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Study design abroad

: We maximize your chance of getting admitted to your chosen universities

The smart alternative to applying direct for design degrees abroad and the easy way to find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations

Find your perfect design programs abroad

Find design programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Find other programs in design

Design degrees abroad

A design degree will encompass a huge number of areas, offering a broad curriculum that encourages you to identify and develop your own focus. Most programs cover design across different materials, including ceramics, metal and textiles, and you’ll be able to work in creative studios using the latest technology.

Design is a way of understanding and engaging with the world through making and doing, and is an ideal subject if you have a practical and artist mind. You’ll get to explore the role of design within society and culture, and think innovatively about its future.

Studying design abroad opens up many great opportunities. You have the chance to study in locations that can inspire you, for example studying animation in Japan, or fashion in Italy. Design degree programs are available all over the world, so you won’t be short of options.

Design program structure

All design programs will have their on unique structure and curriculum. Many programs start by covering a broad base of design subjects, before allowing you to specialize in an area you’re most interested in and best suits your aspirations.

There are a wide range of design specializations you can choose to focus on, including graphic design, fashion design, interior design, furniture design or illustration. You could choose to study a program that covers these areas specifically, or study a more general design course that allows you to specialize.

Design is offered at a range of degree levels, including foundation, bachelor’s and master’s. A bachelor’s in design is offered as a BA, and will usually take three to four years to complete depending on where you study.

At postgraduate level you can study design as an MA, or some programs like building design or product design are offered as an MSc. Most master’s will take between one and two years to study full time.

Design programs are usually very practical, and will involve a lot of time spent in studios and working on your portfolio. You will also spend some time in lectures, seminars, tutorials and on placements. You’ll be assessed through written assignments, portfolios, projects and your dissertation.

The main subjects and areas that you will study on a design degree program include:

  • Introduction to design
  • Art and design history
  • Contemporary practices in design
  • Materials tools and processes
  • Communication design
  • Fashion and textile design
  • Three dimensional design
  • Professional practice
  • Design project / dissertation

Types of design degrees

How we maximize your chance of studying design abroad

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    Complete our application form and only answer the same question once no matter how many programs you apply for

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Design study abroad programs

Design undergraduate programs

Bachelor's in design

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    Theatre Design and Technology - BFA Baylor University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    44,544 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 44,544 USD

    Start date
    January, August
    Show program overview about Theatre Design and Technology
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    Apparel Merchandising, Design and Production Management (Apparel Merchandising Option) - BSc Auburn University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    32,220 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 32,220 USD

    Start date
    January, May
    Show program overview about Apparel Merchandising, Design and Production Management (Apparel Merchandising Option)
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    Craft and Design: Ceramics - BA (Hons) Sheridan College, Canada

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,214 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 19,621 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Craft and Design: Ceramics
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    Textile Design - BA RMIT University, Australia

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    21,072 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 31,680 AUD

    Start date
    July, February
    Show program overview about Textile Design
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    Architectural Design - BFA James Madison University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    24,150 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 24,150 USD

    Start date
    August, January, June
    Show program overview about Architectural Design

Associate in design

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    Apparel Design and Merchandising - AA College of Alameda, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    7,950 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Apparel Design and Merchandising
  • false

    Computer Information Systems: Web Development and Design - AASc Portland Community College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    9,290 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 9,290 USD

    Start date
    June, September, January, March
    Show program overview about Computer Information Systems: Web Development and Design
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    Civil Design Drafting Technology - ASc Diablo Valley College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    8,304 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 8,304 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Civil Design Drafting Technology
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    Art: Design - AA Seattle Central College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    9,687 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD

    Start date
    June, September, January, April
    Show program overview about Art: Design
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    Forest Renewable Materials/Art and Design - ASc Southwestern Oregon Community College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,791 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 10,791 USD

    Start date
    September, January, March
    Show program overview about Forest Renewable Materials/Art and Design

Diploma in design

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    Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering Design), Advanced - AdvDip RMIT University, Australia

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    11,973 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 18,000 AUD

    Start date
    July, February
    Show program overview about Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering Design), Advanced
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    Building Design: Architectural - AdvDip Gordon Institute of TAFE, Australia

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    9,136 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 13,736 AUD

    Start date
    July, February
    Show program overview about Building Design: Architectural
  • false

    Civil Construction Design - AdvDip Outsource Institute Australia, Australia

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    11,640 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 17,500 AUD

    Start date
    July, October, February, April
    Show program overview about Civil Construction Design
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    Civil Construction Design (Sydney Campus) - AdvDip Salford College, Australia

