Master of Design [M.Des]
Fees
Fees at IIT Hyderabad for the Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Artificial Intelligence) program include a tuition fee of INR 1,00,000 per semester. Hostel fees range between INR 32,000 to INR 50,000 per year, with additional charges for mess fees and service charges summing to approximately INR 16,500 per semester. The total annual fee is estimated to be around INR 3,00,000, inclusive of hostel and mess facilities. Scholarships and fee waivers are available based on income levels and categories; students from families with an annual income below INR 1,00,000 do not pay tuition fees, while those earning between INR 1,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 receive significant fee reductions.
SC/ST students are exempt from tuition fees and have significantly reduced hostel expenses. Various scholarship programs are available, particularly for economically weaker sections and reserved categories, helping subsidize overall education costs.
About Master of Design [M.Des]
IIT Hyderabad offers a two-year full-time Master of Design across four specializations: Visual Design, Interaction Design, Product Design, and Photography, Film and Animation. Total intake is 26 seats, split between Ministry of Education funded seats admitted via CEED and self-sponsored seats via the IITH Design Aptitude Test. Fees for MoE-funded seats are INR 2,86,000 for the two-year programme.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open March 2027 (Tentative).
Key Points
- The INDReA Lab at IITH Design focuses on interactive digital reality applications, including a full-surround VR Cave with stereoscopic projection.
- The MoE-funded Design Innovation Centre supports designer-engineer collaboration on real-world applied problem statements.
- Photography, Film and Animation is a rare IIT M.Des specialization, with a dedicated animation studio and 360-degree camera rigs on campus.
- Two tracks exist: CEED for government-funded seats and the IITH DAT for self-sponsored candidates including working professionals.
IITH M.Des Fees 2026
Fees depend on the seat category. MoE-funded seats carry fees of INR 2,86,000 for the two-year programme, covering hostel, mess, and institutional charges, as tuition is funded by the Ministry of Education. Self-sponsored seats carry INR 20,000 per credit for 48 credits, amounting to INR 9,60,000 in tuition across two years.
| Course Name | Total Fees |
|---|---|
| M.Des (MoE-Funded via CEED) | INR 2,86,000 |
| M.Des (Self-Sponsored via IITH DAT) | INR 9,60,000 (tuition only) |
- Self-sponsored fees are tuition only. Hostel billed separately.
- Fees may change. Verify at iith.ac.in before admission.
IITH M.Des Admission 2026
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 27 March 2026 |
| Online Design Aptitude Test (DAT) | 22 April 2026 |
| Interview Shortlist Announced | 27 April 2026 |
| Personal Interviews (Self-Sponsored) | 11 May 2026 |
| Personal Interviews (MoE-Funded via CEED) | 12 May 2026 |
- Dates pertain to the completed 2026 admission cycle.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Design, or Fine Arts with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks or 6.0 CGPA from a recognised university.
- Master’s degree in Arts, Science, or Computer Applications with relevant professional design experience is also accepted.
- Candidates holding a Professional Diploma in Design from NID or CEPT are eligible.
- SC/ST/PwD candidates require a minimum of 55% marks or 5.5 CGPA.
Admission Process
- MoE-funded seats: submit a valid CEED score through the IITH Design admission portal. Shortlisted candidates attend an in-person portfolio interview at IITH Hyderabad.
- Self-sponsored seats: appear for the IITH Online Design Aptitude Test (DAT), followed by portfolio screening and a personal interview.
- Candidates may apply to a maximum of two specializations.
- Final selection is based on CEED or DAT performance combined with portfolio quality and interview assessment.
- Apply at design.iith.ac.in/admissions.
