Which private colleges in India offer courses equivalent to NID?

NID, or National Institute of Design, is a public university with branches in major Indian cities like Bengaluru, Kurukshetra, Vijayawada, Bhopal, and Jorhat. NID offers both bachelor's and master's programs. However, cracking a seat in a world-class university like NID is not an easy task, or is it the fee structure you want to consider? 

Here are the top 3 private universities/Institutions that work similarly to NID.

1. Pearl Academy:

Pearl Academy came into existence in 1993 with a mission to become one of the leading world institutions in fashion, design, and business domains. Today, they are one of the top private institutions in India in the design domain, headquartered in New Delhi and branched out in Jaipur, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. 

To get into Pearl, you should meet their eligibility criteria first (based on your graduation level), followed by an exam of multiple choice questions for 90 minutes. Once you crack both the first and second rounds, you are eligible for the final round, where they select you based on the written exam, personal interview, and your design portfolio. 

They conduct exams in three ways:

• GPT (General Proficiency Test) - To measure your proficiency in the global language, English, logical reasoning, data interpretation, and quantitative ability.
• DPT (Design Aptitude Test) - To gauge your observation, imagination, and communication skills. Along with designing, drawing, and creativity levels. 
• MAT (Media Aptitude Test) - To gauge the ability of a media school applicant for creative thinking, visual expression, communication skills, and the ability to observe. 

Pearl offers courses in three sectors, School of Design, School of Fashion, and the School of Contemporary Media, for UG and PG students. The fee structure varies from campus to campus. 

2. WOXSEN University:

WOXSEN School of Arts and Design is a private university located in Telangana. It is a 200-acre spacious campus recognized as the Best Design School by APET, and IIRF ranked it second as the best private design school in India. 

To get into WOXSEN B-Des (Hons), you should meet their minimum requirement of 50% aggregate marks for UG applicants. Then the process falls into the same path as other colleges.

• Appear for the university's entrance exam, Woxsen Design Test (WDT), is just like an aptitude test, and the questions are multiple-choice. If you do not want to take the test, you can swap it with your SAT score if you have scored better. 
• If you have qualified for the second step in the process, you will have to take another test called a psychometric test, followed by a personal interview. 

You should get an email with an offer letter if you have cracked the process. 

3. Indian School of Design And Innovation:

ISDI in Mumbai is the top 3rd private design school in India, which offers a wide range of programs for UG applicants. One of the best features for UG and PG students is that they have contact with global people, which enables them to be open to various learning methods. 

Like most other competitive colleges, to get into ISDI, you must apply with the minimum qualifications and 3500 INR as an application fee. After which, you should take the IDSI challenge. It is an entrance exam for 100 marks. The exam consists of three steps.

• Step A - You can either upload your creative portfolio or complete the project given by them. (carries 40% of marks)
• Step B - Take DAT (Design Aptitude Test) to test your design knowledge. It is an online exam, and the questions are multiple-choice. (carries 30% of marks)
• Step C - The interview is conducted for 25 minutes online and face-to-face only once after clearing the first and second rounds. (carries 30% of marks)

Once selected, you will get notified officially from the Institution.