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    7,649 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 11,500 AUD

    Start date
    August, February
    Show program overview about Civil Construction Design (Sydney Campus)
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    Communication Design: Interactive Media - UGDip North Island College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,174 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 14,045 CAD

    Start date
    September, January, May
    Show program overview about Communication Design: Interactive Media

Certificate in design

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    Advanced Network Design - Cert (Arts) St. Charles Community College, USA

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    5,520 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 5,520 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Advanced Network Design
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    Apparel Design and Merchandising - Cert College of Alameda, USA

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    7,950 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Apparel Design and Merchandising
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    Art and Design Fundamentals - OCCert Centennial College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    11,975 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD

    Start date
    July, September, January
    Show program overview about Art and Design Fundamentals
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    Art and Design Fundamentals - Cert (Arts) Georgian College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    8 months
    Annual tuition fee
    12,407 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 17,127 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Art and Design Fundamentals
  • false

    Design Foundation - Cert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    11,165 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,412 CAD

    Start date
    January
    Show program overview about Design Foundation

Pathway in design

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    Art, Design and Media - UGP Nottingham Trent University, UK

    Program type
    Undergraduate pathway
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    19,220 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,720 GBP

    Start date
    September, October, January, February
    Show program overview about Art, Design and Media
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    Games Design (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK

    Program type
    Undergraduate pathway
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,305 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 11,700 GBP

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Games Design (Foundation)
  • false

    Art and Design - FD Arts University Plymouth, UK

    Program type
    Undergraduate pathway
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    14,061 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 11,500 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Design graduate programs

Master's in design

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    Art and Design - MRes KdG University of Applied Sciences, Belgium

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    3,079 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 2,856 EUR

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Advanced Master: Master of Research in Art and Design
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    Architectural Engineering: Integrated Building Design - MArchEng University of Canterbury, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    27,302 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 44,000 NZD

    Start date
    January, February
    Show program overview about Architectural Engineering: Integrated Building Design
  • false

    Design - MDes University of Auckland, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    27,628 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 44,526 NZD

    Start date
    February
    Show program overview about Design
  • false

    Interior Architecture and Design - MA University of Portsmouth, UK
    • Part-time

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    9,965 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 8,150 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Interior Architecture and Design
  • false

    Design - MA University of the West of England - UWE Bristol, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    18,951 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Design

Doctorate in design

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    Design - PhD RMIT University, Australia

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    24,265 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 36,480 AUD

    Start date
    July, February
    Show program overview about Design
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    Art, Design and Performance - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    19,930 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP

    Start date
    October, February
    Show program overview about Art, Design and Performance

Diploma in design

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    Design: Photography - GradDip Massey University, New Zealand

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    20,867 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 33,630 NZD

    Start date
    July, November, February
    Show program overview about Design: Photography
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    Interactive Media Design - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    14 months
    Annual tuition fee
    12,044 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,626 CAD

    Start date
    January, September
    Show program overview about Interactive Media Design
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    Mechanical Engineering Technician – Design - OCDip Centennial College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    11,975 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Mechanical Engineering Technician – Design

Certificate in design

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    Applied Mechanical Design - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    12,044 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,626 CAD

    Start date
    January, May
    Show program overview about Applied Mechanical Design
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    Technology and Design - GradCert Ulster University, UK

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    10 months
    Annual tuition fee
    5,905 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 4,830 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Technology and Design
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    Game Level Design - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    19,285 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 26,621 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Game Level Design
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    Kitchen and Bath Design - PGCert Georgian College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    8 months
    Annual tuition fee
    13,240 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 18,277 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Kitchen and Bath Design
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    Kitchen and Bath Design - GradCert Bow Valley College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    14,583 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 20,131 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Kitchen and Bath Design Post-Diploma Certificate

Pathway in design

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    Art, Design and Media, Pre-Master’s - PGP University of Brighton, UK

    Program type
    Postgraduate pathway
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    17,423 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 14,250 GBP

    Start date
    July, August, September, January
    Show program overview about Art, Design and Media, Pre-Master’s

Future design careers

Most students with design degrees will look to find employment in the creative and cultural industries, and many even set up their own business and work freelance. Here’s some of the most popular roles for design graduates:

  • Creative director
  • Print maker
  • Fashion designer
  • Art director
  • Graphic designer
  • Interior designer
  • Production designer
  • Game designer
  • UX designer

Which role and area you choose to go into will depend on the program you choose and what specialization you pursue. Therefore, if you know what design career you want, make sure the program you choose to study covers that area.