About Master of Design [M.Des] (UI/UX Design)
The Master of Design in UI/UX Design is a 2-year full-time postgraduate program offered by the School of Design at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. This program is designed to develop creative leaders and design professionals with expertise in user interface and user experience design. The total fees for the entire 2-year course is approximately INR 12 lakhs, with tuition fees of INR 3 lakhs. The program combines design thinking, user research, visual design, and usability principles with hands-on practical experience. Students engage in real-world learning and develop critical thinking skills to address contemporary design challenges. The course is popular among aspiring designers seeking careers in tech companies, design consultancies, and startups.
Admission Status and Important Dates:
Admissions to the M.Des UI/UX Design program are conducted through the Design Entrance Exam (DEE) and GUCPC (Gujarat University Centre for Professional Courses). For the 2026-27 academic year, the Design Entrance Exam 2026 was held on April 5, 2026, with registration deadline of April 3, 2026. Admission is merit-based following the entrance exam performance and interview. For the 2027-28 academic year, admissions are expected to commence in March 2027. Candidates must register on the GUCPC website and appear for the Design Entrance Exam. Successful candidates proceed through counselling and seat allotment via GCAS (Gujarat Common Admission Services).
Key Points:
- Comprehensive curriculum covering design thinking, user research, and visual design
- Hands-on practical experience with industry-standard design tools and software
- Real-world project-based learning with focus on solving contemporary design problems
- Access to state-of-the-art design studios and facilities
- Faculty expertise in UI/UX design, interaction design, and digital innovation
- Internship and industry collaboration opportunities
- Interdisciplinary approach drawing from multiple academic fields
- Strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation
Gujarat University M.Des Fees
The M.Des UI/UX Design program at Gujarat University offers comprehensive design education at competitive fees. The total fees for the 2-year program is approximately INR 12 lakhs, with tuition fees of INR 3 lakhs. This includes all academic charges, design software licenses, and access to design studios and facilities. The fee structure is designed to be accessible to talented students from diverse economic backgrounds.
Fee Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (2 Years) | ₹3,00,000 |
| Other Charges (Studio, Software, Materials) | ₹9,00,000 |
| Total Fees | ₹12,00,000 |
- The fees mentioned include tuition and other academic charges.
- Additional charges such as hostel fees (if applicable), examination fees, and other miscellaneous charges may apply separately.
- Hostel facilities are available at Gujarat University with fees ranging from INR 1,000-2,000 per semester (optional).
- Students from SC/ST/OBC categories may be eligible for fee waivers or scholarships as per government guidelines.
- Payment can be made in installments as per university norms.
Gujarat University M.Des Admission 2026
Admission to the M.Des UI/UX Design program is merit-based and conducted through the Design Entrance Exam (DEE) followed by counselling via GCAS. The program has 40 seats available for admission. The entrance exam evaluates design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving skills through a combination of written test and portfolio review. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from any recognized university with minimum 35% aggregate marks.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| DEE Registration Opens | March 2026 |
| DEE Registration Deadline | April 3, 2026 |
| Design Entrance Exam | April 5, 2026 |
| Results Announcement | April 10-15, 2026 |
| GCAS Counselling Registration | April-May 2026 |
| Seat Allotment | May 2026 |
| Admission Confirmation | May-June 2026 |
| Academic Session Begins | July 2026 |
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Bachelor's degree from any recognized university with minimum 35% aggregate marks
- Valid Design Entrance Exam (DEE) score
- Portfolio submission demonstrating design aptitude and creativity
- Interview performance (if shortlisted)
Admission Process:
- Register on GUCPC website and fill the DEE application form
- Submit portfolio and academic documents
- Appear for the Design Entrance Exam (written test)
- Participate in portfolio review and interview (if shortlisted)
- Register on GCAS portal for counselling
- Participate in merit-based seat allotment
- Complete admission formalities and pay fees
Gujarat University M.Des Scholarships 2026
Gujarat University and the Government of Gujarat offer various scholarships to support meritorious and economically disadvantaged students pursuing design education. These scholarships aim to make quality design education accessible to talented students from all backgrounds. Several state and central government schemes provide financial assistance to postgraduate students based on merit, caste, and family income criteria.
Available Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Amount | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Gujarat Scholarship | SC/ST/OBC students with family income below INR 2.5 lakhs | INR 940 - 2,00,000 per year | March 15, 2026 |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (SC) | SC students with family income below INR 2.5 lakhs | Tuition fee reimbursement + stipend | Varies (typically March-April) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (OBC) | OBC students with family income below INR 3 lakhs | Tuition fee reimbursement + stipend | Varies (typically March-April) |
| Merit-Based Scholarship | Top performers in DEE and academics | Partial/Full fee waiver | Announced after admission |
| MYSY Scholarship | Merit-based for all categories | Variable | Announced annually |
- Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to change as per government guidelines.
- Students must apply through the Digital Gujarat Portal or respective government portals.
- SC/ST students may receive fee waivers from the university.
- Application deadlines vary annually; students should check official notifications for current year details.
- Merit-based scholarships are awarded to top performers in the Design Entrance Exam.
Gujarat University M.Des Placement 2026
Placement Statistics
| Placement Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Median Salary | INR 8.75 lakhs per annum |
| Placement Prospects | Leading tech companies, design consultancies, startups |
| Other Opportunities | Entrepreneurship, freelance design work |
- 26 out of 30 under IIRF Design Ranking 2025.
Read more on Gujarat University Ahmedabad Rankings here
Gujarat University M.Des FAQs
Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing M.Des UI/UX Design?
Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as UX/UI designers, interaction designers, product designers, design consultants, and design managers in tech companies, design agencies, startups, and multinational corporations. Average starting salaries range from INR 6-12 lakhs per annum. Many graduates also establish their own design studios or work as freelance designers.
Ques. Is prior design experience required for admission to this program?
Ans. No, prior design experience is not mandatory. The program is open to any graduate with minimum 35% marks. However, a strong portfolio demonstrating design aptitude, creativity, and problem-solving skills is important for admission. The Design Entrance Exam evaluates your design thinking and creative potential.
Ques. What design tools and software are taught in this program?
Ans. The curriculum covers industry-standard design tools including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, XD), Figma, Sketch, prototyping tools, and user research software. Students also learn design thinking methodologies, user research techniques, wireframing, and interaction design principles.
Ques. Are there internship and industry collaboration opportunities?
Ans. Yes, the School of Design emphasizes real-world learning and industry collaboration. Students work on live projects with design agencies, tech companies, and startups. Internship opportunities are available during the course, providing practical experience and industry exposure.
Ques. Can I pursue higher studies (Ph.D) after this M.Des program?
Ans. Yes, M.Des graduates can pursue doctoral research in design, human-computer interaction, or related fields. The research and project work during the program provides a strong foundation for doctoral studies at national and international institutions.
Ques. What is the placement scenario for M.Des UI/UX graduates from Gujarat University?
Ans. M.Des graduates from Gujarat University have good placement prospects with median salary around INR 8.75 lakhs per annum. Many graduates secure positions in leading tech companies, design consultancies, and startups. Some graduates also opt for entrepreneurship or freelance design work.