IITH M.Des vs Other Colleges
Here is how IITH M.Des compares with other leading design programmes on fees and entrance requirements.
| College | Fees | Exams | Cutoff | Salary | CD Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IITH M.Des | 2.86 L (MoE) | CEED / IITH DAT | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| IIT Bombay IDC M.Des | 1.24 L (MoE) | CEED | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| IIT Delhi M.Des | 1.60 L (MoE) | CEED | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
| NID Ahmedabad M.Des | 11.50 L | NID DAT | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed | Not Rated |
✓ Opt for this if
- You are an engineering or technology graduate pivoting to design.
- You want an IIT M.Des seat at low cost via the CEED government-funded route.
- Hyderabad’s design and technology industry aligns with your career geography.
- Access to VR labs and design-engineering research facilities matters to your work.
✗ Skip if
- You need documented placement outcomes before committing to a design programme.
- Fashion, textile, or jewellery design is your intended specialization.
- You are looking for a management-focused design track with a CAT or GMAT pathway.
IITH M.Des Scholarships 2026
IITH M.Des students are eligible for institute-level financial support available across all IIT programmes.
| Scholarship | Benefit | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| MoE-Funded Seat | Tuition covered by Ministry of Education | CEED-qualified candidates in MoE seats |
| SC/ST/PwD Fee Exemption | Full tuition fee waiver | SC/ST/PwD category students |
| Merit-cum-Means (MCM) | Full tuition waiver plus INR 1,000 per month stipend | Family income below INR 4.5 LPA |
- Amounts may vary. Verify with IITH Student Welfare office.
IITH M.Des FAQs
Ques. What is the difference between CEED and IITH DAT for M.Des admission at IITH?
Ans. CEED is a national-level exam conducted annually by IIT Bombay that serves as the qualifying test for M.Des programmes at most IITs, including IITH’s Ministry of Education funded seats. IITH additionally conducts its own online Design Aptitude Test (DAT) to fill self-sponsored seats, which carry a tuition fee of INR 20,000 per credit. If you hold a valid CEED score, you compete for the government-subsidized seats. The DAT route exists mainly for candidates without a CEED score, including working professionals who missed the exam window. Both tracks require a portfolio interview before final selection.
Ques. Can engineering graduates apply to IITH M.Des without a formal design background?
Ans. Yes. IITH M.Des explicitly welcomes B.E and B.Tech graduates. Many students in IIT design programmes come from computer science, mechanical engineering, and computer applications backgrounds. What matters in the portfolio interview is demonstrated design thinking, not a formal design degree. Candidates from non-design backgrounds should prepare a strong portfolio showing problem-solving, visual sensibility, or prototyping work even if it was not part of their formal studies. The CEED exam also covers visual and logical reasoning that engineering students often handle well with targeted preparation.
Ques. What research labs and studio facilities do IITH M.Des students have access to?
Ans. IITH Design has a well-equipped set of research facilities. The INDReA Lab handles immersive VR-based design research, including a full-surround VR Cave with stereoscopic projection across walls, floor, and ceiling. The Design Innovation Centre (MoE-funded) runs applied designer-engineer projects. Other facilities include a wood and metal workshop with CNC and laser cutting, an animation studio with 360-degree cameras, and iLAB, a prototyping lab with over 100 material types including composites, foam, and plastics.
Ques. Does IITH M.Des have placement support, and what sectors hire M.Des graduates?
Ans. IITH Design does not publish a separate M.Des placement report with CTC figures. Graduates of IIT design programmes typically enter user experience and interaction design at technology companies, product design at consumer electronics firms, visual communication at branding agencies, and digital media studios. Before committing to the programme, speak directly with current students or recent IITH Design graduates to understand sector outcomes specific to this campus.
Ques. How many specializations can I choose, and can I switch after joining IITH M.Des?
Ans. IITH offers four M.Des specializations: Visual Design, Interaction Design, Product Design, and Photography, Film and Animation. During the application process, candidates may apply to a maximum of two specializations and are evaluated separately for each. Seat allocation happens per specialization based on available intake and candidate ranking. Switching specializations after joining is not permitted, as each track has a distinct studio curriculum. Attending an open house or department session before applying is recommended to confirm your preference.