
Study design abroad
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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
Best countries to study design
How to study design abroad
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See programs that best match your eligibility and aspirations
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Design study abroad programs
Design undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in design
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Apparel Design & Product Development - BSc Baylor University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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44,544 USD
Fee in university's local currency 44,544 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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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
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32,220 USD
Fee in university's local currency 32,220 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Craft and Design: Furniture - BA (Hons) Sheridan College, Canada
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,422 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,621 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Textile Design - BA RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,686 USD
Fee in university's local currency 31,680 AUD
- Start date
- July, February
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Media Arts and Design (Interactive Design) - BA/BSc 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
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
- January, August
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Architectural Design and Drafting: Residential - AASc Portland Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
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9,290 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,290 USD
- Start date
- September, January, March, June
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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
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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
- September, January, April, June
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CIS Digital Design - AASc 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
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
-
12,889 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 AUD
- Start date
- July, February
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Building Design: Architectural - AdvDip Gordon Institute of TAFE, Australia
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,836 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,736 AUD
- Start date
- July, February
-
Communication Design: Interactive Media - UGDip North Island College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,039 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,045 CAD
- Start date
- September, January, May
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Digital Design - Dip Bow Valley College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 16 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
37,008 USD
Fee in university's local currency 47,084 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Graphic and Digital Design - Dip (Des) University of the Fraser Valley, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,855 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,900 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
Certificate in design
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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
- January, August
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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
- January, August
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Art and Design Fundamentals - OCCert Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,993 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- July, September, January
-
Design Foundation - Cert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,114 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,412 CAD
- Start date
- January
-
Digital Design & Production - Cert College of the Desert, USA
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,368 USD
Fee in university's local currency 7,368 USD
- Start date
- August, January
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
-
19,852 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,720 GBP
- Start date
- September, October, January, February
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Interior Architecture & Design (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,776 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,700 GBP
- Start date
- September, January
Design graduate programs
Master's in design
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Advanced Design & Manufacturing - MSc University of Northampton, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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17,365 USD
Fee in university's local currency 13,750 GBP
- Start date
- September, January
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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
-
28,724 USD
Fee in university's local currency 44,000 NZD
- Start date
- January, February
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Architecture: Sustainable Design - MArch University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
29,067 USD
Fee in university's local currency 44,526 NZD
- Start date
- February, July
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Art and Design, Advanced - MRes KdG University of Applied Sciences, Belgium
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
2,683 USD
Fee in university's local currency 2,500 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Interior Architecture and Design - MA University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,292 USD
Fee in university's local currency 8,150 GBP
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in design
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Design - PhD RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
26,123 USD
Fee in university's local currency 36,480 AUD
- Start date
- July, February
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Art, Design and Performance - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,585 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP
- Start date
- October, February
Diploma in design
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Design: Industrial Design - GradDip Massey University, New Zealand
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,954 USD
Fee in university's local currency 33,630 NZD
- Start date
- November, February, July
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Fine Art and Design - PGDip University of Tasmania, Australia
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,568 USD
Fee in university's local currency 31,516 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
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Interactive Media Design - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 14 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,068 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,626 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Mechanical Engineering Technician – Design - OCDip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,993 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- September, January
Certificate in design
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Applied Mechanical Design - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
13,068 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,626 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
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Art and Design - GradCert Ulster University, UK
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 10 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
6,099 USD
Fee in university's local currency 4,830 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Fine Art and Design - PGCert University of Tasmania, Australia
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 6 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,284 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,758 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
-
Game Level Design - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,924 USD
Fee in university's local currency 26,621 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Kitchen and Bath Design Post-Diploma - GradCert Bow Valley College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,541 USD
Fee in university's local currency 19,772 CAD
- Start date
- September
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
-
17,996 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,250 GBP
- Start date
- July, August, September, January
Search all of our design programs
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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.
