The School of Design at UPES, Dehradun, offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in design and planning, with specializations such as Product Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Game Design, and more. The admission process is primarily entrance-based, utilizing scores from exams like UPESDAT, NID, NIFT, UCEED, JEE Main, and CUET, followed by a portfolio presentation and interview. The typical application window runs from December to April, with the application fee set at INR 1,750. The school admits students to its BDes and MDes programs, each with an intake of approximately 180–200 seats per year, and offers merit-based scholarships and waivers for eligible candidates.
School of Design, UPES Admission Deadlines
UPES School of Design admissions for the 2025 cycle typically open in December 2024 and close by April 2025 for most UG and PG programs. The UPESDAT entrance exam is usually conducted in May, with portfolio and interview rounds scheduled soon after. Application deadlines may vary for PhD and lateral entry programs, so candidates should check the official portal for updates. The application fee for all programs is INR 1,750.
Event | UG (BDes) | PG (MDes) | PhD |
Application Start | December 2024 | December 2024 | January 2025 |
Application End | April 2025 | April 2025 | May 2025 |
Entrance Exam (UPESDAT) | May 2025 | May 2025 | NA |
Portfolio & Interview | May–June 2025 | May–June 2025 | June 2025 |
Admission Offer | June 2025 | June 2025 | June–July 2025 |
Application Fee | INR 1,750 | INR 1,750 | INR 1,750 |
School of Design, UPES UG Admission
UPES School of Design offers undergraduate programs such as BDes and BPlan with specializations in Product Design, Animation, Fashion, Interior, and Game Design. The total UG intake is typically 180–200 seats per year. Admission is based on scores from UPESDAT, NID, NIFT, UCEED, JEE Main, CUET, or board merit, followed by a portfolio presentation and interview. The total fee for BDes ranges from INR 13–18 Lakh for the full program. Scholarships are available for high scorers and merit-based applicants.
Program | Duration | Eligibility | Selection Criteria | Seats | Total Fee (INR) |
BDes (All Specializations) | 4 Years | 50% in Class 10 & 12 (any stream) | UPESDAT / NID / NIFT / UCEED / JEE Main / CUET / Board Merit + Portfolio & Interview | ~180–200 | 13–18 Lakh |
BPlan | 4 Years | 50% in Class 10 & 12 (any stream) | UPESDAT / JEE Main / Board Merit + Interview | ~40 | 10–12 Lakh |
School of Design, UPES PG Admission
The School of Design at UPES offers MDes and MPlan programs across multiple design and planning disciplines. The typical PG intake is 30–40 seats per specialization. Eligibility includes a relevant bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate and, for MDes, one year of industry experience is often required. Admission is through CEED or UPESDAT, followed by portfolio and interview. The total fee for MDes is approximately INR 6–8 Lakh. Scholarships are available for top-performing candidates.
Program | Duration | Eligibility | Selection Criteria | Seats | Total Fee (INR) |
MDes (All Specializations) | 2 Years | BDes/BFA/BVA/BE/BTech/BA/BSc (Design/Applied Art/Relevant) + 50% + 1 yr experience | CEED / UPESDAT + Portfolio & Interview | 30–40 per specialization | 6–8 Lakh |
MPlan | 2 Years | BPlan/BArch/BE/BTech (Relevant) + 50% | UPESDAT / GATE / Interview | ~20 | 5–6 Lakh |
School of Design, UPES PhD Admission
The School of Design at UPES offers a PhD in Design with a focus on advanced research in design theory, practice, and innovation. The PhD intake is typically 5–10 seats per year. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in design or a related field with at least 55% aggregate. Selection is based on a written test and interview, with preference given to candidates with published research or relevant industry experience. The total program fee ranges from INR 2–3 Lakh.
Program | Duration | Eligibility | Selection Criteria | Seats | Total Fee (INR) |
PhD (Design) | 3–5 Years | Master’s in Design/Related Field + 55% | Written Test + Interview | 5–10 | 2–3 Lakh |
School of Design, UPES Application Process
The UPES School of Design application process is conducted entirely online through the official university portal. Candidates must register, fill in personal and academic details, upload required documents, and pay a non-refundable application fee of INR 1,750. Shortlisting is based on entrance exam scores, followed by portfolio review and interview. Final admission is confirmed after document verification and fee payment. The process is the same for UG, PG, and PhD programs, with specific requirements for each stage.
Register online at the official UPES website.
Fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
Upload scanned documents (marksheets, ID proof, portfolio, etc.).
Pay the application fee of INR 1,750 using debit/credit card or net banking.
Track application status via the online portal.
Step | Description |
Registration | Online via UPES official portal |
Form Submission | Fill personal and academic details, upload documents |
Application Fee | INR 1,750 (non-refundable) |
Shortlisting | Based on entrance exam scores |
Portfolio & Interview | Mandatory for shortlisted candidates |
Admission Confirmation | Document verification and fee payment |
