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    Study design abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying design as an international student.

    Find design programs

    Explore design programs abroad

    See 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
    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

    Best countries to study design

    Best universities to study design

    See all universities offering design programs

    How to study design abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
    Our services are 100% free for students like you because we're funded by universities.

    Start your search Get free advice

    Design study abroad programs

    Design undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in design

    • false

      Theatre Design and Technology - BFA Baylor University, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      -
      Show program overview about Theatre Design and Technology
    • false

      Theatre - Design / Technology - BFA Auburn University, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, May, January
      Show program overview about Theatre - Design / Technology
    • false

      Craft and Design: Glass - BA (Hons) Sheridan College, Canada

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      19,621 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Craft and Design: Glass
    • false

      Textile Design - BA RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      31,680 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Textile Design
    • false

      Media Arts and Design (Journalism) - BA/BSc James Madison University, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August, May, January
      Show program overview about Media Arts and Design (Journalism)
    See all bachelor's degrees in design

    Associate in design

    • false

      Apparel Design and Merchandising - AA College of Alameda, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      Art: Design - AA Seattle Central College, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      June, September, April, January
      Show program overview about Art: Design
    • false

      CIS Digital Design - AASc Southwestern Oregon Community College, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, June, March, January
      Show program overview about CIS Digital Design
    • false

      Interior Decoration and Design - AA RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      29,760 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      February, July
      Show program overview about Interior Decoration and Design
    • false

      Engineering Graphics & Design Technology - AASc North Seattle College, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      June, April, January, September
      Show program overview about Engineering Graphics & Design Technology
    See all associate degrees in design

    Diploma in design

    • false

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

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,000 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering Design), Advanced
    • false

      Communication Design: Interactive Media - UGDip North Island College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,045 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      Digital Design - Dip Bow Valley College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      16 months
      Annual tuition fee
      47,084 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Digital Design
    • false

      Graphic and Digital Design - Dip (Des) University of the Fraser Valley, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,900 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Graphic and Digital Design
    • false

      Graphic Visual Design - UGDip Canada College Vancouver, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      13 months
      Annual tuition fee
      19,000 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, March
      Show program overview about Graphic Visual Design
    See all undergraduate diplomas in design

    Certificate in design

    • false

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

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, August
      Show program overview about Network Design
    • false

      Apparel Design and Merchandising - Cert College of Alameda, USA

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

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      Art and Design Fundamentals - OCCert Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      16,531 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, January
      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
      15,412 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January
      Show program overview about Design Foundation
    • false

      Design Foundations - OCCert Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      16,084 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Design Foundations
    See all undergraduate certificates in design

    Pathway in design

    • false

      Art, Design and Media - FD Arts University Bournemouth, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,250 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      October, February
      Show program overview about Art, Design and Media
    • false

      Foundation Diploma in Art and Design - FD Bath Spa University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      14,900 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
    • false

      Games Design (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,900 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      International Year - Communication and Design - UGP Lynn University, USA

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      18,340 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      -
      Show program overview about International Year - Communication and Design
    See all undergraduate pathways in design

    Design graduate programs

    Master's in design

    • false

      3D Design & Technologies - MSc York St John University, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      12,750 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about 3D Design & Technologies
    • false

      Advanced Design & Manufacturing with Placement Year - MSc University of Northampton, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,750 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Advanced Design & Manufacturing with Placement Year
    • false

      Design Thinking - MDes Cranfield University, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      20,500 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      October
      Show program overview about Design Thinking
    • false

      Applied Craft + Design - MFA Pacific Northwest College of Art, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      39,225 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      August
      Show program overview about Applied Craft + Design
    • false

      Digital Art & Design: Fine Arts & Technology - MFA New York Institute of Technology, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      25,000 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Digital Art & Design: Fine Arts & Technology
    See all master's degrees in design

    Doctorate in design

    • false

      Design - PhD RMIT University, Australia

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      36,480 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      Art, Design and Performance - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,300 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      Design - PhD University of Gloucestershire, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,250 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Design
    • false

      Engineering and Design - PhD University of Chichester, UK

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,950 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Engineering and Design
    • false

      Learning, Design, and Technology - PhD University of Wyoming, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,500 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, May
      Show program overview about Learning, Design, and Technology
    See all doctorates in design

    Diploma in design

    • false

      Fine Art and Design - PGDip University of Tasmania, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      31,516 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Fine Art and Design
    • false

      Interactive Media Design - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      14 months
      Annual tuition fee
      16,626 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Interactive Media Design
    • false

      International Hotel & Design Management - PDip IHTTI School of Hotel & Design Management, Switzerland

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      35,700 CHF

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      February
      Show program overview about International Hotel & Design Management
    • false

      Mechanical Engineering Technician – Design - OCDip Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      16,531 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Mechanical Engineering Technician – Design
    See all postgraduate diplomas in design

    Certificate in design

    • false

      Applied Mechanical Design - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      16,626 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September, May
      Show program overview about Applied Mechanical Design
    • false

      Fine Art and Design - PGCert University of Tasmania, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      15,758 AUD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Fine Art and Design
    • false

      Game Level Design - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      26,621 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Game Level Design
    • false

      Kitchen and Bath Design Post-Diploma - GradCert Bow Valley College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      19,772 CAD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      Secondary Design and Technology - PGCert Bath Spa University, UK

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,300 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      January, September
      Show program overview about Secondary Design and Technology
    See all postgraduate certificates in design

    Pathway in design

    • false

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

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      15,460 GBP

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

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

      Communication and Design, Pre-master's Program - PGP Lynn University, USA

      Program type
      Postgraduate pathway
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      16,380 USD

      Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

      Start date
      -
      Show program overview about Communication and Design, Pre-master's Program
    See all postgraduate pathways in design

    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.