. University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London (UAL) is a global leader in arts and design and is ranked second in the world for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. It consists of six colleges and has almost 23,000 students from 130 countries.
The BA (Hons) Design Management program at UAL’s London College of Communication teaches students how to combine creativity, strategic thinking, leadership, and production skills to develop innovative solutions for business, social, and global challenges. The course is three years full time, and students can also undertake an optional diploma in Professional Studies, Creative Computing, or Storytelling between Years 2 and 3.
Prospective students may also select from many undergraduate and postgraduate programs available at the university. Art and design programs at UAL include architecture, communication and graphic design, fashion, photography, and more.
3. Rhode Island School of Design
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) was incorporated in 1877 as a school and museum, and its founding was led by women. It began offering full bachelor’s degree programs in the 1930s. Today, the school enjoys global acclaim as one of the leading 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 pursue professional internships during their junior or senior years. 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.
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 highly in art and design globally and was ranked ninth in the world for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
The university’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture offers the Design and Media, Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts (Art and Design) pathway. Students complete a three-year bachelor’s stage worth 180 ECTS credits and may continue to a two-year master’s stage worth 120 ECTS credits, for a total of 300 ECTS credits.
After the bachelor’s stage, students may continue to master’s-level options such as Collaborative and Industrial Design, Fashion and Textile Design, Creative Sustainability, International Design Business Management, New Media, Visual Communication Design, or Visual Cultures, Curating and Contemporary Art.
5. Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is a respected independent art school in Scotland and is among the leading schools for art and design globally. It was founded in 1845, and the University of Glasgow validates all degrees conferred by GSA.
Undergraduate degree programs at GSA typically last four years. Design-related undergraduate programs include Communication Design, Fashion Design, Fashion Narrative, Interaction Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Product Design Engineering, Silversmithing and Jewellery 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 Design Innovation and Environmental Design, Interaction Design, Future Heritage, Service Design, Transformation Design, and more.
6. Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a leading art and design school founded in New York in 1887. Today, Pratt is centered on its Brooklyn campus, with a Manhattan campus and Pratt Munson in Utica, New York. The institute takes pride in its diverse student community, which helps shape its creative learning environment.
The School of Design at Pratt Institute offers undergraduate programs in Communications Design, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, and Interior Design. Meanwhile, students interested in pursuing a graduate degree program may choose among Communications Design, Fashion Collection + Communication, Industrial Design, Interior Design, and Packaging, Identities and Systems Design.
The school provides an 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 a respected design school founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California. It has an enrollment of approximately 2,310 students and represents more than 50 countries.
ArtCenter has numerous undergraduate and graduate design programs across various fields, such as entertainment design, graphic design, illustration, product design, and transportation design. Over the years, it has produced notable alumni who have made significant contributions to automotive design, product design, advertising, and filmmaking.
The bachelor’s degree consists of eight 14-week terms and can be completed in as little as two years and eight months if students attend three terms per year. Meanwhile, master’s degree programs generally range from four to six terms, depending on the program.
Finding the best design school in the world can be the beginning of a successful career in the design field. The above design schools have reputable programs that can help you work toward 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 schools listed above.
We hope that this article on the best design schools in the world was helpful. If you are interested in more topics like this, check out the available programs for international students!
